Bear Fretwell quote shows the Alabama discount in recruiting is still alive and well

Opposing fans don't want to believe that Alabama gets recruits at a discount and isn't dropping massive bags to lure the top prospects in the country to Tuscaloosa. They at least don't want to believe that it's still happening in a post-Nick Saban world, but it remains the truth. The Crimson Tide's pedigree and NFL track record produce an "Alabama discount" in recruiting.

There's a reason Alabama has one of the three or four most talented rosters in college football right now, despite not being among the Top 10 highest spenders this offseason.

Contrary to popular belief among bitter rivals, Alabama wasn't the highest bidder for Xavier Griffin or Ezavier Crowell or any of the five-stars currently committed.

And they weren't the highest bidder for the most recent addition to the 2026 class: 3-star OT Bear Fretwell, who flipped to Alabama from Georgia Tech on Friday.

Kalen DeBoer and his staff are doing an incredible job of selling future earnings and development into NFL prospects to the current crop of high schoolers. Obviously, some of that is off Nick Saban's back, but DeBoer has a pretty good track record of developing NFL players himself.

During the 2024 NFL offseason, former Alabama players signed NFL contracts in excess of $1 billion.

Bear Fretwell is an upside swing, but could be a star at Alabama

I said it before, and I'll say it again: all I really needed to know about Fretwell is that Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key signed off on him. Key, the former Alabama OL coach, is one of the best evaluators of offensive linemen in the business.

Fretwell is a raw prospect, but he has a fascinating athletic profile. He stands at 6-foot-7 and 290 pounds, and at that weight, he recently clocked a ridiculous 4.77 40 yard dash time.

Fretwell is currently a 3-star recruit and is ranked as the No. 702 player in the 247 composite and the No. 61 offensive tackle. Many expect Fretwell to be a riser as a senior. He's still developing his technical skills, but his athleticism makes him an intriguing prospect.

This staff has proven to be comfortable with taking swings on upside with offensive linemen. It's what led them down the path of a backup at Ball State in the Transfer Portal last winter. Chris Kapilovic and GM Courtney Morgan liked Arkel Anugwom's athletic profile and upside enough to go and get him, banking on his future development.

Fretwell is a similar case, except he'll have the immediate advantage of being coached by Alabama right away instead of wasting away in the MAC.