DeBoer could beat Kirby Smart again as Alabama pushes to flip Georgia commitment

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has earned plenty of head-to-head recruiting wins - and one on the field - against Georgia and Kirby Smart. He could be gearing up for another.
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It's clear that Kalen DeBoer and Alabama are looking for another edge rusher in the 2026 recruiting class. After missing out on top targets like Tank Jones (Oregon) and KJ Ford (Florida), they've been on the hunt for some under the radar prospects committed to other programs.

Alabama recently extended an offer to 3-star Matthew Nelson, an Oklahoma commitment. They will continue to work toward getting him on campus for a visit this fall.

They've made more inroads with another SEC commitment, however, and that's 3-star Valdosta native Corey Howard, who committed ot Kirby Smart and Georgia back in June.

But Howard was on campus this past weekend for an unofficial visit to watch Alabama steamroll UL Monroe 73-0. Howard liked what he saw enough that he immediately scheduled a return trip to Tuscaloosa for an official visit to see Alabama face Tennessee on the Third Saturday in October rivalry. If he thought Bryant-Denny was an incredible environment for the game against the Warhawks, wait until he sees it come to life for the Vols.

Howard may be a bit raw, but he's got the physical tools and size that SEC teams covet at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds. With his frame, he seems destined for the Bandit position in the Crimson Tide's defensive scheme.

Howard's initial recruitment came down to Georgia and Florida, which were his only two Power-Four offers. Alabama joined the party with an offer to Howard on August 28th.

Kalen DeBoer is developing an early reputation for besting Kirby Smart

If you take a peek at the 247 composite rankings for the state of Georgia in the 2026 cycle, you'll notice that Alabama holds commitments from two of the top three players from the state of Georgia: 5-stars Jorden Edmonds and Xavier Griffin.

Those are two monstrous recruiting wins for DeBoer, a coach whom many questioned whether or not he would be able to recruit with the big boys in the SEC. Alabama also holds a commitment from the No. 8 player in the state of Georgia - 4-star EDGE Jamarion Matthews.

Add in the fact that DeBoer beat Smart head-to-head on the field last year in Tuscaloosa, and right now the second-year Tide coach has the upper hand on the two-time National Champion. If DeBoer can secure the flip of Howard - and lead Alabama to another victory over Georgia at the end of this month (this time in Athens) - then there may have to be some uncomfortable conversations had for fans of the Bulldogs.

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