Alabama's recent run of recruiting success is not sitting well with rival fanbases. The crash outs have been epic on social media in the aftermath of Alabama landing a fifth 5-star commitment in the 2026 cycle when Baltimore's Jireh Edwards pledged to the Tide on Saturday.
Rival fans have flooded social media to whine and cry, and undermine Kalen DeBoer's ability to recruit. To them, the Tide's recent run is more attributed to Nick Saban than DeBoer and his staff. The same fans who swore Saban retired because he couldn't deal with recruiting in the NIL era; he's now the mastermind behind the Tide's current success on the trail, convincing players to come to Tuscaloosa and not be coached by him.
And even if those ridiculous arguments were true - they aren't - who even cares? If you had a Nick Saban, you would use him, too. And those top recruits are still coming to don the crimson and white and will continue the tradition in Tuscaloosa that started long before Nick Saban ever stepped off that plane in January of 2007.
Alabama is still living rent free in the heads of rival fans
Alabama is still the main character of the story. It was obvious last season when fans were crashing out about Alabama potentially making the College Football Playoff, and then the mass celebrations when they didn't. The Tide has long been the bully on the block, and everyone was hoping now was the time for them to get their lick back.
But the talent level isn't changing. Alabama's run on the recruiting trail in the last month rivals the best streaks of Saban's time in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has a loaded roster for 2025, and that roster will see another influx of talent in 2026 with what is shaping up to be a second consecutive top-five class.
Results on the field will have to come, but regardless of how good Alabama is next season, you can bet the Crimson Tide will continue to exude main-character energy. If Alabama loses a game - and odds are good that they will with an incredibly difficult schedule - you can bet that the loss will lead off SportsCenter. You can also bet that if it's a road game, opposing fans will storm the field to celebrate, just like they have in every season since 2010.
You may not like it, but if you're not a fan of Alabama, odds are the Crimson Tide is frequently on your mind. And that's good for the sport. It's good for fans to have a team to hate. Such is the burden of being a fan of the New York Yankees, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, or the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Alabama isn't going anywhere. The bully on the block is coming for its lick back. Dread it. Run from it. But you'll be watching.