Hayden Stepp readies for decision as Alabama fans brace for another recruiting miss

The 2027 recruiting cycle has been brutal for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama. After signing back-to-back Top 5 classes in 2025 and 2026, the Crimson Tide currently has a class that ranks near the bottom of the SEC.

DeBoer has stated multiple times that this wasn't going to be a big class to begin with. Alabama has a roster-building strategy it's sticking to, with roster retention being the top priority after the season and the Transfer Portal a close second. The staff feels they have enough young talent on the roster, and with only nine seniors, there's not a lot of room for a big recruiting class if Alabama can have the success it hopes to have in retaining the talent already in Tuscaloosa.

That doesn't make the high-profile misses sting any less, however.

Alabama has swung and missed on some of its top targets in this class. That includes 4-star DL Mitchell Turner, who committed to Ole Miss on Tuesday. That also includes 4-star OL Antonio Berry, who joined Turner by committing to Ole Miss this week. It also includes the flip of 4-star LB Kenneth Simon II to Tennessee.

And it appears that it's going to include 4-star CB Hayden Stepp, whom the Crimson Tide was once in the driver's seat for.

Stepp has set a commitment announcement for next Wednesday, July 1st, and there's smoke pouring out of Eugene that the Las Vegas native is going to wind up at Oregon.

Hayden Stepp sets commitment date with Oregon trending over Alabama

Per the Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) on Rivals, Oregon has picked up predictions from a slew of experts this week to land Stepp. That includes notable insiders Steve Wiltfong, Greg Biggins, Brandon Huffman, and Adam Gorney. It appears this recruitment might be all over but the shoutin'.

The fat lady isn't singing yet, but she's picking up the microphone.

Alabama entered this cycle with few obvious needs. The defensive backfield is one of the last concerning position groups on the roster, with the talent that Maurice Linguist has stockpiled in Tuscaloosa over the last couple of years.

But Stepp is a player who was a high priority for this class, and losing another recruiting battle to Oregon is a tough blow for Alabama fans to accept.

There's no use in panicking over it. DeBoer and General Manager Courtney Morgan have a plan in mind that they are going to execute. This recruiting class will have no impact on how the 2026 season plays out, which will have a much bigger impact on the future of the program than one high school class.

But the struggles on the trail for this cycle make it all the more important that Alabama puts together a strong, playoff-worthy campaign in 2026. A season that doesn't include multiple blowout losses and season-long issues running the football. They don't have to be perfect, but they need to have an identity. They need to look like Alabama again.

If that can happen, then few will care about this high school class, DeBoer will retain the players he wants to retain for 2027, and an active Transfer Portal window will see Alabama land some impact players to fill any gaps.

If things go south, however, then all the swings and misses in this recruiting class will only be exacerbated.

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