Alabama's biggest official visit weekend of the summer has drawn rave reviews. While it has so far only produced one commitment - 4-star RB Nigel Newkirk - it appears to be only a matter of time before more good news comes in for the Crimson Tide.
By 4-star EDGE Antwan Jackson's own admission, a commitment from him appears imminent. Alabama could be on the verge of landing another 4-star defensive lineman, too.
Kalen DeBoer and company have been setting the pace for 4-star DL Mitchell Turner for months now, with Alabama long being seen as the team to beat in his recruitment. He took his official visit to Tuscaloosa over the weekend, and while he initially planned to take his full slate of visits, it appears his timeline might be accelerated.
Turner has trips scheduled to Texas, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State in June, and will reportedly take a trip to LSU this week, but he's one to keep an eye on as the finish line could be approaching with crimson-colored tape waiting.
Rivals expert Chad Simmons evidently feels pretty good about where Alabama stands with Turner following his Tuscaloosa trip. He logged an expert prediction on Sunday night for the Crimson Tide to land the Mississippi native.
Rivals expert Chad Simmons logs a prediction in favor of Alabama for 4-star DL Mitchell Turner
Simmons' prediction is the second official prediction that has been logged in favor of Alabama for Turner. 247's Brett Greenberg put his pick in for the Crimson Tide back in April.
Freddie Roach has had great success going into Mississippi for top defensive linemen. If Turner comes on board, he would mark the third straight cycle in which Alabama added an elite talent up front from the Magnolia State, joining London Simmons (2025) and Nolan Wilson (2026).
You don't have to squint to see the parallels between Turner's recruitment and that of Wilson's a year ago. DeBoer, Roach, and the rest of the coaching staff built that early relationship with Wilson as the elite prospect's first official offer. That early belief carried them throughout the recruitment process and ultimately culminated in his landing in Tuscaloosa despite a bevy of other suitors.
Turner's recruitment could follow a similar script. While Alabama wasn't Turner's first overall offer, it was his first Power Four offer. When the Crimson Tide came in with an offer, the floodgates opened with other top programs from across the country turning up the heat on his recruitment.
Turner had an unbelievable junior season, racking up 41 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks for Louisville High School in Mississippi. His stock soared in the aftermath, and he could continue to see his stock rise if his production as a senior ramps up even more.
As things stand, Turner is ranked as the No. 57 overall, No. 6 DL, and No. 1 overall player in the state of Mississippi according to the 247 composite. He would represent a major recruiting win for DeBoer and the Tide's staff, instantly becoming the top pledge on the defensive side of the ball for Alabama's 2027 class if and when he pulls the trigger.
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