Kalen DeBoer and Alabama aren't backing off in hunt for 5-star committed elsewhere

Despite watching one of its top targets commit elsewhere recently, Kalen DeBoer and Alabama football aren't backing off in his recruitment.
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The early signing period is still nearly four months away, and verbal commitments aren't going to keep teams from pushing for flips.

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama have built an impressive class of 21 commitments, but they're hoping they aren't done yet. DeBoer and his staff have proven adept at flipping prospects during their two cycles in Tuscaloosa.

Examples would include Keelon Russell flipping from SMU and Derek Meadows from LSU in the 2025 cycle. In the 2026 class, DeBoer and the Tide flipped Jett Thomalla from Iowa State, Rihyael Kelley from Rutgers, and Javari Barnett from Illinois. That's not to mention Xavier Griffin, who was once committed to USC, though he decommitted from the Trojans several weeks before he pledged to the Crimson Tide.

DeBoer and GM Courtney Morgan are going to need that same magic over the next few months to complete the coveted in-state sweep after missing out on 5-star EDGE Anthony 'Tank' Jones, who committed to Oregon late last month. As expected, however, that recruitment is far from over.

Alabama - and Auburn - aren't giving up on Tank Jones despite Oregon commitment

We said it from the beginning, as soon as Jones announced his commitment to the Ducks on the Pat McAfee show, this recruitment was far from over. There's going to be a major pull over the next few months for Jones to stay in his home state of Alabama.

Eugene is a long way from Mobile - that's a fact that DeBoer and Auburn's Hugh Freeze are going to continue to remind Jones of as we march closer to December. According to Rivals, both the Crimson Tide and Tigers are continuing their push for the top player in the state:

As is typically the case, Oregon has a significant NIL package on the table for Jones, and both Alabama and Auburn will have to hope that the allure of staying home will outweigh the extra money the Ducks will pay him.

If he does flip, Alabama figures to have a significantly better chance of landing him than Auburn. The Tigers didn't even make his final three, with Alabama and Oregon being joined by Texas A&M. The Aggies shouldn't be discounted, either, though it certainly feels right now that if he leaves the state, it'll be to honor his commitment.

Alabama will be hoping to get Jones on campus for a game this fall, and that it could be enough to change his mind.