It has been a pretty quiet 2027 recruiting cycle for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama. The Crimson Tide has just 15 total commitments in a class that ranks 34th nationally. That's not a worry, though some fans have undoubtedly been stressing it. The plan all along was to take a smaller class in this recruiting cycle after signing back-to-back big classes in 2025 and 2026, both of which ranked nationally inside the Top 5.
The main priority for DeBoer and GM Courtney Morgan this offseason will be retaining a very talented roster while keeping some money open for the Transfer Portal. Alabama added some highly impactful players in the portal this past offseason, and they'll look to do it again.
But there are still a few targets out there that the Crimson Tide is pushing for, with several uncommitted prospects on the board along with some flip targets. A new flip target emerged this week in 4-star Auburn commitment MJ Evans.
Evans, a 270-pound defensive lineman from Spain Park High School in Birmingham, has been committed to the Tigers since July 1st, but the Crimson Tide is making a final push to try to sway him. Evans is slated to take a visit to Tuscaloosa on October 24th to watch Alabama play Texas A&M:
Auburn 4⭐️ DL commit Marquis “MJ” Evans confirmed to @Bama_247 that he will be on campus Oct. 24 for Alabama’s matchup with Texas A&M.
— Olivia Sayer (@OliviaKSayer) October 13, 2026
“I’m most looking forward to feeling the vibe around the staff.”
🔗: https://t.co/CoySaRtI4j pic.twitter.com/rLnKW4857f
Auburn commit MJ Evans is set to visit Alabama on October 24th for Texas A&M game
Alabama is still in pursuit of more defensive line help in this class. The Crimson Tide recently flipped 3-star Kavarris "Duke" Duncan away from Tulane, and they hold commitments from AJ Pauley, Tyler Younger, and Jeremiah Beverly. Younger and Beverly are more EDGE types, while Duncan and Pauley will play on the interior.
Alabama is also in talks with former Memphis commit Joshua Lane, who decommitted from the Tigers a few days after he was offered by Alabama. His recruitment has picked up significant steam, and he has two critical upcoming visits: Alabama on October 24th and Tennessee on November 7th.
How real is a potential flip for Evans? He remains committed to Auburn, but he recently took a trip to Florida, too. He's clearly exploring his options with the early signing period quickly approaching. Auburn's struggles, particularly on defense, in Alex Golesh's first season on the Plains are certainly not helping their cause.
Flipping Evans would be a major win for Alabama on the recruiting trail and would simultaneously deliver a big blow to Auburn's class. That's a win-win.
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