The 2027 recruiting cycle has been a slow burn for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama, but that's not exactly abnormal. The Crimson Tide has found itself in a similar position the last two summers before major runs allowed them to shoot up the recruiting rankings and finish with Top 5 classes.
Those heights might not be reached in this cycle, but only because of a lack of quantity - certainly not for lack of quality. With only nine seniors on the roster, Alabama doesn't intend to take a large high school class. Somewhere around 15 is probably the magic number for this cycle.
Momentum is starting to build for the Crimson Tide. Last weekend was the biggest recruiting weekend of the summer, and while it has so far only produced one commitment from 4-star RB Nigel Newkirk, more are on the way. DeBoer and his staff planted the seeds that will grow in the coming weeks and lead to some major wins on the trail.
Alabama will host a crop of official visitors again this weekend, and while the group in Tuscaloosa won't be nearly as big - or as highly-regarded - as the one last week, there are still several key targets who will be making the trip.
One of those targets is a player whom Alabama has ramped up its pursuit of in the aftermath of his commitment to Syracuse, and in the aftermath of the Tide losing 4-star TE commitment Colt Lumpris to Michigan and missing out on 4-star TE Malik Howard.
Baltimore native Michael Nnabuife from St. Frances Academy - the same high school that produced Alabama freshman safety Jireh Edwards - will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend and could be on flip watch despite his commitment to Syracuse just a couple of weeks ago.
Alabama working to flip 3-star TE Michael Nnabuife away from Syracuse
Alabama didn't seem too heavily involved in Nnabuife's recruitment when he made his commitment announcement to Syracuse last month. Keeping Lumpris in the boat was priority number one, but his flip to Michigan has forced Alabama to pivot to other prospects.
Nnabuife is one of the pivot candidates, and he'll take his official visit to Alabama this weekend.
"They've made it pretty apparent that they're still actively trying to flip me, which is the big reason why I'm going on this official visit," Nnabuife told Touchdown Alabama Magazine.
Getting a prospect on campus is a big step toward a potential flip, and if Alabama pushes for Nnabuife, it seems likely that he'll end up wearing crimson instead of orange.
But he might be in competition with another TE in town this weekend for the spot. Alabama already has a commitment from Liverpool, New York's Oakley Keegan, and is looking to find its second TE in this class. Nnabuife won't be the only TE visiting Alabama this weekend.
Tennessee native Colton Johnson will also be on his official visit this weekend. The 3-star prospect is being heavily pursued by a bevy of heavy hitters on the recruiting trail. He took a visit to Ole Miss last weekend, will see Alabama this week, and then in the coming weeks plans to take trips to Oregon, Indiana, and Tennessee.
DeBoer and his staff will likely evaluate both prospects in person this weekend before deciding on which one to push for. It could come down to a first-come, first-served basis between the pair, with whoever is willing to jump on board first getting the spot.
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