Before the Third Saturday in October takes place on the football field, Kalen DeBoer and Josh Heupel are already battling it out on the recruiting trail, as they've done many times over the last couple of years.
JUCO edge rusher Hayden Lowe, a former top 100 recruit who signed with Miami out of high school before exiting Coral Gables after one season, has become the center of attention for both Alabama and Tennessee, among others.
Lowe recently took a trip to Tennessee this past weekend for their matchup with Auburn, and the Volunteers made headway with Lowe.
But DeBoer and the Crimson Tide will get their shot. Lowe has scheduled a visit to Tuscaloosa for October 24th for Alabama's matchup with Texas A&M.
Former Top 100 recruit Hayden Lowe to visit Alabama on October 24th
Lowe has some familiarity with the Alabama staff. He's originally from California, and DeBoer and Tide GM Courtney Morgan recruited him while they were still at Washington.
"Coach DeBoer and that whole staff first recruited me when they were still at Washington," Lowe told FanSided's Braulio Perez. "I know Courtney Morgan because he's from L.A. They've been telling me they need an EDGE guy. They've got two seniors who are leaving. I have a good relationship with the staff. It's kind of the same thing as Tennessee where they're expressing the need for an EDGE guy to come in, compete, and take the starting spot."
Alabama will be in the market for an immediate contributor at edge this offseason with Yhonzae Pierre almost certainly heading to the NFL Draft after the season. Alabama should bring back Justin Hill. South Carolina transfer Desmond Umeozulu has an additional year of eligibility, too, and will likely return, especially after the current injury he's dealing with is costing him a chunk of his fourth season of college ball.
Alabama has some talented young options as well, but finding another player with some experience off the edge is a high priority for this staff.
Whether or not that is Lowe remains to be seen. He didn't play during his lone season at Miami, and it's hard to know right away whether a JUCO player will be able to contribute quickly. But if DeBoer and Morgan think so, they've certainly earned the benefit of the doubt on evaluations.
Take Tyrell Miller as a good example. Alabama landed him in the portal from a JUCO, and he stepped in for the injured Jayvin James to start at right tackle for the Tide this past weekend against Mississippi State, where he more than held his own.
Lowe has now visited Cal and Tennessee this fall. He intends to visit both Missouri and UCLA in the next two weeks before making the trip to Tuscaloosa on October 24th.
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