Alabama has been searching for an under-the-radar WR to add to its 2027 recruiting class. Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide already landed 4-star Osani Gayles and remain in the hunt for 5-star Monshun Sales, but regardless of what happens with him, Alabama is still hopeful to land another receiver who won't be too expensive.
The top two guys on that list appeared to Cedrick Simmons and Kyren Caldwell. Both visited Tuscaloosa in June, and the Crimson Tide looked to be in good shape to land one of them.
Alabama appeared to zero in on Caldwell with Simmons trending toward Auburn. Whether that was a decision based on Simmons or if Alabama just preferred Caldwell isn't known. But now, Alabama is set to miss on both.
Ahead of his commitment on July 4th, Bama Online's Tim Watts and Andrew Bone both logged predictions for Caldwell to land with Maryland after previously projecting him to end up in the Tide's class. The predictions were logged on Rivals' prediction machine.
The predictions came one day after news broke of a new offer going out in the 2027 class.
With Kyren Caldwell trending toward Maryland, Alabama extends offer to 3-star Jalijah Rutledge
Alabama isn't willing to commit significant financial resources for what they hope to be the third WR in this class. That's the impetus for Caldwell ending up at Maryland. The Terps have clearly upped their financial positioning for Caldwell in the last week.
So now Alabama is pivoting to in-state 3-star Jalijah Rutledge from Moody, who the Crimson Tide extended an offer to this week:
BREAKING: Alabama extends an offer to Moody (Ala.) 2027 WR Jalijah Rutledge. @jalijahrutledg
— Larry Rudolph (@ScoutFball) July 2, 2026
The 5-foot-10 185 pound speedster is committed to App State. pic.twitter.com/ojfggC6duD
Rutledge is currently committed to Appalachian State, where he pledged in the middle of last month. An offer from the Crimson Tide likely changes things, however.
Alabama is the first Power Four program to offer the Moody native, who is coming off an impressive junior season. He racked up 1132 receiving yards on 60 receptions with 10 touchdowns.
Alabama took a flier on a Moody WR in last season's class, too, with Rutledge's teammate Aubrey Walker earning a late offer and joining the Crimson Tide's 2026 class.
Rutledge is a speedy WR, similar to both Caldwell and Simmons, and could be an impactful player for the Crimson Tide as a return man, too.
It will be interesting to see what DeBoer and Alabama do if Sales ultimately ends up elsewhere, which seems more and more likely. The 5-star WR is expected to make a decision sometime this month, and if he doesn't end up in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide could crank up the heat on some higher-ranked receivers like Louisville commitment Ja'Hyde Brown.
In any case, Rutledge appears to have the opportunity to join Alabama's class regardless.
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