While the 2027 class has not been anything to write home about for Alabama, it already appears that the 2028 class is going to be much similar to the 2025 and 2026 classes signed by Kalen DeBoer.
With a massive commitment expected on July 10th from 4-star QB Kingston Preyear, Alabama landed a surprise commitment on Tuesday from a top in-state target.
Notasulga LB Ryquan Butler, who picked up an offer from Alabama after an impressive showing at camp in June, committed to the Crimson Tide on Tuesday. He also held offers from Auburn, Florida State, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State already heading into his junior season at Loachapoka:
Blessed to announce my commitment to the University of @AlabamaFTBL Very Blessed to be in this position Hige shoutout to @JaxWarshawUA @coachbhall76 @D_Harris7 @PlottCordell pic.twitter.com/pXHKaXNrSY
— Ryquan Butler (@butler_ryquan) July 7, 2026
In-state LB Ryquan Butler commits to Alabama over Auburn, Florida State, others
Butler is listed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. He's not yet ranked on the 247 composite, but it's early yet. His list of SEC offers already points to a player who will likely end up as a 4-star, assuming his current trajectory continues.
That's an important caveat.
Alabama has landed early commitments in each of the last two cycles that have rarely held. Tide fans know better than to get too excited about any commitments this far out from December of 2028, the earliest Butler can put pen to paper.
For the 2027 cycle, Alabama had early commitments from Jabarrius Garror and Jatori Williams. Neither lasted, and the Crimson Tide ultimately wasn't serious players in their recruitments when they ultimately heated up.
As things currently stand, Alabama has the No. 2 class for 2028 with four commitments. Butler joins CB Braylen Gibbs, who recently flipped from Vanderbilt, QB Charles Scott Jr., and LB Dustin Henry.
A fifth is expected when Preyear makes his announcement on Friday.
Preyear would join Butler to give Alabama two in-state commitments for 2028 early on, which is a big step toward a dominant rebound from the 2027 cycle. While much has been made about DeBoer's lack of commitments from in-state prospects in 2027, the reality is that the in-state crop is weaker than normal in this cycle.
That changes in a major way for 2028. Adding key in-state pieces early will give the Crimson Tide a leg up on Auburn and the others who will be looking to poach the state's most talented prospects.
Butler's commitment is good news as it stands. But in today's day and age of recruiting, it's difficult to feel like celebrating this early.
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