As was widely expected, 5-star WR Monshun Sales spurned Alabama and committed to Indiana on Friday on the Pat McAfee Show. The commitment was not surprising, but still disappointing for Alabama fans who long felt confident about the program's ability to land a kid who grew up with the nickname "Bama."
At the end of the day, Kalen DeBoer and Courtney Morgan are sticking to their guns when it comes to roster building. They aren't going to get into a bidding war for any one player for fear of upsetting the locker room balance, no matter how talented the prospect is.
And Sales is surely one of the most talented high school players in the country, one who could have made an immediate impact in Tuscaloosa as a freshman in 2027.
All hope is not lost, however. Alabama did land one of the top WRs in the country already with 4-star Osani Gayles, who ranks No. 38 overall in the composite now after a tremendous summer. Alabama also flipped 3-star WR Cedrick Simmons, the most prolific high school receiver in the state of Alabama last season, away from rival Auburn earlier this week.
Alabama is likely still in the market for a WR, though, and could look to pivot to the following players now:
5 potential pivot options for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama with Monshun Sales off the board
5. 4-star Khalil Taylor - Nebraska commit
Alabama was at one point heavilty involved in the recruitment of Taylor. The 4-star, Top 100 prospect out of Pennsylvania was set to take an official visit to the Crimson Tide this summer, but those plans were ultimately cancelled. He appeared to be a heavy Penn State lean at that point, but Matt Rhule and Nebraska swooped in late and stole the blue chip receiver out of the Nittany Lions' backyard.
Could Alabama circle back on Taylor now that Sales has committed to Indiana?
It's certainly possible. DeBoer and the staff got on Taylor late, extending an offer in April, but they had too much ground to make up before he made a decision. They could perhaps crank up the pressure now, though.
4. 4-star Deshawn Hall - Auburn commit
Could Alabama double-dip on stealing wide receivers away from Auburn?
Alabama was involved in the recruitment of the 4-star Prattville native for a while, but ultimately seemed to pull out of the race this summer. His official visit was cancelled, and Auburn bested Penn State to land Hall.
But if Alabama is looking for a big-bodied WR to be a Sales consolation, Hall might be the perfect fit. He doesn't have Sales' speed, but he's 6-foot-5 and brings the size that DeBoer has always coveted at the position.
Auburn will do everything they can to prevent Alabama from flipping Hall, but don't be surprised if the Crimson Tide staff gauges the temperature on him in the coming weeks/months.
3. Transfer Portal
Alabama could decide to stick with the two high school receivers they already have committed in Gayles and Simmons and then make a WR in the portal a high priority. They could also look for another depth option in the high school ranks while pushing for a priority target in the portal.
Alabama landed NC State transfer Noah Rogers in the Transfer Portal this past offseason, but could be in the market for an impact veteran again this offseason. Ryan Coleman-Williams will likely enter the NFL Draft after this season, and the Crimson Tide could take a portal loss from whoever the odd man out is in the WR rotation.
2. 4-star Ja'Hyde Brown - Louisville commit
Alabama could really ramp up its pursuit of the Louisville commitment now that Sales is off the board. Brown is a player Alabama has liked for a while, and he's seen a meteoric rise in the rankings in the last couple of months.
Brown is now a consensus Top 150 player in the class. Alabama has been keeping him warm, with the potential to try to put the full-court press on him in the event that they didn't land Sales.
Brown is a Louisville native, so pulling him away from his hometown won't be easy. But the allure of playing for Alabama can be powerful.
1. 5-star Monshun Sales - Indiana commit
In reality, Alabama's Monshun Sales pivot may just be Monshun Sales himself. Do you really think that Indiana won't have to hold off Alabama, Texas, and others over the next five months before Sales can officially sign with the Hoosiers?
Alabama will continue trying to talk to Sales and his camp in hopes of tugging on his heartstrings and bringing him back home.
It may not work, but while the battle was lost on Friday, the war rages on in the recruitment of Sales.
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