Kalen DeBoer has Alabama closing in on a second QB in the 2026 class

Alabama is on a recruiting heater, having landed nine commitments in the month of June, including two 5-stars who joined the class since Friday in RB Ezavier Crowell and LB Xavier Griffin.

Two weeks ago, Alabama found its QB in the 2026 class in 4-star Nebraska native Jett Thomalla. Thomalla flipped his commitment from Iowa State, giving the Crimson Tide a much-needed commitment in this class.

But from the outset, taking two quarterbacks has been seen as likely for Kalen DeBoer and company in this class. Alabama only has three quarterbacks on the 2025 roster: redshirt junior Ty Simpson, redshirt sophomore Austin Mack, and true freshman Keelon Russell.

Building depth is a priority with the potential for Simpson to turn pro, and Mack to potentially transfer, with the expectation that it will be the Russell show in 2026 and beyond.

Finding two quarterbacks in one class is far from easy, particularly in this era, but Alabama appears to be closing in on a second commitment from a QB in the 2026 class. On3 recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong logged an expert prediction on Sunday for the Crimson Tide to land 4-star Tayden Kaawa:

Alabama extended an offer to Kaawa back on June 11th. He quickly took an official visit to Tuscaloosa, and it became clear that the Crimson Tide would be a factor in his final decision.

Kaawa is down to three schools: Alabama, BYU, and Boise State. Of the three, both Alabama and BYU have committed QBs in this class, while Boise State is still searching after losing Bryson Beaver.

BYU recently landed a commitment from 5-star Ryder Lyons.

Thomalla and Kaawa would give Alabama talented depth behind Russell

Kaawa, like Thomalla, is the bigger QB that DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb seem to prefer. He's listed at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds. He's got a big, live arm, and while he's a developmental prospect, he's talented enough to start for Alabama down the road.

Alabama found it tough to pull any of the 5-star QBs in this class after landing Russell in the last cycle. Russell is the future face of the program and the projected starter for 2026 and 2027. That means any QB who joins would likely not play meaningful snaps until their third season at the earliest.

But you have to commend Thomalla and Kaawa if he joins for not being intimidated by Russell's presence. It certainly kept others from considering Alabama.

Landing Thomalla was big. Adding in Kaawa as well would be a heck of a coup by this staff.