It's always felt like an uphill battle for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama with 4-star LB Kenneth Simon II in the 2027 recruiting class. The Brentwood, Tennessee native is a Vols legacy recruit. His father, Kevin Simon, played at Tennessee from 2001-05 and was a 2-time All-SEC selection before becoming a 7th Round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.
His Tennessee ties are what will make it all the more sweet if DeBoer and the Crimson Tide can waltz into the Vols' backyard and steal him away.
And it's starting to trend in that direction.
Thanks to a prediction by BamaOnLine's Andrew Bone in the Crimson Tide's favor, Alabama has emerged as a significant favorite on On3's RPM for the Tennessee product. The RPM now has Alabama with a 90.2% chance to earn Simon's commitment.
Alabama now a significant favorite for 4-star LB Kenneth Simon II
At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, the safety-turned-linebacker would bring the type of versatility to Kane Wommack's defensive system that the Alabama defensive coordinator covets. Simon projects in a similar usage in the Tide's defense to Justin Jefferson, though Simon has the higher overall ceiling.
Simon led his high school to a state championship last season and an undefeated record.
Simon recently trimmed his list to four teams with Alabama, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss as the final list of contenders, though it has long felt like a two-horse race between the Crimson Tide and Volunteers.
Simon has made three unofficial visits to Tuscaloosa during his recruitment, with the last trip coming just a couple of weeks ago.
Alabama has picked up some momentum on the recruiting trail recently with the commitment of 5-star QB Elijah Haven and several predictions coming in for other top prospects in the 2027 class. More good news could be on the horizon if Simon decides to pull the trigger soon, which could send Alabama's 2027 class soaring up the rankings as DeBoer begins what should be a third consecutive highly productive summer on the trail.
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