Alabama's offensive line has been disappointing this season. A unit that many thought would be Joe Moore Award worthy has struggled to protect Ty Simpson and hasn't opened up any running lanes for the backs.
But help may be on the way in the future.
Kalen DeBoer has Alabama in a great spot for multiple 5-star offensive linemen already in the 2027 class. Off an official visit over the weekend, On3's Steve Wiltfong placed a prediction for the Crimson Tide to land 5-star OL Maxwell Hiller.
Hiller may not be the only 5-star OL trending toward Tuscaloosa.
According to On3's Sam Spiegelman, Alabama has emerged as a "serious contender" for 5-star OL Albert Simien.
Alabama is emerging as a serious contender for Rivals' No. 1 interior OL Albert Simien after his return to Tuscaloosa this weekend
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) November 11, 2025
"They have really dialed things up with my recruitment"
More: https://t.co/5vhB7C8HFB pic.twitter.com/XDK7lfgfQJ
Alabama is a serious contender for 5-star OL Albert Simien
Simien is a Lake Charles, Louisiana native and is a consensus 5-star recruit. Per the 247 composite, Simien is the No. 3 interior offensive lineman and the No. 27 overall player in the 2027 class.
Alabama's loaded official visitor weekend is beginning to bear fruit, quickly. Alabama is in a good spot for Hiller and now Simien, two guys who could bolster the future of the Tide's offensive line. Alabama also stands in a good spot for the guy those two blue-chip offensive linemen could be protecting: 5-star Elijah Haven, the No. 1 QB in the 2027 class.
DeBoer and the staff's excellent work over the summer with the 2026 class has allowed them to get a jump start on the 2027 class. There's not much work left to be done down the stretch for the 2026 cycle before next month's early signing day.
Alabama is looking to close the deal on 4-star WR Samson Gash's flip from Michigan State, but for the most part, the Tide's attention has turned toward the 2027 class. And while they've gotten off to a delayed start the last two cycles before reeling in top-five classes, that doesn't appear to be the case this time.
Alabama already holds the No. 11-ranked class in 2027 with four commitments. If predictions for Hiller and Haven pan out, then it's only a matter of time before DeBoer and company surge toward the top of the rankings for the next class, too. That could create a tidal wave of momentum, too, leading to others - like Simien, for example - to also make an early pledge and begin a dominant cycle in Tuscaloosa.