Fresh off a major recruiting weekend in Tuscaloosa, flush with official visitors, Kalen DeBoer and Alabama landed a commitment from 4-star OT Sam Utu on Monday. Utu is just the first domino in what should be a major recruiting run for the Crimson Tide. The second domino could be getting ready to fall.
3-star WR Brian Williams Jr. was also in Tuscaloosa this past weekend, and the Alabama staff obviously made a big impression on the Lake Mary product. So much so that the Crimson Tide now has a commanding lead in the On3 RPM after picking up an official prediction to land him.
Williams is a consensus 3-star WR and ranked as the No. 104 WR in the composite rankings for 2026. On paper, Alabama's interest would seem to be a little strange. However, a closer look makes the interest obvious.
Williams didn't put up eye-popping statistics as a junior - just 359 receiving yards and five touchdowns - but there's obviously plenty of intrigue thanks to his physical capabilities. He has excellent size at 6-foot-4, and one look at his offer list should tell you he's a player who is probably underrated at this point in time.
Along with an offer to Alabama, Williams reportedly has offers from the likes of Florida, Notre Dame, Penn State, Auburn, and Florida State.
JaMarcus Shephard has earned trust in the evaluation process of Wide Receivers
Like we said last week when Alabama extended an offer to 3-star WR Owen Cabell from Nashville, sometimes you just have to trust Tide WR coach JaMarcus Shephard. He's considered one of the best in the country at evaluating talent at the WR position.
One of the most underrated players in last year's recruiting cycle was Alabama signee Lotzeir Brooks, who was ranked way too low by the recruiting industry experts. Despite some ranking him as a 3-star, Brooks looks like someone who might immediately have a role for the Crimson Tide next season, despite a deep and talented WR room.
If Shephard signed off on Williams, that's good enough for me. He's a kid who has all the physical talent in the world, and Shephard believes he can turn him into a legitimate WR with time.
It's obvious based on Alabama's offers that they are looking to take at least three receivers in this class. They have made pitches toward high-end receivers such as Tristen Keys, Cederian Morgan, and Boobie Feaster. They are hoping to land at least one from that trio, with the in-state Morgan being the most likely.
The recruiting run is coming for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide. Utu was the first domino on Monday, and many more are about to fall.