The top quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class is 5-star Baton Rouge native Elijah Haven. It was always going to be a challenge to pull the elite signal-caller out of LSU's backyard, but a bit of good news for LSU on Monday might be even better news for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama.
The Tigers landed a commitment from 4-star QB Peyton Houston from Shreveport on the heels of his official visit to Death Valley. While they won't give up the chase for Haven, it will be a lot more difficult to land a second elite QB in the same class:
BREAKING: Elite 2027 QB Peyton Houston has Committed to LSU, he tells me for @rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) September 15, 2025
The 6’0 200 QB from Cotton Valley, LA is one of the Top QBs in the ‘27 Class
“1 Corinthians 14:33”https://t.co/aCJOeHqPSt pic.twitter.com/t41gY8UzuD
Haven's early shortlist includes LSU, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. Penn State is trying to get involved, too.
This weekend couldn't have gone better for Alabama's pursuit of Haven. Not only did LSU land a different quarterback in the same class, but Florida lost with Haven in attendance while star QB DJ Lagway threw five interceptions. The Gators are now 1-2, putting Billy Napier's future in Gainesville very much in doubt.
Alabama and Georgia could be headed for a battle for Haven, and Alabama has the added benefit of not taking an elite quarterback in the 2026 cycle like Georgia did.
Alabama landed 5-star Keelon Russell in the 2025 class, but its 2026 QB haul is more under-the-radar 4-stars in Jett Thomalla and Tayden Kaawa, who will certainly not scare away a player of Haven's pedigree. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, have 5-star Jared Curtis committed in the 2026 class, which will make it more difficult to sign a second straight 5-star at the position.
Alabama's QB development will be a major draw for Elijah Haven
Even if you want to argue that DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, and the rest of the current coaching staff in Tuscaloosa can't take credit for Alabama having four former QBs starting NFL games yesterday, this coaching staff did develop Michael Penix Jr. into the 8th overall pick and the current franchise QB for the Atlanta Falcons.
DeBoer said in the preseason that no quarterback room in the country is being coached better than the one in Tuscaloosa. Ty Simpson's development from Week 1 to Week 3 is proof positive that his statement was the truth.
Simpson playing lights out will be further evidence to Haven that Alabama is the place for him. With LSU clearly not prioritizing him at the same level as the Crimson Tide, and Florida looking close to bottoming out and undergoing a coaching search, Alabama may just be the team to beat for the elite QB.