Nate Oats is taking some big swings in the 2026 recruiting class. Alabama officially signed 4-star wing Tarris Bouie during the early signing period, and most believe the Crimson Tide is in good shape to add 5-star wing Qayden Samuels at some point, too.
But the top target on the board for Oats and company is 5-star guard Caleb Holt, an Alabama native who transferred to Grayson High School in Georgia for his junior year and is now at Prolific Prep in Florida for his senior year. Holt has long been on the radar for Oats and the Tide.
Holt has been in Tuscaloosa for both official and unofficial visits numerous times. Holt took his official visit in September and was most recently in Tuscaloosa in early November to attend the Alabama/LSU football game.
On Wednesday, Holt trimmed his list to five schools. As expected, Alabama is one of the final five still in contention for his signature.
Alabama is joined by Arizona, Houston, Kentucky, and Providence:
NEWS: 5⭐️ Caleb Holt is down to five schools, his agency @KlutchSports tells @Rivals.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) December 17, 2025
The 6-5 shooting guard is the No. 3 overall player in the 2026 class. https://t.co/izGPOZYmD0 pic.twitter.com/Vt4HXakWyz
Alabama one of five schools still in the running for Caleb Holt
Holt has always been extremely complimentary of Alabama throughout his recruitment process. At times, it has looked like the Crimson Tide has had the lead in his recruitment. They still may, but Holt continues to not be in a hurry to make a final decision. Most experts expect him to wait until sometime in the spring before making his decision.
Everyone will wait for him. Holt is a consensus 5-star recruit and the No. 3 overall player in the 2026 class, per the 247 composite.
It's been a full-court press by Oats and Preston Murphy to try to lure Holt to Tuscaloosa. He has long been the highest priority in this class. Alabama will be competitive in both NIL and rev-share offers, but they won't break the bank as some of these other schools might.
If money is Holt's top priority - and it might be - he's likely to end up somewhere else. But he's attracted to the offensive system at Alabama and being the focal point of a team that has been one of the most consistent programs in college basketball over the last five years.