Kalen DeBoer and Alabama got a huge win on the recruiting trail on Saturday with 4-star Osani Gayls, a Top 50 overall player in the 2027 class, announcing his commitment to the Crimson Tide over Washington and Stanford.
Regardless of what happens with 5-star Monshun Sales down the road, Gayles is more than just a consolation prize. He's an elite talent, one who could work his way up the rankings and ultimately earn a fifth star when the rankings finalize. His performances at various camps this summer, including an MVP run at the Overtime Elite 7-on-7, have been eye-opening.
Gayles is the type of player who could come to Alabama and make an immediate impact, joining a Tide WR room in 2027 that should feature talented receivers such as Lotzeir Brooks, Cederian Morgan, and Derek Meadows, among others.
If Alabama fans had any question on the type of player they are getting with Gayles, 247's Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins answered it emphatically with his comparison.
Andrew Ivins compares new Alabama WR commit Osani Gayles to Biletnikoff winner Makai Lemon
"The player comp for me is Makai Lemon, who just won a Biletnikoff Award there at USC," Ivins said after Gayles committed. "I think these guys are so similar. ...I think [Gayles] is one of the best route runners in the class. I think he is so confident at the catch point. I think the I.Q., the nuance, the ability to consistently get open, he can produce after the catch, he can make those contested grabs. I think Osani Gayles, he's got a chance to be a guy for the Crimson Tide."
Lemon is the reigning Biletnikoff winner at USC. He produced 1156 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior, parlaying that season for the Trojans into early entry in the NFL Draft, where he was selected 20th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles.
They have similar body types. Lemon is listed at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds. Gayles is 5-foot-11.5 and 185 pounds, according to his 247 profile.
They were even ranked similarly coming out of high school. Lemon was a 4-star, ranked in the Top 50 just like Gayles. He outperformed that, clearly, which is something that could happen with Gayles, too.
Gayles is a major addition to the Crimson Tide's 2027 class and a much-needed blue-chipper. Alabama had picked up some momentum on the trail recently, but the majority of the commitments that had come in were more under-the-radar types.
There's nothing under-the-radar about Gayles. He's one of the best players in this cycle.
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