Alabama Football's Champions Cookout not a turn the corner event for the Crimson Tide

The Alabama Football program has been doing a July Champions Cookout since 2018. When the Crimson Tide was rolling with Nick Saban as college football's best recruiter, the Cookout was anticipated to be a key weekend to reel in verbal commitments.

This July is different. Not only is Kalen DeBoer, rather than Nick Saban presiding, but the Alabama program has never before had so many verbal commits so early in a recruiting cycle. For no other reason than the numbers, Alabama does not need a big splash this weekend.

Relationship building is the key focus for the weekend. Many of the Crimson Tide's verbal commits including family members will attend. It is a bonding time for the Alabama football staff and its prized future players, all of whom will continue to be pursued by other programs until December or later.

Will there be Alabama Football surprises?

Alabama Crimson Tide fans might be surprised that only one or two decisions are announced this weekend. The most probable one is former Ole Miss commit, running back AK Dear. Ole Miss has not given up on Dear, but Alabama has been projected as his leader for a few weeks. The almost 5-star would likely fill the Tide's '25 class needs at running back unless Alabama commit, Anthony Rogers flips. Ohio State and Texas are trying hard to lure Rogers away from the Crimson Tide.

A recruit from the '26 class may surprise and commit this weekend. Alabama fans would love an early announcement from offensive tackle, Jackson Cantwell. A big surprise would be adding 5-star Athlete, Brandon Arrington to the short commit list for the '26 class.

In addition to Dear, two big-gets on Alabama's radar are 5-stars, Justus Terry and Kaliq Lockett. Neither one will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend. Terry is expected to visit Georgia, where he is a priority for Kirby Smart's defense. Lockett is reportedly not taking visits before a decision in early August. Alabama and Texas are battling for the highly touted wide receiver.

There have been rumors that Auburn has made progress in possibly flipping Alabama commit, 4-star, Derick Smith. Smith is expected in Tuscaloosa on Sunday, perhaps after visiting Auburn on Saturday.