Alabama’s Champions Cookout will provide an opportunity for the Tide’s 2025 commitments to convene and build camaraderie before starting their senior seasons. Just as importantly, it will allow the coaching staff to leave a lasting impression on some uncommitted prospects.
This year’s Cookout won’t be a make-or-break event, which is a testament to the work the staff has put in all summer. Alabama has dominated the recruiting trail, and already has most of its priority targets in the boat. While it must work throughout the fall to keep the class intact, any additional talent the Tide can add will be icing on the cake.
It is well-known that Quitman, Mississippi running back AK Dear is on commitment watch for Alabama this weekend. Dear has been crystal balled to Alabama for about a month since decommitting from Ole Miss, and the Cookout appears to be as good a time as any to make it official. All eyes will be on Dear, but Bama could be making more chess moves behind the scenes.
Can DeBoer and company steal one from Auburn?
4-star safety Anquon Fegans might be the most surprising name on the Champions Cookout visitors list. Fegans has been an Auburn lean for a while now, but this visit may allow the Tide to get back into his recruitment. Fegans is slated to announce his commitment on Monday, July 29th, which is the day after the Champions Cookout. Needless to say, this would be a strangely timed visit if he wasn’t considering Alabama to some extent.
Bama fans will remember his older brother, Tre’Quon, who committed to Alabama in the class of 2022 and played one season before hitting the portal. Tre’Quon Fegans has bounced around and is expected to play at UCF this fall. While Tre’Quon clearly didn’t have the best experience in Tuscaloosa, it could help Bama’s cause that a new staff is in place.
The eldest Fegans brother, Antwon, was a 3-star recruit in the class of 2020 who has also made multiple stops. Antwon landed at Auburn as a preferred walk-on this offseason, which in theory should help the Tigers land Anquon Fegans.
Fegans’ recruitment has been fascinating to follow, and it could come to an end on Monday. This Alabama staff has made magic happen when they are able to get players on campus, so there is a chance for the Tide.
5-star defensive lineman Justus Terry and 5-star wide receiver Kaliq Lockett are huge names that Bama fans would’ve liked to see on the Cookout list, but neither will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend. Terry and Lockett are elite talents that could be instant-impact contributors wherever they land, but it seems the Tide is in an uphill battle for both.
Lockett will announce his commitment in the first week of August, with Texas holding an apparent lead over Alabama. Terry's recruitment could last through the fall. He is widely believed to be a Georgia lean, so the longer he waits to commit the better for the Crimson Tide.