In-state recruiting is the final piece of the puzzle for Kalen DeBoer

While Coach Kalen DeBoer has surpassed expectations on the recruiting trail this offseason, Alabama’s general lack of blue chip in-state prospects is becoming more and more glaring. 

Defensive lineman Antonio Coleman’s latest flip leaves the Tide with just one top-10 player in the state. Bama holds a commitment from 4-star safety Derick Smith, the no. 7 player in the state, as well as 4-star running back Turbo Rogers who is ranked as the no. 11 player in the state. 

For comparison, Auburn now has verbal commitments from five of the top 10 players in the state with Crystal Ball predictions to land two more. Credit must go to Hugh Freeze and his staff, as they have done very well in the Yellowhammer State in the 2025 cycle. 

Further, Smith and Rogers are Alabama’s top two in-state commitments and both are believed to be threats to flip their commitments at some point. While offensive linemen Micah DeBose and Mal Waldrep are quality additions, they clearly wouldn’t make up a sufficient in-state recruiting haul on their own. 

To be very clear, I have no concerns about DeBoer’s ability to recruit, in any part of the country. He has assembled a skilled staff and silenced all doubters on that front throughout this cycle. The fact that Alabama will be in contention for the no. 1 class in the country despite not doing particularly well in-state is a testament to the job the coaching staff has done. 

Still, this staff will have to implement a plan to be more effective within state borders going forward. Recruiting is a national sport these days, but it all starts in your own backyard, especially in a state as talent-rich as Alabama. DeBoer and the new staff will be more firmly established in Tuscaloosa as they get into the class of 2026, and on-field success should help the cause as well. 

Coach DeBoer knows and understands the importance of in-state recruiting. While he still has to prove it on the trail, it’s hard to believe he won’t double down on in-state recruiting going forward and start getting better returns as a result.