Top 5 Alabama Football signess most likely to compete for playing time as freshmen

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama football got off to a late start in the 2025 recruiting cycle after a flurry of de-commitments following Nick Saban's retirement in January. The fact that they still pulled together a top-five signing class is an impressive feat.

While we're only at the Early Signing Period and Alabama might not be done with guys like Derek Meadows yet to make a decision, we're going to examine Alabama's signing class and which five players are most likely to push for early playing time.

Alabama has a lot of talented players in this class and DeBoer and the staff have shown a willingness to give early playing time to freshmen.

Alabama signed two JUCO players - DL Steve Mboumoua and EDGE Kevonte Henry. They won't be included on this list because it is expected that both will compete for playing time as you don't normally take JUCO players who aren't going to play quickly.

Top 5 Alabama signess likely to play as freshmen:

5. Lotzeir Brooks, WR, Millville NJ

4-star WR Lotzeir Brooks might be the most underrated player in this cycle. He's ranked as the No. 29 WR in the 247 composite rankings, but there are not 28 better wide receivers in this class. There might not even be 10.

Brooks is one of the fastest players in the country and set numerous New Jersey state receiving records before he even played his senior season of high school. Brooks goes to the All-American Bowl next week and I expect he's going to turn some heads there.

Alabama has a deep group of receivers, but Kobe Prentice has already entered the transfer portal and he'll probably be joined by one or two others.

Brooks could make an impact as a return specialist right away and with his speed I think he'll have an early role in the offense.

4. Dijon Lee, CB, Mission Viejo, CA

5-star CB Dijon Lee is one of the best prospects in the country at his position. Competition will be fierce with guys like Zabien Brown, Jaylen Mbakwe, and Zavier Mincey all playing as freshmen corners, as well as the possibility of Domani Jackson returning instead of going pro.

Lee is versatile enough to play anywhere in the secondary. He's a big corner at 6'4 and has great coverage skills as well as a willingness to stick his nose in and deliver hits. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Lee immediately compete for a starting role at the Husky position, depending on whether veteran DeVonta Smith returns for his fifth year or not.

3. AK Dear, RB, Quinton, MS

The No. 2 RB in the country was a big pull for Alabama and despite Jace Clorizio's decision to flip back to Michigan State, the Tide should feel good about where it is at running back.

Jam Miller, Justice Haynes, and Richard Young could all be back next season. Alabama also signed two running backs in last year's class - 4-stars Kevin Riley and Daniel Hill. Competition will be stiff for Dear, but he is talented enough to be a difference-maker immediately.

I also think it's unlikely that all of those guys will remain in Tuscaloosa. Miller could test the NFL Draft waters as a junior, and the transfer portal could take one or two away as well.

2. Keelon Russell, QB, Duncanville, TX

The consensus No. 2 overall prospect in the 2025 class, QB Keelon Russell is the future of Alabama football. He might also be the right now.

Alabama's QB in 2025 is uncertain. Jalen Milroe is likely to declare for the draft, leaving little experience in Tuscaloosa. A lot of people expect Ty Simpson to take over as the team's starter in his fourth season on campus, but Simpson hasn't flashed that potential that you normally see from a backup and future starter. Remember what Tua Tagovailoa or Mac Jones or Bryce Young looked like in relief early in their careers? You could feel they were going to be stars. I haven't got that feeling from Simpson.

Washington transfer Austin Mack has a lot of talent and you can't count out Dylan Lonergan going into his third season of college football, but Russell is going to be the most talented quarterback on the roster the moment he sets foot in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama could also explore their options in the portal, but it would not be a surprise if Russell is Alabama's starting QB next season as a true freshman. He's that good.

1. Michael Carroll, IOL, IMG Academy

Alabama is likely replacing at least two, if not three, starting positions on the interior of the offensive line. Tyler Booker and Parker Brailsford are likely to turn pro, while Jaedan Roberts' future is still up in the air.

Not only is Carroll talented enough to step in for Booker, he brings a similar attitude and nasty streak that Booker has always had.

Carroll also has the size (6'6, 315 pounds) to potentially kick out and compete for the starting job at right tackle. He is advanced from a technical standpoint and has the frame to hold up and be a day-one starter for the Crimson Tide.