Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer and the staff have been on a recruiting hot streak recently, securing two commitments and multiple visits for the class of 2026.
On Feb. 19, the Crimson Tide sat with the No. 60-ranked recruiting class for 2026, holding a lone 4-star commitment from in-state cornerback Zyan Gibson, who committed in December.
But with spring visits and camps, Gibson was bound for company in the class.
On Feb. 20, Alabama received its second commitment of the class from 4-star interior offensive lineman Chris Booker out of Georgia.
“The coaches show love, the environment is nice and I like the standard,” Booker said. “They’re a winning program. I just like that they have a standard of winning.”
Booker, who is 6-4 and weighs 284 pounds, will be a nice addition to the offensive line. However, as he is still being recruited by Florida and USF, the staff will need to ensure he stays committed to seal the deal come signing day.
The day after his commitment, the Crimson Tide received another commitment from the state of Georgia in 4-star defensive end Jamarion Matthews.
“I love the atmosphere and the energy of the fans and the players at Bama,” Matthews said.
Alabama will also have to ensure that he stays solid in his commitment. He is another early commit with a lot of time to hear from schools that have not yet offered, like Georgia.
The Crimson Tide now ranks No. 11 in the recruiting class rankings, but there is still much to look forward to in the future, with many visits on the horizon.
As the coaching staff settles in for its first full offseason, some visits have happened already, like Junior Day in early February. Now, more visits are scheduled for spring practice, and official visits are being set up throughout the summer.
Alabama has a long list of targets, with some visits scheduled and there being hopes to schedule more. The top prospect on the board is currently Immanuel Iheanacho out of Washington, D.C.
Iheanacho is ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in the nation and will come with a price. According to On3’s NIL valuation, his value is around $836,000.
Alongside fighting the cost, the Crimson Tide will also have to fight back against heavyweight opponents in the recruiting battle with teams like Oregon, Georgia and Texas A&M in the mix.
Iheanacho has scheduled visits to Georgia, Maryland and Penn State. However, Alabama will hope to get him back to Tuscaloosa again since his last visit was in November.
Alabama will also be hosting many other top prospects over the next few months:
- 4-star running back Ezavier Crowell (No. 4 RB) is visiting for spring practice and an official visit on June 20.
- 4-star linebacker Izayia Williams (No. 3 LB) is officially visiting on June 6.
- 4-star wide receiver Cedarian Morgan (No. 3 WR) is visiting for spring practice and an official visit on June 20.
- 4-star defensive lineman Nolan Wilson (No. 6 DL) is officially visiting on May 30.
- 4-star tight end Kaiden Prothro (No. 3 TE) is officially visiting on June 6.
- 4-star linebacker Cincere Johnson (No. 6 LB) is officially visiting on May 30.
- 4-star safety Kaiden Hall (No. 6 S) is officially visiting on June 13.
- 4-star tight end Mack Sutter (No. 6 TE) is officially visiting on June 20.
- 4-star wide receiver Boobie Feaster (No. 6 WR) is officially visiting on March 6.
- 4-star defensive end Ebenezer Ewetade (No. 26 DE) is officially visiting on June 13.
DeBoer and the rest of the staff are set for a good spring full of visits and commitments after two new commitments and a few adjustments to the offensive staff.
It is still early and only time will tell, but it will be interesting to see what DeBoer can bring in his first full official offseason as head coach.
