In the space of a month, Alabama football’s 2026 recruiting class has skyrocketed from the mid-50s in rankings to top 5. The Crimson Tide is now up to 19 commits, with more still to come. It is believed that Kalen BeBoer will sign around 21 to 23, which leaves plenty of room for transfers after the coming season concludes. This is the way of the CFB world now.
QUARTERBACK
Despite a commitment from 4-star Jett Thomalla, the Tide staff is open to taking a second signal-caller in this class. Matt Ponataski* was on their radar for awhile but then attention was turned to Tayden Kaawa, a four-star from Orem High School in Utah – though originally from Honolulu.
In 12 games last year for his Orem team, he was 187 for 294 (64%) passing for 2,890 yards with 28 TDs and 9 INTs. He also had 59 carries for 318 yards and 4 TDs.
Coming off his freshman season of 2022 in the Aloha State, BYU, Oregon, and Hawaii all offered the following spring. Around this time, he also found his way onto Kalen DeBoer’s radar while he was coaching at Washington. Other offers rolled in after his sophomore campaign in 2023, and more in January of this year. Then came a June 11 offer from the Crimson Tide.
At the time, Kaawa told on3’s Chad Simmons, “I have been there two times and Alabama is not too late with the offer. I will be taking an official visit.” He OV’d on June 20th and could be making an announcement soon. Word is the Tagovailoas have been a good resource for Kaawa and his family.
* Ponataski committed to Kentucky on Sunday.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Alabama received commitments from Sam Utu, who can play tackle or guard, and IOL Chris Booker. The Tide staff would like to add one more lineman who is more of a pure tackle. 4-star Wilson Zierer appears to fit that bill. Originally from Germany, the left tackle relocated to Rabun Gap, GA ahead of the 2024 season and had a campaign that earned him close to 30 offers. His older brother, Kilian Zierer, played juco ball before transferring to Auburn where he became a starter midway through his first season and then started his senior year in 2022. Wilson is down to Bama, Aub, and FSU.
Georgia Tech commitment Bear Fretwell may be the back-up plan. The 3-star OT is 6-7/296 from Brooklet, GA. He has good size for a tackle, but may be more of a developmental project.
OTHER OFFENSIVE POSITIONS
TIGHT END – The addition of Mack Sutter fills the need for an elite tight end. Things could change in the fall, but for now, the Crimson Tide does not appear to be looking for any additional tight ends out of high school.
RUNNING BACK – The same goes for ball carriers. Alabama likely sticks with the two pick-ups they got this summer in Ezavier “EJ” Crowell and Javari Barnett.
WIDE RECEIVER – Bama commits Cederian Morgan, Brian Williams, and Owen Cabell are all the Tide staff is looking at right now.
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE
On the inside, Bama has pledges from JJ Finch and Nolan Wilson.
4-star Elijah Golden (6-4/275) playing out of Sarasota, FL, though originally from Virginia, is a possibility. However, Notre Dame looks like the favorite for his July 24 announcement. Alabama is not out of the running yet.
Bessemer’s 4-star Emanuel Ruffin (6-4/290) is an outside shot at committing to Bama.
EDGE
Alabama has commitments from Jamarion Matthews and Kamhariyan “Mhari” Johnson.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Tuscaloosa native Zay Hall is on board.
SWISS ARMY KNIFE
Off-ball linebacker, on-ball linebacker, edge rusher, Xavier Griffin can do it all.
Anthony “Tank” Jones is a candidate at Wolf or Bandit for the Tide. The 4/5-star from St. Paul’s in Mobile has not set a decision date yet. After eliminating Auburn and Miami from consideration, Alabama may have a slight advantage over his other two finalists Oregon and Texas A&M.
OTHER DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
- SAFETY – 5-star Jireh Edwards and Rihyael Kelley are in.
- CORNERBACK – Bama DB coach Mo Linguist has reeled in 5-star Jorden Edmonds and 4-star Zyan Gibson.
SPECIAL TEAMS
It is not likely Bama adds a special teams player unless he is a walk-on.
- PUNTER – Alex Asparuhov is a true freshman.
- PLACEKICKER – Conor Talty is a redshirt sophomore.
- LONGSNAPPER – David Bird transferred from Cal with two years of eligibility remaining.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
