Happy Monday, everyone. Alabama is white hot on the recruiting trail after adding five-star LB Xavier Griffin.
With Griffin now on board, Alabama is up to 14 commitments in its 2026 class. Just before the start of the summer dead period for visits, the Crimson Tide sat outside the top 40 nationally in the team recruiting rankings for this current cycle — unfamiliar territory for a program that secured 10 (!!) No. 1 classes during the Nick Saban era.
AdvertisementBut after adding Griffin and six other pledges in the past week — including top-100 prospects Mack Sutter, a four-star tight end from Dunlap (Illinois), and Ezavier Crowell, a four-star running back from Jackson (Alabama) — Alabama has vaulted to No. 8 in the national rankings, signaling a major momentum shift under coach Kalen DeBoer.
And the Crimson Tide may not be done yet. Two more five-star targets — wide receiver Cederian Morgan (July 2) and safety Jireh Edwards (July 5) — are set to announce their college decisions in the coming days. Both took official visits to Alabama in June, and the Tide remain firmly in the mix for each
Will the Tide have two passers in the 2026 class?
On3’s Steve Wiltfong revealed that Alabama is out in front for four-star quarterback Tayden Kaawa from the 2026 class. Kaawa’s other schools include the BYU Cougars and Boise State Broncos.
He is a native of Utah and attends Orem High School. The prospect comes in at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds.
The quarterback recently took a trip to Alabama, with the Crimson Tide hosting him on June 20 for an official visit.
Kaawa revealed that Alabama’s development of talent is what led him to put the Crimson Tide at the top of his list.
Kaawa can spin it for sure.
Jeheim “don’t call me Jaheim” Oatis hasn’t yet learned the art of “no comment,” which he’ll need as he goes pro in something other than football unless he shows more on the field.
When Oatis announced that he was leaving the Crimson Tide, he said “This decision did not come easily, but I need to prioritize my future and career. While this season did not unfold the way we had hoped, my love for this school and its incredible fan base remains as strong as ever.”
Fast forward to today, Oatis spoke with On3’s Pete Nakos and explained that his decision to transfer wasn’t only due to playing time, but rather the Crimson Tide’s coaches.
“I left Alabama because I came in with coach Saban, I took it to heart,” Oatis wrote. “That was one of my biggest dreams: To play in college football for coach Saban and win a ring. The new staff wasn’t for me. And once I found out that they didn’t mess with me, I knew it was time to get up and get out of there.”
What is it about the Mississippi recruits that there always seems to be something?
Last, guess which venue Ayell dot com thinks will be the toughest this season?
The voodoo magic of Jordan-Hare is all too familiar to Alabama fans. The Crimson Tide hasn’t lost to Auburn since 2019, but each of the past two visits to the Plains has created plenty of stress. Alabama needed fourth-and-31 heroics from Jalen Milroe and Isaiah Bond to win the most recent matchup on the Plains. Two years prior, Alabama needed a Heisman Trophy moment from Bryce Young to force overtime and win in the fourth overtime. Jordan-Hare Stadium is always a tough place for the Crimson Tide to play.
The selection: Jordan-Hare Stadium
Imagine that.
That’s about it for today. Have a great week.
Roll Tide.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
