Here is a list of high school prospects I think DeBoer needs to make an immediate priority. I understand there are current players on the roster as well as potential guys from Bama and from other programs in the portal that need attention too but this is strictly a list of high school prospects. Also, please remember this is a bit of an educated guess because each coaching staff tends to evaluate prospects differently based on how they will fit into the program’s offensive and defensive systems.
On additional note before I get into the list. I really think Bama will need to upgrade its NIL program and start playing the game other programs have been playing all along if DeBoer is to be successful on the recruiting trail. While he was here, Saban was able to convince players like Kadyn Proctor to come to Bama for a lesser NIL package because they would be coached and developed by the G.O.A.T. Unfortunately, that ‘Saban discount’ is now gone and because of this Alabama’s game plan for NIL will need to be adjusted to reflect this.
Let’s get into the list…
2024 Class
Williams recently decommitted from Bama when he heard the news of Coach Saban’s retirement. Prior to the announcement the Tide had the edge to keep Williams in the fold and sign him on 2/9. However, the race to sign him is now wide open with the Barn more than likely holding the edge. But Williams is expected to visit Tuscaloosa this weekend so DeBoer and Grubb will have an opportunity to share their WR friendly scheme and show him there is an immediate starting WR role up for grabs heading into the ’24 season.
Prior to Coach Saban’s retirement, I felt LSU was the only true threat to A&M. But now with DeBoer’s arrival, along with a new offensive system that is very WR friendly, I think the new Bama staff has a chance to get Bussey’s attention. There is now a huge need at WR due to the departure of Burton, Bonds, Benson, Brooks and Preston so the opportunity to see the field immediately could really benefit the staff here.
2025 Class
The Tide has suffered a lot of losses in the defensive back room to both the NFL and the transfer portal (fingers crossed we are done here). Offord is an in-state kid who would help to solidify the secondary as a lock down corner. Plus, I think it’s important DeBoer re-establish the Tide as the dominant program for in-state recruiting.
While Lacey is currently committed to Texas, he is supposed to visit T-town this weekend along with fellow teammate Ryan Williams. I think it is telling Lacey spurned the Tide while Saban/Rees were in charge but is now looking to meet the new offensive staff in Tuscaloosa. Much like Ryan Williams, DeBoer and Grubb will have an opportunity to share their new offensive vision and its one that should excite a QB like Lacey.
Just prior to Saban’s retirement there had started to be more chatter about Tennessee moving ahead of Bama for MacIntyre’s commitment. I wasn’t buying it as I have always felt MacIntyre would end up with the good guys. However, both Saban and Rees were big reasons behind my train of thought. Now that both are gone I do not think DeBoer has much of a chance unless MacIntyre delays his decision to announce, which is supposed to happen in the coming weeks.
Grady is a very talented, athletic edge rusher and a program can never have too many of these players on its roster. Plus, he represents another of the many talented in-state kids that would go a long way in helping DeBoer re-establish the Tide’s dominance over in-state recruiting. Grady is waiting to see how the defensive staff shakes out and keeping LB coach Robert Bala would go a long way in helping to retain him in the ’25 class.
You can never have enough good offensive linemen as we all saw this past season. And with some of the recent losses to the NFL and transfer portal DeBoer needs more guys like Short to make his offensive system successful. Like every other Bama prospect, Short was very disappointed to hear of Coach Saban’s retirement. But DeBoer and new offensive line coach Scott Huff have about 10 months to work on Short in an attempt to keep him in the ’25 class and away from Kirby and the Dawgs.
As of right now the running back room is loaded. But we know this can change at a moment’s notice, especially after spring practice ends and the portal reopens. Davison is the nation’s top back in the ’25 class and has had serious interest in Bama prior to Coach Saban’s retirement. I do believe Davison’s interest will remain high due to the offensive philosophy of DeBoer and Grubb and having recent ex-teammate DB Zabien Brown now enrolled should help here as well.
On additional note before I get into the list. I really think Bama will need to upgrade its NIL program and start playing the game other programs have been playing all along if DeBoer is to be successful on the recruiting trail. While he was here, Saban was able to convince players like Kadyn Proctor to come to Bama for a lesser NIL package because they would be coached and developed by the G.O.A.T. Unfortunately, that ‘Saban discount’ is now gone and because of this Alabama’s game plan for NIL will need to be adjusted to reflect this.
Let’s get into the list…
2024 Class
Williams recently decommitted from Bama when he heard the news of Coach Saban’s retirement. Prior to the announcement the Tide had the edge to keep Williams in the fold and sign him on 2/9. However, the race to sign him is now wide open with the Barn more than likely holding the edge. But Williams is expected to visit Tuscaloosa this weekend so DeBoer and Grubb will have an opportunity to share their WR friendly scheme and show him there is an immediate starting WR role up for grabs heading into the ’24 season.
Prior to Coach Saban’s retirement, I felt LSU was the only true threat to A&M. But now with DeBoer’s arrival, along with a new offensive system that is very WR friendly, I think the new Bama staff has a chance to get Bussey’s attention. There is now a huge need at WR due to the departure of Burton, Bonds, Benson, Brooks and Preston so the opportunity to see the field immediately could really benefit the staff here.
2025 Class
The Tide has suffered a lot of losses in the defensive back room to both the NFL and the transfer portal (fingers crossed we are done here). Offord is an in-state kid who would help to solidify the secondary as a lock down corner. Plus, I think it’s important DeBoer re-establish the Tide as the dominant program for in-state recruiting.
While Lacey is currently committed to Texas, he is supposed to visit T-town this weekend along with fellow teammate Ryan Williams. I think it is telling Lacey spurned the Tide while Saban/Rees were in charge but is now looking to meet the new offensive staff in Tuscaloosa. Much like Ryan Williams, DeBoer and Grubb will have an opportunity to share their new offensive vision and its one that should excite a QB like Lacey.
Just prior to Saban’s retirement there had started to be more chatter about Tennessee moving ahead of Bama for MacIntyre’s commitment. I wasn’t buying it as I have always felt MacIntyre would end up with the good guys. However, both Saban and Rees were big reasons behind my train of thought. Now that both are gone I do not think DeBoer has much of a chance unless MacIntyre delays his decision to announce, which is supposed to happen in the coming weeks.
Grady is a very talented, athletic edge rusher and a program can never have too many of these players on its roster. Plus, he represents another of the many talented in-state kids that would go a long way in helping DeBoer re-establish the Tide’s dominance over in-state recruiting. Grady is waiting to see how the defensive staff shakes out and keeping LB coach Robert Bala would go a long way in helping to retain him in the ’25 class.
You can never have enough good offensive linemen as we all saw this past season. And with some of the recent losses to the NFL and transfer portal DeBoer needs more guys like Short to make his offensive system successful. Like every other Bama prospect, Short was very disappointed to hear of Coach Saban’s retirement. But DeBoer and new offensive line coach Scott Huff have about 10 months to work on Short in an attempt to keep him in the ’25 class and away from Kirby and the Dawgs.
As of right now the running back room is loaded. But we know this can change at a moment’s notice, especially after spring practice ends and the portal reopens. Davison is the nation’s top back in the ’25 class and has had serious interest in Bama prior to Coach Saban’s retirement. I do believe Davison’s interest will remain high due to the offensive philosophy of DeBoer and Grubb and having recent ex-teammate DB Zabien Brown now enrolled should help here as well.
