Entering year three in Tuscaloosa, the Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama has already proven to be a memorable one on the recruiting trail.
Following the retirement of legendary head coach Nick Saban, recruiting has not slacked at all for the Crimson Tide under DeBoer, with Alabama having compiled a top three class nationally each of the last two years, per 247Sports.
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The Crimson Tide appear set to do so once again this upcoming cycle as well, with Alabama off to a strong start to the 2027 class as we enter the summer months, a period that has certainly been impactful for the program over the last two years in terms of landing commitments.
A list likely to grow in the future, here are five of the biggest early high school recruiting wins of the DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa.
5. Michael Carroll commits to Alabama
Nov 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer high fives Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Michael Carroll (64) during the first half against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
One of the highest ranked recruits to commit to Alabama under DeBoer so far is Carroll, a prospect who is certainly looking to be a home run addition for the Crimson Tide entering his sophomore season. The IMG Academy (Florida) standout was considered as the nation’s No. 1 interior offensive lineman, per 247Sports, out of high school, and is set to start for the second consecutive season this upcoming fall.
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4. Alabama lands top 2027 quarterback Elijah Haven
Calvary Baptist takes on Dunham Football and quarterback Elijah Haven (5) in the Division III Select State Championship Game. Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.
Haven’s commitment is the most recent recruiting win featured on this list, with the Crimson Tide landing the elite quarterback prospect back in April. Considered as the nation’s top quarterback in the 2027 cycle out of Dunham (Louisiana), Haven is one of the highest-rated signal callers to ever commit to Alabama, and has star potential with the Crimson Tide, should he eventually make it to campus.
3. Lotzeir Brooks commits to Alabama
Oct 18, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks (17) prepares for a play in the third quarter against the Tennessee Volunteers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
One of Alabama’s biggest evaluation wins of the DeBoer era so far appears to be Brooks, a wide receiver who was among DeBoer’s first commits in Tuscaloosa out of Millville (New Jersey). Coming out of high school, Brooks was ranked as the No. 25 wide receiver nationally, per the 247Sports Composite, and the wide receiver appears set to be a major piece of Alabama’s wideout room for years to come after a big freshman season a year ago.
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2. Ryan Coleman-Williams recommits to Alabama
Oct 18, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) runs with the ball during the first quart3er against the Tennessee Volunteers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
Coleman-Williams was a long-time Alabama commit prior to his decommitment following the retirement of Saban in Jan. 2024, with DeBoer and staff eventually getting the in-state Saraland (Alabama) star to recommit a few weeks later. Despite some struggles at times a year ago, Coleman-Williams has been a star for the Crimson Tide across his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa, racking up 1,500+ receiving yards and 14 total touchdowns.
1. Alabama flips Keelon Russell from SMU
Nov 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell (12) carries the ball during the second half against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
A long-time SMU commit at the time, Russell flipped his commitment from the Mustangs to Alabama back in June 2024, with the Duncanville (Texas) quarterback going on to eventually become one of the nation’s highest-ranked recruits in the 2025 class. Russell now enters his redshirt freshman season at Alabama in a competition to become the Crimson Tide’s starter at quarterback, and is considered one of college football’s top potential 2026 breakout candidates.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Keelon Russell among Kalen DeBoer recruiting wins at Alabama football
