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Recruiting classes are officially signed in December and February, but they’re largely built in June during the official visit window that sets the foundation for each cycle. That’s why Alabama’s apparent slow start to the 2026 cycle raises eyebrows.
The Crimson Tide have just seven commitments following this week’s flip of Top247 quarterback Jett Thomalla from Iowa State. Even with that addition, they remain outside the top 40 nationally in the team recruiting rankings — obviously unfamiliar territory for a program that landed 10 (!!) No. 1 classes during the Nick Saban era.
So, it must be time to panic, right? Probably not. Even during the Saban era, Alabama often started slow and closed strong. And Kalen DeBoer already proved he can recruit in Tuscaloosa, landing the No. 3 class in 2025 — his first full cycle on the job.
But with DeBoer and his staff still solidifying relationships across the SEC footprint, the rest of June and the summer months are shaping up as a crucial test of how well the Crimson Tide can sustain that recruiting momentum in a post-Saban world.
We caught up with Bama247 recruiting expert Brett Greenberg for the latest on the Crimson Tide’s outlook and strategy in the 2026 cycle.
No reason to panic in Tuscaloosa
On the surface, it may seem like the time to hit the panic button. But a closer look shows the quality of Alabama’s early commits is elite. While the Crimson Tide are well down the national rankings, pound-for-pound the caliber of 2026 commits is actually one of the best in the country. The seven pledges as of Thursday afternoon have an average 247Sports Composite rating of 93.71, which is second-highest for the cycle behind only LSU (94.84).
That efficiency reflects a familiar Alabama formula…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/alabama-football-recruiting-off-to-sluggish-start-in-2026-cycle-why-theres-no-reason-for-tide-fans-to-panic/
Author : Cody Nagel
Publish date : 2025-06-20 15:23:00
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