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Alabama 2026 Signing Class Superlatives (Offense): Hits, steals, upside, top stories, more

AB1by: Andrew Bone12/09/25AndrewJBone

Alabama’s 2026 offensive signing class featured its share of hits, late wins, and intriguing storylines. Bone and Tim Watts break down the superlatives that defined the cycle.

Signing Class Superlatives Part 2: The Defense

Best Win: WR Cederian Morgan (Alex City-Benjamin Russell), RB Ezavier Crowell (Jackson)

Bone says: I remember hearing after Coach DeBoer’s first summer camp, ‘he’s a must-get’ on the day Morgan was offered by Alabama. There aren’t many, if any at all, more impressive from a physical standpoint (6-4.5, 220). Morgan is the only WR in this class. He was heavily recruited by several others, with big $ offers tossed his way, but chose to remain home. He was raised a UA fan, but in this new college football world, that alone doesn’t solidify college destinations. It did have somewhat of a role.

Watts says: Perhaps the most talented at a need position. Alabama wants to upgrade the running back room, and there’s nowhere better to start than in-state, and they beat out the rest of the nation for him.”

Two-time state champ: Ezavier Crowell rumbles for more than 300 yards in title game, named MVP

Most surprising win: OL Bryson Cooley (Laurel, Miss-West Jones)

Bone says: Staff changes late in the season can help swing momentum. Alabama was hoping to get Cooley back on campus after Brian Kelly was fired. Still, it was more of an ‘if’ than a ‘when’ until he visited midweek before the Iron Bowl (very quietly)—a high-quality win for a coveted prospect since earlier in the year.

Watts says: “It took Bama until signing day, and in fact a few days after, to land the Mississippi tackle they had coveted throughout the process. Took an official visit in June but things were very quiet until right before the signing period. Good work by the staff to keep that fire lit. 

Flip in the ‘Sip: Alabama steals Top 15 lineman from LSU

Biggest loss: Malachi Lee (Honolulu-Kamhameha), Kaiden Prothro (Bowdon, Ga.)

Bone says (Lee): Alabama felt it had put itself in the lead position for Lee after his official visit, coming very close to committing during the trip. He waited, and it turned into a Michigan/Texas battle in the end. Alabama still ended up with one of its top OT targets (mentioned above).

Watts says (Prothro): “Him ending up at Georgia isn’t a surprise, but UA liked Prothro and felt he could come in and compete right away. He’s a special talent.”

Instant Impact: Ezavier Crowell

Bone says: There are high expectations with Crowell as there should be based on his high school career and future outlook. He has to improve key areas, including blocking, but it’s hard to imagine the Rivals.com HS Player of the Year in Alabama not seeing early playing time.

Watts says: “He has to pick up the nuances that go with being an SEC running back, but the opportunity to shine early is there. I have not seen a better running back in this class, and he’s also the best that UA has landed in a while.”

Best Position Group: Offensive Line

Bone says: This may not have been my pick a few weeks ago with only three OL commits, but once Alabama added a JuCo transfer (Tyrell Miller) along with one of its top tackle targets (Cooley) it was an easy decision. The Tide is building its OL unit for the future (nine signees in the last two cycles). Really like the size and versatility of this group, which also includes Top 100 OL Jared Doughty, four-star Chris Booker, and Bear Fretwell, three wins in Peach State, including two who UGA heavily pursued.

Watts says: “You get a little bit of everything. Jared Doughty was one of the fastest risers in his class, Cooley can get in the two deep quickly. Plus you have some guys whose best football is ahead of them. You need numbers and talent, you got both.”

Safe Bet: TE Mack Sutter (Dunlap, Ill.), Ezavier Crowell

Bone says (Sutter): Sutter is one of the best overall athletes in the class. He’s also 6-foot-6, 232-pounds. I think he’ll have a chance to see the field early, but even if not, the tools are there and believe he’ll have plenty of opportunities to thrive in the future.

Watts says (Crowell): Speed, balance and power. He has everything you are looking for in a running back. He showed numerous times this year the ability to break tackles and find a hole when there wasn’t one. He’s an aggressive runner who doesn’t shy away from contact.”

Future captain: OL Chris Booker (Atlanta-Hapeville Charter), OL Jared Doughty (Atlanta-Banneker)

Bone says (Booker): How can you not pick an Alabama offensive lineman with the last name Booker as your future captain?

Watts says (Doughty): “Doughty isn’t a guy who will be outworked, we’ve heard that several times since his commitment. His story alone from Georgia State commitment to dozens of offers is great in itself. But he’s a guy who is going to understand what it means to work hard and not take anything for granted. Huge upside.”

Most upside: Ced Morgan, Tyrell Miller (College of San Mateo)

Bone says (Morgan): The tools are certainly there with Morgan to be a matchup issue in the future. He’s not a true burner, but can make a lot of impactful plays. His size, athleticism and abilty to go up to get the ball make him a dangerous asset.

Watts says (Miller): “He’s only played football for a limited time but he’s improved every season. He is still learning the finer points, but he is a player who will end up in the NFL if he continues to improve. There is a reason all the colleges recruiting him hoped he would stay under the radar.”

Class Grades: Offense
Class Grades: Defense

Class sleeper: OL Bear Fretwell (Brooklet, Ga-Southeast Bulloch), Mack Sutter

Bone says (Fretwell): Fretwell earned his offer the hard way, by showing up at football camp. It’s rare for players to do so before the start of their senior year. The summer is for OVs, but a few rising seniors still compete and can reap the reward. Lives on a working farm in Georgia, homeschooled, fantastic measurables and footwork. May take a year or two for development. Former UA OL coach Brent Key was also a major fan (Bear flipped from Georgia Tech).

Watts says (Sutter): “Doesn’t feel like a top 100-ish overall player should be considered a sleeper, but Sutter doesn’t get nearly as much attention as he should. Bama wanted an impact tight end and had him in their top 2-3 choices. Ohio State made a very quiet but heavy push late.”

Best flip: QB Jett Thomalla (Omaha-Millard South)

Bone says: Solid run of QB flips through the years: Bryce Young, Mac Jones, Jalen Milroe, even Greg McElroy before the Tide saw a big one a year ago in Keelon Russell, and now Thomalla. One of the most decorated QBs in Nebraska state history. Monster win for UA at the QB position after signing the No. 2 overall player in the country a year ago.

Watts says: “They say history repeats itself and it certainly did with Alabama at the quarterback position. Last year was Keelon Russell from SMU, Thomalla this year from Iowa State. Add in Thomalla is an hour drive from Lincoln and it was a steal.”

Most interesting/wildest recruitment to follow: QB Tayden Kaawa (Orem, Utah), Ced Morgan

Bone says (Kaawa): There was a time when I wasn’t sure if Kaawa even existed (kidding, sort of). He isn’t active on social media. There weren’t any known visits leading up to his Alabama OV. He had not done any interviews and just kept to himself. He committed to Alabama, even after Jett Thomalla. Kaawa took a visit to BYU (never a concern this fall before signing with UA.

Watts says (Morgan): “I don’t think there was much doubt Morgan was going to end up in Alabama, but he had Tide fans worried not once, but twice, when he randomly popped in Colorado for visits. One right before he committed. Luckily not too much drama for UA on this side of the ball.”

Must-Watch: Bone/Watts react to Alabama making CFB Playoff

Future Heisman contender: Jett Thomalla, Ezavier Crowell

Bone says (Thomalla): I’m eager to see changes made in the run game. I think it will happen with Crowell and the OL recruited in the last two cycles, but I still don’t know if we’ll see 1,500+ yards on the ground in the Tide’s offense, maybe? I’ll go with Thomalla as the passing attack remains a key fixture for the offense in the upcoming years.

Watts says (Crowell): “It’s hard to go with any other position that quarterback with the Heisman voters but Crowell is going to have the changes Mark Ingram had. Step in and have a big impact early, change the dynamics of Kalen DeBoer’s team.”

Future first-rounder: Jett Thomalla

Bone says: Mac Jones had a lot of confidence in himself as one of two QBs in the 2017 class (along with Tua Tagovailoa). It took a little time before he started, but one season was all he needed before becoming a Top 15 draft pick. Thomalla may have to wait his turn, but he’s similar to Mac belief of being an elite QB- and he has the accolades that back it up. Development is key, but think he’ll be one of the best QBs in the draft in three or four years.

Watts says: “When I first watched Thomalla for the first time I had a sense of deja vu, I had the same reaction and thoughts that I did when I first watched Drake Maye. NFL size, big arm and a basketball player. NFL loves their quarterbacks and he checks a lot of boxes.”

Best story: RB Trae Brown (Huntsville, Texas)

Bone says: An offer from Alabama is a life-changing moment for anyone. It doesn’t mean all will go to school there. Imagine how Brown felt learning last Tuesday that Alabama called to express interest in potentially signing him, without any prior contact. You’d think it’s a Catfish, right? Nope, and two days later Brown signed with the Tide, and enrolls on January 5, which will also mark his first-time stepping foot in Tuscaloosa.

Watts says:”Talk about out of the blue. Alabama took a shot on a running back at the signing day finish line who has drawn no fanfare or public attention. He had other offers and was headed to Boise State before the UA offer. He didn’t even have an On3 profile when he committed.” 

‘He’s the total package’: Inside look at how the Crimson Tide found, and signed Brown

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