Alabama
5 biggest early recruiting wins of Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama
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.
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
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.
4. Alabama lands top 2027 quarterback Elijah Haven
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
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.
2. Ryan Coleman-Williams recommits to Alabama
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
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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Alabama has Talent will return Aug. 1 to the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center in Tallassee, where organizers hope to once again showcase performers from across the state while bringing communities together through the arts.
“There’s so much talent out there and a lot of it just needs an opportunity to be discovered,” organizer Veronica Harris said. “In a world where we seem more and more disconnected, doing things that promote community is a way for us to come together and connect.”
The second annual competition includes separate divisions for children under 16 and adults, with grand prizes of $500 and $1,000. Entry is free for contestants and family-friendly acts of all kinds are welcome. Registration remains open through July 20.
Among those helping spread the word locally is Greenville artist and Muse Alabama Executive Director Jill Marlar. After attending last year’s inaugural competition, Marlar contacted Harris and has since encouraged several of her own students to participate in this year’s youth division.
“It was top-notch talent and all different ages,” Marlar said. “To sit there in a place I grew up, in a full theater, and see that just really gave me chills.” She said meeting Harris and seeing the event firsthand inspired her to become involved and introduce her students to the competition.
Alabama baseball is expected to hear another player’s name called as the 2026 MLB Draft gets underway today.
Several members of the Crimson Tide’s latest College World Series team are eligible for selection, but the biggest name to watch is shortstop Justin Lebron.
Over three seasons in Tuscaloosa, Lebron accumulated a .309 clip with 46 home runs. Defensively, he was just as impressive, posting a .947 fielding percentage to continue solidifying himself as one of the top shortstops in the draft class.
The first round of the draft will start at noon on Saturday, July 11. Picks one through 40 can be seen on TV at MLB Network.
Where Justin Lebron stands in final 2026 MLB Draft projections
In the final MLB Pipeline mock draft, Jonathan Mayo picked Lebron to go 11th overall to the Washington Nationals. Jim Callis selected Lebron as the pick for the Los Angeles Angels, going 12th, which is also what The Athletic predicted in its July 10 mock.
ESPN’s last mock draft had Lebron going 10th to the Colorado Rockies.
FanGraphs’ mock draft on July 8 projected Lebron as the 17th overall pick, going to the Houston Astros.
Lebron’s highest projection came from USA Today. Wajih AlBaroudi had the 21 year-old going 8th overall to the Oakland A’s.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. she can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
Alabama
Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing In Peanut Field Near Florida-Alabama Line : NorthEscambia.com
A single-engine plane made an emergency landing in an Alabama peanut field near the Florida state line on Friday afternoon.
The pilot and a student made the landing in the field after experiencing engine trouble, approximately 0.7 miles south-southwest of the runway at the Atmore Municipal Airport. There were no injuries.
The 2023 Diamond DA 40 NG plane belonging to Skywarrior Flight Training of Pensacola did not sustain any apparent damage.
For more photos, click here.
The incident occurred just north of Old Bratt Road, which is also known as State Line Road in Florida. The Florida-Alabama state line is generally considered to be along the middle of the roadway.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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