Alabama’s Saturday matchup with Florida State will bring more than just another game-day test. It will also give the Crimson Tide a chance to make an impression in recruiting, with a group of prospects set to be on campus for the showdown.
One of the visitors is three-star defensive lineman Tory Clark, a member of the class of 2028. The Atlanta, Ga., native announced he will be at the Alabama game on Saturday, and he arrives with five other Division I offers already on the table: Arizona State, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida and Georgia.
Clark’s appeal is pretty easy to see. Alabama likes what he brings at the line of scrimmage, especially the size and power he can bring at the point of attack. That fits a clear emphasis for the Crimson Tide heading into the season.
And so far, that emphasis has shown up on the field. Kane Wommack’s defense has gotten real help from its bigger, stronger defensive linemen, and last week’s 45-17 win over Kentucky was a good example. Alabama’s front helped the team post a second-half shutout on the road, smothered Kentucky’s run game and limited the Wildcats to 63 rushing yards at just 2 yards per carry.
The pass rush got in on the action too, finishing with two sacks from USC transfer defensive lineman Devan Thompkins as part of a six-tackle-for-loss performance.
Even with a smaller 2027 class than in recent years, Alabama is still in the hunt for several important prospects while also laying groundwork for depth in 2028.
In Other News...
Keelon Russell May Have Changed Alabamas Ceiling Faster Than Expected
For a quarterback still finding his footing, Keelon Russell made Alabama look awfully grown up against Florida State. He helped drag the Crimson Tide out of a 21-6 hole, finished 23 of 30 for 320 yards and three touchdowns, added 56 rushing yards and another score, and guided an offense that scored on seven straight possessions in a 50-36 win.
The bigger takeaway for Alabama is not just the comeback itself, but how quickly Russell appears to be raising the programs offensive ceiling. He was careful afterward to describe himself as still developing, which is probably the most intriguing part for the Tide: if this is the early version, the rest of the league has reason to pay attention. [Read more 🡒]
Danny Kanell Takes Another Shot At Alabama Over Weather Delay
The Alabama-Florida State season opener turned into a long night of stops and starts after lightning pushed the game through multiple weather delays, turning what should have been a clean first look at both teams into a test of patience. As the interruptions stacked up, CBS Sports analyst Danny Kanell took to social media and questioned whether the second delay was really necessary, adding another layer of scrutiny to a game already shaped by the weather.
Kanells comments quickly drew pushback, with the response centering on the safety standards that guide lightning-related suspensions rather than the feel of the storm from a TV booth or social media feed. Weather professionals then stepped in to explain the rules behind those decisions, a reminder that these delays are not made on instinct, even when they frustrate fans and analysts alike. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Gets An Early SEC Reality Check In New AP Poll
The first real stretch of SEC play has already started to reshape the AP top 25, and Alabama fans can see how unforgiving that weekly grind can be. Ole Miss win over LSU gave the Rebels another boost in the league race, while Florida moved into the rankings after a road win at Auburn, a reminder that early conference games can swing the national conversation fast.
Texas A&M also took a hit after falling to Kentucky, a result that only added to the sense that the leagues middle tier is still sorting itself out. For Alabama, the early poll movement serves as a useful checkpoint on what the SEC demands week after week, with contenders, sleepers and disappointments all starting to separate a little more clearly. [Read more 🡒]