Alabama isn’t throwing around cash in the Transfer Portal like some of its SEC rivals, and that’s by design. The Tide have made it clear this offseason: they’re not going to win bidding wars for top portal talent. That’s how they lost out on big-name targets, including Auburn-bound wide receiver Cam Coleman.
So what does that mean for the future of Alabama football under Kalen DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan? It means the pressure is squarely on the high school recruiting trail - and so far, they’re holding their own. Back-to-back top-five classes have rolled into Tuscaloosa, and another elite haul could be on the way if this past weekend is any indication.
One name to circle in bold: Monshun Sales.
The 6-foot-5 wide receiver from Indiana is one of the most coveted prospects in the 2027 class - a five-star talent who just wrapped up a visit to Alabama that left quite an impression. How much of an impression? Sales didn’t mince words when he spoke with Andrew Bone after the trip: “This is everything I dreamed of…”
That’s the kind of quote that turns heads in recruiting circles. And while it’s far too early to call it a done deal, it’s safe to say Alabama is firmly in the mix - if not leading - for one of the most physically gifted wideouts in the country.
Sales is currently ranked as the No. 2 receiver in the nation and the No. 9 overall player. He’s a nightmare for defensive backs - a long-striding deep threat with elite speed, a massive catch radius, and the kind of frame that makes 50-50 balls feel more like 80-20.
He’s not the most polished route-runner yet, but the raw tools are there. If you’re looking for a future first-round pick, Sales checks every box.
And that’s exactly the kind of player Alabama needs right now.
In the era of the Transfer Portal, where some programs are flipping rosters overnight with big NIL deals, Alabama is taking a different approach. They’re betting on development.
They’re betting on continuity. And they’re betting on freshmen who are ready to contribute early - not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.
That’s a tougher road. It requires patience - something not always abundant in a fanbase that watched Nick Saban stack six national titles in less than two decades. But it’s also a sustainable model, especially if you can land players like Sales who look ready to contribute from Day 1.
Still, Alabama isn’t recruiting in a vacuum. Sales has already taken unofficial visits to Texas A&M, Miami, and Ohio State.
And don’t overlook Indiana - yes, Indiana - as a legitimate contender. The Hoosiers are fresh off a national championship run, and with Curt Cignetti at the helm and Mark Cuban backing the NIL operation, they’re not shy about spending to keep elite talent close to home.
Indiana’s got the momentum. Alabama’s got the legacy.
And Sales? He’s got options.
For now, Tuscaloosa made a strong first impression. The question is whether that dream-like visit will carry weight when decision time comes. Because in today’s recruiting landscape, it’s not just about who makes the first splash - it’s about who can stay in the fight until the finish.