Alabama’s 2028 recruiting class is already making noise, and Kalen DeBoer may not be done yet.
The Crimson Tide have taken a different tack with the 2027 cycle, choosing not to chase it as aggressively while they focus on keeping a young roster intact. That approach has left some Alabama fans wanting more right now, but the staff has clearly decided its best path is to lean into the future.
That future is looking pretty bright. Alabama already owns the No. 1-ranked 2028 class in the 247 composite, and the group got a boost on Friday when 4-star quarterback Kingston Preyear pledged to the Tide. Preyear, the No. 44 overall player in the class, became Alabama’s fifth commitment in the cycle, joining CB Braylen Gibbs, QB Charles Scott Jr., and linebackers Dustin Henry and Ryquan Butler.
Now there’s buzz around a potential sixth addition.
According to 247’s Brett Greenberg, Alabama has moved into the lead for 4-star 2028 offensive lineman Anthony Blacklock Jr. of Youngstown, Ohio. Greenberg put in a crystal ball pick on Friday for Blacklock to end up with the Crimson Tide.
Blacklock is a big-time frame prospect already, listed at 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds before his junior season has even begun. If Alabama lands him, he could be the first piece in what might become the nation’s best offensive line class in 2028.
The Tide are also pushing hard for a pair of in-state linemen. Four-star Huntsville natives Joey Fleming and Samuel Bailey are viewed as Alabama’s dream tackle duo in the class, and pairing them with Blacklock would give DeBoer’s staff a haul that could shape the front of the roster for years.
Blacklock is currently ranked No. 204 overall in the composite and No. 12 among interior offensive linemen. He visited Tuscaloosa unofficially last month, and that trip appears to have left a strong impression.
Still, this one won’t come easy. Because Blacklock is from Ohio, Alabama will likely have to fight off Ohio State if the Buckeyes make him a priority. Even if the Tide get him to commit early, the battle probably won’t be over.
There’s still a long road ahead before the early signing period next December for the 2028 class. But after a frustrating 2027 cycle, Alabama’s 2028 group is starting to look a lot more like the kind of recruiting run Tide fans are used to seeing.
In Other News...
Labaron Philon Is Already Making One Draft Decision Look Risky
Labaron Philons first few days in Las Vegas have done little to slow the buzz that followed him out of Alabama. The former Crimson Tide guard, taken 22nd overall by the 76ers after an impressive sophomore season, has already looked comfortable against NBA competition, and his early Summer League play has only strengthened the case that he belonged in the first round. In one outing, he led Philadelphia with 24 points and added six assists in an overtime win over the Pacers, the kind of all-around line that tends to travel quickly through draft-night conversations.
Christian Anderson, meanwhile, has had a quieter start with the Hornets, and that contrast is already inviting second-guessing from outside observers. Charlotte used its pick on Anderson, but Philons immediate impact has made the decision look at least a little risky in hindsight, especially for a team that passed on a guard who is showing he can create, score and control a game right away. Summer League only goes so far, but in a league where first impressions matter, Philon has made one draft choice feel a lot more fragile than it did a week ago. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Miller Just Reached A Massive Moment In Charlotte
Brandon Millers second season in Charlotte gave the Hornets exactly the kind of proof they were hoping to see after a shoulder injury slowed his start. Once he got back on the floor, Miller settled in as a central piece of the rotation, topping 20 points per game and knocking down a career-best 38% of his 3s, a strong sign that his game is trending in the right direction just as the franchise starts making bigger decisions around him.
Jeff Peterson has already made clear the Hornets view Miller as part of the long-term plan, and that makes this offseason a pivotal one for both sides. Miller is expected to be eligible for a major extension, and the conversations around his future now go beyond simple development - they touch on how Charlotte wants to build its next core and how much responsibility Miller is ready to carry as that picture comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Kalen DeBoer Is Already Facing A Conversation Alabama Fans Dread
The early returns on Kalen DeBoer at Alabama have been productive enough on paper, with 20 wins against eight losses in his first two seasons, but the conversation around him has already shifted from results to identity. Even with a College Football Playoff appearance on the ledger, the loss to Indiana and the broader feel of the program have left some fans uneasy about whether Alabama still looks like Alabama in the trenches.
That unease has centered on physicality and the rushing game, the kind of concern that tends to linger in Tuscaloosa when expectations are this high. DeBoers new contract only raises the stakes around every debate, because Alabama is no longer just judging a coach on wins and losses, but on whether the style of play matches the standard the fan base expects. [Read more 🡒]