Kalen DeBoer and his coaching crew at Alabama have their work cut out for them on the recruiting front for the 2027 class. With only four commitments so far, the recent addition of unranked tight end Oakley Keegan from Liverpool, New York, was a small win.
However, it didn’t quite ease the blow of losing 4-star EDGE prospect Jabarrius Garror. Now, the Crimson Tide might be on the verge of losing another recruit from their already slim lineup.
Nash Johnson III, a 3-star cornerback, initially committed to Alabama back in October, but his commitment has always seemed a bit shaky. Recent developments suggest he might be reconsidering his choice, potentially flipping to Alabama’s fierce rival, Auburn, under new head coach Alex Golesh. After a visit to Auburn, Johnson admitted that the Tigers are making it tough for him to stay committed to Alabama.
While losing a recruit to a rival is never ideal, Alabama has bigger targets on their radar for the 2027 class. Johnson hasn’t scheduled an official visit to Tuscaloosa this summer but has lined up visits to Auburn, Miami, Tennessee, and Ole Miss.
Fortunately for Alabama, the cornerback position isn't a pressing concern right now. The Crimson Tide have stacked their defensive backfield with consecutive top-tier recruiting classes, adding talents like Dijon Lee, Jorden Edmonds, Chuck McDonald, and Zyan Gibson.
They’re also in pursuit of higher-ranked prospects, including 5-star cornerbacks John Meredith III, the No. 2 overall player in the country, and Hayden Stepp. Securing commitments from either of these stars would certainly soften the blow of losing Johnson.
For now, it seems Alabama’s recruiting class might take a step back before it can leap forward. DeBoer and his team still have plenty of time and talent to focus on as they navigate the competitive landscape of college football recruiting.