The Alabama Crimson Tide just did what they always seem to do this time of year-lock in another Top-5 recruiting class. Most of the groundwork was laid over the summer, but now we’re in the closing stretch, and Bama’s staff is treating it like a two-minute drill: fast, focused, and ruthless.
This week alone, they’ve added two more blue-chip names to the board: EDGE Malique Franklin and offensive lineman Tyrell Miller. Both bring size, athleticism, and that classic Alabama polish potential. Franklin’s explosiveness off the edge fits perfectly into the Tide’s pass-rush blueprint, while Miller adds depth and versatility to a line that’s been a foundational strength in Tuscaloosa for years.
But just as Alabama was tightening the final bolts on its class, a familiar face decided to shake things up.
Lane Kiffin, now officially the head coach at LSU after making a dramatic late-season jump from Ole Miss on December 1, pulled off a recruiting flip that turned some heads. Safety Aiden Hall, who had been trending toward Alabama early on, made a fourth-quarter pivot and committed to LSU instead. The Tigers wasted no time celebrating the pickup, posting a slick “Callin’ Baton Rouge” graphic on Instagram to announce Hall’s arrival.
It’s a big get for LSU-and a bold opening move for Kiffin, who left an 11-1 Ole Miss team with College Football Playoff aspirations to take the reins in Baton Rouge. That’s not just a coaching change; that’s a power play. And flipping a high-profile defensive back like Hall from Alabama only adds to the early drama.
Of course, Alabama didn’t stay quiet for long.
Enter Kristen Saban, daughter of legendary head coach Nick Saban and a Crimson Tide alum in her own right. She stepped into the social media arena with a perfectly timed post: a photo of herself in a custom “Roll Tide” bomber jacket, standing on the field with a caption that read, “There will come a time in your life where you have to decide between Alabama and another school…it’s very important that you choose Alabama.”
No hashtags. No tagging.
Just a clean, confident nudge aimed straight at the next wave of recruits scrolling their feeds. It was subtle, stylish, and unmistakably on-brand for the Saban dynasty-where even the social media game is part of the recruiting strategy.
While LSU may have scored a win with Hall, Alabama is still stacking elite talent. The crown jewel of their 2026 class?
Running back Ezavier Crowell, who signed on Wednesday. He’s the No.
2 RB in the class, the No. 14 overall prospect nationally, and the top-ranked player in the state of Alabama. Crowell’s commitment is more than just a recruiting win-it’s a statement.
He’s a game-changer, the kind of back who fits right into the lineage of Tide greats.
But before any of these recruits even step on campus, there’s a much bigger battle looming.
This Saturday, Alabama faces off against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game (3 p.m. CT, ABC) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It’s a heavyweight clash with everything on the line: the winner earns an automatic berth in the College Football Playoff. Alabama’s been here before.
Georgia’s been here before. And with both programs loaded with NFL-caliber talent and high-stakes motivation, this one’s shaping up to be a classic.
So while the recruiting war rages on behind the scenes, the real fireworks are set to explode on the field. And in true SEC fashion, it’s not just about who wins-it’s about who dominates.