Kalen DeBoer at Risk of Losing 4-Star Alabama Target as SEC Rival’s Aggressive Move Confirmed

The Alabama Crimson Tide, aka the ‘NFL Factory,’ has produced more than 40 players under Nick Saban from 2019 to 2023. Think of why players always wanted to come to Alabama? Sure, the national title glory undoubtedly fueled their expectations. But what is more alluring than getting that $30 million first-round pick in the draft? The NFL glory helps more than you can imagine, but now? Kalen DeBoer has taken up the mantle, as it seems that the legacy is starting to falter.

Let’s take Kalen DeBoer’s Washington tenure as an example. During the time Kalen DeBoer stayed with the team and took them to the national championship final, the team failed to produce a single top-20 recruitment class. More concerning was the fact that Kalen DeBoer consistently failed to acquire blue-chip prospects, too, as we saw the 2022 class having just one 4-star prospect at Washington (Ryan Otton). Can the same legacy be continued at Bama, where every moment is scrutinized with a microscope?

The story at Alabama, however, is starkly opposite of Kalen DeBoer. The head coach has not only produced a third-ranked class nationally. But he has also roped in the second-ranked QB, Keelon Russell, and a top-ranked OT, Michael Carroll. Maybe Nick Saban’s legacy is helping Kalen DeBoer after all. Or has the head coach finally learned from his mistakes? Whatever may be the case, the next news isn’t so cheerful.

According to recent reports by On3, the 2027 class blue-chip CB talent is currently visiting LSU. The concern? He’s giving all the vibes that Bama won’t be the place he will likely land. Ashton Ace Alston, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, had high praise for Brian Kelly’s program and the work he has done in terms of developing DBs and sending them to the NFL.

“What stood out is that they have a strong history of developing top DBs,” Alston said. “They also produce great receivers and quarterbacks, so it’s a place where you will be sharpening your skills every day, going against the best. Then you are prepared to compete in one of the top conferences on Saturday.” The highly sought-after CB ended his interview by proclaiming, “As a DB, it’s a school you have to seriously consider.” So, what now for Kalen DeBoer?

Well, the 2027 class may look far away, but in college football, you prepare for the long term, right? As for Alabama’s 2027 class, it has two players already committed. Those being the 8th-ranked edge rusher JaBarrius Garror and another 8th-ranked athlete, Alexander Ward. Losing talent like Ace Alston would surely hurt Alabama, as the CB is ranked 9th nationally and 2nd in his state. The 5’11” and 165 lbs player still has his best years ahead in high school, and we may see more from him as the recruitment class closes in. But there may be a silver lining after all on the dark clouds above the Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Bama gets a sliver of hope in Ashton Alston’s commitment?

While the recent visit to LSU seems to be detrimental for Alabama, enough time still remains to sway his mood towards Tuscaloosa. We have seen recruitment battles go down to the wire, and that could happen to the CB, too. For instance, just a few days ago, we saw Jared Curtis committing to Georgia after almost a year of flirting with programs. So in college football, anything is possible.

Take, for example, when back in April Alston visited Tuscaloosa too and had some great words for the DBs coach Maurice Linguist. “It is an excellent program,” said Alston. “They developed a lot of athletes for the NFL. They have state-of-the-art equipment. I loved my conversation with Coach Mo (Maurice Linguist). He has experience in the NFL, and he is an overall great guy.”

All in all, the CB currently has 34 offers in his pocket, and if On3 probability rankings are to be believed? Bama stands at 5th for landing him behind teams like Ohio State, who are ranked 2nd, and Tennessee, who are currently trending towards 1st with a 15.8% chance of landing him. To be fair, these flirtations with programs and coaches will go on until the guy gets a perfect spot.