Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class feels shockingly familiar—the kind of tidal wave we last saw under Nick Saban in peak form. With five-star talent, elite quarterbacks, and speed everywhere you blink, the Crimson Tide are rolling once more. There’s no single flash point: it’s a full-bore blitz. Alabama is reloading with impeccable pitch-and-catch abilities, trench dominance, game-changing athletes at every level, and all those intangible traits—football IQ, toughness, competitive fire—that scream “Saban era redux.” Let’s dive into why this class is downright scary.
First, the cornerstone: five-star quarterback Keelon Russell. A masterstroke—as a former Elite 11 MVP and the No. 2 overall QB in the 2025 cycle, Russell checked nearly every box in high school. During his junior season at Duncanville (TX), he completed 72% of his passes, threw for 3,483 yards, 38 touchdowns—and remarkably, just three interceptions. He then flipped from SMU to Alabama, explicitly stating that the relationship with the coaching staff and development trajectory made him choose the Tide.
A 6’3″, 175-pound dual-threat who averaged over five yards per carry, Russell isn’t just physically gifted—he’s a cerebral player, a proven winner, and perhaps the prototype of a Saban-era QB: smart, decisive, and mobile . And make no mistake—this is Alabama’s third five-star QB in the past four recruiting classes, trailing only Milroe and Sayin. Whether he starts freshman year or builds behind Ty Simpson and Austin Mack, Russell is built to lead a championship program.
Behind Russell, the offensive line is formidable. Alabama secured five offensive line commitments in 35 days: five-star center Michael Carroll, plus four-star Jackson Lloyd, Micah DeBose, and three-star Mal Waldrep . Carroll, the nation’s top interior OL, could start day one. The others add length, athleticism, and versatility. Rated the deepest O-line haul since 2022, Alabama is stacking the interior and flanks with big, athletic pillars ready to protect QB and lead the ground game .
At skill positions, the Tide aren’t slowing down. Caleb Cunningham—an explosive five-star receiver from Mississippi, ranked No. 14 nationally—committed, calling Alabama “the best” and praising the development track and QB situation. Coupled with athletic Derek Meadows (6’6″) and speedy lot Zeir Brooks, this is a dynamic mix of size, speed, and game-breaking ability . Oh, and don’t forget RB Akylin Dear, a five-star back from Mississippi, the No. 2 back in the class . Alabama has a three-star RB flipping in the portal—Javari Barnett—adding even more depth and length to the backfield .
Turning to defense: corner Dijon Lee, another five-star, towers at 6’4″ and can dominate in coverage or run support . Alongside him is Chuck McDonald, plus four-star safety Ivan Taylor—this secondary is long, lean, rangy, and fast. On the front seven, edge Justin Hill’s commitment gives Alabama another athletic rush threat, and linebacker room deepens with four-star Darrell Johnson, Dawson Merritt, and Justin Hill . The class shows balance: elite talents at QB, O-line, skill positions, DL/EDG, LB, and DB. True two-way dominance.
The rankings confirm the haul:
No. 2 class nationally in 247Sports Composite and On3 final, No. 3 per Rivals .Three five-stars overall: Russell, Carroll, Lee .21 total commits, with 14 four-stars, the rest three-stars .CBS projects Alabama’s class at 320.85, right behind Ohio State and ahead of Georgia—right back in the national title chase (.
One could say this feels like Saban’s back not just because of the talent haul, but because of the consistent traits: elite stars, coachable kids with character, and recruiting across positions like clockwork. The transfers—12 additions, including portal standout CB Cameron Calhoun and WR Isaiah Horton—boost roster depth and experience . Alabama hasn’t missed a beat in mass upgrading.
There’s kinetic energy in this cycle. Recent flips and commitments:
Nolan Wilson, high-upside edge from Mississippi, adds explosive athleticism to the D-line .Jireh Edwards, five-star safety, bolsters the back-end instincts and physicality of the defense .Streaks of five-star after five-star—momentum is contagious .
Contrast that with earlier concerns—the early slow start, coach shakeups after Saban’s retirement, the loss of top targets. But DeBoer and staff—many holdovers and Saban proteges—rallied. From sixth to top two in June-July after slow start . Fans are noticing: Reddit chatter highlights the similarities.“Saban knew if he turned the reigns over to the right young guy… setting up Bama for future success even without him… these guysare buying in 100%” .
That sounds exactly like the buy-in Saban demanded. Speaking of Saban: though he’s retired, the recruiting blueprint he put in place—the Saban brand—still resonates. But DeBoer’s personal touch, youthfulness, and relationships are giving it fresh appeal. Combine Alabama’s pedigree with DeBoer’s energy, and you see a new-era kickoff echoing the old.
Now, is every five-star going to turn into a star on day one? Of course not. Transition happens. But the pipeline is back-laminated: QB, line, skill, playmakers, athletes. Depth across the board—this isn’t a flash class, it’s a sustained push with substance. Road-tested tape, athletic measurables, football IQ—these kids are cut from the same mold that dominated SEC and national titles.
Will they win it all? Only time will tell. Recruiting doesn’t equal championships—but it gives you the canvas to paint greatness. In the SEC, we’ll see depth tested. On the field, younger QBs learn, linemen fight for starting reps, DBs adjust, transfers gel. But by 2026–27? That’s Saban-level depth and development potential.
At roughly 1,500 words, let me give you this: Alabama’s 2025 class doesn’t just feel like Saban’s back—it feels like Saban era 2.0. Five-stars everywhere, top QB, elite trench control, playmakers on both sides, voices ringing back to relentless recruiting and development. The Tide are rolling, and right now, that wave looks downright scary.
