Alabama set for pivotal recruiting weekend in T-Town
Welcome Alabama fans,
It’s the final ‘on-campus’ recruiting weekend until late July. BOL hopes you’ve enjoyed the ride through the first 22 days of the month. Alabama has hosted official visitors, hundreds of high school camp participants, earned commitments, extended new offers, moved into strong position for certain targets, dropped players who received early offers while also putting itself in position to sign another outstanding recruiting class.
Many have kept track of the recruiting content this month, but just in case- Everything learned after first two weeks of June + our most recent post-official visitor nuggets.
These are the last few days prior to the recruiting dead period on June 26 (until July 25). Unofficial visits will then resume until July 31. Many of Alabama’s top recruits have visited the Tide this month, several more will return to Tuscaloosa this weekend, and more will take final visits elsewhere.
This is an important weekend with elite players who can become major additions to the Crimson Tide’s 2024 class which currently ranks No. 4 per On3 Sports with only 8 total commitments.
How will it unfold?
Will Alabama make a move for mid-week visitors?
Grant Brix, Top 100 OL from Magnolia HS in Logan, IowaMichael Uini, four-star OL from Copperas Cove HS in Texas
Alabama is currently hosting two offensive linemen who will depart from Tuscaloosa on Friday morning. Brix is town for his first visit. Kansas State is presumed the favorite per the On3 Sports RPM. He has visited Oklahoma, recently cancelled an official to Notre Dame, and currently scheduled to visit Nebraska this weekend.
BOL will learn a little bit more on Brix and his interest in Alabama after the visit. There is high interest, but it seems more of a long shot with him not venturing far from home. Uini is in a little bit of a different position as Brix since he has previously visited Alabama.
Uini camped at Alabama last year, and remained in contact with offensive line coach Eric Wolford, who also evaluated him during the spring. Many consider Michigan the current favorite after his trip to Ann Arbor this past weekend. He is also scheduled to visit Georgia this weekend. There is high interest on Alabama’s side- and things could turn after the visit concludes. A decision is expected in the near future.
Brix and Uini had dinner with the Alabama staff at Chuck’s Fish in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday night. The two will attend/watch the Alabama offensive line work-out on Thursday morning. They will participate in academic tours, watch film/meet with coaches, learn more of the program, have a photo shoot and dinner in the Zone at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Thursday evening.
Below is a closer look at the upcoming weekend in T-Town
Does Alabama have a chance with more UGA commits?
Peyton Woodyard with Alabama DB coach Travaris Robinson during April 13 visit.
Ellis Robinson, five-star cornerback from IMG Academy Peyton Woodyard, Top 100 safety from St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California
It’s been a busy month for UGA commitments in Tuscaloosa which has included official visits from Demarcus Riddick (June 16-18) and Demello Jones (June 9-11). Micah Debose, a ’25 Top 100 OL from Alabama, was also in town for the Tide’s camp earlier this month. Jones is a much tougher pull for the Tide as opposed to Riddick and Debose.
Must-Read: Mother of Georgia LB commit Demarcus Riddick recaps official visit to Alabama
Two more targets will take official visits to Alabama this weekend. (Ellis) Robinson considered Alabama one of his top two schools before announcing a commitment to Georgia in January. He has remained in contact with Travaris Robinson during the last six months. Miami is currently viewed as a bigger threat to the Bulldogs, but a great weekend in Tuscaloosa could give the Crimson Tide a more realistic chance.
Woodyard grew up in an Alabama household. His father, Gerald, is originally from Mobile, and several family members remain in the state. Woodyard returned to Alabama in April after not visiting since June 2021. Alabama has really amped things up since he announced a commitment earlier this year. He has been in heavy contact with T-Rob (Robinson) and Nick Saban (who called Woodyard prior to his Italian vacation last month).
Alabama is in need of more players in the secondary with only one current commitment, five-star cornerback, Jaylen Mbakwe (also in town for an unofficial visit this weekend). Woodyard has taken official visits this month to UGA, Ohio State and USC. This is his final visit before a ‘final’ decision regarding his recruitment. Both of Woodyard’s parents will also return this weekend. He appears as one the Tide has the best chance to possibly flip out of the two returning for the weekend. Anything is possible.
Don’t Miss: Five-star CB Jaylen Mbakwe shuts down recruitment after OV
Buford duo taking final trip in June
KJ Bolden during April visit at Alabama.
KJ Bolden, five-star safety from Buford HS in GeorgiaEddrick Houston, five-star DL from Buford HS in Georgia
Two of the most discussed players will take their final official visit of the summer. Alabama will have some ground to make up with the teammates from the Peach State.
(KJ) Bolden has visited Alabama several times including an early April visit when he spent time with NFL Pro Bowl cornerback Pat Surtain II. Bolden has always talked highly of his interest in the Tide- and this is possibly the final opportunity for Coach Saban, Kevin Steele, T-Rob and others on Tide staff to pitch as to why Alabama is the best fit. Bolden will be joined by his mom, dad, sister and grandmother.
Georgia and Ohio State are considered the front-runners for Bolden heading into the weekend. There were also reports of Caleb Downs favoring the same two schools prior to his official visit with the Tide last summer. Auburn, Clemson and Florida State are also in contention. A decision will likely happen prior to the start of the season. Alabama will give its best shot to try and sway the top recruit in the Peach State for the second consecutive year.
There has been a lot of Ohio State chatter with (Eddrick) Houston for the last few weeks. It has grown significantly since his trip to Columbus this past weekend. Some thought he may even decide prior to the Alabama visit. The visit in Tuscaloosa will take place.
Houston is listed as a defensive line recruit-though most see him as an EDGE or defensive end in their system. Alabama has recruited him to play one or the other with Houston having input. Alabama will need to give a perfect pitch to persuade Houston to stay a little closer to home. He is also considering USC, Clemson and Georgia. A decision date is set for August 22.
B-BALL COMMIT: Elite PF Jarin Stevenson commits to Alabama, reclassifies to Class of 2023
The Cali-connection
Nathaniel Frazier spent two days visiting Alabama in April.
Nathaniel Frazier, Top 100 running back from Mater Dei HS in Santa Ana, Calif.Zabien Brown, Top 100 cornerback from Mater Dei HS in Santa Ana, Calif.
Alabama hopes it can have similar success at Mater Dei as it did in 2019 when it signed Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young. The No. 1 overall draft pick is not in Tuscaloosa helping recruit this weekend, but we can expect the two priority targets to receive the same type of treatment from the Crimson Tide as Young did during his recruitment.
Frazier received the red carpet treatment during his first trip to the Capstone in April. He raved about the visit, and even received his mom’s permission to attend Alabama. It was an emotional high after the trip-and others have made moves for Frazier. He took an official visit to Oregon last weekend. He has also taken unofficial visits to Georgia and Texas A&M. This is a big weekend for Alabama to re-gain momentum.
Each school is heavily in pursuit with some believing UGA has the edge. Kirby Smart would enjoy signing a top running back over the Tide after missing on Justice Haynes and Richard Young in the ’23 class to his former boss.
(Zabien) Brown may not have as many contenders as Frazier, but appears much tougher to predict. Alabama had only a few players on its short list of cornerback targets. Brown has been on it since the very start. This visit will mark Brown’s third of the year in Tuscaloosa. He spoke with On3 after the spring visit with the Tide.
Brown’s decision is expected sometime in mid-July. The On3 Sports RPM heavily favors USC. The race, however, appears much tighter after an official visit to Ohio State last weekend. The Buckeyes are in it, but most see this one coming down the Crimson Tide and Trojans.
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Two OL visitors including No. 1 overall (interior)
Casey Poe with his grandfather during visit to Alabama
Alabama OL target Casey Poe (Lindale, Texas) will return to Alabama with his mom and dad. He was joined by his grandfather on the previous multi-day visit with the Tide in April, and has developed a strong bond with Coach Wolf (Wolford). Alabama has targeted Poe for a long time, and there is currently a 70.1 % chance he will sign with the Tide per the On3 Sports RPM. His recruitment is a little tighter after visits to Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas Tech this month. Alabama will hope to make the No.1 interior guard feel completely at home this weekend.
The Tide took notice of Marques Easley (Kankakee, Illinois) earlier this year. He visited for Junior Day in January, and the coaches saw him twice during spring evaluation period. Alabama will see how things go this weekend with his second time on campus. He named a top three earlier this week- Alabama, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Georgia is possibly still in it. This is viewed more as an OU/UT battle at this moment.
Who will attend the cook-out?
Alabama commit Jaylen Mbakwe
The Tide will also host a ‘cook-out’ on Friday afternoon. There hasn’t been as heavy focus on the event in recent years as compared to themed day or weekend events at other schools. Many priority targets have already been in Tuscaloosa for official visits, and taking final trips elsewhere. Some of the official visitors will attend if in town on time (will also still go to dinner). Some of the confirmed visitors for the event include Alabama commitments Jaylen Mbakwe, Joseph Ionata and Mason Short. BOL is also keeping an eye on a possible return visit from Perry Thompson. The Tide commitment took an official visit to Auburn last weekend.In-state OL target William Sanders confirmed his plans to attend. Isaia Faga from Central HS in Phenix City, is also considering a return to Tuscaloosa this weekend. Some of the top underclassmen expected at Alabama also includes: Zion Grady, Myles Johnson, Anthony Jones (’26) and Jahkeem Stewart. CLICK HERE to keep track of the news, nuggets and more throughout the weekend!
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