Elite 2026 ATH locks in Bama visit, talks high interest

Following a five-week stretch in which Alabama averaged over two commits per week, the program is not currently hosting visitors due to the NCAA dead period.

When the dead period ends later this month, however, the Crimson Tide will have their cook-out event on July 28. A handful of commitments and top Class of 2026 prospects are expected to be on hand for the end-of-month event. One of those is Brandon Arrington, the No. 7 overall player in the 2026 On300.

Arrington, who was offered on Feb. 29, is ready for his first-ever visit to Tuscaloosa.

“I already have a good relationship with most of the coaching staff,” Arrington told BamaOnLine. “I’m just looking forward to building the relationship more. Seeing what the college looks like and touring the school for the first time… I’m just really excited to go check it out.”

Bama’s staff’s relationship-building at prior schools have led to some significant results in the 2025 class, and it’s paying dividends in the next recruiting cycle as well. Arrington was offered by JaMarcus Shephard at Washington in May 2023, marking his third offer at the time (after Arizona and Arkansas State).

That means a lot to Arrington as he continues to build upon his relationship with Shephard.

“They’re showing love and showing they want me, so that’s good,” Arrington said. “[Coach Shephard and I] have been having a good relationship since my freshman year. He was at Washington and offered me at Washington, so that relationship between Coach Shephard and I has been real since Day One.”

Shephard was able to start initiating communication with Arrington on June 15; before that, it was Arrington that had to reach out to him for the two to connect.

The 6-foot, 180-pounder, who is being recruited by Alabama as a wide receiver, thinks highly of Shephard.

“I know Coach Shephard is a great coach,” Arrington said. “He coached a lot of great people. Went to a national championship, so I know Coach Shephard will get the job done. He is recruiting a lot of great athletes, and is doing a good job recruiting.

“He’s gotten guys to the league,” Arrington added. “He’s got some upcoming athletes, like Ryan Williams, who will build that legacy and keep it going.”

Bama already has an established legacy at the position and other position groups, as evidenced by their constant NFL production.

“That basically tells you that’s the school you want to go if you play receiver,” Arrington said of their receiver history. “Or even DB. They also had Pat Surtain and all these great athletes. Bama is the place to be if you want to go to the league.”

Alabama is a top contender in Arrington’s recruitment

Along with Alabama, Arrington is planning to visit Oklahoma (July 26) and Nebraska (July 27) this month. He also took a trip to Texas A&M in June.

Ahead of his trip to The Capstone, Arrington says Kalen DeBoer‘s program is one of his top contenders early on.

“Bama is definitely one of my top schools right now. 100 percent. I’m really interested in that school,” Arrington said. “They’ve shown some of the most love out of all the schools that hit me up. They tap in all the time. They stay in contact. I like stuff like that. That shows me that I’m wanted and they want me to be there.”

Besides the communication he has with Shephard and others, DeBoer’s offense is also appealing to the top-ranked athlete in the 2026 class.

“Their offense is good,” Arrington said. “They make sure the receivers get the ball. That’s the best part about playing receiver – When you get the ball in your hands. They make sure their guys get the ball, so that’s the good thing about their offense.”

Elite Class of 2026 ATH Brandon Arrington. (Chad Simmons/On3)

On3’s Tim Watts posted an excellent breakdown of Alabama’s recruiting in The Golden State so far this cycle.

Arrington, who hails from La Mesa, California, has taken notice of the Tide’s recent additions from the state.

“I grew up with Chuck McDonald. We used to run track as kids,” Arrington said. “I also saw Dijon Lee committed there. There are a lot of Cali kids that are committed to Alabama. I’m seeing that and I’m like, ‘Whoo.’ They’re going after the Cali cats. That’s that big SEC, they recruit everywhere. I’ve seen a lot of Cali kids committing, so I’m like, ‘Whoo, that might be the move.’”

An interesting note is that Arrington has family out in Alabama, with his grandfather being a native of the state. He’s already looking ahead to a potential official visit down the line to bring some of his family members from Alabama with him to the school.

“On my OV, I’ll make sure my grandpa goes there so he can see it,” Arrington said. “He’s a big Alabama fan. I’m a big Alabama fan. I want to see the Heisman Trophies, the coaching staff, and just the great history there. I just want to see everything there.”

You’d be hard-pressed to find many football recruits faster than Arrington in the nation. In May, Arrington posted a blistering 10.27-second 100-meter time, and also runs a 20.40-second 200-meter.

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