Kalen DeBoer proved on National Signing Day that there isn’t going to be any drop-off in recruiting now that Nick Saban is gone.
In his first full recruiting class at Alabama, DeBoer secured 21 signees and the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation.
DeBoer finally has a full recruiting cycle, and he was able to bring in the guys who fit his system. He is excited about the class he brought in.
“Excited about the group, just this being the chance to really have a first, full cycle of recruiting,” DeBoer said. “Kind of be really our first class. Guys that we want to continue to bring in that embody what Alabama stands for, what we’re looking for. Maybe it’s specific needs, which I think we’ve addressed in different ways and at different positions.”
The Crimson Tide signees were split down the middle on both sides of the ball as Alabama signed 10 players on offense and 10 players on defense. Alabama also signed a punter for special teams. Of the 21 players that were signed, three of them were five-star prospects, highlighted by the No. 2 overall player in the nation, quarterback Keelon Russell.
DeBoer is very impressed with the arm talent and leadership of his future quarterback. If Jalen Milroe were to leave early for the NFL, Russell could get a chance to compete for the starting position as early as next season.
"Then there’s the leadership piece and the personality, just there’s a swagger about him, a confidence about him," DeBoer said. “He’s helped become a major part of bringing and keeping this class together, which is what you want out of any leader, especially these key guys, especially your quarterback. He’s just having a great championship run with his high school. So excited about what he brings. He’s got the arm talent, just accurate, can throw with different arm slots and all that kind of stuff and then also just the ability as an athlete to make plays with his feet, just an added dimension there.”
Here are the Crimson Tide’s newest additions:
All rankings come from 247 Sports recruiting rankings
5-star signees:
QB Keelon Russell
OL Michael Carroll
CB Dijon Lee
4-star signees:
S Ivan Taylor
WR Derek Meadows
Edge Justin Hill
OT Jackson Lloyd
RB Akylin Dear
CB Chuck McDonald
TE Kaleb Edwards
LB Darrell Johnson
TE Marshall Pritchett
OT Micah DeBose
3-star signees:
LB Luke Metz
WR Lotzeir Brooks
LB Abduall Sanders Jr.
DL London Simmons
OT Mal Waldrep
DL Steve Mboumoua
DL Kevonte Henry
K Alex Asparuhov
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