Recruiting is a back-and-forth affair for Alabama football leading up to Signing Day

The questions about Kalen DeBoer’s ability to recruit for Alabama football should be put to rest as the Crimson Tide prepares to complete a top-five class in its first full recruiting cycle. In fact, Alabama is currently ranked No. 1 in the country according to On3.

That probably won’t last, but DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan have assembled a talented and deep 2025 class.

This time of year is known for recruits switching commitments from one school to another as programs aim to solidify their classes in the early signing period. We’re only 24 hours away from the early signing period, and if your guys don’t sign in the early signing period, they’re not really committed to you.

Alabama is widely expected to flip some prospects who are committed to other SEC programs. And while the flip gives, it also takes away. The Tide is expected to lose one of its biggest commitments in the 2025 cycle.

Derek Meadows, a 4-star WR and LSU commit, is still expected to end up in Alabama’s class. Meadows is a minor top-100 prospect and, while raw, has the potential to make a real difference at WR.

Meadows is a transfer from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas and is the player DeBoer and his staff selected to replace Caleb Cunningham, who transferred to Ole Miss after a visit a few weeks ago.

Steve Wiltfong, vice president of recruiting at On3, and Tom Loy, national recruiting analyst at 247, have both made predictions that Meadows will head to the Crimson Tide.

4-star CB and Auburn commit Donovan Starr could also end up in Alabama’s class. Starr was visiting Tuscaloosa during the Iron Bowl and Loy made a Crystal Ball pick for Starr to ultimately go to the Crimson Tide.

It sounds like Vanderbilt — and not Auburn — is actually Alabama’s biggest competition for signing Starr at this point.

Alabama continues to push for 4-star safety Anquon Fegans. Fegans has been committed to Auburn since July but has since visited Alabama and remains in touch with the Crimson Tide staff.

Fegan’s is more of a long shot, but there are always some surprises.

Michigan focused on 5-star Alabama OT commit Ty Haywood and brought a big zero offer to the table. It remains to be seen whether Haywood ends up joining the Wolverines, but it’s sounding more and more like he won’t be in Alabama’s class.

Haywood is not expected to sign tomorrow and will likely take a few visits before making a decision. NIL appears to be high on Haywood’s priority list and Alabama isn’t interested in engaging in a NIL bidding war for him.

With or without Haywood, Alabama has an impressive OL crop in this class.

Recruitment is fickle. Some you win, some you lose. This week will be a perfect example of that for the Crimson Tide.