“Quite frankly, this is one of the great recruiting runs we’ve seen in some years. It almost feels like Nick Saban is running the ship again when it comes to recruiting because this is vintage Alabama recruiting.”…readmore
Vintage Alabama Recruiting”: Finebaum Declares Tide Back on Top
Speaking on McElroy & Cubelic in the Morning, veteran SEC voice Paul Finebaum offered high praise:
“Quite frankly, this is one of the great recruiting runs we’ve seen in some years. It almost feels like Nick Saban is running the ship again when it comes to recruiting … this has been vintage Alabama recruiting.”
This statement punctuates a dramatic reversal in Alabama’s recruiting trajectory. Once stagnating after Saban’s retirement in 2023, the Tide are now surging back to elite status under head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb—a duo Finebaum credits for re-energizing Alabama’s recruiting culture
📈 From Slow Start to National Rebound
June marked a critical period for Alabama’s 2026 class:
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Beginning June with just five commits, the Tide now boast 14 pledges, including multiple top-tier talents across key positions
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Top commits like 5★ DB Jorden Edmonds, 5★ EDGE Xavier Griffin, and 4★ QB Jett Thomalla signal depth and early momentum on both sides of the ball
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High-profile commitments are rolling in faster than Alabama staff can host fans. Players like 5★ RB Ezavier “EJ” Crowell (won’t reclassify until 2026), and upcoming announcements from 5★ WR Cederian Morgan and 5★ safety Jireh Edwards reflect sustained energy
In the span of a few weeks, Alabama vaulted to #7 nationally, with a top-three average —a statement rebuild that echoes Saban’s golden years.
👥 Coaching Staff: The Guiding Force
Finebaum ties this resurgence to strong leadership and continuity:
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Kalen DeBoer maintaining key assistant coaches—most notably retaining Ryan Grubb—sent a message of stability to recruits
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That stability reversed concerns about disarray post-Saban and restored confidence among prospects and their families .
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Alabama’s renewed pitch now mirrors Saban-era hallmarks: player development, professional chemistry, and “process discipline” .
🏆 Vintage Attitude Meets Modern Macro
Finebaum remarks that this feels like a return to Nick Saban-era excellence, where the Tide didn’t just chase rankings—they set them. College football competitors, he adds, should find this resurgence “annoying,” since even in Saban’s absence, Alabama remains “one of the great standards in all time of college football”
🎯 Looking Ahead: What Lies Next
Continued Momentum
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Alabama is tracking top-end 5★ targets through early July—expect more high-profile announcements soon .
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The NCAA dead period (late June to July 31) limits visits but not digital outreach—Alabama is actively engaging recruits in the pipeline
TV/Brand Power
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Restoring the brand begins with headline commits. With momentum building, expect more freshmen to appear nationally in composite rankings.
Comparisons to Saban’s Legacy
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Of course, Alabama won’t stop at #7. If they continue this trajectory, they could challenge perennial leaders—like USC—for the No. 1 recruiting class
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And if DeBoer’s staff maintains the “process discipline” and high standards, Alabama’s infrastructure could rival Saban’s era within two years.
🧭 Strategic Takeaways
1. Recruiting isn’t just about rankings—it’s about culture.
Finebaum’s comparison to Saban speaks volumes: Alabama’s culture of structure, evaluation, discipline, and roster planning is reestablishing itself.
2. Stability breeds confidence.
Retaining core staff sends a message of commitment. DeBoer isn’t starting from scratch; he’s reinforcing a foundation Saban left behind.
3. National rivalries heat up fast.
DeBoer’s momentum gains significance as he competes for elite talent against programs like Georgia, Texas, USC, and others.
🏁 Final Word
In Paul Finebaum’s view, Alabama has reignited its recruiting prowess, reentering an elite echelon few programs ever experience. Describing it as “vintage Alabama” is no small praise—it marks a rebirth. For fans, recruits, and college football followers, this isn’t just a good run—it could be the start of a sustained campaign to return Alabama to national dominance.
If DeBoer’s haul climbs into the top five—and Finebaum’s labeling holds true—then Crimson Tide resurgence is no longer a question of if, but how soon. And the rest of college football?
They’d better watch out.
