College football is unique among sports in that while coaches are actively trying to beat the team on the field in front of them, they’re also trying to improve their roster for the next season through recruiting.
High school recruits take visits to learn about the team, get a close-up look of the program, and yes, enjoy the recruiting process and free access to otherwise pricey college football games.
Georgia vs. Alabama is an opportunity not only for the Crimson Tide to earn a marquee win under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer but also to woo some recruits in the stands. And there will be plenty of recruits in the stands. Who are the Crimson Tide hosting at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday?
Which Recruits Are Visiting Alabama Saturday?
Alabama will host dozens of high-level prospects on Saturday, as DeBoer continues to build a fantastic recruiting class. Here are some of the best.
Justus Terry, DL, Manchester (GA) High School (5-Star)
Given the length of the visitor list and the talent that will be in Tuscaloosa, it’s hard to say that there’s a headliner. Yet, given his status as the second-best uncommitted prospect in the country, Justus Terry is probably the closest to that label.
This is shaping up to be a Georgia-Alabama battle for the No. 2 interior defensive lineman in the country, so it’s safe to say Saturday’s game could have a huge bearing on his recruitment.
Keelon Russell, Duncanville (TX) High School (5-Star)
Alabama’s prized quarterback commit will be in attendance. It’s huge for Alabama to get Keelon Russell on campus again since he hasn’t visited much since committing to the Crimson Tide. Russell’s recruitment is nowhere near finished, but he has the same high school coach as Jalen Milroe, which should help Alabama.
Dijon Lee, CB, Mission Viejo (CA) High School (5-Star)
Dijon Lee is one of the top corners in the country and somewhat surprised the recruiting industry when he committed to the Crimson Tide seemingly out of nowhere in late June.
Since then, the communication has been strong between the coaching staff and the 6’3″, 185-pounder out of Mission Viejo, California. A couple of coaches flew out to see Lee last Friday when Alabama was on its bye, and now, he’s returning to Tuscaloosa to take in the game with the Bulldogs.
Ty Haywood, OT, Ryan (TX) High School (5-Star)
The industry’s No. 2 offensive tackle will be in attendance Saturday as one of Alabama’s many prized commits. Ty Haywood isn’t quite a consensus five-star, but he has five-star ratings from On3 and 247Sports. He’s also within the range of future five-star status on Rivals and ESPN once those two expand to the full list of five-star players.
Caleb Cunningham, WR, Choctaw County (MS) High School (5-Star)
Caleb Cunningham is a taller, faster receiver in the mold of several recent successful Alabama pass catchers. He’s one of the top commits in Alabama’s class.
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Cunningham is ranked inside the top 30 on all four major sites and could end up a consensus five-star. The in-state schools are pushing hard, so it’s a big win for Alabama to get him back on campus.
Anthony Jones, EDGE, St. Paul’s Episcopal (AL) School (2026 5-Star)
While we’re mainly focused on the class of 2025 here, it’s worthwhile to note that the Crimson Tide will have the state’s top 2026 prospect in attendance.
While some consider Anthony Jones and Auburn lean, the top 2026 edge rusher in the country is back on Alabama’s campus, and there’s a long way to go before next year’s Signing Day.
Michael Carroll, IOL, IMG Academy (FL) (4-Star)
Michael Carroll is one of the highest-rated four-star recruits in the country, holding a five-star evaluation from On3. He’s been a mainstay on Alabama’s campus and is already committed to attending both the South Carolina game and the Iron Bowl.
Carroll seems locked in with the Crimson Tide.
Derick Smith, Ath., Southside (AL) High School (4-Star)
Not only is Derick Smith one of the top athletes in the country and the third-best prospect in Alabama, he’s an Auburn commit, and Alabama probably smells blood with how the season has started on the Plains.
Smith can play either side of the ball and would represent an enormous flip should the Crimson Tide succeed in luring him away from the Tigers.
Jaiden Braker, LB, South Gwinnett (GA) High School (3-Star)
Though he’s just a three-star, Jaiden Braker is a key visitor for the Crimson Tide. A one-time South Carolina commit, LSU succeeded in flipping his pledge a couple of months ago.
Now, the Crimson Tide are throwing their hat in the ring. Could the visit be a sign that Braker is bound for Tuscaloosa, or is he just enjoying a free invite to Saturday’s game of the week?
Ivan Taylor, S, West Orange (FL) High School (4-Star)
Another flip candidate, Ivan Taylor has been committed to Michigan since July, when the Wolverines took his commitment from Notre Dame. The son of former Pro Bowler Ika Taylor, Ivan Taylor is a top-100 prospect, and the Crimson Tide haven’t had him on campus in over three months.
Could there be smoke here with the high-level safety prospect?
Other 2025 Recruits Visiting Alabama
- Akylin Dear, RB, Quitman (MS) High School (Four-Star)
- Darrell “Duke” Johnson, LB Dodge County (GA) High School (Four-Star)
- Justin Hill, EDGE, Winton Woods (OH) High School (Four-Star)
- Andrew Olesh, TE, Southern Lehigh (PA) High School (Four-Star)
- Chuck McDonald, CB Mater Dei (CA) High School (Four-Star)
- Abduall Sanders Jr., LB, Mater Dei High School (Four-Star)
- Anthony Rogers, RB Carver (AL) High School (Four-Star)
- Luke Metz, LB, Mill Creek (GA) High School (Four-Star)
- Dawson Merritt, EDGE, Blue Valley (KS) High School (Four-Star)
- Micah DeBose, IOL, Theodore (AL) High School (Four-Star)
- Malachi Toney, WR American Heritage High School (Four-Star)
- Antavious Richardson, Ath., Greenville (GA) High School (Four-Star)
- Chase Linton, EDGE, North Atlanta (GA) High School (Four-Star)
- Mal Waldrep, OL, Central (AL) High School (Three-Star)
- Timothy Merritt, DB, Parker (AL) High School (Three-Star)
- London Simmons, IDL, Hartfield Academy (MS) High School (Three-Star)
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