Alabama Football Prioritizes 4-Star LB Brayden Rouse Over SEC Rivals Georgia, Tennessee in Heated Recruiting Battle: Reports

 Nick Saban’s legacy is now behind him, and Alabama’s football program is in the hands of new head coach Kalen DeBoer. He’s aggressively pursuing four-star linebacker Brayden Rouse this offseason. However, landing a role is no easy task, as the top prospect already has around 48 offers from powerhouse programs.

In the cutthroat world of SEC football recruiting, landing elite talent can define a program’s future. That’s why DeBoer is reportedly pushing to bring the Georgia native to Alabama, competing with SEC rivals like Georgia and Tennessee for his commitment.

Kalen DeBoer’s Bold Pitch to Brayden Rouse Sends Shockwaves Through Georgia and Tennessee

Recently, AlabamaMag reported on Instagram that Alabama is going all in on landing four-star linebacker Brayden Rouse from Kell High School. The post read, “Alabama tells Georgia 4-star LB Brayden Rouse he is at the top of their recruiting board.” Just one strong message from head coach Kalen DeBoer was enough to grab the attention of SEC rivals.

And for good reason—Rouse is no ordinary recruit. At 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds, he’s one of the most sought-after defensive players in the 2026 class. His impressive stats for 2024 include 105 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and five pass breakups. He’s a versatile player who can cover ground, rush the quarterback, and impact the game in many ways.

 

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Naturally, Alabama isn’t the only powerhouse in the mix. That bold Instagram post likely shook up recruiting rooms in both Athens and Knoxville. Both of the programs know how crucial he could be to their defenses. However, Alabama’s long-standing legacy and strong defensive tradition might give the edge.

Rouse has even shown signs of interest in Alabama. His visit to Tuscaloosa during the season opener against WKU made a lasting impression on him about Alabama’s football culture, but his spring visit stood out.

KEEP READING: Kalen DeBoer Talks Up Alabama’s Linebacker Depth and Future in College Football 2025

Rouse praised Alabama’s high standards during that visit, saying, “They are high on my board. They’ve been doing a good job of recruiting me, and I could see myself playing there.” These positive remarks are a clear sign that Alabama is making progress with the talented linebacker.

Given Rouse’s status as one of the top linebacker prospects, securing his commitment would be a major win for any program. The Crimson Tide signals that they prioritize their recruits by making them their top target. This move puts pressure on Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Tennessee’s Josh Heupel to either match Alabama’s level of interest or risk losing out on this highly sought-after prospect.