Six thoughts on Alabama football's 2026 signing class | Goodbread

Six thoughts on Alabama football’s 2026 signing class:

1) What does this signing class signal about what’s to come in the January transfer portal window? If there’s one position to watch, it’s wide receiver. UA signed only one receiver (Cederian Morgan). Although UA is fairly young at the position, it can’t afford to lose half the wide receiver room to the portal without using the portal to replenish. Recall that a year ago, there was an exodus of receivers (Kendrick Law, Emmanuel Henderson and Caleb Odom, to name three).

2) For Kalen DeBoer and staff to assemble a signing class ranked top-5 nationally dispels any notion that the 2025 class, also star-studded, was merely a residual success from the Nick Saban era. This staff can recruit at an elite level and, although development and roster retention are critical, getting top talent through the door as freshmen is an irreplaceable advantage.

3) Watch out for running back Ezavier Crowell in 2026. Coach Kalen DeBoer already has identified Crowell as a signee who could make an impact as a freshman, but the Crimson Tide’s depth situation could open the door wider. Jam Miller will not return, having exhausted his eligibility, and an exit or two to the transfer portal should be expected at that position, as well. Look for Daniel Hill to return, given the growth of his role this season, but Crowell could climb the depth chart quickly.

4) Which position will be most wide open for competition? That would be inside linebacker. UA will lose Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson and Nikhai Hill-Green, leaving the Crimson Tide bereft of game experience at that spot. There are young reserves who’ve seen limited action, such as QB Reese, but it’ll still be a fine opportunity for Xavier Griffin, Hillcrest’s Zay Hall, or whomever gets a look off the ball rather than on the edge.

5) Morgan is an even better bet to play as a freshman than Crowell. Just as the running back room will lose its leader in Miller, the receiving corps will have to replace Germie Bernard. Wide receiver is among the easier positions for a freshman to learn quickly, and a lot more wide receivers see action than running backs. Morgan could easily crack the rotation among UA’s top 5-6 players at the position.

6) Where is the kicker? Alabama didn’t add one, and it’s plainly an area that needs depth. Setting aside whether Conor Talty will develop needed consistency in field goal accuracy, his successor would be better found sooner than later. Count this as another watch-spot for the late signing period, or the portal.

Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at [email protected]. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Six thoughts on Alabama football’s 2026 signing class

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