Alabama football offers Dowling Catholic offensive lineman Carter Barrett a scholarship. He just finished his freshman year.

In a move that signals just how competitive and forward-thinking college football recruiting has become, the University of Alabama has officially extended a scholarship offer to Carter Barrett, a towering offensive lineman from Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa — before he’s even played a snap of varsity football as a sophomore.

Barrett, who just completed his freshman year, becomes one of the youngest known recruits to receive a scholarship offer from the Crimson Tide in recent history. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound lineman has turned heads in recent months with a rare combination of size, balance, and technique that belies his age — and his name is quickly making waves on the national recruiting radar.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” Barrett said in a statement shared through his school. “To get an offer from Alabama, the standard of college football — it’s a dream come true. I’m grateful, and I’m just getting started.”

Alabama’s offer isn’t just a feather in Barrett’s cap — it’s a message to the college football world that the Crimson Tide are not afraid to project long-term potential, even if it comes in the form of a 15-year-old rising sophomore.

According to sources within Alabama’s recruiting department, Barrett first appeared on their radar during national middle school camps and has since been monitored closely through spring evaluations and recent offseason workouts. The offer came after offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic reviewed footage of Barrett’s spring practice and 1-on-1 drills at a recent national lineman showcase.

“He checks every box we look for at this stage,” said a recruiting analyst familiar with Alabama’s early evaluation. “Size, footwork, coachability, and that rare instinct — he’s going to be a monster by the time he’s a senior.”

While Alabama rarely offers freshmen linemen, the Tide have a history of taking early chances on elite trench talent, especially when frame and fundamentals meet high developmental upside. Barrett appears to be the latest example.

Dowling Catholic, one of Iowa’s most respected football programs, is no stranger to sending players to the collegiate level, but Barrett’s rise is happening faster than almost anyone expected. Despite spending most of his freshman year on the junior varsity roster, Barrett was already practicing with the varsity squad by the end of the season — holding his own against players two and three years older.

“He’s got the frame and the feet, but more importantly, he’s got the mindset,” said Dowling Catholic head coach Tom Wilson. “He wants to be great, and he’s willing to work for it. That’s what sets him apart.”

Barrett’s teammates describe him as soft-spoken but laser-focused, often the first to arrive and last to leave during film sessions and weight training. Over the summer, he gained nearly 20 pounds of lean muscle while increasing his vertical leap and lowering his 40-yard dash time to an impressive 5.12 seconds — remarkable for someone of his size and age.

“He’s like a sponge,” said offensive line coach Rick Pedersen. “He soaks everything up. And he wants to learn — not just dominate.”

Alabama’s offer is likely just the beginning of a recruiting whirlwind for Barrett. In the 72 hours following the announcement, he’s reportedly heard from coaches at Michigan, Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, with several expected to visit Dowling’s campus this summer.

Recruiting experts believe Barrett could be a consensus top-100 national prospect — or higher — by the time he enters his junior year.

“He’s going to blow up,” said a Big Ten assistant who asked to remain anonymous. “And rightfully so. If he stays healthy and keeps developing, he’s a future All-American.”

While the attention is intensifying, Barrett’s family and coaching staff remain focused on keeping him grounded.

“We talk a lot about humility and balance,” said Barrett’s father, Michael, who played college football at Northern Iowa. “Carter’s excited, but he knows this is just the beginning. It doesn’t mean anything if you don’t keep working.”

The offer to Barrett is also indicative of how Alabama’s recruiting strategy is evolving under head coach Kalen DeBoer, who took the reins following Nick Saban’s retirement. DeBoer and his staff have leaned into a more proactive model of talent identification — extending early offers to high-upside prospects with long-term growth potential.

“We want to build relationships early and help guide their development,” said one Alabama staffer. “Carter fits that model. He’s a future anchor.”

While it’s far too early to project Barrett’s final college destination — he won’t be signing a letter of intent until December 2027 — Alabama’s early move gives them a critical head start in a battle that will almost certainly include top programs from every major conference.

The Crimson Tide currently rank in the top five nationally for the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes and are positioning themselves to continue that momentum into 2027.

For Barrett, life as a high school sophomore will now unfold under a national spotlight. But coaches say he’s equipped to handle the pressure.

“He’s not chasing headlines,” Coach Wilson said. “He’s chasing pancakes. He’s chasing consistency.”

Barrett’s focus remains on earning a starting spot on Dowling Catholic’s varsity offensive line this fall and helping the team contend for a state title in Iowa’s Class 5A division.

“I want to be the best teammate I can be,” Barrett said. “And I want to prove that this offer — and any others that come — were earned, not handed to me.”

If his trajectory continues, Carter Barrett could become one of the defining linemen of the 2027 class — and perhaps, a cornerstone of whatever college program wins his signature. For now, he’s a quiet, hard-working sophomore with big goals, big tools, and — now — a very big offer from the biggest brand in college football.

“I know there’s a long way to go,” Barrett said. “But I’m thankful. I’m motivated. And I’m ready to keep putting in the work.”

From West Des Moines to Tuscaloosa — or wherever his journey leads — Carter Barrett’s story is just beginning.