Alabama is currently ranked 3rd in the latest 247Sports Composite Rankings.

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Alabama Ranked 3rd in Latest 247Sports Composite Rankings: A Deep Dive into the Crimson Tide’s 2025 Recruiting Class

In the ever-competitive world of college football recruiting, the Alabama Crimson Tide continue to prove they are a national force—even amid transition. With the 2025 recruiting cycle in full swing, the Crimson Tide have once again asserted their dominance on the trail, currently sitting at No. 3 in the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings. Despite the departure of Nick Saban, new head coach Kalen DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan have wasted no time continuing the standard of excellence long established in Tuscaloosa.

The 247Sports Composite rankings are an aggregate index that blends ratings from multiple major recruiting services into a single metric. It’s the most widely accepted barometer of a program’s national recruiting strength. With powerhouse programs like Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas all pushing hard in 2025, Alabama’s standing in the top three is more than just a feather in the cap—it’s a statement.

Recruiting Under a New Era

When Kalen DeBoer was hired from Washington to replace the legendary Nick Saban, skepticism hovered over the program. Could an offensive-minded coach from the Pac-12 replicate the relentless recruiting machine that Saban built? In just over six months, DeBoer and his staff have answered that question with a resounding “yes.”

A key factor in Alabama’s success has been DeBoer’s partnership with Courtney Morgan, Alabama’s general manager and director of player personnel. Morgan came over from Washington with DeBoer and is widely respected as one of the sharpest talent evaluators in college football. The duo has brought a renewed energy and forward-thinking approach to recruiting, one that has resonated with blue-chip prospects and their families.

Class Breakdown: Elite at Every Level

The Crimson Tide’s 2025 class is built like a championship contender. With 19 total commits, including four 5-stars and 10 4-stars, Alabama is striking a balance between top-tier talent and positional need. The current composite score of the class sits just behind Georgia and Ohio State, but Alabama is far from done.

Leading the charge is five-star quarterback Keelon Russell, a dynamic dual-threat out of Texas who flipped from SMU to Alabama in early June. Russell has been a revelation on the Elite 11 circuit, earning rave reviews for his footwork, accuracy, and poise under pressure. He represents the prototype for the kind of quarterback DeBoer wants in his system—a true playmaker with a high football IQ.

Alabama also secured commitments from five-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham and five-star cornerback Dijon Lee Jr., both of whom were heavily courted by SEC rivals and national contenders alike. Cunningham, from Mississippi, has the kind of size-speed combination that made previous Alabama greats like Julio Jones and Amari Cooper household names. Lee, meanwhile, brings elite length and ball skills to the secondary, drawing comparisons to former Tide standout Patrick Surtain II.

The defensive front is also well-represented, with top-100 defensive lineman Antonio Coleman from Saraland and recently committed four-star Nolan Wilson out of Mississippi. Coleman has long been considered a must-land in-state prospect, and Wilson’s quick first step and disruptive motor fit perfectly into what Alabama wants on the defensive line.

A Regional and National Approach

One of the early hallmarks of the DeBoer-Morgan era has been their ability to blend regional dominance with national reach. Under Saban, Alabama became famous for poaching top talent from Florida, California, and Texas. DeBoer is following suit. Alabama currently has commits from ten different states, including Texas, Mississippi, California, Georgia, and Illinois. This wide geographic footprint shows the national brand remains as strong as ever.

In-state, Alabama has locked down critical prospects like Coleman and four-star linebacker Myles Johnson, keeping key players away from Auburn and Georgia. DeBoer and his staff have prioritized visits and relationships in the state, hosting multiple events and building strong ties with high school coaches.

In Texas, the Tide have taken advantage of DeBoer’s connections and SMU’s instability, flipping Keelon Russell and pushing hard for others like top offensive tackle Michael Fasusi and wide receiver Kaliq Lockett. Alabama is also in great shape with California prospects like five-star edge rushers and safeties, areas Morgan and DeBoer know well from their time at Washington.

Recruiting Wins and Strategic Victories

Some of Alabama’s recruiting victories have come not just from landing top players—but from doing so in competitive environments. Keelon Russell was a late flip who had offers from Oregon, LSU, and Florida State. Dijon Lee Jr. chose Alabama over Georgia, USC, and Texas A&M. Wide receiver Caleb Cunningham was long viewed as a lean to Georgia before Alabama closed the deal.

These are more than symbolic wins. They’re examples of DeBoer and his staff proving they can go toe-to-toe with Kirby Smart, Ryan Day, and Steve Sarkisian—and win.

Alabama also continues to dominate in the trenches. The Tide’s class includes multiple offensive linemen with high upside, including 4-star tackle Micah DeBose and athletic interior lineman Mal Waldrep. DeBose, in particular, is a physical specimen and was a top target for Florida State and Miami.

Linebacker recruiting is another strength. Alabama landed 4-star inside linebacker Luke Metz out of Georgia and continues to pursue other elite targets at the position, including five-star Gavin Nix from IMG Academy. The staff’s emphasis on versatile, fast linebackers fits the modern game and gives Alabama flexibility on defense.

Still in the Hunt for Elite Talent

While ranked third, Alabama is very much in contention for the No. 1 spot in the final rankings. Several major targets remain on the board, and Alabama is either the favorite or in the top three for many of them.

Top targets include:

• Michael Fasusi, 5-star OT from Texas
• Kaliq Lockett, 5-star WR from Texas
• Gavin Nix, 5-star LB from Florida
• Nasir Wyatt, elite edge rusher from California
• Zy’marion Lang, 4-star athlete from Florida

If Alabama closes with two or three of these names, especially Fasusi and Lockett, they could easily leap to the No. 1 spot.

Also notable is the staff’s use of early official visits. Alabama brought in dozens of blue-chip prospects during the month of June, capitalizing on momentum and building buzz that has carried into July. Many commitments followed official visits, and the staff is set to host more in the fall for marquee games like the matchup against Georgia.

The Role of NIL and Program Stability

Another factor in Alabama’s continued recruiting success has been its approach to NIL. While not as aggressive as some other programs in raw cash terms, Alabama has leaned into the “value of the A”—selling recruits on long-term success, NFL development, and brand-building that pays off beyond college.

Alabama’s NIL infrastructure is quietly one of the most well-organized in the country, with support from the Yea Alabama collective and strong donor alignment. The pitch to recruits is clear: you’ll be developed, win big games, and get paid the right way. For families looking for structure and professionalism, that message resonates.

DeBoer has also brought a steady hand to a potentially chaotic transition. He retained several key off-field staffers and brought in new voices who understand modern recruiting. Player development, strength and conditioning, and mental health resources are all emphasized in the program’s new vision. That kind of stability matters to high-level prospects looking for a place to grow on and off the field.

The Road Ahead: Georgia, Ohio State, and the Battle for No. 1

With Alabama currently third behind Georgia and Ohio State, the race for the top spot in the 2025 class is far from over. Georgia leads with volume and elite defensive talent, while Ohio State has loaded up at wide receiver and quarterback. Alabama, though, arguably has the most balanced class top-to-bottom, with strength in every position group.

As the summer unfolds, key decisions will determine the final pecking order. Alabama is likely to be in play for multiple flips, especially if other programs falter or coaches leave. The Tide also have the benefit of a national platform and an SEC schedule that will keep recruits watching.

The early signing period in December is the next major checkpoint. DeBoer and Morgan are expected to continue pushing for commitments before then, aiming to enter the fall with the bulk of the class locked in. That strategy allows the staff to focus on player development, game preparation, and closing with a few top-tier talents late

For all the questions that surrounded Alabama at the start of the year—new coach, new staff, new direction—the program’s recruiting machine hasn’t missed a beat. Ranked No. 3 nationally with momentum still building, Alabama has shown that the Crimson Tide are far from done dominating the college football landscape.

Kalen DeBoer isn’t trying to replicate Nick Saban. He’s building something that blends the best of what Alabama has been with a forward-looking vision of where college football is headed. And so far, elite prospects are buying in.

If the current pace holds and a few key targets fall their way, the Crimson Tide may finish exactly where they expect to: at the very top.