Prior to the 2025 National Signing Day, Alabama Football’s Top Last-Minute Recruiting Targets
Prior to the 2025 National Signing Day, Alabama Football’s Top Last-Minute Recruiting Targets
As National Signing Day approaches in 2025, Alabama Football, under head coach Nick Saban, continues to make waves in the recruiting world. Year after year, the Crimson Tide bring in some of the best talent in the country, cementing their place as one of the top programs in college football. The Crimson Tide’s recruiting class for 2025 is already filled with elite prospects, but, as with every year, Alabama remains in pursuit of a few key targets who could further elevate the program’s status.
National Signing Day is always an exciting period for fans, coaches, and prospects alike. While many of Alabama’s top recruits have already made their commitments, there are still several highly coveted athletes who could make a late commitment to the Tide. Alabama’s strong tradition, elite coaching staff, and ability to develop players for the NFL make them a favorite destination for high school stars.
This article will break down some of Alabama Football’s top last-minute recruiting targets heading into National Signing Day for 2025. These players could become integral pieces of Alabama’s future, and their decisions will be closely monitored as they weigh offers from a variety of top programs.
1. DJ Hicks – Defensive Line
DJ Hicks, a 5-star defensive lineman out of the Houston area, is widely regarded as one of the top uncommitted prospects in the country as of January 2025. Standing at 6’5” and weighing in at over 270 pounds, Hicks has the physical traits that make him a nightmare for offensive lines. His strength, speed, and versatility on the defensive line have turned him into a top priority for Alabama, and the Crimson Tide are in hot pursuit of the elite pass rusher.
Alabama’s defensive line has been one of the most dominant in the nation over the past few years, and adding Hicks would continue that tradition. While Hicks has been heavily recruited by Texas and Oklahoma, his visit to Tuscaloosa for the College Football Playoff further cemented Alabama’s standing in his recruitment. Hicks’ ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks and his relentless pursuit of the ball would give Alabama even more firepower on their defensive front.
Hicks has remained tight-lipped about his decision, but Alabama is making a strong push to bring him in. A commitment from Hicks could potentially add another elite pass rusher to Alabama’s already talented defensive line, allowing them to continue their dominance on that side of the ball.
2. Ryan Wingo – Wide Receiver
Ryan Wingo, a 5-star wide receiver from St. Louis, Missouri, is another top target for Alabama as National Signing Day approaches. Known for his incredible speed, excellent route running, and ability to make spectacular catches in critical situations, Wingo has been one of the most sought-after wide receiver recruits in the 2025 class.
While Wingo has long been thought to be favoring a decision between Georgia and Missouri, Alabama’s recent push has put them squarely in the conversation for his services. The Crimson Tide have a proven track record of developing wide receivers, and with Alabama losing some key contributors to the NFL draft, Wingo could step in and make an immediate impact on the Tide’s offense.
With Alabama’s offensive line and running game continuing to be one of the strongest in the nation, adding a wide receiver of Wingo’s caliber would make the Tide’s passing game even more dynamic. His ability to stretch the field and win one-on-one matchups would give Alabama’s offense a new dimension. As National Signing Day draws near, Alabama is hoping that Wingo will choose to continue his development under one of the best coaching staffs in the country.
3. Kendrick Law – Cornerback
Kendrick Law is a 4-star cornerback from the state of Louisiana who has quickly risen to become one of Alabama’s most coveted defensive back targets. Known for his excellent coverage skills and physicality at the line of scrimmage, Law would immediately bolster the Tide’s secondary.
Alabama’s defensive backfield has been a pillar of their success in recent years, and adding another elite cornerback like Law would further strengthen their ability to shut down high-powered passing attacks. Law has shown interest in Alabama but has also been courted by several other schools, including LSU and Texas A&M.
With Alabama’s reputation for developing cornerbacks who excel at the next level, Law is seriously considering the opportunity to play under Nick Saban and work with one of the best defensive back coaches in college football. His decision will be closely watched by Alabama fans, as a commitment from Law would be another win for Alabama’s already impressive defensive recruiting class.
4. Jalen Hurd – Offensive Tackle
As the 2025 recruiting cycle enters its final stretch, one of the top priorities for Alabama is securing a high-caliber offensive lineman to add to their already strong offensive line group. Jalen Hurd, a 5-star offensive tackle from Florida, is a prime target for the Crimson Tide.
Hurd stands at 6’6” and weighs over 320 pounds, making him an imposing presence on the offensive line. He has the athleticism and strength needed to be an immediate contributor at the college level, and his versatility to play either tackle position makes him a highly coveted prospect.
Alabama has long been known for its ability to develop NFL-caliber offensive linemen, and Hurd could very well be the next in line. The Crimson Tide face competition from programs like Georgia, Florida State, and LSU, but Alabama’s track record of producing top-tier linemen gives them an edge in his recruitment.
If Alabama is able to land Hurd on National Signing Day, it would solidify their offensive line for years to come and provide another cornerstone piece for their offensive scheme.
5. Zayden Thorne – Linebacker
Zayden Thorne, a 5-star linebacker from the state of Texas, is one of the most intriguing uncommitted prospects as National Signing Day nears. Thorne has the versatility to play multiple linebacker positions and possesses the sideline-to-sideline range that modern defenses crave.
Thorne has been courted by several top programs, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama, but he remains undecided heading into the final days before Signing Day. What makes Thorne so special is his ability to diagnose plays quickly and make an impact on both the run and the pass. His combination of speed, intelligence, and physicality would make him an ideal fit in Alabama’s linebacker corps.
Alabama has been a consistent contender for top linebacker talent, and Thorne could be the next in line to play for the Crimson Tide. If Alabama is able to secure a commitment from Thorne, it would continue their tradition of having a dominant and well-rounded defense. Thorne’s presence would allow Alabama to continue building a defense that can compete with the best offenses in the country.
6. Amari Jefferson – Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Amari Jefferson, a 4-star athlete out of Tennessee, is another dynamic prospect who could make a late commitment to Alabama. Jefferson has the versatility to play both wide receiver and defensive back, making him an intriguing addition to any program. His athleticism and ability to change the game on either side of the ball have earned him interest from a variety of top programs, but Alabama remains in the hunt.
Jefferson’s decision will likely come down to his desired role on the team, as both Alabama’s offense and defense could use a player with his skill set. His ability to contribute in multiple areas would make him an incredibly valuable piece for the Crimson Tide. Whether he chooses to focus on offense or defense, Jefferson would have the opportunity to develop under one of the best coaching staffs in college football.
With the recruitment of dual-position players becoming more common, Jefferson’s commitment to Alabama would add another versatile piece to their roster, providing options for both sides of the ball.
7. Roderick Smith – Safety
Roderick Smith is a 4-star safety from Georgia who has been gaining traction in the recruiting world over the past few months. His physicality and playmaking ability in the secondary have made him one of the top safety prospects in the country, and Alabama has made him a priority as National Signing Day approaches.
Smith is known for his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and make game-changing interceptions. His combination of size and athleticism makes him an ideal fit for Alabama’s defense, and his ability to play in a variety of defensive schemes would allow him to contribute immediately.
Alabama faces competition from Georgia, LSU, and other top programs, but with Alabama’s reputation for developing defensive backs, Smith is giving serious consideration to a commitment to the Crimson Tide. His decision could significantly impact the future of Alabama’s secondary.
