Happy Thursday, everyone. Pete Nakos over at On3 did some digging on the NIL market for high school recruits this cycle, and it’s easy to see why Courtney Morgan and Kalen DeBoer prioritized retention instead.
Texas Tech defensive line commit and No. 1 recruit Jalen Brewster is expected to make $1 million in Year 1. Cornerback John Meredith, the No. 2 recruit in the 2027 cycle, recently committed to Texas over Texas A&M. Sources in the recruitment told On3 he’s also expected to make north of $1 million in Year 1 in Austin. He could ultimately sign a two-year deal with the Longhorns.
“I was told that deal could end up being $3 million over two years,” a general manager involved in the Meredith recruitment said.
Other top packages in the 2027 class include a multi-year deal for Ohio State EDGE commit David Jacobs. Florida is set to pay offensive tackle commit Maxwell Hiller, a top-10 recruit, more than $600,000 in Year 1 in Gainesville.
One general manager, highlighting the sentiment that the “market went up again,” pointed to the lack of depth in the 2027 offensive line class, arguing the talent did not match the financial asks.
“A guy who was making $200,000 last year is making $1 million this year, all because they just stink,” the Big Ten source said. “I think people are going to get really burned.”
Some years, the crop is simply more fruitful than others. Alabama signed quite a few offensive linemen in the portal to compete with strong groups from the 2025 and 2026 classes. Coaches are still trying to strike a balance in this new world.
Pete also quotes an unnamed SEC coach lamenting how a few schools are still brazenly offering “guarantees” well over the cap, that may or may not come to fruition.
Colin Gay has questions for the wide receiver group.
The lack of clarity in the back end of Alabama’s wide receiver depth chart does bring an opportunity for another freshman to step up.
After Brooks broke through for 441 yards and two touchdowns on 32 catches as a freshman, Cederian Morgan, the 6-foot-4, 223-pound Alexander City native seems to be next in line to break through. He gives Alabama a different body type than most receivers in the room, matching Derek Meadows as a big-bodied red zone target, and he was a productive blocker for Benjamin Russell High School when he needed to be.
Morgan will have competition for reps, especially early on with Meadows and Rico Scott. But the path is there for another Crimson Tide freshman to break through.
Ced playing to his potential would be huge for Alabama. As noted, he and Meadows offer elite size that should be devastating in the red zone.
Ced also showed promise as a blocker in high school. Poor blocking on the perimeter has been an underrated contributor to Alabama’s run game woes.
Christopher Walsh examined where Saban era Alabama has a claim to “position U” on defense, and the defensive tackle spot highlights another area of drop off.
Was Alabama DTU during the Saban era? Yes, and it wasn’t close. Perhaps more importantly, though, the position demonstrates how the coach was able to continually recruit and develop players who one couldn’t find on other teams. Nearly every single one of his defensive linemen was quickly converted into an interior player at the next level regardless of whether they played at end for the Crimson Tide (or somewhere else).
Hopefully Terrance Green and Devan Thompkins can make a difference inside. London Simmons will be counted on to take a step forward as well.
Simmons became one of Alabama’s most consistent defensive linemen throughout 2025. He gained valuable experience, playing in 15 games and starting two en route to being named to the All-SEC freshman team as voted on by the coaches.
Simmons also tallied 19 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.
That’s a solid first season on which Simmons can build. He had to miss this spring with an injury, but he’s at the front of the line for returning players who should have an opportunity to make an impact in the defensive front when he returns this summer.
ESPN put together a list of greatest players in CFB history to wear each jersey number. Interestingly, while several made honorable mention, zero Saban era players made the cut. But, Derrick Thomas couldn’t be denied.
55. Derrick Thomas, LB, Alabama | 1985-1988
Trophy case: Butkus Award, unanimous All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year
Number to know: 27. The NCAA didn’t recognize sacks until 2000, but Alabama credits Thomas with 27 in 1988. Arizona State’s Terrell Suggs holds the official NCAA record with 24 in 2002.
Thomas’ 1988 season may never be duplicated, with 38 tackles for loss in addition to those 27 sacks, including five in one game against Texas A&M. He is Alabama’s career leader with 52 sacks and 68 tackles for loss, and was the fourth overall pick of the 1989 NFL draft. He died after a car accident in 2000, and was inducted into the College Football Hall in 2014.
John Hannah was the only other Alabama name to make the list. Deion Sanders got the nod over King Henry, Baker Mayfield over Slim Reaper, Davey O’Brien over Julio, and Doug Flutie over Mark Ingram. All of those are defensible, but Caleb Williams over Tua is something we can throw hands over.
Last, Alabama announced that Antoine Pettway will bring his Kennesaw State squad to Tuscaloosa this season. The non-conference schedule is updated below.
11/2 vs. Sam Houston
11/13 vs. Seton Hall
11/17 vs. Kennesaw State
11/24 vs. Baylor − Players Era Festival, Las Vegas, Nevada
11/26 vs. Gonzaga/Kansas State − Players Era Festival, Las Vegas, Nevada
11/27 vs. TBD − Players Era Festival, Las Vegas, Nevada
12/2 at Miami
12/12 vs. St. John’s − C.M. Newton Classic, Birmingham, Alabama
12/21 vs. Iowa −Casey Center, Des Moines, Iowa
TBD vs. Houston (NYC)
TBD @ South Florida
That’s about it for now. Have a great day.
Roll Tide.
