By Mmesoma 
Alabama may have a new head coach in Kalen DeBoer, but one thing hasn’t changed: the Crimson Tide’s dominance on the recruiting trail.
On Tuesday morning, four-star defensive back Jaylen Brewster (Peoria, IL) announced his commitment to Alabama over a final list that included Illinois, Michigan State, and Notre Dame. The decision marks yet another recruiting win for the Tide — and another bitter loss for the Illini, who had long been considered one of the frontrunners for Brewster’s services.
The Recruitment Battle
Illinois had made Brewster a top priority in its 2025 class, with head coach Bret Bielema making several personal visits and emphasizing the chance to stay close to home. However, Alabama’s consistent messaging, national exposure, and NFL development pipeline ultimately swayed the elite cornerback.
> “It was a hard choice,” Brewster said during his announcement. “Illinois showed me love from day one, but at the end of the day, Alabama is where I see myself growing the most — as a player and a man.”
The 6’1″, 180-pound playmaker is ranked among the top 15 cornerbacks in the country and was Illinois’ highest-rated defensive target. Losing him to Alabama continues a frustrating pattern for the Illini: elite in-state talent continues to head south, despite renewed efforts to keep them home.
Alabama’s Momentum
With Brewster’s commitment, Alabama now boasts the No. 3-ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to 247Sports. Under DeBoer, the Tide haven’t missed a beat in luring top talent from across the country — including key wins in the Midwest, traditionally Big Ten territory.
“We know people were watching to see if Alabama could still pull weight without Coach Saban,” one SEC recruiting analyst said. “This proves they absolutely can.”
The Bigger Picture for Illinois
For Illinois, the loss is more than symbolic. Brewster was seen as a potential cornerstone for a rebuilding defense. While the Illini still have some promising talent lined up, this miss highlights the challenges the program faces in retaining elite prospects amid fierce national competition.
Despite strong relationships and a promising NIL structure, Illinois continues to face an uphill battle when it comes to competing with the nation’s elite. Still, coaches remain optimistic.
> “You win some and you lose some,” one Illinois assistant told local media. “We’re going to keep recruiting hard and building from the inside out. Our time is coming.”
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Bottom Line: Alabama continues to flex its recruiting muscle, even in territories traditionally owned by Big Ten programs. For Illinois, it’s another lesson in just how difficult the climb to national relevance remains — especially when competing with a perennial powerhouse like the Crimson Tide.