Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama staff is on a recruiting tear that’s caught the attention of one of the SEC’s loudest voices. During an appearance on “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning,” Paul Finebaum compared the Crimson Tide’s recent success on the recruiting trail to the dominant runs seen under Nick Saban.
“This is one of the great recruiting runs we’ve seen in some years,” Finebaum said. “It almost feels like Nick Saban is running the ship again because this is vintage Alabama recruiting.”
Alabama already has 14 commitments in its 2026 class, including three five-star prospects—two of whom pledged to the Tide in just the past week. It’s a clear sign that DeBoer, who took over after Saban’s retirement, has the program operating at an elite level again.
Finebaum admitted many doubted whether Alabama could reach this level so soon after Saban’s departure. But with momentum building, he believes this stretch bodes extremely well for the Tide’s future.
Alabama isn’t done yet. With the 2026 cycle heating up, DeBoer and his staff plan to keep stacking talent and continue their push to maintain the Tide’s place among college football’s elite.
Paul Finebaum Sees Shades of Saban in Alabama’s Red-Hot Recruiting Surge
