2027 Recruiting: 2027 Recruiting Thread

[smith5753]

Stafford Willis, Arab , Interior Offensive Lineman

Multi-sport athlete that also plays basketball. –––– FOOTBALL 2025: Got snaps at both LT and RT as a junior. -Andrew Ivins

247sports.com

This guy lives in my home county; Marshall county. We haven’t produced tons of SEC talent through the years but every once in a while a kid will make it

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Stafford Willis, Arab , Interior Offensive Lineman

Multi-sport athlete that also plays basketball. –––– FOOTBALL 2025: Got snaps at both LT and RT as a junior. -Andrew Ivins

247sports.com

Arab, Alabama, a town that got it's name because of a typo.

 

[Con]

Arab, Alabama, a town that got it's name because of a typo.

Ok, you have peaked my interest. What was the typo?

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

This guy lives in my home county; Marshall county. We haven’t produced tons of SEC talent through the years but every once in a while a kid will make it

Oh,, the boo birds are already saying he was a bad get

 

[countrytider]

If you read the talking heads, they are stirring the "our recruiting is terrible" wave

I’m just being realistic, but that’s not stirring anything. As of right now, it really is. I’m concerned. I really am. I’ve read all the talk about oh we have a plan and we can only take maybe 12-15 anyway” but even if that’s the case, it’s still borderline panic mode when we are legit fighting for last place in the SEC.

Remember when DeBoer came from Washington the theme was the guy couldn’t recruit. It was backed up by recruiting rankings.

He gets to Alabama and pulls two straight top 5 classes. Our recruiting concerns go away, but then he only does “so-so” in the portal so we worry about that.

NOW, this class really is looking extremely weak. The services are backing that up.

It’s Alabama. I don’t care what has changed in college football, we shouldn’t be fighting for dead last in the SEC. If you don’t think that’s concerning to say the least, then I don’t know what else to say.

Tell me what I’m missing?

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

I’m just being realistic, but that’s not stirring anything. As of right now, it really is. I’m concerned. I really am. I’ve read all the talk about oh we have a plan and we can only take maybe 12-15 anyway” but even if that’s the case, it’s still borderline panic mode when we are legit fighting for last place in the SEC.

Remember when DeBoer came from Washington the theme was the guy couldn’t recruit. It was backed up by recruiting rankings.

He gets to Alabama and pulls two straight top 5 classes. Our recruiting concerns go away, but then he only does “so-so” in the portal so we worry about that.

NOW, this class really is looking extremely weak. The services are backing that up.

It’s Alabama. I don’t care what has changed in college football, we shouldn’t be fighting for dead last in the SEC. If you don’t think that’s concerning to say the least, then I don’t know what else to say.

Tell me what I’m missing?

That wasnt directed at you..................that is the sports media. Sure, it would have been nice to land more of the 4 and 5 stars, but it also would be nice to have an oil field to get tons of money to buy players who may or may not pan out. I would love to get more of those types as well, but I dont gave billions to get them nor does it seem many want to spend the cash to get them,..............time will tell................I dont have the answers

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

It's going to be a small class and as a result we are being very selective with filling those spots.

We won't be ranked as high with a class of 15 when compared to those signing 30.

Not directed at anybody, but people need to step away from the ledge as there is still a lot of time before signing day.

Cignetti just showed everyone that coaching is just as important as getting high ranked classes...

 

[BamaFanInTally]

I can’t shake the disconcerting feeling of being in the top 5 in recruiting year after year to being dead last in the SEC recruiting. I can’t remember a time that I’ve been this apprehensive regarding the start of the season. I’m sure it will pass, but it’s a weird feeling.

 

[countrytider]

It's going to be a small class and as a result we are being very selective with filling those spots.

We won't be ranked as high with a class of 15 when compared to those signing 30.

Not directed at anybody, but people need to step away from the ledge as there is still a lot of time before signing day.

Cignetti just showed everyone that coaching is just as important as getting high ranked classes...

Again, I agree with everything you just said. I didn’t say anything extreme. I just find it wild to get “face palmed” when I said I’m concerned.

I understand the numbers, but you’re telling me you’re fine with signing 15 players and 10 are 3 stars?

 

[countrytider]

I can’t shake the disconcerting feeling of being in the top 5 in recruiting year after year to being dead last in the SEC recruiting. I can’t remember a time that I’ve been this apprehensive regarding the start of the season. I’m sure it will pass, but it’s a weird feeling.

We can bury our heads in the sand like some have chosen to do, apparently.

 

[countrytider]

That wasnt directed at you..................that is the sports media. Sure, it would have been nice to land more of the 4 and 5 stars, but it also would be nice to have an oil field to get tons of money to buy players who may or may not pan out. I would love to get more of those types as well, but I dont gave billions to get them nor does it seem many want to spend the cash to get them,..............time will tell................I dont have the answers

The issue is, Alabama HAS money. It’s always mentioned “we don’t have Texas oil money”…that’s true..we don’t have Ohio St. money is also true…

After that? Alabama is not in this some sort of awful position money wise that people pretend we are in.

We are still in the top 10% in regards to NIL so we have more than enough to be able to recruit and recruit well.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

The issue is, Alabama HAS money. It’s always mentioned “we don’t have Texas oil money”…that’s true..we don’t have Ohio St. money is also true…

After that? Alabama is not in this some sort of awful position money wise that people pretend we are in.

We are still in the top 10% in regards to NIL so we have more than enough to be able to recruit and recruit well.

And therein lies the rub............the willingness to spend said money. I get the idea behind not getting in a bidding war and being frugal with the money

 

[countrytider]

And therein lies the rub............the willingness to spend said money. I get the idea behind not getting in a bidding war and being frugal with the money

Understood. But at some point you have to be willing to “spend the money” or get left behind.

 

[JDCrimson]

We can bury our heads in the sand like some have chosen to do, apparently.

4-5 stars won't come and sit the bench waiting their turn. A 3* is more open to it. We probably cannot promise starting spot to some this group. So why over promise and underdeliver?

You and I cant fully appreciate how recruiting strategy has changed. So I am just going to go with it and see what happens.

We have never lived in a world where Vanderbilt had $20 million to spend on recruits... That in itself changes the landscape considerably.

 

[countrytider]

4-5 stars won't come and sit the bench waiting their turn. A 3* is more open to it. We probably cannot promise starting spot to some this group. So why over promise and underdeliver?

You and I cant fully appreciate how recruiting strategy has changed. So I am just going to go with it and see what happens.

No but being dead last in the SEC is really unexplainable.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Ok, you have peaked my interest. What was the typo?

Should have been Arad. You can google this. It is very weird.