Alabama football did not waste its first spring practice of 2025 on the recruiting front.
The Crimson Tide hosted a handful of recruits for its first spring practice, including 2026 Ohio four-star defensive back Elbert Hill , 2027 Georgia defensive back Alex Ward and 2026 Missouri defensive lineman Titan Davis.
But for 2027 wide receiver Liam Carroll, Monday was a family affair, getting the chance to watch his brother, 2025 five-star offensive guard Michael Carroll , participate in his first spring workout with the Crimson Tide .
"I'd say we were very close growing up, and football was always a main sport that we grew up playing, ever since flag football to little league, and now in high school," Liam Carroll, a Pennsylvania native who plays wide receiver a IMG Academy, told the Tuscaloosa News. "Now he's balling out in college.
"It just drives me more to also play at the highest level."
Carroll did not only see that in his brother Michael in Alabama's first spring practice . He saw it from the entire roster, wanting to learn "what makes great players great."
"It's just the way they practice," Carroll said. "They treat every rep like a game, a game rep."
Carroll, standing at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, was impressed with the "energy" Alabama wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard brought to his position groups, seeing a unit that was getting out of its breaks at full speed and running through its drills.
To Carroll, Isaiah Horton was the Alabama wide receiver who stood out most with his "size, speed athleticism and hands."
It's the kind of receiver Carroll wants to be at the next level, showcasing his athleticism, speed and confidence and becoming a weapon like the receivers he watches: Ryan Williams , Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Arizona 's Tetairoa McMillan .
Carroll did not leave with an Alabama offer Monday, but said Shephard was incredibly encouraging, telling him to come to a Crimson Tide recruiting camp in the summer.
In his brother Michael, Liam Carroll saw the level of football he wants to play one day.
"It was great seeing my brother achieve his goals," Liam Carroll said. "Now he's finally at Alabama. It was awesome seeing the work he put in."
Alabama did extend an offer Monday after its first spring practice.
2027 South Carolina athlete Nate Carson was offered a scholarship by offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic and the Crimson Tide.
To Carson, Alabama's attention is "a blessing."
"Alabama has always been my favorite college since I was young so being able to get an offer from them was just a blessing," Carson said in a statement to the Tuscaloosa News.
Carson said the coaching staff loves his feet, size and youth, saying he has room to develop his 6-foot-5, 280-pound frame.
Carson also reports offers from South Carolina and Florida State, among others.
On Monday, Carson had a first-hand look at what life at Alabama would be like.
"The practice was very intense," he said. "Even though they didn't have pads on, nobody was walking. There was no breaks, the coaches was coaching very hard, and players was working very hard. Everything was just perfect.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: 2027 WR Liam Carroll talks Alabama football visit, Michael Carroll
