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Who is Alabama football targeting in 2026 recruiting class? 8 players to watch
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- Who is Alabama football targeting in 2026 recruiting class? 8 players to watch
Alabama football has secured most, if not all, of its 2025 recruiting class. All eyes now turn to the Crimson Tide 's recruiting efforts in 2026.
In Kalen DeBoer's first class in Tuscaloosa , the Crimson Tide finished No. X as of the end of Wednesday, signing five-star commitments from quarterback Keelon Russell , offensive lineman Michael Carroll and cornerback Dijon Lee .
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Will Alabama 's success continue into 2026?
Here are the eight Alabama recruiting targets you need to know for the 2026 recruiting class:
Vodney Cleveland: Four-star defensive lineman, Birmingham, Alabama
Vodney Cleveland is the only commit in Alabama's 2026 recruiting class. But to his head coach at Parker High School, Cleveland is a key building block for the Crimson Tide.
"He's the best D-lineman in the 2026 class in the state, and one of the top ones in the nation," Frank Warren said. "Anybody would want to come play with Vodney."
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound nose tackle out of Birmingham is the No. 91 player in the country per 247Sports' composite rankings, and is the ninth-ranked defensive lineman.
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And as the only commitment, Cleveland is shouldering the load to "build this 26 class," one he's confident will be one of the top classes in the country.
"If you want to be great," Cleveland said, "come to T-Town."
Anthony Jones : Five-star defensive end, Mobile, Alabama
The top prospect in Alabama seems to be at or near the top of the Crimson Tide's target list.
Anthony "Tank" Jones, standing at nearly 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds out of St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile, while also ranked as the No. 8 prospect overall and the No. 1 edge rusher in the 2026 class.
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Alabama last landed the top-ranked in-state player, defensive lineman James Smith in 2023. The Crimson Tide missed out on five-star wide receiver Cam Coleman ( Auburn ) in 2024 and cornerback Na'eem Offord in 2025.
Can Alabama again rule in-state recruiting in 2026? Jones would be a key piece to do that.
Elbert Hill: Five-star cornerback, Akron, Ohio
Alabama secured one of the top Ohio recruits in the 2025 recruiting class in linebacker Justin Hill. The Crimson Tide will try to have that same success with five-star cornerback Elbert Hill.
Hill, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound cornerback out of Akron, is the No. 1 cornerback in the 2026 class and the No. 21 prospect overall. He reported an Alabama offer June 22 before visiting campus for the Crimson Tide's win against Georgia.
Hill will be tough to get out of Ohio with the Buckeyes pursuing and Ohio State 's track record for developing corners. But Alabama does not seem to be out of the picture.
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Jackson Cantwell: Five-star offensive tackle, Nixa, Missouri
Jackson Cantwell is at the top of many college football programs' lists as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2026 class.
Cantwell has not hidden his affinity for Alabama, visiting Tuscaloosa over the summer and for the Crimson Tide's win against Missouri.
Alabama has not secured the No. 1 overall recruit in a class since offensive guard Andre Smith in 2006. And while the Crimson Tide will have to fight off programs like Georgia, Missouri and Nebraska , Alabama seems to have a fighting chance.
Jared Curtis: Five-star quarterback, Nashville, Tennessee
Alabama has its quarterback of the future in 2025 five-star Keelon Russell. Can the Crimson Tide secure its version in 2026 five-star Jared Curtis?
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Curtis committed to Georgia, but reopened his recruitment in October, telling multiple recruiting sites that Alabama was a school he was considering.
DeBoer has a track record of developing quarterbacks, with many giving him credit for the rise of Michael Penix Jr. at both Indiana and Washington . Could that momentum carry over into two five-star quarterback commits in his first two classes?
Cederian Morgan: Four-star wide receiver, Alexander City, Alabama
The top offensive player in the state is near the top of Alabama's board.
Four-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound pass catcher out of Alexander City, has reported an Alabama offer, and looks to be seriously pursued by the Crimson Tide, Auburn and Ohio State.
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An in-state battle may be at hand here between the Tigers and the Crimson Tide, one Alabama will try and win.
Bralan Womack: Five-star safety, Flowood, Mississippi
Alabama has been in on Bralan Womack for a while, offering the five-star safety after his sophomore season before programs like LSU , Oregon , Notre Dame and Ohio State.
Womack visited Tuscaloosa for Alabama's win against Georgia. And his teammate, defensive lineman London Simmons, is signed in the Crimson Tide's 2025 class.
Womack would be a major get for Alabama after a one-man safety class in 2025.
Zyan Gibson: Four-star cornerback, Gadsden, Alabama
Zyan Gibson is also looking like a top target for Alabama in 2026.
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The four-star Gadsden cornerback is the No. 67 player in the class and the No. 8 overall cornerback. He's held an Alabama offer since March and has visited Tuscaloosa multiple times, including a visit for the Crimson Tide's win against Missouri.
Per 247Sports, Gibson has also visited Tennessee and Auburn in 2024.
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: Alabama football recruiting: 8 Crimson Tide targets to watch in 2026
