By Cory Lemer
The 2025 cycle is heading towards the finish line with around eight months left until signing day. For Alabama, the year started strong with players like Jamie Ffrench, Anthony Rogers, and Javion Hilson announcing their commitment to Nick Saban. Following the abrupt retirement of the Hall of Fame Coach, Alabama lost all three of these elite players and found themselves needing a recruiting revival. Since 2010, Alabama has landed at least one signal caller in every class but 2021. With the 2025 cycle closing, is there room for concern with the Tide missing a signal caller for this class? If so, who can Kalen Deboer land?
The Top Three
1. KJ Lacey
4-Star, Saraland, AL
First is KJ Lacey. The Texas commit hails from Saraland, AL, and played with Alabama Freshman WR Ryan Williams and 2025 DL commit Antonio Coleman. Before his reclassification, the “Saraland Three” was a real possibility at Alabama. While he has not visited the Tide since 2023, rumors have circulated that the young QB will flip to Alabama to become their Dixieland Delight.
Texas 4-Star QB commit KJ Lacey and Alabama 5-Star WR commit Ryan Williams are on fire tonight. pic.twitter.com/Eqta79PA73
— Touchdown Alabama Recruiting (@TDARecruiting) December 9, 2023
More Sports News
2. Keelon Russell
4-Star, Duncanville, TX
Keelon Russell is next. The SMU commit from Duncanville, Texas, has an upcoming visit with the Tide. After receiving an offer in mid-April, Kalen Deboer and the staff got Russell on campus next weekend. This one might be more believable due to Lacey being close to locked in with Texas. Alabama pulled Jalen Milroe from Texas, which could help Alabama land the rising signal caller and Elite 11 Finalist.
NEWS: SMU QB commit Keelon Russell will take an official visit to #Alabama on May 31-June 2, per his X
He is ranked as the #1 QB in the nation according to ESPN pic.twitter.com/QCcgwoBjQS
— Recruits Bama (@RecruitsBama) May 22, 2024
3. Antwann Hill
4-Star, Warner Robbins, GA
Originally committing to Colorado, Hill is the highest-ranking uncommitted QB in the class. Antwann hails from Warner Robbins, GA, and has visited Alabama four times. Alabama landing a big fish from Georgia would certainly help recruiting; however, the Tide have some work to do. It seems Memphis and Florida have the lead for the touted signal caller.
Antwann Hill checking in at @Elite11 @antwann_jr pic.twitter.com/ZJ0X9guIEW
— Caleb Sisk (@CalebSisk_) April 28, 2024
Three Names To Watch
1. Jamar Malone
4-Star, Daphne, AL
First is Jamar Malone. The former IMG Academy QB transferred to Daphne, AL mid-season. Malone is yet to hoist an offer from the Tide, making this unlikely; however, if Kalen Deboer and staff want a QB badly, why not offer the instate signal caller? Malone also has ties to the West as he grew up in California and played at Highley High School in Arizona, adding to the doubt he could end up at Alabama.
Review: 2025 QB Jamar Malone II❗️
Malone completed 66% of his passes for 44 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions and led Higley (Ariz.) to a state championship. Holds offers from Oregon, Miami, Tennessee, and more. pic.twitter.com/uMnvCQgBHk
— Sean Nelson (@_SeanNelson) February 12, 2023
2. Kameron Keenan
3-Star, Ramsay, AL
The brother of Alabama DL Tim Kennan could be a potential addition. The Ramsay, AL prospect is currently uncommitted and has four offers. Alabama is not on the list; however, the last-minute need for a QB could lead the Tide to turn to Keenan.
Kameron Keenan and the Ramsay offense are on the hunt for their second straight 5A state title!
Last week Keenan went 15-23 for 245 Yards and 3 TDs, he also added 78 Yards and 2 TDs on the ground!
This week the Rams will meet Guntersville in Legion Field! pic.twitter.com/eqEyOGHAPy
— BamaPreps (@BamaPrepsFB) November 29, 2023
3. Charlie Johnston
3-Star, Moody, AL
Charlie Johnston hails from Birmingham, AL, and attends Moody High School. The three-star QB is committed to Georgia Southern but could be another late-offer need for Alabama.
Georgia Tech today!🔥Great seeing @zach_pyron_05 Thanks for the invite! @CoachBrentKey @Buster_Faulkner @ChrisWeinke16 @Beau_Davidson @aj_erdely @GeorgiaTechFB pic.twitter.com/CBpXusiF6z
— Charlie Johnston (@4CharlieJ) June 2, 2023
Alabama is unlikely to target these three; however, these are three signal callers who could be last-minute QB signees if the Tide needs them.
Other Possibilities?
If the Tide chooses to hold off on a 2025 gunslinger they would be charting in unfamiliar territory. So, what other options are there? First of all, the transfer portal has become a massive necessity for teams in recent years. If you can recruit in the portal, you can build a successful team like Florida State did this past season. Players like Keon Coleman and Jared Verse dominated, helping the Seminoles reach the Orange Bowl. Alabama can always look for a QB in the portal to bolster their roster like they did with Austin Mack. However, quality will become an issue since we can not tell the talent that enters the portal. So what is another option?
After receiving the commitment of Bryce Young in 2020, Alabama did not land a QB in the following cycle to focus all their time on Ty Simpson and Jalen Milroe. I believe if the Tide wait for 2026, we can expect a big-name QB to sign with Alabama. Later on, Trent Seaborn is a 2027 QB who has torn up Alabama football at Thompson High School and can be a big-time addition for the Tide. Alabama recruiting will survive either way, but a big-time gunslinger can drastically help Coach Deboer and the Crimson Tide Staff.
Top 2027 Thompson(AL) QB Trent Seaborn throws a strike to 2027 Desoto(TX) Ethan”Boobie” Feaster for the TD.
Two top 2027’s at their respective positions both state champions. Seaborn won state as a 8th grader in ‘23 for Thompson, Feaster won with Desoto this past fall. pic.twitter.com/LK6EeflIZB
— Tre_LandoTFL (@Tre_LandoTFL) February 20, 2024
