DeBoer lands top recruits on first day of contract with Alabama – The Crimson White

Head coach Kalen DeBoer before Alabama’s game against Auburn on November 30th.

On the first day of the early signing period, head coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff signed 20 of the 21 commitments as part of Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class.

“A whole year passes on this day and it’s an exciting time for us and an exciting time for them,” DeBoer said of the signees. “We want to continue to bring and embody what Alabama stands for.”

The class reportedly consists of three 5-star players The On3 rankingsand is led by the second-leading quarterback in its class, Keelon Russell.

DeBoer praised Russell and what he saw in him, highlighting Russell’s confidence. He also mentioned Russell’s athletic ability.

He discussed Russell’s arm talent, saying he was accurate with the ability to throw with “different arm slots” and had an added dimension in being able to make plays off the run.

DeBoer ensured Russell was protected in the pocket going forward by adding four offensive tackles to the class. However, 5-star offensive lineman Ty Haywood has yet to commit. Haywood is the only player in Alabama’s class who will not commit at this early stage.

In addition to the offensive line, DeBoer will also use four linebackers. These two positions will feature the most freshmen in the class. The linebacker group is led by Justin Hill, who is one of the top five nationally at the position.

“Hill is a special player, and this is a place he and his family love more than anything,” DeBoer said. “But just from an athleticism, explosiveness and playmaking perspective, you can watch his film and see what we see.”

Hill will enroll early and arrive in Alabama next semester to attend practice with the team.

DeBoer credited outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson with helping sign Hill.

“Robinson, along with the rest of our staff, has done a great job,” DeBoer said, adding that Robinson has developed an “extremely close” relationship with Hill. “I think it’s the vision of our defense combined with what he does.”

Also joining the class are three defensive backs: 5-star cornerback Dijon Lee, 4-star cornerback Chuck McDonald and 4-star safety Ivan Taylor.

Taylor is the latest addition to the class after Alabama decommitted from Michigan.

One of two receivers in the class is Lotzeir Brooks from New Jersey. Brooks is considered a top-15 receiver in his class and was recently upgraded to a 4-star receiver.

“Super explosive and great ball skills, he’s an athlete, a very good athlete,” DeBoer said. “He’s quarterback friendly. He was the go-to guy and racked up over 4,000 yards in his high school career.”

While DeBoer was successful in recruiting everywhere, he was lacking in recruiting locally. However, he said this is just the beginning.

“Relationships are the beginning and the relationships are with these players. Identification is of course part of it, idea and evaluation, but the relationship aspect is important,” DeBoer said. “(Recruiting) high school coaches know who I am and know who a lot of our staff are. “That helped get the ball rolling with those guys.”

DeBoer has shown no signs of slowing down and expressed confidence in his ability to recruit locally in the future.

“Every year we continue to grow and build trust. I think the season we went through will continue to help these high school coaches in the state believe in us,” DeBoer said.