Alabama has collected four commitments from five-star players in recent weeks.
Paul Finebaum Shares What’s Fueling Alabama’s Post-Nick Saban Recruiting Success originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Despite a down year on the field, at least by the high standards held by Alabama fans, the Crimson Tide are enjoying one of their best recruiting cycles in many years.
By On3's count, Alabama has five 5-star recruits committed in 2026 thus far, which is up from three in 2025 and four in 2024. This is also the second season with the Tide for head coach Kalen DeBoer, who seems to have found his footing on the recruiting trail and overcome the perception he was not a great recruiter.
DeBoer had big shoes to fill in replacing Nick Saban, who announced his retirement in January 2024.
In 2023, Alabama and Saban had the nation's top recruiting class, which included seven 5-star players.
While the Tide haven't yet lost a step in recruiting, concerns arose that the loss of Saban would slowly erode Alabama's ability to attract top national talent.
ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum recently appeared on the "McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning" podcast and discussed Alabama's rekindled recruiting success.
"I think at this moment in time, Kalen DeBoer can do no wrong," Finebaum began when asked about Alabama's recent recruiting hot streak. "He is dialing up everything on the recruiting trail."
On Saturday, Alabama received a 5-star commitment from safety Jireh Edwards from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Since June 26, the Crimson Tide have secured four 5-star commitments total.
"There's stability in the program, and that goes back to not losing anyone in the portal. And I really think that helps the momentum...The brand of Alabama remains large. As great as Nick Saban was, and he was, this program lives on."
While what Finebaum says is true in the present moment, it only takes a couple of down seasons before things can go off the rails.
When Bobby Bowden left Florida State after the 2009 college football season, the Seminoles continued their success for several years afterward, even winning a national championship under coach Jimbo Fisher in 2013. Florida State has finished below .500 five times since 2018.
The foundation left behind by Saban's recruiting will carry the program for another season or two, but it is on DeBoer's shoulders to consistently deliver on the field and in recruiting to keep the brand 'large,' in the words of Finebaum.
Related: Paul Finebaum Gets Real About Jeremiah Smith’s Fiery Jab at Michigan
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
