Alabama football had a somewhat up-and-down run on the 2026 recruiting trail, leaving some Crimson Tide fans uncertain about Kalen DeBoer’s early momentum. But on Saturday, DeBoer and his staff notched a major victory — securing a key win over Auburn and Clemson in the process.
The Tide landed one of their top targets in the 2026 class: edge rusher from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3. Johnson’s final choices included Auburn, Clemson, and fellow SEC program Ole Miss.
Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 262-pound defender, is rated a four-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite and ranks as the No. 16 player in Alabama for the 2026 cycle.
With this commitment, DeBoer — entering his second year at the helm — adds one of the state’s most sought-after talents to his class and gives Alabama’s recruiting momentum a significant boost.
Alabama delivering quiet recruiting results compared to Auburn, Clemson
Crimson Tide fans grew accustomed to watching legendary coach Nick Saban dominate the recruiting scene, regularly bringing elite five-star and four-star talent — and future NFL stars — to Tuscaloosa.
His successor, Kalen DeBoer, has had a more modest start on the recruiting trail. Alabama currently sits outside the top 25 in the 2026 class rankings, with only five verbal commitments so far — none of whom are natural offensive players. In contrast, Clemson holds the No. 2 spot nationally, while Auburn comes in at No. 20, ahead of Alabama.
Still, the Tide managed to score a major recruiting win late in March, landing five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds — the top-ranked CB in the country for 2026 — out of Marietta, Georgia.
Since taking over for Saban, DeBoer has secured four five-star recruits. Among them are quarterback Keelon Russell from Duncanville, Texas, his highest-ranked commit for 2025, and standout corner Dijon Lee from Mission Viejo, California — a key addition from the West Coast. Under DeBoer, Alabama still managed to finish with the No. 4 recruiting class for 2025.
While the Tide have dropped out of the top 25 for the 2026 cycle, the recent commitment from edge rusher Kamhariyan Johnson could spark a wave of momentum on the recruiting front.
