The recruitment battle is shaping the pre-spring portal discussion in college football. Alabama and Kalen DeBoer try to flip the script on their wasted first year under the new coach with a strong portal jump. The coaching staff was actively on the road recruiting, utilizing the last few days before the dead period ticked on the calendar. After stockpiling for this year’s production, DeBoer and his staff moved on to the next. They have already landed some key players in the class of 2026, including offensive lineman Chris Booker and edge rusher Jamarion Matthews. But as they strive for more, key SEC rival Kirby Smart gets in the way.
4-star WR Corey Barber, who stunned with a total of 74 catches for 1,429 yards and 18 TDs in his junior year, managed to catch the eyeballs of 29 college football programs who officially extended an offer to him, widening the choice. However, among all these suitors, Alabama and Kalen DeBoer come near the top. Since handing in an offer in early February, they never stopped pushing for the Spain Park High School player.
The Crimson Tide will host him back on campus on March 22. Meanwhile, Alabama’s staff is leaving no stone unturned in maintaining close and consistent contact with him. “Me, Shep (JaMarcus Shephard) and coach Roach, we stay in touch a lot,” Barber said in a past interview with Touchdown. “They really push hard. They show me real love. That is one of the places I could probably see myself calling home. They told me they made me one of their top priorities.” However, another fierce competitor in Barbar’s recruitment race is the Bulldogs, and the latest intel seems Smart is on the cusp of dishing heartbreak to the fellow SEC coach (DeBoer). The Spain Park product had his first visit to Athens on March 14th and reportedly had a great experience with the coaches and players.
4WR Corey Barber got his first look at Georgia this week. He breaks down what grabbed his attention and locked in an official visit. #GoDawgs
Story: https://t.co/W4N6CYiWHU pic.twitter.com/Bhzfs7iiO8
— DawgsHQ (@DawgsHQ) March 16, 2025
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