Amid Alabama’s jaw-dropping 2026 recruiting surge, fans and insiders alike have been whispering if it’s Nick Saban who’s still running the show behind the scenes. In a new episode on The Next Round on July 16, Kalen DeBoer hopped on to address a viral recruiting buzz. He’s got his fingerprints and then some all over the place, you know, when it comes to what this tradition, what the pride of this place is all about,” he said. “He added to it, made it better, and you know, before he got there compared to when he left. And he’s obviously right there still employed by the university in a capacity, has an office over there in the stadium… He wants Alabama football to be successful.” So Nick Saban isn’t calling plays anymore but he isn’t ghosting the program.
NCAA, College League, USA Football: ReliaQuest Bowl-Alabama at Michigan Dec 31, 2024 Tampa, FL, USA Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Raymond James Stadium FL USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMattxPendletonx 20241231_ams_ee7_0041
Take 5-star RB Ezavier Crowell’s visit, for example. Social media lit up when Nick Saban popped up in a photoshoot with the prized recruit. As Kalen DeBoer explained, “These are some guys that he had met with early in their recruiting process and you know just why not make something special for people when they come to your campus for an official visit and that’s what I’m always trying to do and that was the case in that situation.” And it’s been memorable alright. Alabama’s now sitting on five five-star commits in the 2026 cycle, more than twice as many as any other school. That includes Cederian Morgan, a 6’4”, 210-pound freak of nature from Alexander City.
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