Kalen DeBoer and his Alabama football staff have been recruiting up to the Crimson Tide standard in recent days. UA’s 2026 class of commitments has flown up the national rankings, currently sitting fifth in the nation according to 247Sports’ composite ratings.

The 2025 season hasn’t kicked off yet– the Crimson Tide hasn’t even started camp. It’s far, far too early to project how the roster will shake out by the time the recruiting class, which hasn’t even started its senior year of high school yet, arrives in Tuscaloosa.

However, it’s the peak of the offseason and always a good time to talk recruiting. Here’s a look at three current UA commits who could find a way to make an impact on the field as freshmen, in 2026.

EJ Crowell

Entering the 2025 season, Alabama will be looking for a superstar turn at running back from Jam Miller, who has been solid if unspectacular for much of his Crimson Tide career. Richard Young will also get carries for UA, filling the role Justice Haynes held last season.

But for 2026 and beyond, there’s uncertainty. Miller will be gone, as will depth piece Dre Washington, who gets one season with the Tide before running out of eligibility.

With Young still possibly around, Crowell certainly wouldn’t be slotted in as the starter in 2026. He’ll also have plenty of competition for playing time, with AK Dear, Daniel Hill and others still holding eligibility.

However, if Crowell can get to campus and immediately impress the Crimson Tide coaches, there’s a scenario where he could get carries as a true freshman.

Jireh Edwards

One of the latest editions to the class, Edwards 247Sports assessment, written by director of scouting Andrew Ivins, notes that he is on the older end of his class, which could be a positive early in his college career.

Edwards, a five-star safety from Maryland, chose the Crimson Tide over Auburn and Georgia. UA has some excellent defensive backs currently on the roster, but a path exists that could put him on the field early on.

Perhaps Bray Hubbard has an excellent 2025 and forgoes his final season in Tuscaloosa. Keon Sabb could also opt to head for the NFL, and DaShawn Jones is in his final year of eligibility at the husky position.

There’s young talent ahead of Edwards in age, but depending on the losses during the offseason, he could get a chance sooner than later.

Nolan Wilson

Alabama pulled off a tricky recruiting feat in getting Wilson: taking a top player from Mississippi’s commitment. With his present build, he likely fits in as a defensive end at Alabama, at the spot Kane Wommack calls the bandit.

LT Overton enters his final season as the starter. Behind him, Florida transfer Kelby Collins could make an impact as well, in his redshirt junior year.

Behind those two, its Jordan Renaud and Keon Keeley, who coaches have been high on, but haven’t proved it on the field yet. There’s certainly no guarantee that Wilson would be able to play as a freshman, especially in a position where he would likely need to gain some weight, but a path could open depending on turnover at bandit.