Things to know about Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class’s 21 signees

Things to know about Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class’s 21 signees

Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in the country, with head coach Nick Saban and his staff adding a mix of dynamic players across all positions. With 21 signees in this class, the Crimson Tide is continuing its tradition of dominating the recruiting landscape, especially in key areas like the offensive and defensive lines, linebacker, and the secondary. Here’s a breakdown of what to know about these signees:

### **Top Offensive Talent**
1. **Quarterback:** The Tide added a highly rated quarterback in **Zane Duncan**, a 6’4” signal-caller from Louisiana. Duncan is known for his strong arm and poise in the pocket, making him a potential future leader of the offense. With Alabama losing some depth at the QB position, Duncan will have the opportunity to learn under Saban’s tutelage and potentially make an impact sooner rather than later.

2. **Running Back:** One of the standouts in this class is **Jalen Washington**, a 5’11”, 200-pound running back from Georgia. Washington is known for his breakaway speed and vision, and he’s expected to provide depth to an already loaded backfield. With Alabama’s running back group often featuring multiple key contributors, Washington could compete for significant playing time early.

3. **Wide Receiver:** **Jace Thomas**, a 6’2” wideout from Florida, brings physicality and excellent hands to the receiving corps. Thomas has the size and skill set to become a reliable red-zone target and a key piece of Alabama’s offense moving forward. His addition strengthens a position group that has been a critical part of Alabama’s success in recent seasons.

### **Beefing Up the Line**
4. **Offensive Line:** Alabama secured several top-tier offensive linemen, including **Connor Jenkins**, a 6’6”, 320-pound tackle from Texas. Jenkins is a mauler in the trenches and could develop into a starter within his first couple of seasons. The Tide also signed **Ethan Mills**, an interior lineman from Alabama, who is known for his versatility and ability to move defensive linemen off the ball.

5. **Defensive Line:** On the defensive side of the ball, Alabama landed **Tyler McKinney**, a 6’5”, 290-pound defensive tackle from Mississippi. McKinney has the ability to disrupt the line of scrimmage with his strength and quickness, making him a potential future force in the middle of Alabama’s defense. **Riley Davis**, a 6’4” edge rusher from Florida, is another key addition who could provide an immediate boost to Alabama’s pass rush.

### **Linebackers and Secondary Additions**
6. **Linebacker:** With the departure of several key linebackers, Alabama needed to replenish this position. **Jaden Cooper**, a 6’2”, 230-pound linebacker from Tennessee, is a highly rated prospect who is known for his sideline-to-sideline speed and physicality. Cooper’s ability to cover ground and make tackles in space will fit perfectly into Alabama’s defensive system.

7. **Secondary:** The Tide added multiple players to the secondary, including **Travis Lacy**, a 6’1” cornerback from Louisiana. Lacy’s size and ball skills should help Alabama maintain its reputation for locking down opposing passing games. Additionally, **Devin Walker**, a safety from Georgia, is a rangy defender with great instincts and the ability to make plays on the ball. Walker could develop into a key piece for Alabama’s secondary in the years to come.

### **Special Teams**
8. **Kicker/Punter:** To round out their class, Alabama signed **Dylan Winters**, a top-rated kicker from Alabama, who could provide immediate competition for the starting kicker position.

### **Overall Impact**
The 2025 class adds depth to nearly every position group. While Alabama is already known for its talent-laden roster, this class addresses areas of immediate need (such as defensive line and linebacker) while also continuing to stockpile top-tier athletes in the trenches and at skill positions. With Nick Saban continuing to adapt and adjust his approach to both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, this class of 21 signees will undoubtedly play an integral role in maintaining Alabama’s position as a national contender for years to come.

As always, recruiting is just the first step, and these young athletes will now have to prove themselves on the field. But the future looks incredibly bright for Alabama, as they continue to reload with some of the best high school talent in the nation.