Alabama Crimson Tide has a chance to flip the narrative surrounding the 2027 recruiting class with major visits this weekend
The Alabama Crimson Tide will be hosting their first set of official visits for the 2027 recruiting class this weekend, so here is who to know, and why this weekend in Tuscaloosa is so big.
The Alabama Crimson Tide has been taking the 2027 recruiting cycle slowly. It’s not due to a lack of trying, as Kalen DeBoer’s staff is picking their spots after back-to-back stellar classes in 2025 and 2026 and a strong portal in the winter.
That hasn’t stopped the Crimson Tide from making a couple of big-time additions via quarterback Elijah Haven and Kenneth Simon, but the last weekend in May figures to be a pivotal one for Alabama. Today, we preview the eight official visits scheduled for the three days, alongside the latest on where Alabama stands in some of the top recruitments.
Alabama visits scheduled for May 29-31
- 5-star WR Monshun Sales
- 4-star LB Kenneth Simon (committed)
- 4-star DL Mitchell Turner
- 4-star WR Osani Gayles
- 3-star CB Darrius White
- 4-star CB Hayden Stepp
- 4-star RB Nigel Newkirk
- 4-star EDGE Antwan Jackson
- 4-star DL AJ Pauley
Latest on Monshun Sales
The headliner not only for this visit weekend, but arguably for the 2027 class outside of Haven, if Alabama can secure a commitment from Sales, it would change the entire identity of their 2027 class.
Of course, the Crimson Tide would still need more players, but if three of Alabama’s seven hard commits were Sales, Haven, and Simon, the later of whom was poached out of Tennessee’s own backyard, that would build momentum for a fantastic 2027 class, even if Alabama isn’t going all out on the recruiting trail.
Sales was recently predicted to join Indiana, but his family has Alabama roots, and he released a statement saying that he had yet to come to any decision, and he isn’t worried about anyone’s predictions. It will be a huge weekend for Sales and Alabama.
Latest on Nigel Newkirk
If there is any position that Alabama will be targeting in the 2027 class, it will be the running back position. Alabama feels good about its chances with Newkirk, with multiple insiders predicting Alabama as the landing spot for the four-star back.
“I think Alabama is the clear No. 1 for Newkirk heading into his official visits. I’ve added my prediction alongside colleague Chad Simmons to reflect that. Michigan and Ohio State are among the competition. Florida State and LSU have also been involved. If the Buckeyes miss on five-star David Gabriel-Georges they would become a major contender for Newkirk.” – Steve Wiltfong, Rivals-On3
Final word
Alabama’s approach this weekend will tell a lot about the final projection of the 2027 class. If the rumblings out of Tuscaloosa are that the Tide nailed weekend 1, that could be the catalyst for a string of commitments from high-level recruits.