Kalen DeBoer and Alabama Crimson Tide forced to host last-minute visit after getting greedy in QB recruitment tactics
Recruiting quarterbacks is incredibly complex for most programs, and that task is made more difficult when the staff is openly wanting multiple additions to create competition. The Alabama Crimson Tide did well to nab Jett Thomalla from Iowa State's list of verbal commits, but head coach Kalen DeBoer might've lost one or two other passers […]
Recruiting quarterbacks is incredibly complex for most programs, and that task is made more difficult when the staff is openly wanting multiple additions to create competition. The Alabama Crimson Tide did well to nab Jett Thomalla from Iowa State's list of verbal commits, but head coach Kalen DeBoer might've lost one or two other passers by doing so.
You can only get so many top names, and incoming freshman must also deal with 2025 four-star Keelon Russell being in the room.
Dual-sport prospect Matt Ponatoski has seemingly bowed out of the Alabama quarterback games. On3's recruiting predictor machine skyrocketed in Kentucky's favor this week, and he's spending his final visit in Lexington this weekend. The baseball star is expected to make his decision known afterward.
Meanwhile, Alabama has also pivoted, reading the tea leaves of Ponatoski's desire to play early in order to justify passing on becoming an early-round MLB Draft pick. Alabama is hosting four-star Tayden Kaawa shortly after he said "they stand pretty high" after offering him a scholarship.
A dual-threat passer at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds who is rising in recruiting ranks, Kaawa is just now catching the attention from bigger programs. He totaled 3,280 passing yards, 318 rushing yards, and 35 touchdowns last year.
Hawaii has been considered the favorite to land him because of his ties to the off-shore state, but that tide may be turning.
Here's what scouts from On3 had to say abount Ponatoski at the Elite 11 event earlier this week, rating him as the most accurate passer.
Matt Ponatoski consistently threw catchable balls over the week at the Elite 11 Finals. We thought he was clearly the most accurate over the first two days. Ponatoski was a standout on Day 1, serving up well-placed, timely passes at a high rate. He carried that over into the pro day workout, where he earned the day’s highest score from the Elite 11 staff. The dual-sport star showed sound mechanics and the ability to locate his passes with ease. His showing is made even more impressive by the fact that he spends much of his off-season on baseball rather than quarterback training.
