The University of Alabama is gearing up for what looks like an incredibly busy month of June full of official visitors and camp participants. The majority of Alabama’s targets will take their official visits this upcoming month, and most expect to announce decisions prior to the start of their senior season.
The Crimson Tide has targeted others who are currently committed elsewhere. BOL will take a closer look at these key targets in the coming days. On the flip side- other schools are working hard to try and flip several of Alabama’s current commitments.
A complete breakdown of where things currently stand with the Tide’s ’25 commitment class and where several intend to visit next month. BOL also provides their take on the current commitments who continue listening to other suitors.
CLICK HERE for the updated list of summer official visits
Derick Smith, No. 2 ATH, Southside HS (Selma)
-Smith announced his commitment to Alabama on March 11. He returned to Tuscaloosa multiple times since the decision including the A-Day game. Smith will take an official visit with Alabama on May 31-June 2 to kick off things this summer. He also has an official visit planned for Auburn on June 7.
There is a significant difference with both schools. Alabama is recruiting Smith to play safety, while Auburn is recruiting him as a receiver. Smith has not indicated a preferred positon- as he’s been open to anything. He is a star on both sides of the ball, and he can make an impact
“Everything is going good,” Smith told BamaOnLine of his commitment status last week. “Coach Hitsch likes my ability. Everything I can do on defense and at strong safety. [I like] the DBs and safeties he’s put in the league.”
Smith is not considered on ‘flip watch’ but Auburn has continued to push hard for the in-state player. This is the only other visit Smith has planned. He is also expected to return to Tuscaloosa for at least one more unofficial visit prior to the dead period which begins June 25.
Do the Tigers become a bigger threat after the visit? It’s possible, but Smith considers his commitment solid. Expect him to have a great experience on both official visits. A lot may depend if a preference regarding the future position.
Duke Johnson, No. 3 ATH, Dodge County HS (Eastman, Ga.)
Johnson was a major addition to Alabama when he announced his commitment on March 20. Florida State was viewed as a top contender for the defensive athlete before he traveled to Tuscaloosa for an unofficial visit on March 6. The momentum shifted in complete favor of Alabama after the trip.
Johnson has also been one of the most vocal recruits in the Tide’s class in pursuit of other targets. That doesn’t always indicate a rock solid commitment, but it does portray how he currently feels about his status with Alabama.
“Why not come play for the best team in the nation?” Johnson told BOL in April regarding his pitch to other recruits. “We’re going to have the best guys, the best coaches, the best people around us, and the best fanbase. We’re going to win the natty. Keep getting better and better, and get developed by some of the best.”
Johnson returned to Tuscaloosa for the A-Day game. He is set for an official visit on June 7-9. He is also slated for official visits to UCF (May 31) and Florida State (June 14). The Seminoles have continued to press, and also hosted Johnson for an unofficial in April.
“I’m committed to ‘Bama of course,” he told Warchant.com after the visit. “But Florida State’s still gonna be there I guess. But I mean I’m committed to ‘Bama.”
Take that for what it’s worth, but BOL really likes the Tide’s position with Johnson prior to June.
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Anthony Rogers, four-star RB, Carver HS (Montgomery)
Rogers has embarked on an interesting journey during the last few years. He had a break-out freshmen season at Pike Road High School (Ala.) starring behind now-Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins before taking the reins as a sophomore. He transferred to IMG Academy last year, and he announced a commitment to Alabama on June 1.
Rogers didn’t take visits in the fall except for a trip to Tuscaloosa for the Chattanooga game (11/18). Nick Saban retired January 10. Rogers moved back to the Montgomery area where he enrolled at Carver High School- a program which has sent several of its top players to Alabama including Mack Wilson, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Qua Russaw and James Smith.
He has remained committed to the Tide as running backs coach Robert Gillespie was retained by Coach DeBoer. The early relationship and trust established with Coach G has been a major advantage in sticking with the early decision.
“I feel good with Alabama,” Rogers told On3 Sports earlier this week. “Coach Robert Gillespie and I have been tight since I was in eighth grade. I like Alabama’s direction as well.”
Other schools are in pursuit, however, and he’s at least listening to the pitches. Rogers will take an official visit to Ohio State on May 31. He visited Auburn and Georgia (in addition to Alabama) during the spring, and intends to return to each for an official in the fall.
Alabama prefers keeping Rogers in its class, but also won’t stop pursing other running back targets. Several are scheduled for official visits during the next month. A commitment from one may put some additional pressure on Rogers to shut down things. Alabama will likely take two, and a commitment taking visits elsewhere won’t slow down the staff from adding a third.
Antonio Coleman, four-star DL, Saraland HS (Ala.)
Coleman’s recruitment has been a little bit of a roller coaster ride since his original commitment to Alabama on 9/11/23. He appeared by all counts solid with his decision before surprising many with a flip to Auburn on December 22. Coach Kalen DeBoer, Coach Wommack and Freddie Roach visited Coleman in January, and he decided to return to Tuscaloosa for Junior Day on February 3.
Coleman flipped his commitment back to Alabama less than a month later. Auburn lost its defensive line coach, Jeremy Garrett, to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Alabama retaining Freddie Roach (his position coach) helped the Tide’s chances in reeling him back into the class. He also liked what Coach DeBoer has added to the program.
“In my opinion, it’s more modern,”Coleman recently said of the new-look Crimson Tide. “It’s a good team. I feel like Coach DeBoer wants a player-led team. He wants a lot of leaders to come and step up. It’s kind of like Saraland, so I want to be a part of something like that.”
Others are still working to flip Coleman. He returned to Auburn for an unofficial visit earlier this spring. A trip back to Auburn for an official is expected. He also wants to visit Florida, Miami, USC and possibly LSU. Coleman currently plans to take an official visit to Alabama during the Iron Bowl weekend.
This one isn’t over and will likely drag throughout the fall. Coleman will take the official to Alabama the final weekend before the Early Signing Period. That’s significant, and should help the Crimson Tide’s chances in shutting out the others who hope to flip.
Keep track of the latest news and intel in our Recruiting Rundown on the BOL RoundTable!
Abduall Sanders, four-star LB, Mater Dei HS (Santa Ana, Calif)
Sanders was one of the first offers for Alabama after Coach DeBoer arrived in Tuscaloosa. The relationship stems back to when he was offered by Washington in the fall (also attended a game in Seattle). Sanders quickly set plans to visit Alabama and attended the Tide’s first Junior Day on February 3.
He also returned for a multi-day visit in March before announcing a commitment to Alabama on March 21. That certainly hasn’t stopped others from pursuing especially Tennessee. He was previously recruited by Vols LB coach William Inge who was on Coach DeBoer’s staff at Washington.
Tennessee will host Sanders for an official visit June 14-16. He will take an official visit to Alabama June 21-23. These are the only visits currently scheduled as others including Ohio State remain in the pursuit.
“I’m not going anywhere,”Sanders told BOL earlier this week regarding his commitment status with the Crimson Tide. “I committed here, and I’m planning to stay. It’s just home. Where you can be great. That’s what I’m there for.”
Mater Dei is a pipeline to schools across the country including Alabama. Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young is a former five-star for the Monarchs. A few current players on the team are also alumni including cornerbacks Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown.
Alabama is also in pursuit of a trio of other ’25 targets from the school such as Top 100 cornerback Chuck McDonald, Top 100 running back Jordon Davison and four-star wide receiver Marcus Harris. All three will take official visits to Alabama May 31-June 2.
Tennessee is the only threat to Alabama at this time. The relationship with Coach Inge dates back to the fall, and seems like a significant uphill battle for the Volunteers heading into the summer.
Myles Johnson, four-star LB, T.R Miller (Brewton)
The majority of Alabama’s commitments who are still taking visits don’t appear on flip watch. There is still a hesitation to say a player is completely solid with their decision until it’s shut down, however. The shakiest commitment heading into the summer visit season appears as one of the Tide’s in-state commitments.
Johnson announced his commitment to Alabama October 14 after initially receiving an offer after a camp performance last June. Johnson suffered a torn ACL before his junior season and missed the entire year. Other schools have pursued harder since the new staff arrived including Florida, LSU and Ole Miss.
He has scheduled an official visit to Florida June 7-9. A visit date with Alabama has not been discussed to this point. Things could easily change in the coming weeks/months between Johnson and Alabama, but it seems with others prioritizing the decision to re-open his recruitment is a possibility. The new UA staff may also want further evaluation after Johnson’s significant knee surgery.
Additional Notes:
•Alabama LB commitment Luke Metz received an offer from Georgia last week. He currently plans to only take an official visit with Alabama June 21-23. Other schools including Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Tennessee visited him this spring. BOL interview with Metz from earlier this week-HERE
•Alabama WR commitment Lotzeir Brooks (Millville, N.J.) and CB commitment Zymer Smith (Denton,Mary.-North Caroline) will take their official visits to UA May 31-June 2. It’s the only visit each player intends to take at this time.
•Jaeden Harmon, four-star LB from Rome (Ga.) will return to Alabama June 7-9 for an official visit. Harmon has still attracted interest from others including Tennessee. He currently has an official set with Alabama only.
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