The University of Alabama hosted 12 recruits for official visits this past weekend. The majority of players have discussed their experience in Tuscaloosa. There was also one new prediction in favor of Alabama. This was the first wave of official visits in the ’25 class. Recruits will continue taking official visits during through the next three weekends.
The biggest news coming out of the weekend centered around Keelon Russell. The SMU commitment had a lot of eyes on his visit with the Tide.There is a lot positive buzz regarding Russell as noted in the BOL nugget on Sunday. On3 Sports’ Steve Wiltfong also submitted a prediction in favor of Russell to flip to Alabama.
Alabama also put on a full court press with the No. 3 OL per On3 Sports, Ty Haywood. The life-long Tide fan took his first visit to Tuscaloosa this past weekend. The visit exceeded his expectations.
Mater Dei teammates Chuck McDonald and Jordon Davison also returned to Tuscaloosa. Both spoke with BOL after their visit. McDonald named Alabama his leader. Davison also had a lot of things to say about his trip and relationship with Robert Gillespie. McDonald wasn’t the only defensive recruit to name UA his leader.
Alabama commitments Derick Smith and Zymear Smith (not related) also weighed in on their return to T-Town. (Derick) Smith is set to visit Auburn this weekend. Top 3 tight end Andrew Olesh called his visit to Alabama, “better than expected.”
Five-star Offensive Lineman Ty Haywood (Denton, Texas-Ryan)
“I’m just going to say it’s highly, highly suggested. I’ll keep it at that. It’s like a high place in schools for me right now,” Haywood replied. “It’s a dream for me, basically.” (FULL STORY HERE)
Top 100 Safety Derick Smith (Selma, Ala-Southside, Alabama commitment)
“It went good,” Smith said. “It is the same every time I go there. Everything stands out to me. I feel real comfortable. Every time I step on campus, I feel like I’m at home. Where I need to be.” (FULL STORY HERE)
Top 100 Quarterback Keelon Russell (Duncanville, Texas-SMU commitment)
“SMU and Bama are right by each other,” Russell said. “Obviously, I’m still committed, so that’s why I really have SMU still up there because there’s a lot of trust. But with Bama, just them being the dream school (FULL STORY HERE)
Russell’s father also spoke with On3 Sports-HERE
Top 100 Cornerback Chuck McDonald (Santa Ana, Calif-Mater Dei)
“I really think they did well,” McDonald said regarding the feeling he has for Alabama. “Bama is Bama! They are really at the top of the list. They are the leader. Just the overall feeling I got while I was there; just felt good. I felt like I belong there.” (FULL STORY HERE)
Top 100 Running Back Jordon Davison (Santa Ana, Calif-Mater Dei)
“My time with Coach G was good. He said I have program-changing talent and that I would have a shot at contributing to the team early. His message to me was that I’m a guy and they want me to be a part of their program. They made me feel like a priority.” (FULL STORY HERE)
Top 100 Tight End Andrew Olesh (Center Valley, Pa.-Southern Lehigh)
“Jalen (Milroe) is a very, very nice guy,” Olesh said. “He was talking with me and my parents for about 20 minutes. He was going over how Alabama is obviously a very good program. He’s rooting for me wherever I go, but he thinks Alabama will take me to the next step, the NFL. They produce a lot of NFL players.(FULL STORY HERE)
BOL TV: LIVE RECRUITING SHOW ON MONDAY MORNING (WATTS, BONE, REIER, STEIN)
Four-star CB Zymear Smith(Denton, Md-North Caroline, Alabama commitment)
“The players are very excited. I’m very excited,” Smith. “I’m just ready to get to work, I’m ready to go. If I had a chance to go down there and start working right now, I would. I didn’t even want to leave. I didn’t miss home at all. I was just having fun. It was cool.” (Full story coming soon)
Four-star DL Charles House (Charlotte-North Mecklenberg)
“This did help Bama. I leave this visit with them at the top of the list now, and they have set the standard high.” (FULL STORY HERE)
BOL will continue posting to this story official visitor reactions.
Recruits who were also in attendance included: Alabama WR commitmentLotzeir Brooks (Millville, N.J.), UGA LB commitment Jadon Perlotte (Buford, Ga.), four-star RB Jamarion Morrow (Germantown, Tenn.) and Peach State S Todd Robinson (Valdosta, Ga.).
Alabama will host its next group of official visitors this weekend-Updated List! The Crimson Tide will have high school camps on Monday and Wednesday. BOL will continue to provide the latest intel and interviews from official visitors, impressive camp performers, targets, etc….
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