Alabama’s Rivals Push New Recruiting Conspiracy as DeBoer Proves His Worth
Alabama’s rival fans can’t seem to settle on a consistent narrative. Their latest theory attempts to explain away the Crimson Tide’s recruiting dominance with yet another conspiracy. After months of insisting that Nick Saban stepped down because he couldn’t adapt to the NIL era, these same critics now claim that he’s still pulling strings behind the scenes—secretly influencing elite recruits to choose a program he no longer leads.
The rumor spread so widely that it forced the mother of a top-tier linebacker recruit from Gainesville to publicly speak out. She emphasized that Kalen DeBoer and his staff—not Saban—were responsible for her son’s decision to commit to Alabama.
This theory gained traction when a Tennessee fan, RJ Ellison, stirred controversy on X (formerly Twitter). He boldly suggested that Alabama’s recruiting isn’t solely DeBoer’s doing, posting: “Courtney Morgan, the GM, liked my post about Saban still recruiting for Alabama. I knew it wasn’t ‘All DeBoer’ doing the work! ” Ellison doubled down by reiterating, “Saban is still recruiting for y’all; it’s ok to admit it.” Morgan’s like only fueled the speculation further, especially as photos surfaced of five-star recruits like running back Ezavier Crowell posing in Alabama gear.
Despite these rumors, the Tide’s staff continues to land top-tier talent like linebacker Xavier Griffin. Some critics still cling to the idea that Saban is involved, but Griffin’s mother, Jay Clay, set the record straight. She publicly debunked the claim, asserting that Saban had no role in her son’s recruitment. Touchdown Alabama supported her statement, highlighting how she pushed back on the misinformation.
Jay Clay didn’t hold back in her post: “Let me make this clear for (Xavier Griffin)’s recruitment at Alabama. It makes me mad to hear people say Kalen DeBoer can’t recruit because our coach and his staff did a great job! I met Saban once, but he never made the offer or spoke with us. (Christian Robinson) is the (G.O.A.T.) who brought my son to Bama! Love our staff and can’t wait! Roll Tide.” Her message cuts through the noise, crediting DeBoer’s team for the tireless work behind Griffin’s commitment.
Griffin’s skill on the field is indisputable. He racked up 54 tackles and 15 sacks last season, earning first-team honors in Georgia’s Region 8-6A. Nationally, he also shined in the 2025 Polynesian Bowl and the Navy All-American Bowl. With talent like his committing to Alabama, rival fans are understandably skeptical.
Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class is shaping up to be one of the best, featuring five five-star recruits: Ezavier Crowell, Xavier Griffin, Cederian Morgan, and Jireh Edwards among them. With 19 total commits—12 ranked in the Top 300—the Crimson Tide is in serious contention for the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. DeBoer’s recruiting credentials are growing stronger by the day, signaling a smooth transition into the post-Saban era.
Even though Alabama’s on-field performance hasn’t reached its usual elite level this season, its recruiting machine is stronger than ever. Their 2023 class was ranked No. 1 and featured seven five-star signees, but many wondered if that level of success could continue without Saban. Fast forward to now, and the answer appears to be yes.
National figures are taking notice. On McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, Paul Finebaum praised DeBoer’s efforts: “At this point, Kalen DeBoer can do no wrong. He’s killing it on the recruiting trail. The program feels stable, and that’s helped by the fact that no players left in the spring portal. Alabama’s brand is still huge. Nick Saban was legendary, but the program is still thriving.”
Indeed, Alabama’s retention and recruiting success prove that DeBoer is building on a legacy rather than relying on it.
Leave a Reply