Recruiting Overview: The battle for Alabama high school football talent has never been more intense. With Kalen DeBoer establishing his recruiting footprint at Alabama and Hugh Freeze entering his third year at Auburn, both programs are competing fiercely for the state's top prospects while also expanding their reach nationally.
2025 Recruiting Class Analysis
Alabama Crimson Tide
Class Rank: #3 nationally
Top Commits:
- • Ryan Williams (WR, 5★) - Saraland, AL
- • Peyton Woody (OT, 5★) - Hoover, AL
- • Jaquavious Russaw (LB, 5★) - Mobile, AL
- • Jerrae Hawkins (CB, 4★) - Phenix City, AL
Alabama Signees: 8 of 23 commits from Alabama high schools
Auburn Tigers
Class Rank: #8 nationally
Top Commits:
- • Kaden Martin (QB, 5★) - Buford, GA
- • Perry Thompson (WR, 5★) - Theodore, AL
- • Clay Webb (DT, 4★) - Panama City, FL
- • Amarius Williams (CB, 4★) - Opelika, AL
Alabama Signees: 6 of 21 commits from Alabama high schools
Head-to-Head Recruiting Battles
Perry Thompson (WR, 5★) - Theodore, AL
Winner: Auburn
The state's top wide receiver chose Auburn over Alabama in a surprise decision. Thompson cited Auburn's offensive scheme and family ties to the program as key factors in his commitment.
Ryan Williams (WR, 5★) - Saraland, AL
Winner: Alabama
Williams reaffirmed his commitment to Alabama despite heavy pressure from Auburn. The dynamic receiver is expected to make an immediate impact in DeBoer's offensive system.
Jaquavious Russaw (LB, 5★) - Mobile, AL
Winner: Alabama
The state's top linebacker chose Alabama over Auburn and Georgia. Russaw's versatility and playmaking ability make him a perfect fit for Alabama's defensive scheme.
2026 Early Recruiting Landscape
Both coaching staffs are already making significant inroads with the 2026 class, with several elite prospects from Alabama and surrounding states already showing interest in both programs. Early evaluations suggest another competitive recruiting cycle between the two rivals.
Top 2026 Targets to Watch
- Julian Lewis (QB, 5★) - Carrollton, GA - Both Alabama and Auburn in early top group
- Jadyn Perdue (WR, 5★) - Hoover, AL - Alabama native with offers from both in-state schools
- Tyson Lewis (DE, 5★) - Montgomery, AL - Elite edge rusher being pursued by both staffs
- David Sanders Jr. (OT, 5★) - Charlotte, NC - National prospect with both Alabama and Auburn involved
Coaching Strategies and Approaches
Kalen DeBoer's Approach
DeBoer has brought his West Coast recruiting philosophy to Alabama, emphasizing relationships and player development. His staff has shown willingness to recruit nationally while maintaining a strong presence in Alabama high schools.
Hugh Freeze's Approach
Freeze leverages his deep Southern recruiting ties and religious connections to build relationships with families. His staff emphasizes speed and athleticism, targeting players who fit their up-tempo offensive system.
Impact on Future Iron Bowls
The recruiting battles of 2025 and 2026 will directly impact the Iron Bowl matchups of the late 2020s. Many of these recruits will be key contributors in future Iron Bowl games, potentially shifting the competitive balance between the two programs.
Alabama's continued recruiting dominance on paper suggests they'll maintain their talent advantage, but Auburn's ability to land key in-state recruits like Perry Thompson shows the Tigers are closing the gap. The next few recruiting cycles will be crucial in determining which program sets itself up for long-term success.
Recruiting Predictions
Short-term (2025-2026): Alabama maintains recruiting advantage but Auburn narrows gap
Long-term (2027+): Both programs likely to fluctuate between top-10 and top-15 recruiting classes, with head-to-head battles continuing to be fiercely competitive
The Alabama vs Auburn recruiting battle will continue to be one of college football's most intense rivalries on the recruiting trail, directly impacting the competitive balance of the Iron Bowl for years to come.