Alabama Football Falls Behind SEC Team for 2027 Linebacker

Will McLelland-Imagn Images

Alabama Football Falls Behind SEC Team for 2027 Linebacker

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated May 13, 2026 11:12 AM ET

The Alabama Crimson Tide and class of 2027 linebacker Cole Crawford continue to show mutual interests. The defender will be making his way to Tuscaloosa on June 19 for an official visit. It will be his second time making it to campus.

It's an opportunity for Kalen DeBoer and his staff to make a strong impression as summer approaches and many recruits in the 2027 cycle begin making commitment decisions. Crawford, out of Cartersville, Georgia, has become a priority for the Crimson Tide.

At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he is a four-star recruit, the No. 31 linebacker and the No. 347 player in the nation, per Rivals Industry Rankings.

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer.Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

For a while, Alabama was considered the team to beat. On March 10, the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine gave the Crimson Tide the best chance (71.9%) to land Crawford's commitment. However, after an update on Wednesday, they fell to second (33.5%) behind the Kentucky Wildcats (47.4%).

Like Alabama, Kentucky is one of the few schools the linebacker has gotten a closer look at. He's taken two unofficial visits to Lexington and has an official one scheduled for June 12, one week before going to Tuscaloosa.

After a solid junior season at Cartersville High School, it's no surprise these two SEC teams are battling it out. In 13 games, he recorded 55 tackles, four tackles for loss, five hurries, one interception and two pass deflections.

Despite falling behind the Wildcats, the Crimson Tide is still firmly in the mix. In January, Crawford spoke to Rivals' Chad Simmons and spoke highly of Alabama, saying, "I love the history there and the high standard. You’re going to get coached hard, and I like that."

With his official visit to Tuscaloosa just over a month away, pressure builds on the Crimson Tide to regain the lead before the linebacker makes a commitment.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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