Alabama June Recruiting Recap

Defensive Commitments

Alabama picked up its first defensive commitment of June by landing three-star defensive lineman JJ Finch. He is from Indianapolis, Indiana, where he attends Warren Central High School. 247Sports rates Finch as the fourth-ranked player in Indiana and the 83rd-ranked defensive lineman. Finch signed on June 22^nd, and then the Crimson Tide signed another three-star player on the following day.

On June 23^rd, safety Rihyael Kelley signed with the Crimson Tide out of Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Alabama currently has a good group in the defensive backfield featuring four starters returning from 2024. Kelley could be a good development player to help add depth to the group after the 2025 season. Corner back Domani Jackson is a senior, and safety Keon Sabb is a junior that has NFL talent.

Alabama added in-state three-star linebacker Zay Hall on June 27^th. Hall is not far from campus, being from Tuscaloosa and plays at Hillcrest High School. He is rated as the 44^th best player in Alabama and 118^th at linebacker. The sole five-star signed in the month of June is edge rusher Xavier Griffin. He is the top player of 2026 in Georgia and at linebacker. Also, Griffin is ranked eighth nationally by 247Sports. In eight games for Gainesville High School, he had 43 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and six sacks.

Offensive Commitments

Alabama has well adding talent to the offensive for the 2026 recruiting class. Early in the month, they added quarterback Jett Thomalla and offensive tackle Sam Utu. Both players are four-star players. Utu signed early on June 9^th, and Thomalla signed eight days later on June 17^th.

The Crimson Tide then addressed the running back position in a big way. On June 23^rd, they received a commitment from three-star running back Javari Bennett. He had originally committed to Illinois before he decided to choose Alabama. On the 26^th, they picked up one of the biggest in-state prospects in running back four-star Ezavier Crowell.  He had interest from many schools, including in-state rival Auburn. Last season, Crowell rushed for 1,964 yards and 31 touchdowns, leading Jackson High School to a state championship. Jackson lost the season opener before winning 14 consecutive games. Crowell is rated as the seventh-best player in Alabama and fourth at running back nationally.

Finally, Alabama added a pair of pass catchers for 2026. On the same day Crowell committed four-star athlete Mack Sutter, as announced, he was heading to Tuscaloosa. Once again, the Crimson Tide went outside the SEC footprint for a prospect. Sutter is from Dunlap, Illinois, and is rated as the best player in the state as a tight end. As a junior, he caught 35 passes for 505 yards and seven touchdowns. Alabama ended the month of June by adding three-star wide receiver Owen Cabell. He is from Nashville, Tennessee, and last season he caught 43 passes for 973 yards and 13 touchdowns.