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Alabama Makes Push For 4-Star WR Committed To SEC Rival

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated May 28, 2025 2:58 PM ET

The Alabama Crimson Tide continue to push for four-star wide receiver Kenny Darby after entering the picture earlier this year.

Darby (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) plays for Airline High School in Bossier City, Louisiana.

He caught 35 passes for 561 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore before breaking out in 2024, posting 100 catches for 1,764 yards with 24 touchdowns as a junior.

The highly-coveted receiver ranks as the No. 18 player at the position, the No. 6 player in the state and the No. 116 recruit overall in the class of 2026, according to Rivals.

Darby committed to in-state LSU early in his recruitment on Nov. 12 shortly after head coach Brian Kelly's Tigers extended a scholarship offer. He later announced that he had shut down his recruitment on Jan. 25.

However, the latest development appears to show that Darby is still considering other options.

Alabama and head coach Kalen DeBoer extended a scholarship offer to Darby back in January before he shut down his recruitment.

But it seems that the Crimson Tide haven't been shut out, as they plan to host Darby over the weekend, according to Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman.

That pits SEC rivals LSU and Alabama in an intriguing recruiting battle for one of the top players in the country. The Tide will get their chance before the Tigers host Darby on June 20.

Both perennial powers are poised to sign uber-talented classes with LSU leading the class of 2026, per On3's rankings, and Alabama not far behind at No. 8.

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

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