Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Kalen DeBoer Uses West Coast Ties to Land Massive 4-Star Commitment

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 4:33 PM ET

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer is no longer with the Washington Huskies, but he still has connections out west.

On Monday, On3's Hayes Fawcett reported Alabama landed inside offensive lineman Kayden Samuelu Tetleopesega Utu-Lilii, or "Samuelu Utu" for short.

He attends Orange Lutheran in Orange, California, and stands at a whopping 6-foot-5, weighing 330 pounds.

Alabama beat out Washington, the SMU Mustangs, Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers for Utu.

He also held offers from the USC Trojans, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Notre Dame Fighting Irish and others.

Utu commented on the commitment, emphasizing how fortunate he felt.

“It’s bigger than me," Utu said. "It’s always going to be bigger than me. I’m so blessed. All glory and honor be to God.”

Utu is a four-star prospect and the No. 14 inside offensive lineman in the On3 Industry Rankings. He is Alabama's first commitment from the West Coast in the 2026 class.

DeBoer's first season in Tuscaloosa ended at 9-4, and he now has to find a new quarterback for 2025 after Jalen Milroe left for the NFL.

However, one of DeBoer's returning players was discussed recently.

Ryan Williams was picked as a sleeper to win the 2025 Heisman by college football analyst Michael Bratton. The last Alabama receiver to win the award was DeVonta Smith in 2020.

Williams is off to a great start after accounting for 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a true freshman.

Elsewhere in recruiting, Alabama continues to make strides. The Crimson Tide were named a finalist for five-star safety Jireh Edwards.

Year two of the DeBoer era starts on August 30, with Alabama traveling to Tallahassee to face the Florida State Seminoles.

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

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