Will Kalen DeBoer rekindle a recruiting flame that unexpectedly became possible one year after a shocking outcome?

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 12:17 AM ET

Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide have been on a heater on the recruiting trail since taking over. With five stars headed to Tuscaloosa in droves, could the Tide consider revisiting a recruiting battle they surprisingly lost to Syracuse? We're about to find out.

Just one year after whiffing on an athletic, developmental body, they'll have the chance to get their man again.

On Monday, freshman KingJoseph Edwards entered the portal with four full years of eligibility remaining. The Syracuse edge-rusher logged three sacks in five games.

BREAKING: Syracuse EDGE KingJoseph Edwards plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports

The 6’4 240 EDGE will have 4 years of eligibility remaining

Played in 5 games in 2024 to preserve his redshirt, totaling 5 Tackles, 3 Sacks, & 1 QB hurry https://t.co/qIykUKA1Sw pic.twitter.com/Jv20BtTogB
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 7, 2025

The Tide is pretty well set with younger bodies along the edge, even if they'll lose LT Overton and Jah-Marien Latham after 2025. Qua Russaw and Kelby Collins have multiple years of eligibility left, plus Nolan Wilson is coming in 2026.

Kevonte Henry and Justin Hill are on campus from the 2025 class, too. Edwards would have to compete with a lot of depth options who have already been in the building and have been a priority for this coaching staff.

Does that mean DeBoer should say no to a talented body who seems to fit in with the group athletically? Not necessarily, but this could be a playing time and NIL battle as much as anything. My guess is Edwards transfers down as opposed to up, and Alabama passes on this one.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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