Tai Phillips commits to Alabama over Florida State, Stanford

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

2027 RB Tai Phillips commits to Alabama over Florida State, Stanford

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jun 8, 2026 10:47 PM ET

Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide have picked up another 2027 commitment.

This time, it comes from running back Tai Phillips, a three-star recruit out of Columbia, South Carolina.

Phillips was highly considering the Florida State Seminoles as well as the Stanford Cardinal. Phillips has developed a strong relationship with Alabama running backs coach Robert Gillespie, though.

He also felt that Alabama was the best choice for him considering the Tide's elite history of producing NFL running backs.

In the end, the three-star cancelled an official visit he had coming up with FSU and made the call for the Tide.

“It was really just my experiences being there at Alabama,” Phillips told Rivals. “Every time I went there, I definitely felt more and more like it’s the school for me. Alabama is a great place, it is a great program and they have been prioritizing me for a while. At the end of the day, it was the best choice.”

BREAKING: Class of 2027 RB Tai Phillips has Committed to Alabama, he tells me for @Rivals

The 5’11 195 RB chose the Crimson Tide over Florida State and Stanford

“I’m home, Roll Tide!” https://t.co/BHpd6MVHS4 pic.twitter.com/4gM1PZxlsi
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 8, 2026

Has Alabama landed its next great running back? Tai Phillips thinks so

Phillips is a speedster and a big-play breaker as a high school running back. He played his junior year of high school ball at Cape Fear High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. There, he carried the ball 116 times for 919 yards and 12 touchdowns in seven games. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry.

He's also a high school track star, having been a state qualifier in the 200-meter dash as a 10th grader while posting a 10.86 in the 100.

Phillips transferred into Irmo High in Columbia ahead of his senior season, and he's expected to be one of the rising talents amongst the 2027 crop of running back recruits this upcoming football season.

Ultimately, he believes he can follow in the footsteps of several great running backs who have come through Tuscaloosa.

“Alabama is the Running Back University. The program consistently develops backs and sends them to the NFL. The dudes they’ve had in the past and the people they produce and develop," he said. “I have Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenyan Drake, Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry — all are special. It is great to know about their history, and now I want to go there and be the next great one to come out.”

Phillips is ranked as the No. 48 running back in the country, according to 247Sports.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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