Now that GOAT Nick Saban is gone, Alabama Crimson Tide is already paying the consequences. First, Kalen DeBoer and co. lost to underdogs like Tennesse Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores. Now they also took a backseat in the recruiting race, something that has always been Saban’s forte.

Their latest blow came with their offensive tackle commit Michael Carroll Jr. exploring other options outside Tuscaloosa. Word is, he’s got his eye on a Big 12 newcomer who seems to be making a strong pitch. To stir the pot even more, Carroll Jr. shared a cryptic two-word post.

Michael Carroll Jr.’s new visit adds pressure on Kalen DeBoer

When it came to recruiting, Saban’s Alabama always happened to be at the top. Now that he is gone, recruits are still not sure about their debut HC DeBoer. For instance, Carroll Jr., the 5-star interior offensive lineman, had given his words to the Crimson Tide. But somehow the top prospect in Florida and the No. 13 overall prospect of the 2025 class is still not sure about Bama, as he fell prey to Tide’s Big 12 rival, Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes’ trap. On the On3 Recruits podcast, guest Josh Newberg with host Steve Wiltfong dropped some inside news: “Tonight talked to Michael Carroll’s dad, let me pull the quote here as they are having a good time, ‘My kid is awestruck with the scenery and everything.’” 

Yes, maybe Witfong is right since Deion and the Buffs seemed to be already slipping into Carroll Jr.’s list of favorites as he tweeted, “Perfect Timing” before flying to Boulder. The analyst pointed out how he thought it would be a tough call for the Buffs to flip him from Alabama; after all, they are the leading program to send the maximum players to the NFL. Then what might have helped Deion to garner Carroll Jr.’s interest?  In Wiltfong’s opinion, “Colorado has shown that there are resources and infrastructure for their offensive lineman that makes it very attractive for a young man.” Well is this the repetition of the five-star QB commit Keelon Russell situation? 

Deion Sanders and Co. targeting Alabama 

Even though Colorado has yet to get the commitment from Carroll Jr., they have already attacked Alabama before. Deion, ever since he has taken up on the coaching role, blindly trusts the transfer portal to reel in young talent. But maybe Coach Prime too got worried about finding the perfect replacement for his QB son Shedeur now that this marks his last lap in college. We all know about the Buffs craze with landing USC 5-star QB commit Julian Lewis. 

However, Russell being Alabama’s top player, the Buffs could not resist themselves from eyeing him. But the desperation got so real that Colorado could not wait till they committed to pay a visit to Boulder. Instead, the Buffs’ offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur took the matter into his own hands and went down to Duncanville to see Russell. 

Well, the analyst knew he would be a “tough flip” since it’s no easy task to replace Bama. Steve Wiltfong wrote, “Russell will be a tough flip from the Crimson Tide but there has been dialogue and Colorado is trying to get him to campus as well.” As expected, the Buffs’ efforts went into vain as Keelon Russell was still committed to Kalen DeBoer’s army. This time around, can the Colorado Buffaloes work their magic to sway Michael Carroll Jr. away from Alabama?