
via Imago
Oct 5, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer gestures on the sidelines against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

via Imago
Oct 5, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer gestures on the sidelines against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Is Alabama about to let a 4-star QB slip through their fingers? Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide are locked in the relentless battle of college football recruiting. When Gavin Sidwar reopened his commitment after switching up his loyalty from Rutgers, Alabama didn’t wait around to miss out on the chance of bringing this La Salle College standout. Their recruiting effort is paying off. But latest intel suggests they might be losing ground on the No.15 QB of the 2026 cycle.
On February 14, On3 Recruits revealed the inclination of 4-star QB Gavin Sidwar. Five teams. That’s where his eyes are locked on — Missouri, Syracuse, UCLA, Iowa, and Alabama. But one among these teams is the current front-runner and it’s not Kalen DeBoer’s pedigree program. Per Steve Wiltfong’s report, Syracuse is the leader in the recruitment of the No. 8 player in the state of Pennsylvania as well as the No. 191 overall prospect, per On3.
On3’s @SWiltfong_ breaks down the latest on 4-star QB Gavin Sidwar as one team is the current front-runner👀
Read: https://t.co/9B4aBCJX3b pic.twitter.com/4xuvKU58Fg
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) February 13, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Gavin Sidwar’s inclination is no surprise. Syracuse has been heavily and steadily pursuing him for more than a year. He’s already been to Syracuse and with the Orange extending his scholarship in January last month, they’ve since become a front-runner in the race. QB coach Nunzio Campanile, who is tasked as the primary recruiter, met him at the end of last month and made him aware that he’s their priority. The interest is mutual as Sidwar said, “Syracuse said to come up anytime I want. I’ll get up there. They just opened a new football facility so I want to see it.” The inclination is revealed. So where does this leave Kalen DeBoer and Bama?
Gavin Sidwar knows the Bama standard. You got to be the best in what you do. He’s already displayed flashes of brilliance in front of QB coach Nick Sheridan and earned his approval. “I also threw for Nick Sheridan at Bama and he was impressed,” he recalled. “Said I can throw it with anyone in the country. I think they are working on guys higher on their board but I think they may come back around at some point.” Maybe Kalen DeBoer and his staff have a plan up their sleeves — round up only the best of the best. But this guy they’ve met has what it takes to be an elite under proper training and supervision. And Alabama isn’t the only school lurking.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Alabama has more competition for Gavin Sidwar
Gavin Sidwar still has time to reshape the interest of prospective schools. He already has 12 offers including big programs like Ole Miss and Indiana. And he has the production to back up his hype. In his junior year, he threw for 2,747 yards and 31 TDs to just six interceptions with a completion rate of nearly 70 percent. For now, Syracuse may be trending. But things can escalate and change quickly.
Missouri has also been a heavy recruiter for Gavin Sidwar who announced he’ll be back at Missouri on March 18. He earned a scholarship after throwing for OC Kirby Moore in January. Another offer came from UCLA but he’s yet to make an impression on the school. Iowa is ready to keep this QB to test who threw for them in the open period. “They said if I come out to campus they will offer,” he stated. “They sent me their dates but I need to see what works with my 7-on-7 schedule.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Alabama might want to keep a close tab on Gavin Sidwar. A talent like him doesn’t stay on the market forever. And if Kalen DeBoer and his staff want to keep the Bama QB pipeline strong, they’ll need to decide whether he’s worth the push before someone else seals the deal.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
ADVERTISEMENT
Debate
Is Alabama losing its recruiting edge, or is Gavin Sidwar just not worth the chase?
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
What’s your perspective on:
Is Alabama losing its recruiting edge, or is Gavin Sidwar just not worth the chase?
Have an interesting take?