Kalen DeBoer thought he had locked in his third pledge and one of the most dynamic prospects in the Class of 2027 back in Nov. The Alabama Crimson Tide moved early, securing a commitment from the versatile five-star athlete. The kid has the size, the explosiveness, and that undeniable it factor. And while he originally played at Carrollton High School before transferring to Walton High in Georgia, he shares a connection with the current Tide freshman Caleb Odom. Everything seemed set in stone for the future star to don the crimson and white in Tuscaloosa. But then Sherrone Moore had to ruin his plan.

You can even insert a cheeky, Travis Hunter comparison as the two-way star athlete Alexander Ward being recruited to play defensive back for Alabama, but Rivals and On3 have inducted the 6’2″ No. 57 nationally ranked as a WR. Michigan Wolverines, have also entered the ring. The U-Mich has extended an offer, officially putting DeBoer on flip watch. Ward is still a sophomore with another full season ahead of him. And now, with Moore’s aggressive push, Michigan is looking to convince him that Ann Arbor is the better fit.

Ward’s camp isn’t brushing off the interest, either. His uncle and advisor, Coach Mil, made it clear that Michigan isn’t just kicking the tires—they’re serious. “Michigan loves Alex,” Mil said. “He wants to be a two-way player. He is the next Travis Hunter. He has the high school pop. He’s a five-star. He has my vote as the No. 1 athlete in the 2027 class. He has the size and smarts. He trains with me and Josh Norman, who is an NFL legend. Josh Norman is always mentoring him and honing his craft. Alex is definitely the next big-time two-way player in college football. Alex has another year left, which is crazy. Alabama took his commitment as a freshman last year, which says a lot. Michigan is going to be in the mix to try to flip him.”

Back when he gave his pledge to Bama and Kalen DeBoer, he praised him and the Tide culture: “What stands out the most is the coaches and how they love up on their players and everything,” Ward told Tide Illustrated. But here’s where things get even more interesting—Ward isn’t the only elite athlete in his family. There’s a ‘Ward double-trouble’ brewing at the flanks of Marietta. Because Alex is only the younger Ward. The elder one is an On300 out of Walton, also a wide receiver, Christian Ward, a class of 2026 4-star per Rivals.

Michigan now makes a strong push for Alex; the potential for a package deal is very real. The “Ward double trouble” at the flanks could be a game-changer for any program that secures both brothers. And at the center of it all is Coach Mil, who isn’t just a mentor but also serves as Christian’s NIL agent through his recruiting service, Ballers Choice. For now, Alabama still holds Ward’s commitment, but Michigan’s pursuit adds a new layer of intrigue.

Alabama’s greatest fear turning into reality

Michigan is turning up the heat in the race for one of the nation’s top 2026 prospects—Alexander Ward—and the Wolverines might just land a two-for-one deal in the process. The latest buzz? A package deal with his brother, Christian Ward. The 6’4″ wide receiver out of Walton is set to make his first visit to Ann Arbor on March 18, and Alabama’s worst fears are becoming a reality.

Christian isn’t just any prospect—he’s got elite measurables, blazing at 23 MPH with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, according to his uncle and trainer, Coach Mil of Ballers Choice. Michigan’s had their eye on him for a while, since the Jim Harbaugh era. That’s where his strong connection with WR coach Ron Bellamy comes from.

“We turned it into the Mercer Mega Camp when Coach Harbaugh just got back to college,” Mil said. “He’s like an uncle. I’m close to the Harbaugh family. He wanted to get down to Georgia, so we got him down to Mercer. Christian was an eighth grader, but they got to see him. Coach Harbaugh was like ‘who is this long kid?’ He’s been on Michigan’s radar for a while. Ron (Bellamy) got to see him, and he offered him.”

Fast forward to today, and Michigan is making a strong push for both Ward brothers. Mil’s connection to Michigan is more than just football; he calls Ron Bellamy “my brother and a great friend of mine.” That kind of bond could be the key to the Wolverines flipping both siblings.