What Kalen DeBoer thinks today, the college football world thinks tomorrow. The Alabama Crimson Tide HC seems to be already living in 2027. All kudos to the GOAT Nick Saban’s successor, DeBoer, who has locked the first two members of the 2027 class. On June 22, 4-star offensive lineman Micah DeBose made a surprise visit to Tuscaloosa.

Players come and go. But hardly did DeBoer’s program have thought that DeBose would soon announce his commitment to Alabama. Days later, for the first time, the player faced camera post-commitment. And guess what? DeBoer’s flair has swept him off his feet!

DeBoer’s homely feel lured DeBose to Crimson Tide

On June 23, freshman WR Ryan Williams filmed the moment when the 6-foot-5, 515-pound DeBose announced his commitment. The offensive tackle had over 30 offers that included the big shots in college football including Ohio State, LSU, and Florida. However, what propelled the Vigor High School player to choose DeBoer’s program? He could not resist the urge to join the OL roster that already has heavyweights like Mal Waldrep and Jackson Lloyd. But more than that, it was DeBoer’s magnetic coaching allure that pulled him into the Crimson Tide’s orbit. As captured during a conversation with Ben Thomas, DeBose confessed how he had a homely feeling. “I feel like coach Kalen had a great plan for me. It felt like home and ultimately it just felt right.”

To him, the HC is the only person who would drive him to be a great player, “He’s just a great guy, he’s great to talk to. He’s still the Alabama standard. He’s still going to hold me to work and just be a Bama guy.” However, he did not have such clarity from the beginning as initially, he went through an emotionally challenging time while deciding to transfer away from Vigor. 

DeBose’s perseverance makes him an absolute recruitment win for Alabama

And then came the educational decision that DeBose and his family had to take up. But he still remembers the tough time as the OL confessed, “I cried for like the first week. It really hurt a lot. It wasn’t their fault. It wasn’t my fault. Some things just happen. My mom didn’t like what we were seeing, and we had to pick up and go.” He now plans to graduate early by December and report to DeBoer’s roster.

And guess what? Crimson Tide has already rolled out a red carpet for their 2027 recruit. Now the OL can’t help but brag about how good the transformation has been, “It’s been good. It hurt to leave my old school, but I’m building a relationship with my guys at Theodore, and we are working. I feel like I fit in well there.” And what made DeBose gel well with his teammates?

It’s his desire to be the best football player in DeBoer’s hood. Bobcats’ HC Steve Mask revealed about DeBose, “Alabama is not throwing out offers like candy canes. Then, when you watch him work hard in weight room and work hard in practice, you know why. He’s one of the most humble kids I’ve ever been around.” It seems that the Alabama HC has aced the recruiting game for 2027!