5-star OT Ty Haywood commits to Alabama: ‘They are always winning’

Denton (Texas) Ryan five-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood dreamed of playing for Alabama when he was growing up. The Crimson Tide impressed him as a recruit and he “would have committed a long time ago” if not for head coach Nick Saban retiring. 

As soon as Kalen DeBoer took over for Saban, he and his staff started recruiting Haywood hard. The 6-foot-4.75, 297-pound recruit made his first trip to Tuscaloosa from May 31-June 2 for his official visit and it ended up playing a key role in his decision to choose Alabama over Oklahoma. 

“They have a great, winning culture over the years,” Haywood told On3. “They are always winning and they are like a family. I saw the smile on my mom’s face when we were there. It was a clue that she was thinking, ‘This is where my son should be…’ I was praying for a long time for God to show me where I needed to be. When I got into the facilities, people were overwhelming with love and it was a family atmosphere.” 

Haywood believes in Kalen DeBoer

Saban led Alabama to unprecedented levels of success with six national championships and nine conference titles. DeBoer is hoping to keep the Crimson Tide on the same trajectory after making the College Football Playoff last year.

Haywood, the No. 2 offensive tackle in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking, is excited to work with him to achieve that goal. The No. 2 player in Texas already believes in Alabama’s new head man. 

“I feel like he can keep that winning standard at Alabama going,” said Haywood, the No. 7 overall prospect in the 2025 On300. “But it’s not only up to him and the other coaches. It’s also up to the players to keep that tradition and culture going.” 

DeBoer has only been at Alabama since January. Yet while he was on campus, Haywood could quickly sense the positive things he is doing in Tuscaloosa. 

“What really did it for me was when I found out that Nick Saban helped pick coach DeBoer to succeed him at Alabama,” Haywood said. “Me sitting down, observing and watching coach DeBoer was a great experience. He wasn’t micromanaging the coaches. He let them have fun with their parents. Coach DeBoer would sit back and be a very humble guy. He was very relaxed. To me, he is a chill dude.” 

Both Haywood and his mother know Alabama is the right fit for him

Haywood was going “back and forth” trying to make the best decision for his college football career and believes that he chose right by pledging to the Crimson Tide. After taking all of his official visits, Haywood compared Alabama to his other contenders and continued to feel great about the SEC program. 

The five-star enjoyed spending time around the Crimson Tide’s staff and players, who acted like brothers and praised Alabama’s coaches. His mother enjoying her time at the school was also significant to him. 

“As I was taking my pictures, me watching my mom have the biggest smile on her face made the decision for me,” Haywood said. “I’ve been to several other schools as a recruit and I’ve seen my mom’s smile over the years. That was the biggest smile I’ve ever seen from her.”