Alabama Football Recruiting Rewind
The Alabama football recruiting rewind takes a look back at the top storylines on several targets and commitments.
Alabama commitment wins Mr. Football
Bray Hubbard, four-star safety from Ocean Springs High School in Mississipi, was named Class 6A Mr. Football for the second consecutive season. Hubbard, who helped lead his team to a first round playoff win on Friday night, was surprised to learn of winning the award on Thursday.
“It’s definitely an honor especially winning it back-to-back,” Hubbard told BamaInsider shortly after winning Mr. Football. “It’s just crazy. I can’t thank my coaches and teammates who helped me achieve this goal. I feel very blessed.
“Coach (Blake) Pennock, my head coach, told me as a sophomore that it was going to be my worst year in his offense. I threw four total touchdowns that year. He told me that last year. I threw for 30 touchdowns and ran for 22. He told he saw me having my best year this year.
“I’ve improved a lot. I’ve been in Coach Pennock’s offense for three years. That experience has really helped a lot. I know I can also trust all the guys around me to do what they are supposed to do.”
Hubbard is expected to begin his career at safety for the Crimson Tide. He is mostly used on the offensive side of the ball as Hubbard has accounted for more than 3,000 total yards and 35 touchdowns this season. He secured his first two interceptions on in a 49-21 first round win against Northwest Rankin.
RECRUITS REACT TO ALABAMA’S WIN AGAINST OLE MISS!
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Five commitments who will play early next fall
Malik Benson has a strong chance to see early playing time next season for the Crimson Tide. Below is an excerpt from BamaInsider reporter Joseph Hastings’ feature earlier this week.
Malik Benson is one of the top receivers in the country. Zachariah Branch (No. 1 overall) is going to be a superstar, but I’d put Benson right at No. 2 or No. 3 if we’re counting both high school and JuCo wideouts.
Benson catches your attention before he even gets on the field with his numbers on the track. In high school, he recorded a sub-10.5-second time in the 100-meter dash, and had a long jump of 25-plus feet. He was a coveted track and field prospect in high school because of these jaw-dropping numbers he recorded.
All that speed and athleticism translates perfectly onto the football field. Benson is a threat to take it to the house on any play, splitting multiple defenders with ease on his way to pay dirt. His acceleration from one gear to the next is as good as you’ll find as Benson turns on the jets in the blink of an eye.
Four more Tide commitments who will likely see the field early next fall
SEC East commitments schedule return visit
Kelby Collins, Top-100 consensus defensive lineman from Gardendale High School in Florida, committed to Florida in August. Alabama has continued its pursuit of the in-state target the last four months. Collins attended the Tide home win against Texas A&M in October. Collins confirmed with BamaInsider his official visit plans with the Crimson Tide- Details!
Lawson Luckie, four-star tight end from Norcross High School in Georgia, has expressed a lot of interest in Alabama since his commitment to Georgia in January. Luckie, a UGA legacy, has visited Alabama three times since early decision which included an official visit in June, and game visit in October (Texas A&M). He is set to return again-Details
Caleb Downs addresses speculation on commitment
Caleb Downs, five-star safety from Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Georgia, took an unofficial visit to Georgia two weekends ago. His father, Gary Downs, spoke with BamaInsider after the visit to Athens.
“There’s the added benefit of playing in state,” Downs said. “Coach Smart, Coach Muschamp, and Fran, you’d have as good or better a secondary coach as anybody in the country. Great crowd support. Defending champions. Same things. Nothing new, but nothing bad, obviously. All great things that they said. They just want him to know he’s still welcome… if you want to come here, we have a scholarship for you.”
Jake Reuse of DawgsHQ noted a few days after Downs visited Georgia that he does not expect the nation’s top safety to sign with the Bulldogs. “I’m about to close the book fully on the Caleb Downs recruitment,” Reuse said. “Georgia made a valiant effort, but that we’ve heard Ohio State could present the biggest threat coming off of the Tennessee weekend feels really disheartening for Georgia’s chances.”
Downs helped his team to a 59-22 first round playoff win on Friday night. Mill Creek will battle North Cobb next week. He addressed rumors of his recruitment after the game which included his interest in Georgia and Ohio State.
“I try not to pay much mind to it,” Downs told On3 Sports reporter Jeremy Johnson on Sunday. “If it didn’t come out of my mouth, then it’s probably not true about me. What’s been said is that I’m going to Alabama. At this point, that’s all I know. All speculation aside, whatever happens on their team, happens on their team, I’m not there yet. I’m looking forward to going there in January.
Unbelievable performances, career milestones
Ryan Williams, 2025 wide receiver from Saraland High School in Alabama.
-Williams hauled in eight receptions for 240 yards with three touchdowns in a 56-31 playoff win against Hillcrest (Tuscaloosa). He also had two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown.
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Bray Hubbard, four-star safety from Ocean Springs High School in Mississippi
-Hubbard completed 16-of-20 for 273 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 12 rushing attempts for 112 yards and two more touchdowns. Hubbard had two interceptions on defense in a 49-21 win against Northwest Rankin.
Malik Benson, No. 1 overall junior college recruit from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas
-Benson had four receptions for 75 yards which included a 67-yard touchdown in the first quarter of a 29-28 win against Iowa Western. He is the first player from his school to hit the 2,000 career receiving yards mark. He has 2,038 yards and is the fourth Dragon receiver to have 90+ receptions in his career.
Richard Young, consensus five-star running back from Lehigh Acres High School in Florida
-Young rushed for 218 yards and two touchdowns on only 15 carries in a 31-24 round 1 win against Palmetto.
Justice Haynes, No. 2 running back from Buford High School in Georgia
-Haynes rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns in a 63-6 playoff win against Peachtree Ridge on Saturday.
Conor Talty, No. 2 consenus kicker from St. Rita in Chicago
-Talty was 2-of-2 on field goal attempts (42, 25) in a 28-7 win against St. Charles North. He was also 2-of-2 on PATs. Talty’s two field goals broke the single season record for his school. He is 14-of-18 (long of 51) and 37-of-37 on PATs this season.
Miscellaneous notes
A trio of Alabama commitments were presented with their All-American game jerseys this week. Caleb Downs and Yhonzae Pierre, Top-100 edge rusher from Eufaula High School in Alabama, received their All-American Bowl jerseys. Olaus Alinen, four-star offensive tackle from Loomis-Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut, received his Under Armour All-America game jersey.
Alabama commitment Tony Mitchell took an unofficial visit to Auburn on Saturday. It was Mitchell’s second visit this season with the Tigers. Mitchell said while he may take visits, his commitment to Alabama is very solid.
James Smith, five-star defensive tackle and Qua Russaw, five-star linebacker from Carver High School in Montgomery, considered a return visit to Auburn on Saturday. The duo opted not to visit this weekend. They will decide between the Iron Bowl and Ohio State/Michigan in two weeks.
Eddrick Houston, 2024 Top-100 edge rusher from Buford High School in Georgia, announced a top 10 which includes Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Michigan State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas. READ HERE!
Derrick McFall, 2024 four-star athlete from Tyler High School in Texas, announced a top seven including Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M and TCU.
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Decision timelines for top Alabama targets in the 2023 class
