Following the Future: Alabama commitments in action

The majority of Alabama commitments will suit up this week for critical games on their schedule. There are heavyweight showdowns, region/district/league games; some who are hoping to remain undefeated and one who hopes to earn their first win.

BOL provides a closer look at Alabama commitments in action this weekend.

*all kick-off times are local.

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Five-Star Plus+ QB Julian Sayin, Carlsbad High School (Calif.): The nation’s top QB, according to On3 Sports, leads Carlsbad (5-0) to Mission Hills (4-1) in San Marcos on Friday night. It’s the first league game of the season for the Sayin-led Lancers.

Sayin has completed 75-of-95 passing attempts (78.9%) with 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also has 17 rushing attempts for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

CLICK HERE to watch Julian Sayin’s mid-season senior highlights!

Five-Star ATH Jaylen Mbakwe, Pinson, (Ala.), Clay-Chalkville High School: Mbakwe leads the No. 2 ranked team in class 6A (5-0) in the ‘game of the week’ in Alabama at 7A powerhouse Thompson (5-0), ranked No. 1 in class 7A on Thursday night. The game is broadcast on ESPN 2 at 7:00 p.m.

Mbakwe has stared at quarterback for the Cougars this season, though he is expected to play cornerback once he arrives in Tuscaloosa as an early enrollee. Thompson also features a few recruits with offers from Alabama including Anquon Fegans, ’25 Top 100 safety and Trent Seaborn, ’27 quarterback.

No. 1 TE Caleb Odom and ’26 OL Zykie Helton, Carrollton High School (Ga.): The Trojans (5-1) have found its rhythm since the season opener loss against Langston Hughes. It may face a tough test on Friday night at East Coweta (5-1) in Sharpsburg.

Odom is currently the leading receiver for his team with 22 receptions for 375 yards and six touchdowns. He remains the No. 1 target for USC commitment Julian Lewis. The top QB in the ’26 class visited Alabama for the Texas game, and he is expected to return on November 4 (vs. LSU).

Odom recently moved to the No. 1 TE spot according to On3 Sports.

No. 1 Interior OL Casey Poe, Lindale High School (Texas): The Eagles (2-3) suffered back-to-back losses by a combined eight points before adding its second win of the season against Henderson last week. Poe hopes to help get his team to .500 with a home game against Athens (4-1) on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

Top 100 CB Zabien Brown, Santa Ana (Calif.), Mater Dei High School: It’s been a great start to the season for Mater Dei (5-0) including a big win against St. Frances (Baltimore) last week. The Monarchs host Servite (4-1) on Friday night.

Top 100 S Peyton Woodyard, Bellflower (Calif.), St. John Bosco High School: Bosco (4-1) had a bye last week after suffering a surprising loss at Kahuka (Hawaii). League play kicks off on Friday night at Santa Margarita (4-1). Woodyard has recorded two interceptions this fall.

Must-Read: Woodyard blown away by Alabama game atmosphere

Top 100 DL Jeremiah Beaman, Birmingham (Ala.), Parker High School: Beaman and company have opened the season 5-0 and take its stout defense on the road to Pleasant Grove (4-1) on Friday evening. Beaman is averaging a sack in each game.

Four-star WR Rico Scott, Harrisburg (Pa.), Bishop McDevitt High School: It’s Homecoming week at Bishop McDevitt (5-0) as the Crusaders play host to Milton Hersey (3-2). Scott will have another opportunity to feast. He is averaging 112.4 yards receiving per game Scott has 31 receptions for 562 yards and 11 total touchdowns this fall.

Four-star WR Amari Jefferson, Chattanooga (Tenn.), Baylor School: It’s rivalry week for Baylor (5-1) as it travels to McCallie (6-0) on Friday night with kickoff at 7:15 p.m. BOL was in attendance for Jefferson’s game last weekend against Brentwood Academy and priority ’25 QB target George MacIntyre.

READ: Jefferson updates his commitment status with the Crimson Tide

Four-star S Red Morgan and three-star DL Isaia Faga, Phenix City (Ala.) Central: The Red Devils (5-0) have won every game by double-digits. It faces Dothan (4-1) at home on Friday night. Faga leads the team in tackles (29) and sacks (3.5) while playing sparingly in the second half of most games. He also has nine tackles for loss.

Four-star LB Cayden Jones, Asheville, N.C., Christ School: It’s been a rough season (0-5) as the average margin of loss has been 29.1 points per game. The Greenies will attempt its first win of the season at Asheville School (2-2) on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Jones has been one of the lone bright spots for the team with 41 tackles, two sacks and six tackles for loss.

Four-star interior OL William Sanders, Brookwood High School (Ala.): Three straight region losses for Brookwood (1-4) including a 56-6 loss to Hillcrest last week. The Panthers host Bessemer City (2-3) on Friday night.

Four-star interior OL Joseph Ionata, Clearwater (Fla.), Calvary Christian Academy: District play kicks off on Friday night for Calvary Christian (2-2) with road game at Berkeley Prep (3-1) in Tampa.

Three-star TE Jay Lindsey, Butler (Ala.), Patrician Academy: Patrician Academy (3-2) travels to South Choctaw Academy (2-3) for a non-region game on Thursday night.

Three-star S Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., Gadsden (Ala.) City High School: The Titans (3-2) are currently undefeated in region play. It faces a tall task in securing another region win on Friday night at Hillcrest (5-0) in Tuscaloosa.

Three-star LB Quinton Reese, Birmingham (Ala.), Ramsay High School: The Tigers (4-1) visit Ramsay (4-1) on Friday night. Reese is the second leading tackler in the state for the Rams. He has 80 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and three sacks.

2025 Alabama commitments

Five-Star WR Ryan Williams and ’25 four-star DL Antonio Coleman, Saraland High School (Ala.): The Friday night game between Saraland (5-0) and Foley (2-2) will feature plenty of stars including the two Crimson Tide commitments. Former Alabama commitment Perry Thompson (Auburn commitment) is also a bright spot.

BOL recruiting reporter Joseph Hastings will attend and provide live updates on the RoundTable throughout the night.

Top 100 WR Jamie Ffrench, Jacksonville (Fla.), Mandarin High School: A tough 1-point loss for the Mustangs last week. Mandarin (4-1) faces another tough opponent at Lake Mary (4-0), who is averaging close to 50 points per game.

Ffrench has 20 receptions for 475 yards and six touchdowns this fall.

Four-star interior OL Dontrell Glover, Fairburn (Ga.), Langston Hughes High School: The Panthers (3-2) have suffered two losses including a region loss to Douglas County after an opening win against Carrollton. LH can get back on track with a home game against Alexander (2-3) on Friday night.

Four-star OL Mason Short, Evans High School (Ga.): Short helped Evans (2-3) to victory last week. A much-need win in region play. The Knights host Lakeside (2-2) for its second region game on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

Alabama commitments not in action: LB Sterling Dixon (shoulder injury), CB Jameer Grimsley (foot injury), LB Justin Okoronkwo (season over), RB Anthony Rogers (bye).

FOLLOW HERE to keep track of highlights, scores and stats this weekend!

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