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Alabama Opens Early Signing Period With Crowell, Griffin Signings as Barnett Flips to Illinois

The Crimson Tide exit Day 1 with roughly 20 signatures, placing No. 3 in the 247Sports composite.

Overview

  • Five-star RB Ezavier Crowell, an in-state standout who reclassified, signed with Alabama and drew immediate-impact praise from coach Kalen DeBoer.
  • No. 1 linebacker Xavier Griffin signed his national letter of intent, becoming Alabama’s 20th Day 1 signee and solidifying the class’s top defensive core.
  • Running back Javari Barnett reversed his summer decision and signed with Illinois, leaving Crowell as Alabama’s lone RB signee in the 2026 group.
  • In-state edge Malique Franklin, a 3-star prospect from Daphne, came aboard just before the window and signed on Wednesday to bolster the front seven.
  • Alabama’s team ranking shifted from No. 2 earlier in the week to No. 3 after Wednesday’s signings, with the early signing period continuing through Friday.