BREAKING: Alabama football program beats out three top schools LSU, USC, and Oregon for 5-star elite high school recruit
A recent report suggests that Alabama’s football program is outpacing top schools like LSU, USC, and Oregon in the race for not one, but two elite high school recruits.
With the 2024 college football season—including the regular season, bowl games, and playoffs—now behind us, and the transfer portal settled as players have committed to new schools before the spring semester, teams are shifting their focus to high school recruiting as a way to strengthen their rosters for the future.
On Friday, Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney provided a significant update on the latest recruiting developments for numerous five- and four-star prospects set to join college programs in 2026. A key takeaway from his report highlighted Alabama’s growing momentum in landing a pair of top-tier recruits.
Alabama football making gains with 5-star recruit Brandon Arrington and Kamhariyan Johnson
Brandon Arrington, a five-star speedster from Spring Valley (Calif.) Mt. Miguel, has Texas A&M, USC, and Oregon among his top choices. However, his recent visit to Alabama exceeded expectations, making the Crimson Tide a “very high option” in his recruitment, according to Rivals’ Adam Gorney. Arrington quickly connected with the coaching staff, and players emphasized the program’s strong development track, which could play a major role in his decision.
With Alabama fans witnessing Travis Hunter’s dominance as a two-way star en route to a Heisman win in 2024, they may be hoping Arrington follows a similar path in Tuscaloosa. But if they miss out on him, the Tide has also gained momentum with four-star EDGE rusher Kamhariyan Johnson.
Johnson has been heavily pursued by Auburn, LSU, Tennessee, and especially Oklahoma, but Alabama might hold the edge after hosting him in Tuscaloosa. Gorney reports that the coaching staff emphasized their appreciation for Johnson’s skill set as a defensive end and his impressive movement at his size. Johnson is expected to return for an official visit from June 6-8, keeping Alabama firmly in the race for his commitment.