When Kalen DeBoer took the head coaching job at Alabama in January, the narrative was that he was a great coach but couldn’t recruit in the SEC. DeBoer has never had to recruit in the SEC before, and it’s a lot different from recruiting in the West, where he was at Washington. Still, it seems like DeBoer has gotten the hang of recruiting in the South, and he even decided to go into states in the Midwest and steal players from Ohio State, who has locked down the Midwest pretty well in recruiting and their state.
Alabama Steals Justin Hill From The Buckeyes
Ncaa Football Sugar Bowl Coaches Press Conference
On Wednesday, Justin Hill, an Edge from Cincinnati, Ohio, chose the Crimson Tide over schools like Ohio State, Oregon, and USC, according to Hayes Fawcett from on3.com.
BREAKING: Elite 2025 EDGE Justin Hill has Committed to Alabama, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’4 225 EDGE from Cincinnati, OH chose the Crimson Tide over Ohio State, Oregon, & USC
“Let All Naysayers Know🐘”https://t.co/OP5xtJGw1Z pic.twitter.com/27mlSzb7iZ
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 3, 2024
According to 247sports, Hill is ranked as the seventh edge in the 2025 class and the 60th overall player. Ohio State was the favorite to land the 6-foot-3, 220-pound edge, but the Crimson Tide was able to come in and take the star player.
All the crystal balls were lining up for Hill to end up in Columbus, but hours before he committed on Wednesday, the crystal balls started to change direction towards Tuscaloosa.
Jerry Birmingham said Justin Hill was Ohio State’s top priority for the last two years. This has to hurt to lose him on the last day to Alabama.
Justin Hill has committed to Alabama.
No way to spin it for the Buckeyes. He’s top priority for last 2 years and the guy Ohio State has in mind for its Jack position.
Tough to convince a young man/family about a position he’s wanted for when there’s little to no tape of it.
— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) July 3, 2024
NCAA Football: Alabama Press Conference-Head Coach Kalen DeBoer Introduction
Kalen DeBoer has finally arrived in the south, and if anyone was going to take him lightly, they need to rethink their approach again because he and the Crimson Tide will not be an easy out.
