Football: Alabama in Strong Position for 5-Star ATH Brandon Arrington
Alabama continues to build a strong defensive back pipeline from California under Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide recently made the top six for 5-star 2026 ATH Brandon Arrington, who is ranked No. 8 overall in the 247Sports Composite. Alongside Alabama, his finalists include Georgia, Texas A&M, Oregon, Penn State, and USC.
The defensive struggles have been a growing concern, with Alabama slipping to No. 75 in Adjusted Defense since the Auburn game. CBS Sports’ David Cobb pointed out that Alabama’s defensive improvements in February might have been misleading, and the team must step up its effort if it hopes to make a deep tournament run.
Grant Nelson’s injury complicates matters further. He has been Alabama’s leading rebounder but has struggled with turnovers and inefficient three-point shooting. With Derrion Reid also out, Alabama could be down to just eight scholarship players against Florida. This presents a major challenge, as Florida is one of the best rebounding teams in the SEC and has been on a hot streak.
Despite these concerns, Alabama remains a projected 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament. If they finish strong, they could enter the Big Dance with a more favorable path to the Elite Eight. However, to make a real run, Alabama must improve its defensive intensity and rebounding.
Key Takeaways:
Alabama football is in a strong position for 5-star CB/ATH Brandon Arrington, continuing its California DB pipeline.
Alabama basketball is struggling with defense and rebounding, raising concerns about its ability to make a deep NCAA Tournament run.
Injuries to Grant Nelson and Derrion Reid could leave Alabama shorthanded against Florida, making a win even more difficult.
The Tide still has a path to a high NCAA seed, but it must correct its defensive lapses to be a serious contender.
Alabama football looks strong on the recruiting trail, but Alabama basketball needs to flip the switch quickly to avoid an early March exit.
