Paul Finebaum compares Alabama football’s recent recruiting success to Saban era

Aug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer leads his players onto the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium for his first game as head coach. The Crimson Tide played Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Paul Finebaum feels Kalen DeBoer and his staff are recruiting at a Nick Saban-esque level as of late.

The Crimson Tide currently have commitments from 14 2026 prospects. Three of those prospects are five-star recruits, and two of them committed within the last week.

Finebaum said it feels like Saban is still in Tuscaloosa recruiting during an appearance on “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning” on Monday.

“This is one of the great recruiting runs we’ve seen in some years,” Finebaum said. “It almost feels like Nick Saban is running the ship again when it comes to recruiting because this is vintage Alabama recruiting,” and I think when we saw this transition two and a half years ago, I think a lot of people doubted Alabama could come back to this particular moment in time. But it is here, and I think it bodes extremely well for Alabama in the future.”

Alabama will look to add even more talent to its 2026 recruiting over the next few weeks.

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