Alabama continues push to flip Syracuse commit ahead of official visit

Michael Nnabuife plans to be in Tuscaloosa this weekend for an official visit with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Nnabuife attends St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, and he is a 2027 tight-end prospect. The Syracuse Orange currently holds a commitment from the rising senior. However, Alabama’s staff has made it clear to Nnabuife that he is still wanted in Tuscaloosa.

“They’ve made it pretty apparent that they’re still actively trying to flip me, which is the big reason why I’m going on this official visit,” Nnabuife told Touchdown Alabama. “Contact still been strong, and I still talk to the staff pretty regularly.”

The Alabama target is looking to learn more about how the Tide wants to use its tight ends in the future this weekend.

“I want to learn exactly how they plan to use the tight ends more this year, just as far as what the offensive coordinator likes, what coach DeBoer likes, what coach Owen likes, what they like to implement, teach their tight ends,” Nnabuife said. “So, that’s going to be a lot of learning for me, just getting to see what they want in that offense at my position and how I would fit in their scheme.”

Alabama’s tight end coach Richard Owens has been in constant contact with Nnabuife. Owens was quick to call the tight end upon taking the job at Alabama.

“I talk to him pretty frequently,” said Nnabuife. “We have a pretty good relationship. Before he even got in the door, on his way there, his first day, he called me and was just letting me know how he’s intrigued with me as a prospect. We built a great relationship over this time, and it stayed strong, which is, again, one of the main reasons why I even decided to take an official visit after my commitment. It’s been a great couple of months getting to know Coach Owens.”

Nnabuife wants to join a program where he can put his full skill set on display as a versatile tight-end prospect.

“That always sticks out to me, how versatile their tight ends are, what they like to use, what they like to do with them, how they like to create mismatches,” Nnabuife said. “Another thing that sticks out to me is what personnel is, is constantly on the field. Do you like to be an 11 a lot, a lot of 12? I’d probably say those two things are what stick out to me most, as a tight end, while looking at a school.”

At 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds, the Alabama target takes pride in being a nasty and effective blocker, as well as a receiving threat.

“I always want to dog the person in front of me,” Nnabuife said. “So, wherever I choose, they know they’re getting a guy who they can rely on heavily in the run game, and then I’m also a really good route runner. I would say I can create space pretty easily for myself.”

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