5 2027 recruits Alabama football could flip in the future

Alabama football’s 2027 recruiting class is trending to be small, and as a result, the Crimson Tide will likely not be among the top classes in the country in terms of rankings.

The Tide was able to pick up commitments from several prospects after hosting them for official visits this summer. Now that the smoke is clear and summer official visits are behind Alabama, here are some potential flip targets to know:

Ja’Hyde Brown – 4-Star WR – Committed to Louisville

Brown recently confirmed Alabama was one of the schools that reached out to him after he turned heads at the Nike Opening Finals. The Crimson Tide was once a prominent team in the explosive wideout’s recruitment when JaMarcus Shephard was the Tide’s wide receiver coach. Once Shephard departed to become the head football coach at Oregon State, the Tide’s momentum for Brown appeared to start to fade. However, it now looks the Tide is willing to kick the tires and see where Brown stands, and the wide receiver appears to be open to hearing all his options.

“We are considering everything,” Brown told Touchdown Alabama after multiple teams contacted him after his showing at the Opening. “It’s a huge decision for my future.”

At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Brown is an explosive wide receiver who brings a dynamic skill set to the football field. The Tide looks as if they want to add an explosive wide receiver to this class to pair with Gayles.

Junior Tu’upo – 4-Star DB – Committed to Texas

It is going to be hard for Tu’upo to ignore Alabama football this fall. He plays football at Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama, and his teammate is the Tide’s 2027 four-star quarterback commit, Trent Seaborn.

With the Tide not having a commitment from a safety in the 2027 recruiting class, do not expect the Tide to go away quietly in this one. Tu’upo is the type of player you take another swing at, and he fits the build for what the Tide is looking for in the secondary.

At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, the 2027 prospect was a ball-hawking defensive back for the Warriors during the last football season. He displayed versatility while lining up at different spots within the Warriors’ defense. He was exceptional against the run when he was called upon to get downhill and make tackles. He also stood out in coverage with his length.

Thompson 6-foot-3 4-Star DB Junior James Tu’upo @TuupoJunior has Alabama, Auburn, Indiana, Oregon and Texas in his Top 5.

Someone is going to land a smooth & versatile DB.

Latest coming to @TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/pZM36Svspe

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) April 28, 2026

Jalijah Rutledge – 3-Star WR – Committed To App State

Rutledge recently reported an offer from Alabama, and the fact that the Crimson Tide offered him further shows the Tide is in the market for another wide receiver. The 2027 wideout, who attends Moody High School in Alabama, considered earning an Alabama offer to be a great opportunity.

Similar to Tu’upo, there will be a lot of crimson and white surrounding him this fall.

“Receiving an offer from Alabama is truly a blessing,” Rutledge told Touchdown Alabama after reporting an offer from the Tide. “It’s something I’ve worked hard for, and to be recognized by a program with so much history means a lot to me. I’m thankful to God, my family, my coaches and everyone who helped me get to this point.”

The new Alabama target finished last season with 11 touchdowns, 1,152 yards, 60 catches, while averaging 20 yards per catch. At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, Rutledge was a dynamic weapon out wide last season for Moody, with his ability to create separation at the top of routes and be a tough runner after the catch. The senior can also go up and get the football at its highest point.

Alabama new 2027 wide receiver target, Jalijah @jalijahrutledg is a tough runner after the catch, who plays bigger than his listed height of 5-foot-10.

Also flashes an ability to create separation at the top of routes. https://t.co/dkAd7o4Ym5 pic.twitter.com/0TCdeMepKy

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) July 2, 2026

Cedric Simmons – 3-Star WR – Committed To Auburn

Simmons committed to Auburn over Alabama last month, when it once looked like the Crimson Tide was trending to land him. The Tigers closed the deal during an official visit, but the door may not be all the way closed on this one. Multiple members of Simmons’ immediate family are die-hard Alabama football fans, and the Tide will likely be all in his face and on television in his home this fall. This one is definitely one worth monitoring.

Alabama offered Simmons a few weeks before he committed and was banking on a relationship that was built over a few months. If Alabama keeps in contact with Simmons, their relationship could be in a much better place in the future.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder is a physical and explosive wide receiver, and he is built like a linebacker. He is coming off a season where he had more than 2,000 receiving yards.

It will be either Alabama or Auburn for the state of Alabama’s reigning leading receiver Cedrick Simmons @DaonlyCed on Tuesday.

Simmons previews decision.

“I love the coaches over there.”

“What really stood out to me was learning about the standard…”https://t.co/3vQWRZfRXf pic.twitter.com/aRxrLxj3AI

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) June 22, 2026

Ayden Coleman – 3-Star LB – Committed To Mississippi State

Alabama currently does not have a commitment from a 2027 inside linebacker prospect, and Ayden Coleman looks as if he is still a target for the Tide.

Coleman earned an Alabama offer in June and locked in an official visit with the Tide soon after. However, he committed to Mississippi State a few days before officially visiting the Tide, but he still took his official visit to Alabama and described the visit as a good one.

The Tide could very well still make a strong push for Coleman moving forward. Similar to Simmons, the Tide’s relationship with Coleman could look a lot different in a few months.