Alabama Football: Meet the New Guys – 2025
The Alabama Crimson Tide has long been one of college football’s most storied programs, winning multiple national championships and consistently being a powerhouse. The 2025 season is no exception, as head coach Nick Saban continues to build a team that could make a deep run in the College Football Playoff. As with every new season, Alabama is bringing in a fresh crop of recruits—elite talent from across the country that will make an impact in the upcoming campaign. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key newcomers to the Alabama roster in 2025, including their high school careers, playing style, and the potential impact they will have on the Crimson Tide.
1. Quarterback: Dylan Lonergan (Rookie)
The quarterback position is always a focal point in Alabama’s recruiting efforts, and in 2025, the Tide have brought in one of the nation’s top signal-callers in Dylan Lonergan. Hailing from Snellville, Georgia, Lonergan is an elite dual-threat quarterback with a rocket arm. In high school, he impressed with his ability to throw the ball deep while also using his legs to escape pressure and pick up yards when needed.
Lonergan was highly sought after during his recruitment, and his decision to choose Alabama comes as no surprise given the program’s history of developing quarterbacks into NFL-caliber players. Alabama fans are excited to see if Lonergan will compete for the starting job early in his career or if he will need to bide his time behind a veteran starter. His athleticism and quick release make him a perfect fit for the up-tempo style that Alabama has increasingly adopted under Saban.
2. Running Back: Justice Haynes (Freshman)
Justice Haynes, a five-star running back from Buford, Georgia, is one of the most highly anticipated recruits in Alabama’s 2025 class. Haynes is the son of former NFL running back and Alabama legend, Verron Haynes. Justice is an explosive, multi-dimensional back with a rare combination of speed, vision, and power. He is a true three-down back, capable of running between the tackles, catching passes out of the backfield, and breaking off big runs.
In high school, Haynes was a dynamic player for Buford High, rushing for over 2,000 yards and scoring 30+ touchdowns in his senior season. His ability to read defenses and make defenders miss in the open field makes him a dangerous weapon for the Crimson Tide. Haynes figures to play a significant role in the backfield rotation in 2025, and his versatility will allow offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to get creative with how he uses the young running back.
3. Wide Receiver: Perry Thompson (Freshman)
Perry Thompson, a 6’3”, 200-pound wide receiver from Foley, Alabama, is another highly touted recruit in the 2025 class. Thompson is a big-bodied receiver with excellent speed and ball skills, making him a threat on deep passes as well as in contested catch situations. During his high school career, Thompson amassed over 2,500 yards receiving and scored 30+ touchdowns.
One of Thompson’s strengths is his ability to make tough catches in tight windows, which will be key for Alabama’s offense as they continue to develop a more explosive passing attack. His combination of size and athleticism makes him a perfect fit for the Crimson Tide’s wide receiver rotation. With Alabama’s depth at the receiver position, Thompson could be an instant contributor, and he has the potential to become a top target for whoever is under center.
4. Offensive Line: Wilkin Formby (Freshman)
The offensive line is always an area of focus for Alabama, as it plays a crucial role in establishing the run game and protecting the quarterback. Wilkin Formby, a 6’7”, 330-pound offensive lineman from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a massive prospect with a ton of upside. Formby is a versatile player who can play both tackle and guard, making him an asset to the Crimson Tide’s offensive line unit.
Formby has excellent mobility for his size and excels at both run blocking and pass protection. His size and strength make him a force at the point of attack, and he should have a chance to compete for playing time early in his career. Given Alabama’s emphasis on physicality in the trenches, Formby could see significant snaps in 2025, potentially as a starter by midseason.
5. Defensive Line: James Smith (Freshman)
James Smith is one of the top defensive line recruits in the nation for the 2025 class. Hailing from Montgomery, Alabama, Smith is an explosive, high-motor defensive tackle with the ability to disrupt both the run and pass. Standing 6’3” and weighing 310 pounds, Smith has a powerful frame that allows him to bully offensive linemen and collapse the pocket.
Smith was a standout player in high school, earning accolades as one of the nation’s best defensive linemen. He is known for his ability to penetrate the backfield, disrupt plays in the run game, and generate pressure on the quarterback. Alabama has a strong defensive line rotation, but Smith’s talents could make him a key contributor in his first season, whether as a rotational player or in a starting role.
6. Linebacker: Jordan Lockhart (Freshman)
Jordan Lockhart, a 6’2”, 220-pound linebacker from Baltimore, Maryland, is one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2025 class. Lockhart is known for his sideline-to-sideline speed, his ability to cover in space, and his physicality in the run game. He was a key player for his high school team, earning numerous honors as one of the best linebackers in the country.
Lockhart’s versatility allows him to be used in a variety of defensive schemes, whether he’s lining up in the middle or on the edge. His ability to cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game makes him an ideal fit in Alabama’s defense, which has increasingly focused on versatility in its linebackers. Expect Lockhart to push for playing time early in his career and possibly contribute on special teams while working his way into a starting role.
7. Defensive Back: Caleb Downs (Freshman)
Caleb Downs is a highly rated safety out of Hoschton, Georgia, and one of the most sought-after recruits in the 2025 class. At 6’0” and 205 pounds, Downs has excellent size for a safety and possesses the instincts and ball skills to make him a force on the back end of the defense. He is known for his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and track the ball, as well as his physicality when coming up to support the run defense.
Downs had a stellar high school career, earning All-American honors and establishing himself as one of the top defensive backs in the country. His ability to cover in space and deliver big hits will make him an asset to Alabama’s secondary. With Alabama losing several key defensive backs to the NFL, Downs could quickly rise to a starting role and be a leader in the defensive backfield.
8. Special Teams: Connor Lytle (Freshman Kicker/Punter)
Alabama has had some notable kickers and punters over the years, and in 2025, they’re adding another talented special teams player in Connor Lytle. Lytle, a 6’1”, 200-pound kicker/punter from Colleyville, Texas, is a highly regarded specialist who can contribute both as a placekicker and as a punter. During his high school career, Lytle consistently impressed with his leg strength, accuracy, and ability to handle pressure situations.
While Alabama typically has a deep roster, special teams can sometimes be an overlooked part of the equation. With Lytle’s accuracy and distance on field goals and kickoffs, he could play an important role in flipping the field or scoring crucial points in close games. Lytle’s dual-role ability also gives Alabama flexibility in terms of special teams personnel.
