Elite 2026 recruit makes strong statement about what Alabama is like in the post Nick Saban era

The first season of the post-Nick Saban era in Tuscaloosa was and up-and-down affair for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

New Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer led Alabama to a thrilling victory over the Georgia Bulldogs early in the season. Losses to the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Oklahoma Sooners, however, prevented the win against Georgia from vaulting Alabama into the College Football Playoff.

A loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the ReliaQuest Bowl resulted in Alabama’s 2024 season ending on a sour note.

But despite the program’s first four-loss season in nearly two decades, top recruits still view Alabama as an elite destination.

In fact, 2026 four-star offensive lineman Carter Scruggs, the No. 4 player in the state of Virginia, told 247Sports this week that he doesn’t think Alabama is any different now than it was when Saban was in town.

“Alabama hasn’t changed much since Saban left,” said Scruggs. “I think that they can be really good with Coach DeBoer and I feel confident with Coach Kap (offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic) and his ability to develop. Alabama is known to send guys to the NFL.”

Perception on the recruiting trail is a big deal. There’s no doubt that rival programs are telling recruits that Alabama won’t be the same without Saban. And while there’s probably some truth to that — I don’t think Saban’s success will ever be replicated (especially with the transfer portal and NIL deals) — the standard at Alabama is still to win national championships. And recruits like Scruggs clearly see that.

DeBoer’s first season wasn’t up to that championship standard, but it’s important to remember that it was his first season in the SEC. He’s only going to improve as a coach. And as long as he continues to recruit well, Alabama will undoubtedly remain in the national championship conversation moving forward.