Alabama extending an offer has long been a cherished aspiration for the talented offensive tackle in the class of 2026.
Several offers have been reported on social media since the beginning of the week as Alabama assistant coaches hit the recruiting trail and have more time to watch high school tape. Among them, three offers were extended to elite 2026 prospects on Monday, including Samuelu Utu, the No. 6 offensive tackle in the country. Utu, from Orange Lutheran High School in California, announced the news on Twitter following a conversation with offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic.
The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Utu, who comes from a volleyball family and still plays the sport, shared some thoughts on Alabama with Bama247.
As the football season approaches, the task of ranking teams, particularly in the SEC and nationally, becomes more imminent. While ranking coaches can be challenging, one coach who stands out is Kalen DeBoer. DeBoer has a track record of success, including turning around a struggling Washington team and leading them to the College Football Playoff national championship game.
DeBoer’s ability to attract top talent to Alabama and coach them effectively has been noted, and early signs suggest that his lack of prior recruiting experience in the SEC hasn’t been a hindrance. As the season approaches, evaluating teams and players becomes more complex, especially with the rise of unregulated transfers. Preseason rankings often favor teams coming off successful seasons, particularly those with returning key players and coaches.
While the upcoming season presents challenges, including the transition of teams to new conferences, one thing remains constant: giving Alabama the benefit of the doubt has often proven to be a wise decision.
