Alabama already has a QB commitment in the 2027 class with a 4-star in-state prospect, Trent Seaborn. But that has not slowed head coach Kalen DeBoer’s pursuit of elite talent at the position. The Tide remains firmly involved in the recruitment of the nation’s top QB, 5-star Elijah Haven. The high-stakes SEC recruiting battle is far from settled.

“NEWS: Five-Star QB Elijah Haven is down to 4 Schools, a source tells @Rivals,” Hayes Fawcett reported on X on January 16.

The Baton Rouge native had trimmed his list to four schools, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Auburn. The announcement sharpened the focus of a race that has quietly been building for months, with the Tide in the driver’s seat. Now, they’re squarely in the crosshairs of three conference rivals, all selling different versions of opportunity.

Standing at an imposing 6’4″ and 220 pounds, Haven has the prototypical size that has scouts ranking him as the No. 1 QB in the 2027 class. His on-field production backs it up, as he just set a Louisiana state record with 4,714 yards and 73 total touchdowns en route to a state title. 

“The main schools that have been pushing the most have been Alabama, Florida, Auburn and Georgia,” he told Touchdown Alabama. 

Alabama, in particular, has made him a priority. The Tide is preparing for life after Ty Simpson, who departed for the NFL Draft, while former 5-star Keelon Russell is set to take over as QB1 in 2026. He will be a redshirt sophomore when Elijah Haven arrives as a true freshman.

Alabama hosted Elijah Haven multiple times during the 2025 season, including high-profile visits for the Tennessee and LSU games, and he remains engaged despite recent staff changes. Primary recruiter Nick Sheridan’s departure to Michigan State introduced uncertainty, but Bryan Ellis has stepped into the QBs coach role, and Haven remains receptive. 

“Bama is still a great program that my family and I are interested in, but it is hard to see coach Sheridan leave,” he said.

Nonetheless, On3 projections still give Alabama a 78.8 percent chance, but chances do not sign letters of intent. Rival schools are using Alabama’s crowded quarterback room against them in their recruiting pitches.

Haven’s consistency is remarkable; over his career, he’s completed over 68% of his passes for 9,274 yards and 134 touchdowns. But he’s not just a pocket passer, having also gashed defenses for nearly 2,400 yards and 44 scores on the ground. 

But DeBoer’s recruiting strategy isn’t just about landing a star quarterback as his roster-building approach extends beyond QB.

Kalen DeBoer secures center as portal window closes

While the Elijah Haven recruitment dominates headlines, Alabama quietly addressed a critical need with the addition of Cal Poly transfer center Racin Delgatty. Hayes Fawcett reported he committed to the Tide as the portal window closed, giving the program immediate depth and long-term options at the position.

Delgatty arrives with 1,316 career snaps and just one sack allowed at the FCS level. This stat puts the spotlight on a historically elite, near-flawless level of protection that changes a team’s offensive capability. He started games at center for Cal Poly, appeared in more than 20 contests, and brings two years of eligibility to Tuscaloosa.

Standing at around 6’4″ and weighing over 300 pounds, he fills a pressing void for Kalen DeBoer after Parker Brailsford declared for the NFL Draft and Joseph Ionata transferred out. While rated as a 3-star transfer, Delgatty is a calculated addition who could compete for a starting role by 2026.

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DeBoer’s first complete recruiting cycle shows a two-pronged strategy: chasing the nation’s top quarterback while quietly plugging immediate roster holes. This balancing act will be critical to maintaining Alabama’s standard in the SEC.