Recruiting Rundown: Crimson Cookout Ahead of Summer Dead Period

Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide are hosting an end of June blowout, check out the who's who invited to cookout at the Capstone this weekend.

The Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting machine has been operating in full force since the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. For those looking for a bit of a break, hang on. 

The NCAA mandated recruiting dead period begins June 26, and the Tide is looking to throw a big party and leave a lasting impression on the nation's top prospects.

The weekend is headlined by a visit from the newest winner of the Elite 11 Finals, Julian Sayin. Sayin's coach, Thadd MacNeal told BamaCentral it was a last minute decision to head to Tuscaloosa and Sayin told On3 sports he made the choice to come because of the prospects the Tide are inviting.

Two other commits will be on campus, serving as quasi recruiters for Saban and his staff. Alabama welcomes cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe and offensive lineman Joseph Ionata to the cookout. 

According to Rivals, Mbakwe has been one of Alabama's primary tools in this cycle as the Clay-Chalkville corner has been outspoken about adding more talent in the class.

News and Notes

• Alabama basketball secured the services of a big-time prospect this week as Jarin Stevenson announced his plans to reclassify and join the Crimson Tide this coming fall. The forward fills the Tide's 12th scholarship, likely solidifying the personnel for the upcoming season.

• Mobile Christian linebacker Sterling Dixon told BamaCentral on Tuesday that he was shutting down his recruitment as he firmly committed to the Crimson Tide. Dixon said his next goal on the recruiting front is to convince fellow edge rusher Demarcus Riddick to flip from his Georgia-commitment and roll with the Tide.

• The top player in the state of Rhode Island, Justin Denson, has whittled his college considerations down to five schools. The 2024 cornerback told Rivals he plans on committing on July 1 to either Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida, Michigan State or Texas A&M.

• Evan Haeger, an Alabama baseball commit in the 2023 class, was named by the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association as a 1st Team All-State outfielder. He averaged .371 at the plate for his senior season.

• The Pittsburgh Union Progress named 2023 Alabama baseball commit, Miguel Hugas its player of the year for hitting .444 at the plate and striking out 91 batters while maintaining a 0.71 ERA as a pitcher.

Tide-Bits 

•  Oats and company may have finished building the 2023-24 roster but that didn't stop him from hitting the recruiting trail hard this week. The Crimson Tide head coach was in Philadelphia last weekend observing and recruiting 2024 shooting guard Billy Richmond, according to Ari Rosenfeld.

• Tre Johnson took to social media on Sunday and announced his top-six choices for college. Johnson, the No. 1 shooting guard in the 2024 class listed the Crimson Tide amongst Kentucky, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas and Baylor.

• Class of 2024 wide receiver Perry Thompson has been committed to the Crimson Tide since June of 2022, but he's still enjoying his recruiting process. Thompson spent this past weekend in Auburn on an official visit and he told 247Sports that the Tigers are now, "right there" with Alabama for his services.

• Class of 2025 defensive back Alex Graham announced on Twitter on Thursday that he'd received a scholarship offer from the Crimson Tide. Graham is already considered a top prospect in his class and is a primary target for the Michigan Wolverines.

• Class of 2025 offensive lineman Carter Lowe announced on Twitter last Saturday that he had received a scholarship offer from Alabama. The 6-5, 290 pound rising junior already has offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee and Georgia. 

Checking Out The Capstone

June rolls on and the Alabama Crimson Tide football program looks to keep the recruiting momentum going with another big weekend. The football program will host eight official visitors and numerous unofficial visitors as it's the final recruiting weekend until the NCAA mandated dead period commences.

According to Andrew Bone of On3 the Crimson Tide is hosting these eight prospects official visits.

• Ellis Robinson, CB, 6-1, 185, Bradenton, Fla.
• KJ Bolden, S, 6-1, 185, Buford, Ga.
• Eddrick Houston, DL, 6-3, 255, Buford, Ga.
• Nathaniel Frazier, RB, 5-11, 208, Santa Ana, Calif. 
• Zabien Brown, CB, 6-0, 180, Santa Ana, Calif.
• Peyton Woodyard, S, 6-2, 188, Bellflower, Calif.
• Casey Poe, OL, 6-4, 290, Lindale, Texas
• Marques Easley, OL, 6-5, 335, Kankakee, Ill.

See Also:

Recruiting Rundown: Alabama's 2024 QB Commit Impresses at Elite 11 Finals

The Joe Gaither Show on BamaCentral: Episode 24, June 22, 2023

Nate Oats Sparking an NBA Draft Renaissance for Alabama Basketball