Intel: Alabama has the edge, Auburn is lurking, Tennessee is rising, FSU and Indiana surging

Rivals was back on the road in Alabama this week, making stops across the northern part of the state before heading into the Birmingham area to check in on some of the state’s top underclassmen.

The latest swing produced plenty of recruiting intel. Alabama is in a strong position with one of the nation’s elite offensive linemen, Auburn is working to stay involved with a major Florida commitment and Florida State is making a significant push for a fast-rising defensive lineman. There is also growing Tennessee buzz with a Top 100 defensive back.

Here is the latest from the road.

Alabama, Clemson, Ole Miss standing out for Kylen Johnson

Plainview has a talented group of underclassmen, and 2028 athlete Kylen Johnson is one of the prospects drawing significant attention. Johnson has options on both sides of the ball. Some programs are recruiting him on offense, while others like his potential defensively. He prefers offense but remains open to playing wherever a program believes he fits best.

Three schools have begun separating themselves: Alabama, Clemson and Ole Miss.

Johnson has already visited Clemson and Ole Miss this season, and both programs made strong impressions. Clemson is recruiting him offensively, with wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham involved in his recruitment.

Ole Miss has taken a different approach. The Rebels like Johnson on defense, and his early experience around the program has given him plenty to consider.

Alabama is another major factor. Johnson has communicated with coaches on both sides of the ball and is expected in Tuscaloosa this weekend for the Georgia game.

The Crimson Tide has a chance to make a move in the coming days, but Clemson and Ole Miss have already given Johnson reasons to keep them high on his list.

In-state powers making early moves with 2029 DB Janzen Currie

Another Plainview prospect to know is 2029 defensive back Janzen Currie. The young athlete already has close to 10 offers, including opportunities from Miami, California and Tennessee. But two programs have made especially strong early impressions.

Alabama and Auburn.

Currie has family connections to Auburn, including a relative who played softball for the Tigers. That connection has helped generate excitement around the opportunity to play on the Plains. He grew up following the in-state program on the Plains.

Alabama has also made an impression since getting Currie on campus during the summer. He spent time with the coaching staff over the summer and has developed an early connection with the program.

Currie has the speed and versatility to project at multiple positions, but his defensive potential is attracting significant attention. His recruitment is still in its early stages, and more national programs will continue getting involved. For now, the two in-state powers have positioned themselves well.

Florida commit Samuel Bailey is not shutting his recruitment down

Florida scored one of the biggest recruiting victories of the 2028 cycle when Huntsville (Ala.) Jemison offensive tackle Samuel Bailey committed to the Gators. The decision surprised some around his recruitment, both because of the timing and his choice of school.

Bailey remains strong in his commitment. He believes in Jon Sumrall, likes the direction of the program and has developed close relationships with the Florida staff. He is going to be hard to flip.

But his recruitment isn’t completely shut down.

Auburn remains the biggest threat to Florida. The Tigers had positioned themselves extremely well before Bailey committed, and their pursuit hasn’t slowed. Auburn’s offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick was at Jemison this week, and communication between the two sides remains strong. Don’t be surprised if he returns to the Plains later this season.

Bailey continues to think highly of Auburn, and I expect the Tigers to remain involved as long as he is willing to listen. Ohio State is another program to monitor. The Buckeyes have recruited Bailey for some time, and I expect him to return to Columbus at some point. He has family up north.

LSU and Ole Miss have also maintained contact.

Bailey doesn’t have his remaining game-day visits finalized, but he plans to get back on the road and take official visits.

Florida is clearly in the best position. Bailey loves the people in Gainesville, his relationships with the staff and what Sumrall is building. Still, this is a recruitment worth monitoring. Auburn isn’t going away, and Bailey isn’t closing the door on other programs.

Alabama setting the pace for elite OL Joey Fleming

Huntsville has two of the nation’s premier offensive line prospects in the 2028 class, with Bailey and Joey Fleming playing roughly 15 minutes apart.

Fleming, the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the 2028 Rivals Industry Rankings, has become one of Alabama’s most important in-state targets. The Crimson Tide is in a very strong position.

Fleming will return to Tuscaloosa this weekend for the Georgia game, marking his sixth visit to Alabama. The relationships, familiarity and consistent attention from the staff have helped the Tide build momentum.

Alabama also holds the advantage in the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine.

But this isn’t a recruitment I would consider finished. Fleming has strong connections to several national programs. Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Clemson are among the schools making significant pushes. Vanderbilt has also built a relationship with him. He has a sister in Nashville.

Oklahoma and Notre Dame, in particular, are worth watching alongside Alabama.

Fleming grew up in Texas, so he didn’t grow up Alabama as a Crimson Tide fan. He is going to take the process slowly.

Still, we like where Alabama sits. The Crimson Tide has made Fleming a major priority, continues to get him on campus and has built relationships that will be difficult for other programs to overcome.

Florida State making major push for rising DL Jahyden White

Jahyden White‘s recruitment continues to take off.

The Florence defensive lineman has been adding offers at a rapid pace and is now past 20. Several Power Four programs have entered the picture, but one is recruiting him as hard as anyone.

Florida State. White visited Tallahassee for the Central Arkansas game and came away impressed. The Seminoles have maintained consistent contact, with defensive line coach Tony White, Terrance Knighton and other members of the staff making him feel like a major priority.

That effort has put Florida State in a strong position. White is already planning another trip to Tallahassee for the Florida game in November.

Kentucky is another program making a significant push. The Wildcats will get White on campus for the first time this weekend, giving them an opportunity to build on the relationships they have established.

Kentucky is recruiting him aggressively and has positioned itself among the programs to watch. Tennessee is also involved, while Georgia, Auburn and Alabama are among the schools White wants to visit.

His offer list continues to grow, and there is still plenty of time for new contenders to emerge. For now, Florida State has generated the most momentum, with Kentucky getting an important opportunity this weekend.

Tennessee gaining momentum with Top 100 safety CJ Craig-James

The final stop took Rivals into Birmingham, where Parker safety CJ Craig-James continues to draw national attention.

The four-star prospect is one of the top defensive backs in the 2028 class, and his recruitment includes Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Miami, Georgia, Ohio State and several other major programs.

But there is one school I am watching especially closely. It is Tennessee. The Volunteers have been building momentum with Craig-James, and their family connection gives them an advantage.

Craig-James has a cousin playing defense at Tennessee, providing him with an inside look at the program. That relationship has helped him become familiar with the coaching staff, the environment and what life in Knoxville is like.

The communication has also been consistent.

Craig-James visited Tennessee for the Texas game and came away impressed. The feedback coming out of that trip was strong, and a source close to the recruitment indicated that the Volunteers are a program to watch closely.

That buzz has continued growing in recent weeks.

The in-state programs aren’t backing off, either.

Alabama and Auburn are communicating with Craig-James nearly every day, and both have made him a major priority. Auburn head coach Alex Golesh was in attendance for Parker’s game Thursday night, another indication of how seriously the Tigers are recruiting him.

I still view Auburn as a major player in this recruitment. Alabama is firmly involved as well, and Craig-James will return to Tuscaloosa this weekend for the Georgia game.

Miami, Georgia and Ohio State among others, also remain in the picture.

There is a long way to go, but Tennessee is gaining ground. The family connection, consistent communication and positive experience in Knoxville have given the Volunteers real momentum.

Alabama and Auburn will continue pushing hard, but the Vols are becoming increasingly difficult to overlook in this recruitment.

Indiana is surging with 2028 4-star RB Zion Coger

Jasper (Ala.) four-star running back Zion Coger is one of the state’s top offensive prospects in the 2028 class, checking in at No. 126 in the Rivals Industry Rankings.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound standout has already attended games at Alabama, LSU and Mississippi State this season, with visits to Indiana and Ohio State next on his schedule.

Indiana, Virginia Tech, Memphis and Alabama are recruiting Coger the hardest, but three programs have separated themselves early. Alabama, Indiana and Ohio State currently stand out most to Coger with the Hoosiers picking up momentum.

One source feels Curt Cignetti‘s program has surged to the top with a visit to Bloomington later this month on the calendar.