Sanders, 6 feet 2 and 205 pounds, has been on Kalen DeBoer’s radar since last season when DeBoer offered the linebacker while he was still the head coach at Washington. Sanders was re-offered by DeBoer at Alabama in late January, visited campus for a junior day event in early February and returned to Tuscaloosa this week for another unofficial visit. The existing relationship with DeBoer and a new relationship with defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Kane Wommack was enough to push Sanders over the commitment line.
Sanders is an impact player for Mater Dei, which won the 2023 California CIF Open state championship and was ranked the No. 1 team in the country by MaxPreps with a 15-0 record. Sanders was third on the team in tackles (48) and fifth in tackles for loss (eight).
Sanders’ commitment is yet another sign of Alabama’s growing recruiting momentum. Alabama is taking advantage of the spring window that allows recruits to visit and watch practice. It’s clear that the new staff’s way of operating is resonating; the Tide’s class now ranks No. 8 nationally, and its average player rating of 93.70 is fifth-best behind Ohio State, Georgia, LSU and Florida State.
“The best recruiters are the team and the players,” DeBoer said Wednesday during a radio appearance on Tide 100.9 in Tuscaloosa. “When (recruits see) the team is flying around and competing at a high level and doing it with a smile on their face … the culture is contagious.”
The Crimson Tide’s 2025 class now includes seven members, all four-stars in the 247Sports Composite. This recent strong run will set the stage for a massive recruiting weekend for the annual A-Day spring game on April 13.
