Alabama’s history of recruiting elite running back talent has been well-documented over the last two decades. Quitman (Miss.) five-star back Akylin Dear has become the latest elite running back talent to join that prestigious group.
Dear announced his commitment to Crimson Tide on Tuesday choosing Alabama over Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
Earlier this year Dear initially announced his pledge to Ole Miss. He backed off of that commitment on June 28.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder is ranked as the No. 2 running back according to the 247Sports Composite Ranking. He ranks as the No. 31 player in the country and No. 3 player out of Mississippi.
Dear broke out onto the scene as a sophomore rushing for 800 yards and 21 touchdowns. He followed that up last season rushing for 2,016 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Look back at Alabama freshman RB Daniel Hill going back and forth with Tide priority RB target Akylin Dear when Quitman took on Meridian last season.
Was one of the better games I watched. pic.twitter.com/uBCsD0mgNS
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) July 11, 2024
Kalen DeBoer’s cleaning up in Mississippi
While Lane Kiffin and Jeff Lebby would like to keep that prospects in Mississippi in the state, first-year Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is making it hard.
Dear’s commitment gives the Crimson Tide pledges from two of the state’s top three prospects. Five-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham committed to Alabama in July and four-star quarterback Deuce Knight is committed to Notre Dame.
Mississippi State and Ole Miss hold pledges from several of the state’s top prospects but DeBoer has quickly come in and set up shop in the Magnolia State.
He also has a commitment from three-star defensive lineman London Simmons.
