Five 2026 Alabama Prospects I Like This Month

When it comes to football, Alabama has become synonymous with winning due to what Nick Saban has managed to do in Tuscaloosa. Though Alabama has the luxury of recruiting the most elite kids from coast to coast, the state of Alabama has produced talent that has helped Saban and the Tide win. In fact, nearly 50 athletes on the current roster are from the state of Alabama. Here’s a look at five athletes in the class of 2026 (eighth grade) that I have my eye on before they even enter high school. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-262182 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/Takaree-Slaughter-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Takaree Slaughter | Alabama | Linebacker</strong> Standing 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Slaughter is the reigning, defending two-time Metro Player of the Year—a feat that is one for the record books. The Clay-Chalkville Middle School standout put up video game numbers for the Cougars, tallying 93 total tackles (48 of which were solo), three sacks and two interceptions. The film below speaks for itself when it comes to ability. Has the versatility at this point to play inside, or outside linebacker. Doubled as a running back and can pick up the tough yards. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VjaLkJmVyvk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-262184 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/MaddoxCaldwell-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Maddox Caldwell | Alabama | Offensive Line</strong> Was pleasantly surprised when I threw on the tape of Cladwell. At this point, he’s a legitimate 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds of country strength. The Spanish Fort native has a good amount of developing to do over the next four years, but he has that mean streak that all successful offensive linemen have. Needs to work on keeping his pad level down and bending at the knees rather than the waste. However, what I love about him is that once he gets his hands on the defensive player, they aren’t going anywhere. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ewxo-El4FKs" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-262186 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/TristanLyles-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212200" first="Tristan" last="Lyles"] | Alabama | Edge</strong> Hailing from the feeder program for Central High School, one of the most talent-rich programs in the entire state, Lyles looks like he’s about to be the next big-time kid out of there. The son of an outside linebacker/defensive end coach, it’s evident he’s been coaches up since he’s been in the womb. He’s big, strong and physical that attacks the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle across with him every play. He gets hip-to-hip with the lineman and then is by him and square again, within seconds. If he continues to grow from the 6-foot, 202 pounds he’s listed at right now, he could be a top-5 recruit in the state when his time comes. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15005593/6179d6e17bd4380918c07ba9" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-262187 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/NyzarCampbell-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Nyzar Campbell | Alabama | Running Back</strong> Campbell is a star on both sides of the ball but looks like he’ll end up as a running back if I had to bet right now. He attacks the line of scrimmage violently and punishes those who try to tackle him up high. I love how he doesn’t waste a lot of time dancing around in the back field and gets north/south very quickly. I’ve said it before, one of the tell-tale signs of how good an athlete is at the prep level is just how simple he makes the game look. For Campbell, it looks like everyone else is in slow motion and he’s just playing with them. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fSkc2EDifLE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-262189 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/HayzenSheltonFBUR3-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Hayzen Shelton | Alabama | Offensive Line</strong> He’s played pre-high school ball in both Mississippi and Alabama but looks like he’s locked in as an Alabama prospect as he heads towards high school. Just an eighth grader, he stands 6-foot-4 and 289 pounds already. After seeing him play three games in person in December, I am confident in my prediction that he will be an SEC caliber offensive lineman when Signing Day 2026 comes along. As most big linemen in middle school do, he has some room for improvement in foot speed and strength. However, he’s a great young man certainly has a solid foundation.