New Names: 8 2026 Sleepers in Alabama

Here are a few new names in Alabama who are still massive sleepers on the recruiting trail headed into their senior year.    Joshua Askew is a smaller, dynamic receiver who can dance after the catch. GPS speeds of 21+ MPH have been reported, which he pairs with quick feet and smooth changes of direction. He is quick out of his stance and has the flexibility at the top of routes to create separation. He can dance around contact after the catch, and clearly possesses the breakaway speed to take advantage of running lanes. Askew produced this fall against good competition and is a strong senior breakout candidate.     [player_tooltip player_id='1530519' first='Ronald' last='Wilder'] is a big-body RB at 6'1 205 with a multi-sport background. He ran 11.72 in the 100M this year, improving his team drastically from 2023. Wilder is a dynamic combination of speed and power. Against his current level of competition, he lifts off and runs away from defenders, rarely getting caught from behind. He is a one-cut style runner, violently changing directions and getting vertical in a hurry. He is tough to bring down, dragging through contact and often demanding attention from several defenders. Wilder is a sleeper now, but it's a matter of time before he sounds D1 alarms with his size/speed combo.     Long, lanky S prospect with ball and tackle production as a junior. He plays with a smooth backpedal and has the instincts to jump routes and make plays at the catch point. He is a little clunky coming downhill, but he looks to be a solid tackler who uses his length to attack the catch point. Tabb is a major sleeper. He is tall, lanky, has room to grow as an athlete, and has produced against solid competition.     Fisher Southall is a big WR with clean fundamentals and some physical upside available. He is a good athlete, but I would best describe him as "clean". From his fundamentals at release points, work at the top of routes, and hands, he is a well-rounded WR prospect with a high floor. Southall is a massive sleeper, but he is clearly capable of receiving D1 attention and can make plays at all levels of the field.     [player_tooltip player_id='1604824' first='Charles' last='Chappelle'] is a productive tackler coming off an impressive performance in a state championship game win. He is stout and strong enough at 6'1 200 to stand in and battle in the box with blockers. He rallies hard and takes good angles to the football. There is proof on tape of Chappelle bailing from blitzes and dropping deep into coverage. He has decent range, and his angles should also help him in space. Chappelle is yet another massive sleeper who is clearly capable of playing at the D1 level as an LB.     Stout, well-developed LB prospect with the versatility to play off the ball and rush the passer at EDGE. At either spot, he does an outstanding job of exploding through contact and keeping his chest clean against blockers. He is a fiery pursuer, often chasing the ball down across the formation. He looks to be long in his arms for his height, and uses his length to wrap up and engulf ball carriers. With his frame, I project Tate to play off the ball. He is another sleeper who is athletic and can pursue the football.     Thin RB prospect who has a D1 offer under his belt from North Alabama. Super lanky at 165 with plenty of room to add more mass to his 5'11 frame. I am definitely a fan of his patience and vision, slow-playing the first few steps after the mesh point to allow his blocks to develop and slip through openings. He is bouncey in the open field, allowing him to create his own yards and jump into new running lanes. Johnson holds D1 offers and could have more coming in the future.     Extremely productive against the ball as a junior against good competition, coming away with 5 INTs on the year. He has solid measurables at 6'1 170 and is a solid athlete. Cross stalks his prey at S and relies on his instincts to get to a spot and make a play on the ball. He clicks from a backpedal to a sprint well and flashes solid explosiveness when engaging on the football. Cross is yet another massive rising senior sleeper and deserves some college attention.

Here are a few new names in Alabama who are still massive sleepers on the recruiting trail headed into their senior year.