Alabama secured a commitment on Tuesday from five-star recruit Akylin Dear, the No. 2 running back in the Class of 2025. Dear, hailing from Quitman, Mississippi, initially committed to Ole Miss on March 30 but reopened his recruitment on June 28 after decommitting. He chose the Crimson Tide over Ole Miss and Mississippi State. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Dear is ranked No. 31 nationally, No. 2 at his position, and No. 3 in Mississippi for his senior class. “I’m thrilled to join an elite program that competes for national championships every year,” Dear told ESPN. “Playing for Alabama, one of the greatest college football programs in history, is a dream. Following in the footsteps of so many legends and striving for excellence has always been my ultimate goal.” Standing at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Dear rushed for 800 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore and recorded 2,016 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2023.
“Alabama felt like home,” Dear said, reflecting on his official visit during the weekend of June 14. “The coaching staff, the atmosphere, the organization’s relentless pursuit of greatness, the camaraderie among the players, and the track record of producing NFL-caliber running backs all stood out to me. Above all, running backs coach Robert Gillespie has been incredible, genuinely believing in me and my ability to contribute.” Alabama also recently received a commitment from four-star running back Anthony Rogers, a senior at Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama. Rogers, standing at 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, is ranked No. 116 nationally, No. 6 among running backs, and No. 8 in Alabama, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
