Alabama Had Huge Visitor at A-Day: Crimson Tide Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Game-Changing Recruit

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The 2025 edition of Alabama’s annual A-Day spring game delivered far more than just a first look at the next wave of Crimson Tide talent. While fans and analysts alike dissected quarterback rotations, defensive schemes, and standout underclassmen, perhaps the most important moment of the weekend happened off the field.

Alabama hosted one of the most coveted recruits in the country — and the buzz surrounding his visit could mark a turning point in the program’s post-Saban era.

According to multiple sources, five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry — a longtime Georgia commit and one of the most physically dominant prospects in the 2025 class — made an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa for A-Day. While Alabama has recruited at an elite level for years, the arrival of Terry at Bryant-Denny Stadium sent a message across the college football landscape: the Tide are still very much a heavyweight contender in the recruiting arms race.

And under Kalen DeBoer, Alabama isn’t just staying afloat — it’s surging.

A-Day’s Atmosphere Sets the Stage

The annual A-Day game has always doubled as a celebration of Alabama football and a strategic recruiting showcase. Even during Nick Saban’s reign, the event often drew elite high school talent to campus. But this year carried added weight. With DeBoer stepping into one of college football’s most high-pressure roles, this A-Day was about more than scrimmages and highlight plays.

It was about showing recruits like Justus Terry that Alabama is still the place where legends are made.

More than 72,000 fans packed the stadium despite unpredictable spring weather. The energy was palpable — not just from fans, but from the players on the field and the prospects in attendance. Terry, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs in at a menacing 275 pounds, was front and center throughout the day, flanked by staffers and receiving the full VIP treatment.

According to those close to the visit, Terry was blown away by the atmosphere — especially by the “business-as-usual” feel Alabama maintained despite undergoing its most significant coaching transition in decades.

“Bama just feels different,” one source close to Terry said. “You can tell they’re building something again. Justus saw it.”

The Justus Terry Recruitment Rollercoaster

Terry, a native of Manchester, Georgia, has been committed to the in-state Bulldogs since January 2023, but the last few months have brought uncertainty to that pledge. Despite Georgia’s dominance in recent years, Alabama has reemerged as a real threat in Terry’s recruitment. Sources indicate that Terry and his family have grown increasingly intrigued by the development pipeline at Alabama — particularly how linemen are groomed for the NFL.

Terry is ranked as the No. 2 defensive lineman and the No. 7 overall player in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. His blend of power, quickness off the line, and football IQ has drawn comparisons to former Alabama and NFL star Quinnen Williams. And Alabama’s coaches, particularly defensive line coach Freddie Roach, have made it a priority to establish a strong relationship with Terry and his family.

After Saturday, it’s clear that relationship is paying off.

While Terry has taken visits to Florida State, USC, and Texas recently, insiders say no visit made as much of an impression as his trip to Tuscaloosa. One source described Terry’s body language and reaction to the Tide’s facilities, fan base, and coaching staff as “the most locked in we’ve seen from him outside Georgia.”

Though he remains publicly committed to Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, Terry has not ruled out taking official visits — with Alabama now pushing to get the final one before a decision is finalized.

Kalen DeBoer’s Recruiting Approach: Quiet Confidence, Big Results

Much was made about whether Kalen DeBoer could recruit at the same level as Saban. After all, DeBoer came from Washington, where the expectations and recruiting budgets are considerably lower. But so far, DeBoer has not only maintained Alabama’s momentum — he may be improving its efficiency.

DeBoer and his staff have placed a heavy emphasis on relationship-building, early evaluations, and targeted communication. It’s a different style than Saban’s more cutthroat, detail-heavy approach — but it’s working.

“DeBoer is very personable, and players feel that,” said Rivals recruiting analyst Adam Gorney. “He’s a straight shooter. He’s not promising the moon — he’s laying out a plan. And elite recruits respect that.”

That strategy was on full display with Terry. The coaching staff emphasized NFL development, early playing time, and Alabama’s commitment to elite trench play. Several players from Alabama’s defensive line — including Justin Jefferson and LT Overton — spent time with Terry on the sidelines and during campus tours.

By the end of the day, sources say Terry and his family had extensive conversations with multiple staffers, including DeBoer himself. And the head coach made a point to reinforce a message that’s quickly becoming a DeBoer mantra: “We’re not rebuilding. We’re reloading.”

Recruiting Implications Beyond Terry

While Terry’s visit was the headline of the weekend, he wasn’t the only elite prospect in attendance. Alabama’s A-Day featured over two dozen four-star and five-star recruits from the 2025 and 2026 classes. Here are a few notable names:

• Dewayne Gumbs, 4-star CB (2025): Gumbs reportedly came away impressed with Alabama’s secondary development and is considering an official visit later this summer.
• Corey Simms, 4-star WR (2025): Simms had high praise for the offensive structure and said he’s excited about the creativity under new offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan.
• Anthony Maddox Jr., 5-star QB (2026): The rising junior from Mississippi is on the radar of nearly every SEC program, but Alabama is believed to be near the top of his list after this visit.

Alabama’s ability to draw such a star-studded visitor list despite coaching turnover is a testament to the brand’s staying power. But it also shows the proactive work of the new staff.

The Defensive Line Pipeline Selling Itself

One of Alabama’s biggest selling points to someone like Terry is the program’s ability to develop NFL-ready defensive linemen. Over the last decade, names like Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Quinnen Williams, and Christian Barmore have all carved out successful careers after anchoring the Tide’s front seven.

Alabama’s scheme — known for its gap control, aggressive interior pressure, and NFL-style reads — is tailor-made for elite linemen looking to make a quick impact. And Terry’s game fits the mold perfectly.

“He’s a prototype for what they do,” said a former SEC defensive coach now in the NFL. “Explosive first step, great leverage, and power through the hips. He can wreck a backfield.”

Freddie Roach has long been praised for his ability to connect with defensive linemen and his technical coaching on hand placement, pad level, and footwork. Terry spent over 40 minutes on the field with Roach postgame in what one source called “a masterclass of D-line education.”

What’s Next for Alabama and Terry?

Terry has yet to schedule his official visits, but Alabama is pushing to lock in a weekend in late June. The Tide are hoping to pair his visit with a few other top defensive targets, creating a momentum weekend that could lead to commitments across multiple positions.

While flipping a five-star Georgia commit is never easy — especially one from within Georgia’s own backyard — Alabama has done it before. The Tide flipped elite prospects like Jeremiah Alexander, Dylan Moses, and others during Saban’s tenure, and DeBoer looks eager to replicate that trend.

“Alabama knows how to close,” one SEC insider said. “They don’t go all-in unless they feel like they’ve got a real shot. And with Justus? They do.”

A-Day Is About More Than Just Football

For Alabama fans, the A-Day game is a tradition, a chance to see young stars, and the unofficial start of football season. But behind the scenes, it’s also a crucial recruiting showcase — a moment to prove the program’s relevance and ambition.

This year, with all eyes on DeBoer and questions about the post-Saban era swirling, the Crimson Tide delivered a clear message.

Alabama is still elite. The culture, the standard, the expectations — all remain intact.

Justus Terry’s presence only solidified that point. Whether or not Alabama flips him in the end, the fact that he chose to spend one of his most important spring weekends in Tuscaloosa speaks volumes.

If DeBoer and his staff can close the deal, it could be the first of many dominoes to fall.