The largest sport of Week 5 of the school soccer season will happen in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this weekend. It is No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 4 Alabama. Each groups are undefeated. It does not get a lot better than that. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and can air on ESPN.
5-star recruits among the many elite expertise headed to campus
Headlined by Alabama five-star quarterback commit Keelon Russell, the No. 10 general participant within the class of 2025, there’s an elite group of recruits anticipated in Tuscaloosa this weekend. With over 100 prospects doubtless gathering for this matchup, the Crimson Tide will look to placed on a present for the likes of Alabama commits, together with five-star offensive sort out Ty Haywood, five-star cornerback Dijon Lee, and five-star receiver Caleb Cunningham. A lot for the supposed dropoff in recruiting after Nick Saban retired. The Tide’s class ranks No. 2 nationally.
Along with the loaded record of commits, Alabama is trying to get away its spatulas and flip just a few class of 2025 prospects dedicated elsewhere. You have received Tennessee four-star linebacker commit Jaedon Harmon headed to city. Auburn four-star security commit Derick Smith will try the Crimson Tide. Alabama will look to impress four-star security Ivan Taylor, who’s dedicated to Michigan. There might be almost a dozen recruits dedicated elsewhere in Tuscaloosa. If the Tide make an incredible impression on the sector, it may have fairly the affect off it.
Alabama trying to surge with ridiculous group of underclassmen set to go to
Within the class of 2026, prospects at present taking part in their junior yr of soccer, the record of anticipated guests is loaded. Xavier Griffin and Tyler Atkinson, the highest two linebackers in America, are coming to city. Bralan Womack, the No. 1 security within the nation, is visiting. Cederian Morgan and Tristen Keys, two of essentially the most elite pass-catchers within the nation, might be in Tuscaloosa. Double-digit recruits from 247Sports’ High 100 record in 2026 might be at this sport.
Shifting on to the category of 2027, recruits collaborating of their sophomore season, Alabama will host loads of different elite prospects. You have received the No. 1 general participant on the town in quarterback Elijah Haven. Coming all the way in which from California is Mark Bowman, the No. 1 tight finish in his class. Antwoine Higgins, the No. 1 linebacker in America, is headed to Tuscaloosa. As a consequence of his positional flexibility, the No. 1-ranked athlete is Xavier Sabb. He, too, might be at Alabama on Saturday. No shock right here, however there are various extra particular skills in that class anticipated in T-City as effectively.
High-five on the sector, but in addition top-five in recruiting
Not solely are Alabama and Georgia rivals on the sector, however they’re rivals on the recruiting path as effectively. In case you’re an elite soccer participant, you are going to maintain scholarship gives from the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs. Georgia signed the No. 1 class in 2024 for the third time in Kirby Sensible’s tenure and aside from Jimbo Fisher inking the No. 1 class for Texas A&M in 2022, Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide in any other case had a vice grip on the No. 1 spot.
This sport may play an enormous function in eventual selections from lots of the prospects listed above. Because it stands now, Alabama has 20 commits within the class of 2025, and the group is listed at No. 2 general within the 247Sports group recruiting rankings. Georgia has 21 commits in whole and is at present listed at No. 5 general, based on these group rankings. Do not be shocked to see motion on each of these commit lists within the days following this high-profile matchup.
All eyes on Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer
That is it. That is the sport that everybody might be watching. All eyes are going to be on Alabama and Georgia this weekend. Most notably, a variety of consideration might be on Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer. After season-opening wins in opposition to Western Kentucky, South Florida, and Wisconsin, that is his first SEC matchup because the first-year chief of the Tide. What a possibility it’s for DeBoer to set the tone, not just for this yr’s Alabama soccer group, however for the way forward for the Crimson Tide. A win on Saturday will not deliver a nationwide championship to Tuscaloosa, however it is going to quiet any critics who could have questioned his rent from Washington this offseason. A win Saturday could possibly be large for this program transferring ahead.
Stress is on Georgia when the 2 groups sq. off
Bear in mind when the Bulldogs received off to a sluggish first half to open the season in opposition to Clemson? Properly, they bounced again within the second half and gained convincingly, 34-3. The next weekend, Georgia dominated Tennessee Tech from begin to end and cruised to a 48-3 victory. Previous to final week’s bye, Georgia was almost upset on the street in opposition to Kentucky. They had been in a position to pull out a 13-12 win, however there was a variety of fear coming from Bulldogs followers after that shut name. With a lot chatter about this yr’s squad and the way good this group really is, it appears there’s a variety of strain on head coach Kirby Sensible and his group to get a victory in Tuscaloosa this weekend. If issues do not go effectively for the Bulldogs, it is not like it is going to get any simpler over the ultimate eight video games to shut out the common season.
Georgia hosts Auburn subsequent weekend, and regardless of the Tigers’ struggles at occasions this yr, that is a rivalry sport you can’t really predict, no matter how effectively a group is taking part in. The Bulldogs have Mississippi State at house, however after that, they must go on the street and face Texas. If each groups are undefeated, you’ll be a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup. Buckle up. Georgia then faces Florida earlier than heading on the street as soon as once more to face Ole Miss, which is at present ranked No. 6 within the nation. Speak about a tricky street schedule for the Bulldogs this season. Oh, and it does not get simpler at that time.
Earlier than wrapping up the season at house in opposition to Massachusetts and Georgia Tech, Georgia will tackle Tennessee in Athens. No massive deal — simply one other top-five opponent for the Bulldogs. You do not need to look too far forward in your schedule, however it’s laborious to argue in opposition to this sport being critically necessary for Georgia because it appears to get again to the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
