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Kalen DeBoer, Alabama are losing ground on five-star John Meredith.

Alabama football’s pursuit of elite 2027 cornerback John Meredith appears to be slipping at a critical point in his recruitment, with the Texas Longhorns rapidly emerging as the team to beat.

According to the latest recruiting intel from Rivals, momentum has shifted significantly over the past several weeks, creating real concern for the Alabama Crimson Tide as they attempt to stay in the mix for one of the nation’s top defensive prospects.

Texas Surging as Recruitment Enters Key Phase

The recruitment of Meredith, who is widely regarded as the No. 1 cornerback in the 2027 class, is entering a pivotal stretch with official visits right around the corner.

The Longhorns, led by head coach Steve Sarkisian, have hosted a wave of elite prospects this spring and are positioning themselves for another top-tier recruiting class. That momentum now appears to be translating directly into Meredith’s recruitment.

Sources close to the situation indicate that Texas has made a strong impression with multiple visits already this spring. If a decision were made today, the Longhorns would likely come out on top, a significant development given how fluid this race has been.

Meredith is scheduled to take an official visit to Austin on June 5–7, a trip that could further solidify Texas’s grip on his recruitment.

Alabama, Ohio State Losing Ground

While Texas is trending upward, both Alabama and the Ohio State Buckeyes are reportedly moving in the opposite direction.

Not long ago, Alabama was viewed as a serious contender, potentially even a co-leader, for Meredith. Now, multiple sources describe this recruitment as a shifting battle where the Crimson Tide is struggling to maintain its footing.

The same can be said for Ohio State, leaving what many insiders now believe is a two-team race between Texas and Texas A&M Aggies.

What This Means for Alabama Football

For Alabama, this development represents more than just one recruitment. Landing a player of Meredith’s caliber would have been a cornerstone win for the Crimson Tide’s 2027 class.

But if the Kalen DeBoer era of Alabama football has taught Crimson Tide fans anything, it’s that defensive back recruiting will be just fine. Alabama DB coach Mo Linguist has proven year after year that he is more than capable of securing elite talent in the defensive backfield.

While missing out on Meredith stings, Tide fans shouldn’t hit the panic button just yet.