Gillespie, brought to Tuscaloosa by Nick Saban in January 2021 to lead the Crimson Tide’s running backs, remains a pivotal recruiter even as Kalen DeBoer’s staff expanded his role to assistant head coach in 2024. His resume includes 13 NFL backs developed, such as Alvin Kamara, Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Robinson Jr., Javonte Williams, and Michael Carter, with coaching stops at North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Oklahoma State and South Carolina.
Robinson, a Brandon High School product from Jackson, Mississippi, is ranked No. 60 nationally in his class and holds 11 SEC offers. On3’s crystal ball shows Tennessee as the early favorite at 22.5%, followed by Mississippi State (16.5%) and Ole Miss (14.1%). He previously named a top five that did not include Alabama, stating Miami, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Arizona State, and Michigan as his current leaders.
The timing matters: just last week Robinson released his top five, and Alabama wasn’t in the mix. He also indicated plans to visit the remaining programs and to take all five official visits before deciding, with a commitment window set for June 20–28. Gillespie’s involvement could refresh Alabama’s standing as recruiters weigh his proven ability to develop backs.
DeBoer’s early statements on recruiting reflect a broader, ongoing push beyond the 2027 class, including attention to a 2028 defensive tackle target, Kingston “Boogeyman” Brown, who has Alabama among the favorites. The program has also pursued 2027 standout Monshun Sales, a wide receiver from Indiana, who visited on campus and highlighted DeBoer’s openness to playing true freshmen, even as Sales remains a priority for Indiana.
With multiple SEC programs in the mix for Robinson, Alabama’s renewed connection with Gillespie adds a meaningful dimension to the pursuit. The next steps—unofficial visits, the timing of official visits, and a clear path to a decision—will determine whether Gillespie’s presence translates into a breakthrough for the Crimson Tide in this race.
