2026 Recruiting: Qayden Samuels commits to Alabama

[HooperScooper]

Only posting this for a few reasons.

1). UConn was recruiting him last fall.

2). He was deciding between fellow Big East school Georgetown and Alabama. Why would any highly rated recruit commit to Georgetown these days?

3). This is strange. He supposedly signed his NLI in November and just announced for Alabama today. Why the wait to announce? Was negotiating his revenue sharing and NIL? Does this mean he was going to commit to Alabama in the fall and knew if he changed his mind he could easily get out of his NLI? I don't even know why they still have the NLI system since it has no teeth these days.

According to his mother, Samuels has signed with Alabama. The Early Signing Period was in November, meaning the paperwork has been official with the Tide for over two months.

Top-25 overall recruit Qayden Samuels commits to Alabama

Four-star Qayden Samuels, a top-25 prospect in the 2026 class, has committed to Alabama, a source told Rivals.

www.on3.com

 

[BGesus4]

Only posting this for a few reasons.

1). UConn was recruiting him last fall.

2). He was deciding between fellow Big East school Georgetown and Alabama. Why would any highly rated recruit commit to Georgetown these days?

3). This is strange. He supposedly signed his NLI in November and just announced for Alabama today. Why the wait to announce? Was negotiating his revenue sharing and NIL? Does this mean he was going to commit to Alabama in the fall and knew if he changed his mind he could easily get out of his NLI? I don't even know why they still have the NLI system since it has no teeth these days.

According to his mother, Samuels has signed with Alabama. The Early Signing Period was in November, meaning the paperwork has been official with the Tide for over two months.

Top-25 overall recruit Qayden Samuels commits to Alabama

Four-star Qayden Samuels, a top-25 prospect in the 2026 class, has committed to Alabama, a source told Rivals.

www.on3.com

He was probably waiting for bama to decide if they wanted to recruit any amateur players

 

[bendm]

He’s #22 in the 247composite and Landrew is up to #23. Toure is #32. County is #42. Duke has four guys in the top 15 lol.

 

[boog204]

He’s #22 in the 247composite and Landrew is up to #23. Toure is #32. County is #42. Duke has four guys in the top 15 lol.

I’m really annoyed we didn’t get Toure. He’s the type of downhill/Jamier Jones type that adds such a nice wrinkle when things break down.

 

[bendm]

I’m really annoyed we didn’t get Toure. He’s the type of downhill/Jamier Jones type that adds such a nice wrinkle when things break down.

Over Landrew? Assume it was either/or with Landrew and Toure

 

[RuffRuff]

Over Landrew? Assume it was either/or with Landrew and Toure

I guess it really depends on how we slot in Stew/Ross. Toure could play the 3 and Landrew the 4. A 2 dude class isn't all that deep.

 

[boog204]

Over Landrew? Assume it was either/or with Landrew and Toure

Naw over County. I get the either/or scenario and if that’s how it had to be, then Landrew seems like the bigger get. Just miss having really athletic wings and never have been that impressed with County. Major Adams vibes. But what do I know.

 

[HooperScooper]

I’m really annoyed we didn’t get Toure. He’s the type of downhill/Jamier Jones type that adds such a nice wrinkle when things break down.

Let’s not go through this again. It was obvious why UConn didn’t really want him in that article with comments from his father when he committed to Arkansas. If only Hurley had a Bentley. 😀

 

[RuffRuff]

Naw over County. I get the either/or scenario and if that’s how it had to be, then Landrew seems like the bigger get. Just miss having really athletic wings and never have been that impressed with County. Major Adams vibes. But what do I know.

We can definitely use some plus athletes. Even one really impressive athlete would be nice. We have/had zero on the current and last years squad. Last year's team was painfully unathletic. I just wonder if Hurley is doing this with intention. It feels like ages since Steph and Ajx.

 

[Lafayette]

Let's not forget Landrew has offered a wide receiver scholly to play football at Alabama.

He's got the conditioning and the hands for post moves and probably is pretty quick too. I think he will show out better than Stewart unfortunately, but Landrew could be our 3 if Stewart is our 4.

It's anyone's guess since we need likely 4 transfers in / Euro recruits to make up for the huge 5 seniors + Mullins departures.

 

[boog204]

Let’s not go through this again. It was obvious why UConn didn’t really want him in that article with comments from his father when he committed to Arkansas. If only Hurley had a Bentley. 😀

Oh for sure. Just wish the fam would’ve been cool with a Nissan or something.

 

[bendm]

I guess it really depends on how we slot in Stew/Ross. Toure could play the 3 and Landrew the 4. A 2 dude class isn't all that deep.

If Stew and Ross are back they coming off the bench with County. But With Silas, Ball, and Reibe returning and staff going after Pierce the tea leaves say Landrew is the starting SF. Just need an experienced backup PG like Malachi and a backup C out of the portal.

 

[Palatine]

I’m really annoyed we didn’t get Toure. He’s the type of downhill/Jamier Jones type that adds such a nice wrinkle when things break down.

Toure was a highest bidder recruit. Not exactly in the UConn wheelhouse.

 

[Fishy]

Oh for sure. Just wish the fam would’ve been cool with a Nissan or something.

They were very concerned about the CVT issues some of the modern Nissans have suffered.

We did a poor job of conveying the more recent JD Power rankings to the family.

 

[superjohn]

I’m really annoyed we didn’t get Toure. He’s the type of downhill/Jamier Jones type that adds such a nice wrinkle when things break down.

He's going to be a star.

 

[karstenkibbe]

Only posting this for a few reasons.

1). UConn was recruiting him last fall.

2). He was deciding between fellow Big East school Georgetown and Alabama. Why would any highly rated recruit commit to Georgetown these days?

3). This is strange. He supposedly signed his NLI in November and just announced for Alabama today. Why the wait to announce? Was negotiating his revenue sharing and NIL? Does this mean he was going to commit to Alabama in the fall and knew if he changed his mind he could easily get out of his NLI? I don't even know why they still have the NLI system since it has no teeth these days.

According to his mother, Samuels has signed with Alabama. The Early Signing Period was in November, meaning the paperwork has been official with the Tide for over two months.

Top-25 overall recruit Qayden Samuels commits to Alabama

Four-star Qayden Samuels, a top-25 prospect in the 2026 class, has committed to Alabama, a source told Rivals.

www.on3.com

NLI went way in October ‘24. Student-athlete just signs a grant-in-aid now.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

He was probably waiting for bama to decide if they wanted to recruit any amateur players

Making sure Robert Horry and Latrell Sprewell didn’t have any eligibility left.

 

[boog204]

If Stew and Ross are back they coming off the bench with County. But With Silas, Ball, and Reibe returning and staff going after Pierce the tea leaves say Landrew is the starting SF. Just need an experienced backup PG like Malachi and a backup C out of the portal.

I think we need to go after a big time 3 and 4 then add depth at C and PG. I have zero faith in Stew as a potential 4, am not enamored with Pierce, and hesitate to pencil in any frosh. Losing Reed and Karaban we need someone who can board and hopefully infuse some athleticism in the front court.

 

[Ewekon]

He’s #22 in the 247composite and Landrew is up to #23. Toure is #32. County is #42. Duke has four guys in the top 15 lol.

County going to continue to rise. Count on it.

 

[RuffRuff]

County going to continue to rise. Count on it.

You know something they don't?

 

[Ewekon]

Like his ga

You know something they don't?

I like his game. Hunch

 

[caw]

Naw over County. I get the either/or scenario and if that’s how it had to be, then Landrew seems like the bigger get. Just miss having really athletic wings and never have been that impressed with County. Major Adams vibes. But what do I know.

Adams seems much more frenetic to me. Everything I've seen of County is much more in control of his movements but I haven't watched a ton of him.