One of the more intriguing 2026 recruits has just secured a visit to Alabama.
Wide receiver Samson Gash started out as a three-star recruit but quickly worked his way up to a four star after he committed to Michigan State University over the summer.
But things in East Lansing are looking bad, especially after getting smacked by UCLA this past Saturday. Unfortunately for the Spartans, Jonathan Smith and his squad received even more bad news.
Gash will now take a visit to Tuscaloosa for the Tide’s November 8 battle against LSU.
The Novi, Michigan native previously visited Alabama over the summer for Summer Camp, and blew coaches away so much that he received an offer from Kalen DeBoer and his staff. However, at the time, Michigan State’s pursuit for Gash was at an all-time high.
It seemed like from the jump, Gash was dead set on committing to Michigan State, as he committed to the Spartans just three days after his Alabama offer.
But the Tide are putting on all the stops, and they found a way to get Gash back on campus this year, according to Brett Greenberg of 247Sports.
Gash is a super athlete who ran a 10.41 100M, which is equivalent to a 4.34 40-yard dash, ultimately shattering a state record in Michigan.
Football runs in his blood as his father Sam had played in the NFL for 12 seasons as a fullback and won Super Bowl XXXV with the Baltimore Ravens.
Samson possesses a whole lot of flare and finesse, as opposed to his father’s slower, grittier and physical style of play.
In the first four weeks of his senior season, Gash had lit up the competition. He posted 650 yards with six touchdowns, and not only that, his Flash-like speed can be a weapon in special teams as a returner.
Should Gash decide that Tuscaloosa is the place for him, it could open the door for playing time. By 2026, Germie Bernard will be in the NFL and possibly Isaiah Horton as well, which leaves the top two in the receiver room to be Ryan Williams and Lottie Brooks.
Cole Adams and Rico Scott could be real possibilities to be the WR3. Adams especially since he has some of the best hands on the team.
But regardless, DeBoer has shown that if you compete at a high level, he’s not afraid to ride with freshmen. Brooks, along with Michael Carroll and Dijon Lee are the perfect examples of freshmen that are getting meaningful reps as freshmen.
Perhaps that’s becoming a selling point for recruits that Alabama is courting. Want instant results? Play your tail off and force the coaches hands to play you over a veteran.
It’s worked for many this season. Can it work for future freshmen?