Top Recruit Decommits From Alabama Football; Crimson Tide Lose Another 5-Star Wide Receiver Following Nick Saban Retirement – Report – 2023-24 Postseason

Ffrench is the second high-end top recruit to withdraw his commitment to Alabama this week. Fellow wide receiver and five-star prospect Ryan Williams decommited from the Crimson Tide four days ago. 

Jaime Ffrench: Reopens Recruitment

Jaime Ffrench, a five-star recruit from Jacksonville, Florida, per 247Sports composite, committed to Alabama in July but will reopen his recruiting. He holds offers from the Auburn Tigers, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, the Colorado Buffaloes, and the Florida Gators, among other programs. Ffrench posted 62 receptions for 1,247 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Mandarin Mustangs this season. He had 44 catches for 671 yards last year. 

Per director of scouting Andrew Ivins of 247Sports, Ffrench is a skilled route runner who can fight for contested catches and has excellent hands. Ivins believes Ffrench can play inside and outside and has good enough speed to win over the top. His brother, Maurice Ffrench, played for the Pittsburgh Panthers from 2016 to 2019. He snagged 96 receptions for 850 yards and four scores in his final college season. 

Alabama Football: Restructuring Without Nick Saban

Seven-time college football champion and longtime Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement last week. The Tide hired Washington Huskies frontman Kalen DeBoer as his successor. DeBoer led the Huskies to the College Football Playoff, eventually losing to the Michigan Wolverines in the title game. Despite the coaching change, Quarterback Jalen Milroe announced he would stay with the Crimson Tide. Caleb Downs, Justince Haynes, Tyler Booker, Deontae Lawson, and Jihaad Campbell will also remain in Tuscaloosa.

However, the Crimson Tide have lost multiple coaches and players to the transfer portal. Leading receiver Isaiah Bond, running back Roydell Williams , and linebacker Kendrick Blackshire are among those leaving Alabama. Corners coach Travaris Robinson has also left the Crimson Tide football program.