Alabama Adds Walk-On Long Snapper for 2026

Another day, another commitment for the Crimson Tide. Alabama added JJ Finch on Sunday, Javari Barnett and Rihyael Kelley on Monday, and now, a walk-on long snapper on Tuesday.

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According to his social media, walk-on long snapper Eli Deutsch has committed to Alabama.

Deutsch, a native of Wisconsin, is ranked as a 4.5-star long snapper, according to Kohl's Kicking Camp, and the No. 21 long snapper in the 2026 recruiting class. His average snap time is 0.69 seconds, and he touts a tight spiral on all of his snaps.

His commitment to the Crimson Tide won't move the needle in recruiting rankings, but Alabama currently has one senior, one junior, and one sophomore on the roster as long snappers. Deutsch can provide valuable depth at the position and compete for a starting job by his second year with the Crimson Tide, assuming Alabama does not add a veteran presence in the room following the losses of the snappers already on the roster.

In 2025, Alabama will look to replace four-year starting long snapper Kneeland Hibbett, as Hibbett exhausted all of his collegiate eligibility after the Tide's 9-4 campaign in the 2024 college football season.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.