Four-Star Running Back Commits to Alabama

Alabama wrapped up its first official visit weekend of the summer, with the weekend already producing a commitment for the Crimson Tide after four-star running back Nigel Newkirk committed to Alabama on Sunday afternoon, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3.

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Newkirk, the No. 6 running back according to the Rivals 300, chose Alabama over Ohio State, LSU, and Michigan. He'll play his senior season of high school football at Gainesville High School in Georgia and was a teammate of current Alabama defenders Xavier Griffin and Jamarion Matthews last season at Gainesville.

Newkirk, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound running back, has visited Alabama four times, the most of any school recruiting him. He was in Tuscaloosa for Alabama's A-Day scrimmage in April as well.

As a junior in 2025, Newkirk finished with 1,496 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging 8.1 yards per carry in 14 games last season. He also added 12 receptions for 128 yards and one score.

247 Sports Scouting Analyst Gabe Brooks wrote of Newkirk in his evaluation:

"- Impressive build with the look of a P4 RB.
- Gets north-south as quickly as possible.
- Runs hard and gains extra yardage through contact at the second level.
- Not an elusive move stringer, but capable of one-cut evasiveness to extend runs.
- Encouraging track data that includes a 11.05 100-meter time as a sophomore.
- Sees plays develop and knows how to effectively use patience or urgency.
- Somewhat of a one-speed runner who can enhance gear-mixing nuance.
- Limited pass-catching opportunities.
- Projects to the P4 level as a possible high-major back who could become a quality starter and/or valuable piece of a multi-faceted backfield rotation."

Newkirk is the seventh commitment for the Crimson Tide in the 2027 recruiting class. Here are Alabama's currently committed prospects in 2027:

Elijah Haven: 5-Star QB
Trent Seaborn: 4-Star QB
Kenneth Simon II: 4-Star LB
Nigel Newkirk: 4-Star RB
Stevan Thornton III: 3-Star DL
Avrian Pauley: 3-Star DL
Oakley Keegan: 3-Star TE

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_.