Four-Star OL Sam Utu Decommits From Alabama, Reopens Recruitment

Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class took an unexpected hit on Monday as four-star offensive lineman Sam Utu announced that he is backing off his verbal commitment, opening the door for other programs to make a late push.

A source confirmed to ESPN that multiple schools, including SMU, have been working to flip the standout lineman as signing periods inch closer.

Utu, a 6-foot-5, 295-pound tackle from Orange, California, is widely viewed as one of the premier offensive line prospects in the nation.

ESPN ranks him as the No. 12 offensive tackle and the No. 76 overall player in the 2026 cycle, placing him firmly among the elite recruits expected to shape the next wave of college football talent.

His decision to step away from his commitment comes shortly after a Week 13 visit to SMU, where he was in attendance for the Mustangs’ dominant 38-6 win over Louisville on Saturday. That trip immediately sparked speculation about his future, especially considering SMU was a major contender earlier in his recruitment.

Utu has been a fixture on the offensive line at Orange Lutheran High School, starting for four seasons and developing into one of the most polished high school linemen on the West Coast.

He originally pledged to Alabama in June, choosing the Crimson Tide over a strong group of finalists, including SMU, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

For Alabama, the decommitment marks an important storyline as the Tide continue pushing to maintain a top-tier 2026 class under Kalen DeBoer.

Losing a player of Utu’s caliber is always a setback, particularly along the offensive line. A position the Tide traditionally recruit at a championship level.

Still, Alabama has time to regroup and re-engage with Utu if the staff chooses, or they can pivot to other rising prospects as evaluations continue. There's no doubt the Tide will make the right decision when the time comes.

As for Ut, his recruitment is wide open once again, and his stock seems to be climbing upwards.

With powerhouse programs circling and momentum building around SMU’s push, his next move will be closely monitored across the college football landscape.