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It can be difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction as it pertains to exactly which schools have the most NIL resources to secure high school prospects and Division I transfers. But one thing pretty much all industry sources agree on is that Alabama is operating from a position of strength relative to most of the rest of the nation.
Sunday provided the latest reminder.
That’s when Rutgers transfer Clifford Omoruyi announced that he’ll play next season for the Crimson Tide after passing on offers from North Carolina, Kansas State and Georgetown. The 6-foot-11 center averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in 26.9 minutes per game this season for the Scarlet Knights. He’s the fourth transfer to commit to Alabama over the past month — following Aden Holloway (Auburn), Chris Youngblood (South Florida) and Houston Mallette (Pepperdine) — and is now among the headliners of a recruiting class that ranks second nationally, according to 247Sports. Omoruyi’s addition has the Crimson Tide up to No. 6 in Version 19.0 of the 2024-25 CBS Sports preseason Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings.
Kansas remains No. 1.
The biggest question for Alabama going forward is this: What will Mark Sears do?
The CBS Sports Second Team All-American has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft and received an invitation to this month’s combine — but he’s also maintaining his college eligibility. If Sears ultimately announces a return to Alabama, rest assured, the Crimson Tide will move into the top five of the Top 25 And 1. But, for now, I’m still projecting the possible first-round pick to remain in the draft, meaning Alabama is at No. 6 in the Top 25 And 1 even without Sears on the projected roster.
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