Alabama Football Emerging as a Favorite for Coveted 2027 Running Back
The Alabama Crimson Tide has been hard at work recruiting class of 2027 running back Tai Phillips. They have already hosted the Fayetteville, North Carolina native for three unofficial visits, and have an official visit scheduled for June 12.
At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, he is a three-star recruit, the No. 74 running back and the No. 901 player in the nation, per Rivals Industry Rankings. He holds offers from the Crimson Tide, NC State Wolfpack, Ohio State Buckeyes, Virginia Tech Hokies and Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
With a handful of teams fighting for his commitment, two have begun to stand out. When speaking to Rivals' Chad Simmons, Phillips revealed that Alabama and Virginia Tech are at the top of his list.
"Alabama and Virginia Tech are my favorites," Phillips said. "Both schools have been very consistent. I hear from them every day. They are both making me feel like a priority."
He went on to praise the personal attention Alabama gives, saying, "They want to see you win off the field too. The visit this spring was great. They really focused on each other and getting better."
Phillips is coming off a solid junior season for Cape Fear High School. In seven games, he rushed the ball 116 times for 919 yards and 12 touchdowns. All were career highs despite playing in five fewer games than his sophomore season.
He's become a priority for DeBoer and his staff as they work on building up the 2027 recruiting class. So far, Alabama's group ranks 11th in the SEC and 28th in the nation with six commitments, three of which are blue-chip prospects. The Crimson Tide is striving to make Phillips their first running back commitment of the cycle.
While Alabama and Virginia Tech are the favorites, other teams are still in the race. The playmaker will be taking an official visit with NC State on June 5.
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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 8:32 AM.