Four-star prospect decommits from Alabama as Nick Saban's absence continues to take toll

One of the top-rated cornerbacks of the 2026 college football recruiting class, Dorian Barney, has decommitted from Alabama in another telling blow in the post-Nick Saban era.

Barney is one of several prospects who have reconsidered their Crimson Tide commitments in recent months.

While exploring other options, he has as many as 42 offers to choose from, per On3 .

Saban shocked the sporting world when he decided to retire from coaching after the 2023 season, with Alabama hiring former Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Carson Beck reaction raises eyebrows as Georgia's CFB Playoff hopes take huge hit Shedeur Sanders forced to change T-shirt by officials before Colorado game DeBoer's hiring was met with skepticism, having just two years of experience coaching in the PAC-12 after multiple years of being in the Mountain West.

He suffered an immediate blow to his career when the Crimson Tide after offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb decided not to join his staff, deciding to sign the Seattle Seahawks instead.

And it appears that future players are now doubting DeBoer with many decommitting - with Barney being the most notable player to do so.

Barney is reportedly expected to join the Georgia Bulldogs.

Alabama has already lost two games against SEC opponents this year, being hugely upset by Vanderbilt before dropping a game to Tennessee, currently with a 7-2 record.

The Crimson Tide had never dropped two consecutive road games with Saban as head coach, with DeBeor admitting his team 'cannot play as a team' at times.

He said: "Obviously a tough loss, frustrating loss.

We've had two now.

Just cant play team football, just cant bring it together.

Try to look inward after every game and will continue to do the same.

I know we've got a locker room that's hurting...

just frustrated.

We can't get over the hump.

"We just cant mesh right now the offense and defense together and play great team football.

Theres times when we got to be able to separate ourselves and have that killer instinct.

And right now, you know, we dont do that.

And its not like theyre not trying.

Its just the execution needs to be better." Alabama is currently the ninth-ranked team with three games to go of their regular season, all coming against unranked opponents in the hopes of finishing as high as possible before entering into college football's new playoff format .

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