Dear is a four-star running back out of Quitman High School in Mississippi. He will choose between Alabama, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

The Crimson Tide have been very consistent in their push for Dear since Kalen DeBoer took over in Tuscaloosa. It was clear early on, the Crimson Tide’s running back coach Robert Gillespie would play a vital role in Dear’s recruitment as one of the stayovers from Saban’s coaching staff.

Alabama football’s four-star running back target, Akylin Dear is set to announce his commitment decision on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

Dear is a four-star running back out of Quitman High School in Mississippi. He will choose between Alabama, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

The Crimson Tide have been very consistent in their push for Dear since Kalen DeBoer took over in Tuscaloosa. It was clear early on, the Crimson Tide’s running back coach Robert Gillespie would play a vital role in Dear’s recruitment as one of the stayovers from Saban’s coaching staff.

“They still at the top of my board because coach (Robert) Gillespie still there,” Dear told Touchdown Alabama in February. “I like coach DeBoer. I got to get there to meet the coaching staff.”

The four-star would go on to commit to Ole Miss, but his commitment didn’t stop Alabama from pushing for him. Gillespie visited him at his home during the spring and the Tide got him on campus for an official visit in June, and he left feeling good about them after a ‘dope’ visit.

“The people at Alabama are the people you want around you, like cool people,” Dear said following his visit.

The four-star de-committed from Ole Miss in June, and the Tide was considered one of the favorites to land him the moment he did so.

Dear was a tenacious runner with an explosive burst as a junior. The four-star finished the 2023 football season with 2,016 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns.

Justin Smith is the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith

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