“Bama is always going to be Bama football": Four-star TE Kaiden Prothro reflects on Alabama legacy

Four-star tight end Kaiden Prothro remains one of the key targets of Alabama's 2026 class. Crimson Tide tight ends coach Bryan Ellis is his primary recruiter, and the prospect from Bowdon High School in Georgia was in attendance during the program's 41-34 win over Georgia on Sept. 28.

“Bama is always going to be Bama football,” Prothro told Touchdown Alabama on Friday. “They’re known for winning, known for getting after the opponent’s tail. I feel like Bama’s always just going to be a top contender in the SEC and just college football.”

Despite Alabama’s strong tradition, its 2024 season ended on a challenging note, as Michigan handed a 19-13 loss to the Crimson Tide during the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday. Alabama finished 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the Southeastern Conference in Kalen DeBoer's first season. The season's struggles raised questions about the program’s future under DeBoer, but history provides a reason for optimism.

Nick Saban’s early years in Tuscaloosa were marked by growing pains before he built a dynasty that redefined college football. DeBoer would be tasked with a similar challenge, aiming to restore Alabama to championship contention by securing top-tier recruits like Kaiden Prothro.

Kaiden Prothro reveals Alabama coaching staff's pitch

Alabama's 2026 class secured the commitment of four-star cornerback Zyan Gibson last month. On offense, tight end prospects like Kaiden Prothro remain a key target for Kalen DeBoer's coaching staff.

"Coach was telling me that they don’t have no guys like me, just some in-line guys, who just go out and catch passes, but they can still run when they need guys to split out and just do their thing,” Prothro told Touchdown Alabama.

“I feel like what they are doing this year with their tight ends having a bunch of catches, just making plays, see myself out there just splitting out wide, just making even bigger catches and running the offense."

Prothro’s ability to line up in multiple positions mirrors the versatility Alabama has sought in its offensive recruits. At 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds, his size and athleticism evoke comparisons to former Alabama wide receiver Caleb Odom, who transferred to Ole Miss after his freshman season. This versatility was on full display during Day 2 of the Under Armour All-America practices.

In 1-on-1 drills, Prothro delivered a highlight-worthy performance by beating Oregon five-star signee Na’eem Offord on a deep route. In 7-on-7 action, he connected with Texas signee K.J. Lacey for a standout downfield catch. His dominance earned him the Under Armour All-America On3 MVP.

Besides Alabama, Kaiden Prothro is also high on Ole Miss, Florida, Auburn, Georgia, Texas and Florida State.