Gayles to Alabama
Four-Star Wide Receiver Osani Gayles Commits to Alabama, Bypassing Notre Dame
Four-star wide receiver Osani Gayles chose Alabama over Notre Dame on June 27, 2026, ending one of the most watched recruitments in the 2027 cycle. The IMG Academy standout made his announcement live on CBS Sports HQ, picking the Crimson Tide over Notre Dame, Tennessee, Washington, and Stanford.
Gayles is ranked the No. 34 overall player and No. 7 wide receiver in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports. His commitment pushed Alabama from outside the top 60 all the way to 49th in the national team recruiting rankings. Notre Dame, which missed on Gayles, still holds the No. 2 spot nationally.
Gayles Canceled Notre Dame Visit Before Picking Alabama
The writing was on the wall before Gayles made it official. On June 11, he canceled his planned official visits to both Notre Dame and Tennessee, according to Sports Illustrated. That move left Alabama and Washington as his clear front-runners.
Gayles had visited Alabama from May 29–31. Analysts at 247Sports called that Tuscaloosa trip the turning point in his recruitment. He also visited Washington from June 5–7, but the Crimson Tide's momentum proved too strong to overcome.
Alabama's Coaching Staff Made Gayles Feel Like the Top Priority
Gayles cited a personal connection with the Alabama staff as a key reason for his choice. "Coach DeBoer texts me, calls me, and makes me feel like a priority," Gayles told 247Sports. He also called WR coach Derrick Nix a "mentor" who would develop him "on and off the field."
In the end, Gayles said it came down to instinct. "Looking back at the history of Alabama, talking about it with my parents and family, and praying about it, it was my gut feeling," he said, per 247Sports. Alabama now has 13 commits in the 2027 cycle.
Who Is Gayles? A Speedster With Elite Numbers
Gayles is a 5'11", 185-pound receiver from Tracy, California. He transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, to boost his recruiting profile. At IMG in 2025, he caught 20 passes for 492 yards — a staggering 24.6 yards per catch — and scored on 40% of his receptions, per 247Sports.
His speed is elite even by national standards. As a freshman, Gayles ran the 100-meter dash in 10.76 seconds. Andrew Ivins, 247Sports Director of Scouting, compared him to Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon, praising his "intelligence, confidence, and polish," according to 247Sports.
Notre Dame Stays Strong at No. 2 But Shifts Focus to Defense
The loss hurts, but Notre Dame is not in crisis mode. The Irish already hold the No. 2 national ranking for the 2027 class. They landed a key offensive win earlier with legacy prospect Julius Jones Jr., which softened the blow of missing on Gayles, according to AtoZ Sports.
With 21 commits already in the fold, Notre Dame is close to its scholarship limit for the cycle. There is an "overwhelming chance" no more offensive players will be added, per AtoZ Sports. Coach Marcus Freeman's staff will now focus on defensive targets like DT Brayden Parks and LB Roman Igwebuike.
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