Coaching staffs from across the country are heading to Akron, Ohio, to meet with Elbert Hill, the top-ranked cornerback in the 2026 class.
The Archbishop Hoban standout has been receiving attention from several elite programs, including Alabama. On Monday, Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer and defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist paid him a visit.
Hill has been considering a return visit to Tuscaloosa after attending Alabama’s impressive win over Georgia during the 2024 season. The coaching staff has made a strong impression on the 5-foot-10.5, 170-pound cornerback throughout his recruitment so far.
“We talked to those guys quite a few times before we got there,” Hill’s father, Elbert III, told On3’s Steve Wiltfong earlier this month. “Just the relationship with Coach Mo (Linguist) and Courtney Morgan and (Kalen) DeBoer. They’ve done a great job recruiting him.”
The fall visit to Tuscaloosa marked the beginning of strong communication between Hill and Alabama. Since then, there has been steady contact, with the SEC program continuing to stand out as spring approaches.
“When we got down there it was just a good time,” the elder Hill said. “We got a chance to really talk to the coaches and everybody and it was crazy because we went down there for the Georgia-Alabama game. It was chaotic but they still found time to bring us in the office and talk to us and give us a description and plan and vision they have for him if he were to choose to come there.”
Oregon defensive backs coach Chris Hampton and Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore have also visited Hoban this month, and Penn State is expected to make an appearance this week. All are vying for Hill’s attention as he continues to navigate his recruitment process.
Hill is ranked as the No. 17 overall prospect and the top cornerback in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, which is a weighted average of the four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player in Ohio.
Alabama currently has one commitment in its 2026 class: Gadsden (Ala.) City four-star cornerback Zyan Gibson, ranked No. 69 overall and No. 6 in the cornerback position for the cycle. The Tide also secured three blue-chip defensive backs in the 2025 cycle: Mission Viejo (Calif.) five-star cornerback Dijon Lee, Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange four-star safety Ivan Taylor, and Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star cornerback Chuck McDonald.
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