BREAKING: Alabama Flips In-State Defensive Lineman Kavarris “Duke” Duncan from Tulane
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In a move that came together with stunning speed, the Alabama Crimson Tide have flipped 2027 defensive lineman Kavarris “Duke” Duncan from his commitment to Tulane, sources confirmed Sunday.
Duncan, a 6-foot-1, 315-pound interior defensive lineman from Winterboro High School in Alpine, Alabama, had been committed to the Green Wave since June. But his recruitment took a dramatic turn when Alabama reviewed his senior film, ramped up its interest in mid-September, and brought him to campus for the Crimson Tide’s matchup against Florida State this past weekend .
It was during that visit that Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer extended a scholarship offer — one Duncan described as a “dream come true” . Less than 24 hours later, the flip was official.
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A Lifelong Dream Realized
For Duncan, the decision was rooted in a lifetime of Crimson Tide fandom.
“Bama has always been a big thing in my life since I was a kid,” Duncan told Rivals following his commitment. “It’s a family thing, and it was put into me at a young age. We always watched Bama. That was one reason I chose Alabama.”
He added: “Then it is just the place, the fans and how they operate the program. I also love the Bama standard. They do hard workouts in the early morning workouts and I’m built for Bama” .
Duncan grew up making trips to Tuscaloosa for games, long before he developed into a Division I prospect. That childhood connection made the offer difficult to turn down once it became real .
“When you talk about Bama, it’s just Bama,” he said. “The standard it takes to be here means a lot. I’m going to make a big impact very soon at Bama. I just love everything about the place. I’m destined to be there” .
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The Fast-Moving Recruitment
Tulane had done significant work in Duncan’s recruitment, securing his commitment in June and positioning itself as the frontrunner throughout the summer. But the landscape shifted when Alabama’s defensive staff — led by defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and defensive line coach Freddie Roach — evaluated his senior tape .
The Crimson Tide’s interest crystallized quickly. By the time Duncan arrived on campus for the Florida State game, an offer was imminent. Once it came, the flip was almost inevitable .
The timing was particularly significant for Alabama, which entered the weekend with only one defensive lineman committed in the 2027 class: three-star AJ Pauley from Mobile . Duncan’s addition provides immediate depth to a position group the Crimson Tide have prioritized in recent cycles.
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A “Moneyball” Prospect with Upside
Duncan may not arrive with the fanfare of a blue-chip recruit — he’s currently ranked as the No. 989 overall prospect and the No. 117 defensive lineman in the composite rankings . But Alabama’s staff has earned a reputation for identifying under-recruited prospects with high upside, and Duncan fits that mold.
At 6-foot-1 and 315 pounds, he projects as a nose tackle or interior disruptor at the next level. His senior film shows a player who consistently dominates at the point of attack, using his low center of gravity and powerful hands to shed blockers and disrupt running lanes .
Bama Hammer’s analysis noted that Duncan is “the low-risk, high-reward type of upside swing you can make in this era of college football with roster limits at 105.” As a scholarship-only addition, he costs Alabama none of its revenue-share or NIL dollars, making him an efficient roster addition as the program navigates the new landscape of college athletics .
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What It Means for Alabama
Duncan becomes Alabama’s 15th commitment in the 2027 class, a smaller-than-normal group as the Crimson Tide balance high school recruiting with roster retention efforts in the transfer portal era .
His flip also continues a trend of Alabama successfully poaching commitments from Group of Five programs. The Crimson Tide’s brand and developmental track record remain powerful recruiting tools, particularly for in-state prospects who grew up dreaming of wearing crimson and white.
For Tulane, the loss stings. The Green Wave had built momentum in the 2027 cycle, compiling over 20 commitments at various points this summer . Duncan was expected to be a foundational piece of their defensive front. But when Alabama comes calling — especially for a kid who grew up watching the Tide — the pull is often too strong to resist.
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What’s Next
Duncan is expected to sign with Alabama during the early signing period in December. Until then, the Crimson Tide staff will continue to monitor his senior season at Winterboro and evaluate other defensive line targets.
Alabama remains in the mix for several other 2027 defensive prospects, including Memphis commit Joshua Lane, who was also on campus this weekend and holds a Crimson Tide offer . The staff’s willingness to pursue flips and evaluate late-rising seniors suggests the 2027 class is far from complete.
For Duncan, the journey from Tulane commit to Crimson Tide pledge took only days. But the roots of the decision stretch back to childhood — to Saturday mornings watching Alabama football with family, dreaming of one day wearing the script A.
That dream is now reality.
