Tayden Kaawa, the four-star quarterback from Orem High School in Utah and a native of Molokai, Hawaii, has officially ended his recruiting process and committed to the University of Alabama, citing it as the premier destination for football.
During his junior season, Kaawa posted strong numbers: completing about 64 percent of his passes, racking up nearly 2,900 yards through the air with 28 touchdown passes and only nine interceptions. He also added over 300 yards and several scores on the ground.
Kaawa, measuring in at 6 foot 4 (or 6’5) and about 235 pounds, impressed many with his frame, arm strength, and versatility. Before committing, Kaawa held offers from several major programs, including BYU, Boise State, Oregon, Arizona State, Washington and others. But Alabama won out in the end.
Following an official visit to Tuscaloosa on June 20, and after seeing the campus, facilities, staff and overall environment, Kaawa said it became clear that Alabama was the right fit. He noted that the coaching staff there, including coaches like Nick Sheridan, Ryan Grubb, and head coach Kalen DeBoer, made him feel like part of a family, and that those relationships played a big role in his decision.
“One of the greatest colleges for football,” he said, when describing Alabama. He emphasized that the reputation Alabama has for developing players and sending them to the NFL was a major factor in his choosing to “shut down” the rest of his recruitment.
Kaawa becomes the second quarterback commit in Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class, joining Jett Thomalla. His commitment pushes Alabama’s class towards a top-five national ranking.
While high expectations will come with the nickname and program, Kaawa has shown he’s up for the challenge. He transferred to Utah to gain more exposure, moved from Hawaii, and has performed well in different competition settings.
Kaawa also expressed admiration for more than just the on-field side of things. The medical staff, the academic support, the culture around the Alabama program, and the “environment” he felt during visits all contributed. He said that he believes those surrounding supports help shape not just a football player, but a person.
With this commitment, Kaawa has closed the door on other schools making later pushes. He no longer considers his other offers, having made up his mind that for his goals both collegiate success and preparing for the NFL Alabama offers the most direct, proven path.
Looking ahead, Alabama’s quarterback room in 2026 will now include Kaawa and Thomalla, giving the program two promising signal-callers for the future. Kaawa’s role may include developmental time, redshirting, or competing in the spring, but the belief is he has the potential to be a starter down the line.
For Kaawa and his family, this decision is the culmination of years of work, sacrifice, and visibility. It means choosing a place with a track record of winning and developing players, choosing stability, mentorship, top resources, and a proven system. For Alabama, it means gaining yet another highly-rated recruit who believes in the Tide’s tradition and program. Together, it’s a match made for someone who wanted to be confident that wherever he committed, he was putting himself in the best position to succeed.
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