There’s still plenty of work to do in the 2015 season for the Alabama Crimson Tide, but that doesn’t mean recruiting is taking the back burner.

Alabama plays Michigan State on Dec. 31 in Arlington, Texas, in the second of two College Football Playoff games. The goal is to win there, then win again on Jan. 11 in the national championship game.

Then, within a matter of minutes, it will be a mad dash to National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb 3.

Stockpiling talent is always paramount and is the first step in building a program worthy of playing for a national championship every year. The Crimson Tide has won five consecutive national recruiting titles, according to 247 sports.

But Alabama has some work to do in order to rise to the top again for the 2016 class. Currently at fourth nationally, Alabama ranks second in the SEC.

Here are Alabama’s top three positions of priority for the current recruiting cycle:

RUNNING BACK

Losing after 2015: Kenyan Drake, Derrick Henry

Nick Saban has built a career on a strong running game. This year was no different, nor will all other years going forward. Henry won the Heisman Trophy and led a duo as good as any in the country in pacing the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff.

Henry is expected to be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, coming out as a junior. Senior Kenyan Drake is in his final year of eligibility, leaving the cupboard bare at the running back position. The next two on the depth chart – Bo Scarborough and Damien Harris – are current freshmen.

It’s a position Alabama must bolster with top recruits moving forward, if not for a starter then for depth purposes for sure.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Losing after 2015: Darren Lake, Jarran Reed, D.J. Pettway

In addition to a strong running game, Saban has built a reputation for stopping the run. This Alabama defensive line could be his best yet. But it’s possible that the majority of the two-deep along the front could be gone after graduation and early declares. Juniors A’Shawn Robinson and Jonathan Allen are projected first-round picks should they pursue the NFL.

The Tide has a couple of underclassmen looking to step up and take their turns, but replenishing the position is always crucial to Alabama recruiting classes.

LINEBACKER

Losing after 2015: Dillon Lee, Reggie Ragland, Denzel Devall

Like the defensive front, the key to Alabama’s staunch defenses over the years is also its linebackers. Losing one of its best-ever in Ragland will be hard to replace, but it’s a position that Saban has recruited well. If underclassman Reuben Foster declares, it will leave quite a void.

Other positions Alabama should target: RB, S, WR, QB

CURRENT RECRUITING CLASS

Alabama has 16 verbal commitments and one signee towards the 2016 class.

Five-star offensive tackle Jonah Williams (6-foot-5, 296 pounds) leads the pack. Four-star JUCO transfer Charles Baldwin (6-5, 315) is already signed and could have an immediate impact of the Tide’s powerful offensive line.

Out-of-state defensive tackles Kendell Jones (6-5, 375), from Texas, and Raekwon Davis (6-7, 315), from Mississippi, help to make this another solid recruiting class for Alabama.

ALABAMA MEETING ITS NEEDS

With seven commits along the interior lines, Alabama should continue to be dominant up front on both sides of the football. Pulling in highly-regarded running back B.J. Emmons from North Carolina fills a need as well.

A couple of pickups at linebacker help fill in the gaps, but additional help at that position will be needed before the recruiting class is complete.

OUTLOOK

The month-long dead period is into its second week as teams concentrate on bowl season. But the Tide will be back on the trail afterward in an attempt to bring in a sixth consecutive top-ranked class. Landing two or three of the top five-stars still uncommitted could do the trick.