Unlike most schools, Alabama didn’t have much to worry about as it neared the 2015 National Signing Day bell. The Crimson Tide were able to turn their attention to their 2016 class earlier than most, getting a jump on what they hope will be yet another No. 1 recruiting class.

The Tide already have four commitments for 2016, including five-star cornerback Shyheim Carter and four-star athlete Demetris Robertson. They’ll once again go shopping for the top players at just about every position, but there are a few players Nick Saban and his staff will have their eyes on.

  • Five-star DT Rashan Gary — Alabama will likely be looking at replacing most of its key contributors along the defensive line next year, and Gary would be quite the replacement. The 6-foot-4, 290 pounds New Jersey native is big, nimble and a force in the middle of the line. He’s widely regarded as the best player in the nation, and playing at a position of need he makes a ton of sense for the Crimson Tide’s recruiting juggernaut.
  • Five-star OLB Lyndell Wilson — The Crimson Tide will have plenty of competition for the top-ranked player in the home state, including from rival Auburn. Wilson is an explosive player who has a nose for the ball, tracking down runners at the line of scrimmage and hunting quarterbacks. He has the potential to be a disruptive difference maker coming off the edge, something Alabama’s defenses have been missing in recent years.
  • Five-star DE Shavar Manuel — Florida State sits atop Manuel’s leaderboard, but that won’t stop the Crimson Tide from going after him hard. Lane Kiffin has already put in plenty of work with the Bradenton, Fla. native, and his massive frame (6-foot-5, 265 pounds) would make for a natural fit at defensive end in Alabama’s typical 3-4 alignment. Several of Manuel’s suitors can sell immediate playing time, something Alabama almost certainly can’t offer.
  • Five-star OT Willie Allen — Alabama has already reeled in one big fish from the New Orleans area in recent years, landing left tackle Cam Robinson in the 2014 class. They could return to the same pond to find his successor in Allen, one of the most massive recruits in the 2016 class. Allen is listed at 6-foot-7.5 and 300 pounds, and has good mobility for a young man that large. After going guard-heavy in 2015, Alabama will be looking at the edges in 2016.
  • Five-star OLB Ben Davis — The Crimson Tide would like to make Davis a second-generation member of the team, following in his dad’s footsteps. A native of Gordo, Ala., just a half hour from Tuscaloosa, the Tide will have plenty of opportunities to woo Davis. He looks to fit the Saban mold for linebackers, shedding blocks and playing downfield against the run, and he should be able to add some weight to his 6-foot-4, 230 pound frame.