Four-star recruit claims to be atop Alabama recruiting wishlist
By Nick Cole
Published:
Alabama has some pretty high recruiting standards, and to our knowledge the Crimson Tide coaching staff keeps their recruiting board pretty well shielded from public consumption.
But according to a report from SEC Country, four-star OLB Markail Benton claims to have received a glimpse at the Crimson Tide’s big board for the 2017 recruiting class.
And he says he was on top of it.
“I don’t know if they were supposed to show me that, but I was at the top,” Benton told SEC Country. “They were just telling me they needed me badly and, as I saw, they need linebackers.
“I was kind of shocked to see the board. Most people don’t have the opportunity to say they are at the top of Alabama’s list.”
Benton is a really nice prospect, rated as the No. 81 overall player in the 247Sports composite rankings for the 2017 recruiting class and the No. 2 player from the state of Alabama.
And while we’re sure he saw what he says he saw, we can’t help but wonder if the Crimson Tide may have made sure things appeared that way in advance of his visit over the weekend.
After all, the Crimson Tide is likely targeting many players ranked as good as or even higher than Benton this recruiting cycle, and they need a way to make sure each feels special.
The Phenix City, Ala. native appears to be an early Auburn lean, according to the Crystal Ball predictions produced by the 247Sports staff.
This appears to be shaping up as another instate recruiting battle between the Tigers and Crimson Tide that could go down to the wire.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
