Grading Alabama's recruiting class entering the dead period
The Alabama Crimson Tide hardly have to recruit to bring in a stud recruiting class. The Tide have had four straight No. 1 recruiting classes, and with seven weeks until National Signing Day they once again have the top-ranked class in the country.
Entering the recruiting dead period, the Crimson Tide are ranked No. 1 by 247sports’ composite rankings with 23 commitments, ahead of No. 2 Florida State. Alabama already has four five-star recruits in this class and coaches are still working on several others.
Offense: A (10 total commits)
Alabama’s future looks extremely bright, despite presumably losing record-breaking receiver Amari Cooper to the NFL, as well as quarterback Blake Sims and several linemen to graduation. The Crimson Tide will bring in the top-ranked quarterback and wide receiver in the country, with dual-threat QB Blake Barnett and WR Calvin Ridley already committing to the Crimson Tide. Alabama has four four-star offensive guard commits, but only one running back so far in this class.
Defense: A (13 total commits)
After a bountiful recruiting haul last year, Alabama is bringing in just as much talent in 2015. They’ll supplement the two five-star defensive backs from the 2014 class with two more this year, CB Minkah Fitzpatrick and S Deionte Thompson. Alabama has eight four-star recruits on the defensive side, although only one of them is a defensive end.
Recruiting needs
Alabama is still working on a few running back recruits that would help bolster depth at the position. T.J. Yeldon may leave for the NFL draft, which would leave Alabama with just one running back with significant experience heading into 2015. They could also use a boost at defensive end, where they’re chasing two of the top prospects in the nation. That position isn’t quite as pressing, as the Crimson Tide expect former five-star recruit Da’Shawn Hand, who didn’t play much as a freshman this year, to take a leap forward in 2015.