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Alabama football: Ranking the Tide’s 2019 recruiting class by position group
By Marq Burnett
Published:
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama is in the middle of preparing for the College Football Playoff, but recruiting doesn’t stop.
The Crimson Tide hold the No. 1 spot for the 2019 recruiting cycle, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Alabama has 24 hard commits and is in contention for at least 2 more uncommitted 5-stars.
The Early Signing Period, which is in its second year, runs Wednesday-Friday and it looks like Alabama will wrap the majority of its class up early.
What are the strengths of this class? Let’s rank them by position group.
No. 1: DBs
5-stars: Daxton Hill
4-stars: Jeffery Carter, DeMarcco Hellams, Brandon Turnage, Christian Williams
Skinny: This is one of two groups with a 5-star, so we’ll put them No. 1 by default. Daxton Hill is the No. 1 safety in the country and the No. 8 player overall. There’s a strong chance Alabama will lose Deionte Thompson to the NFL Draft after this season. Thompson has already received his degree, and if Alabama wins the national championship this season, there won’t be much for the projected first-round pick to return for.
That would leave an open spot next to Xavier McKinney next season. There are obviously experienced players who’ll be returning, but if Hill is as talented as his rating suggests, there’s no reason to believe he can’t push for a spot in the rotation. Patrick Surtain II, a 5-star from the 2018 class, is starting and playing well in the secondary.
No. 2: Backfield (QB/RBs)
5-stars: None
4-stars: Taulia Tagovailoa, Paul Tyson, Keilan Robinson
Skinny: This group is No. 2 off name and what they mean to Alabama alone. In one recruiting class, Alabama has the great grandson of Paul Bear Bryant and the younger brother of Tua Tagovailoa, who is a part of the greatest moment in Alabama history.
Taulia Tagovailoa, Tua’s younger brother, is the fifth-ranked pro-style quarterback. Paul Tyson is the 8th-ranked pro-style quarterback. On paper, Tyson has better measurables at 6-4, 217 pounds, but Taulia showed throughout his career at Thompson that he is as tough as they come. The two battled it out this season, with Taulia and Thompson sweeping Tyson and Hewitt-Trussville in the regular season and the state playoffs. Running back Keilan Robinson should provide depth to a backfield that will lose Damien Harris and perhaps Josh Jacobs to the NFL Draft.
The Tide are considered the favorite to land No. 1 RB prospect Trey Sanders, a 5-star from IMG Academy.
No. 3: DL
5-stars: Antonio Alfano
4-stars: Justin Eboigbe, Byron Young, Kevin Harris, King Mwikuta, Braylen Ingraham, DJ Dale
Skinny: If there’s one position group where Alabama needs to stockpile players who can contribute almost immediately, it’s the defensive line. Isaiah Buggs is gone for sure, and there’s a strong chance Quinnen Williams and Raekwon Davis could leave early for the draft. Those are the top three guys on the defensive line.
Granted, Alabama has 7 freshmen or sophomore 4- or 5-star DL already on campus who will compete to fill those spots, but there is opportunity for the incoming class to crack the rotation.
Alfano could be someone who steps into the rotation immediately. Dale has the size that could help clog up the middle at defensive tackle once he gets in the strength and conditioning program. Some of these guys are listed as defensive ends, but in Bama’s scheme, they could end up being outside linebackers. It’s all about how their body takes to more dedicated nutrition plans and the strength and conditioning programs.
No. 4: OL
5-stars: None
4-stars: Pierce Quick, Amari Knight, Tanner Bowles, Darrian Dalcourt
Skinny: If left tackle Jonah Williams leaves for early for the NFL, Alabama would have two positions open on the line with center Ross Pierschbacher running out of eligibility this season. Lester Cotton also is moving on, but Deonte Brown will be back, so we won’t count that spot as open. Williams’ departure could open a spot for a young tackle like Quick or Knight to earn a starting spot or a place in the two-deep.
Evan Neal, a 5-star tackle at IMG Academy, also is considered a favorite to sign with Alabama.
Alabama has stockpiled offensive linemen the past five years, so there’s likely someone waiting for that spot as well, but young players are more advanced these days so nothing would be a surprise.
No. 5: LBs
5-stars: None
4-stars: Shane Lee, Christian Harris
Skinny: Mack Wilson is expected to come back for his senior season. Dylan Moses will definitely be back for his junior year. That should boast an Alabama defense that could lose its entire starting defensive line. With that in mind, anyone coming in would just be adding depth.
No. 6: WRs
4-stars: John Metchie, Jahleel Billingsley (TE)
Skinny: Alabama will be stacked at receiver for at least another year as Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III are all back next year, and Jaylen Waddle is back for two more years. At tight end, Alabama will lose Hale Hentges and there’s a chance junior Irv Smith Jr. could leave for the NFL. But there is a good amount of talent at tight end even if Smith leaves with Miller Forristall and Kedrick James coming back.
Veteran Alabama beat reporter Marq Burnett covers the Crimson Tide for Saturday Down South.
