National Signing Day is on Feb. 4 and the SEC is primed to bring in another impressive haul of top recruits in the 2015 recruiting class.
In the next 25 days, Saturday Down South counts down the top 25 recruits either committed to the SEC or strongly considering SEC schools.
No. 20 Minkah Fitzpatrick
Position: Cornerback
247Sports ranking: No. 32 overall; No. 1 overall in New Jersey
Committed: Alabama
The skinny: Nabbing the top player in the state of New Jersey epitomizes what Alabama has done under Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide can cherry pick top prospects around the country, and Fitzpatrick is another big-time commitment for Saban and Kirby Smart. Fitzpatrick is the elite and typical Saban corner, as he’s 6-1, 198 pounds and very talented and fluid. Saban likes bigger and longer corners who can cover bigger receivers, and Fitz is that guy.
Freshman projection: Alabama’s secondary has been the defense’s biggest glaring weakness over the last few years. The Crimson Tide do return two five-stars from last year’s class in Marlon Humphrey and Tony Brown, and playing time for Fitzpatrick could be slim during his freshman season. Saban hasn’t trusted his cornerbacks on islands since Dee Milliner and Dre Kirkpatrick, but Fitzpatrick could be the future lockdown-type cover corner Saban and Kirby Smart desperately need and desire. However, for the first year, it’s unlikely he’ll be a tremendous asset.
Through the lens:
Top SEC recruits series:
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
