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Whether it’s on the field or off the field it’s No. 1 or bust for Alabama.
The Crimson Tide have had the top-rated recruiting class in the nation for the last five years.
And while Alabama is clearly headed toward another top-five class on National Signing Day, getting to the top won’t be easy as LSU, Ole Miss, Michigan, Ohio State and Florida State are all in the mix.
Here’s a review of Alabama’s signing class heading into the first recruiting weekend after the bowl season and a few predictions on where the Crimson Tide could end up in February. We use 247Sports composite team and player rankings:
CURRENT STANDING
National Recruiting Rank: 8th
SEC Recruiting Rank: 5th
Number of commits or signees: 17
ALREADY ENROLLED
Jonah Williams, OT, Folsom, Calif. (five star)
Chris Owens, OG, Arlington, Texas (four star)
Jalen Hurts, QB, Channelview, Texas (four star)
Miller Forristall, TE, Cartersville, Ga. (three star)
T.J. Simmons, WR, Pinson, Ala. (three star)
Shawn Jennings, S, Dadeville, Ala. (three star)
NOTABLE COMMITS
Charles Baldwin, OT, Brooklyn, N.Y. (four star, JUCO)
Kendell “Hulk” Jones, DT, Killeen, Texas (four star)
B.J. Emmons, RB, Morganton, N.C. (four star)
Trevon Diggs, ATH, Bethesda, Md. (four star)
REMAINING PRIMARY TARGETS
Derrick Brown, DT, Lanier, Ga. (five star)
Ben Davis, LB, Gordo, Ala. (five star)
Lyndell “Mack” Wilson, LB, Montgomery, Ala. (five star)
Mecole Hardman Jr., ATH, Elberton, Ga. (five star)
SIGNING DAY SURPRISE
If Alabama can land both of the in-state five-star linebackers it would be a considered a strong finish. The Tide is also the current favorite for Hardman. The major surprise here would be if the Tide can somehow pull Brown from his expected landing spot of Georgia. All in all it looks like Alabama will need to pull an inside straight on signing day to have a sixth consecutive No. 1 class.
Corey Long is a freelance writer for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Corey on Twitter @CoreyLong.
