📝 ALABAMA'S 2020 Signing Class - Wednesday opens final signing days

[TerryP]

I wasn’t aware he had left to have to be “welcomed back”... just saying.

I haven't seen anything published with the "official" announcement but he did make it known he was planning on moving on several weeks ago (before NFL grades; ) hence, "would be welcomed back."

 

[T&B]

Kristian Story Senior Highlights

 

[JoshB]

 

[T&B]

According to BOL, these are our remaining targets for the Class of 2020:

Jamil Burroughs
Javon Baker
Damieon George (signed)
McKinnley Jackson
Alfred Collins
Brandon Frazier
Ennis Rakestraw, Jr.

 

[T&B]

Here are a few analysts personal prospect rankings for this cycle:

Charles Power's Five Stars

1. Bryce Young
5. Will Anderson
9. Drew Sanders
10. Arik Gilbert
22. Jordan Burch
29. Zachary Evans
31. Alfred Collins

 

[T&B]

Steve Wiltfong's Five Stars

1. Bryce Young
5. Will Anderson
9. Arik Gilbert
10. Drew Sanders
14. Alfred Collins
15. Jordan Burch
17. Zachary Evans
20. Demouy Kennedy
29. Quandarrius Robinson

 

[T&B]

Greg Biggins's Five Stars

1. Bryce Young
7. Zachary Evans
9. Jordan Burch
19. Will Anderson
22. Drew Sanders

 

[T&B]

 

[T&B]

Rivals' All-Star team from Under Armour Game, All-American Bowl

quote:
QUARTERBACK

The most-efficient quarterback in this class, Bryce Young just does not make bad decisions. He has incredible timing on his throws, his anticipation is off the charts and the Alabama signee made an argument as the best QB in this class during his time at the All-American Bowl.

quote:
DEFENSIVE END

Alabama signee Will Anderson was one of the most surprising players at either all-star event because of his level of dominance and his relentlessness going after offensive tackles. He’s a little undersized compared to the highest-end defensive ends in the 2020 class, but nobody attacked more than Anderson, who plays the position with non-stop aggression.

 

[T&B]

WATCH: Alabama pledges stand out in All-America Game, All-American Bowl

 

[T&B]

WATCH: Alabama early enrollees begin strength & conditioning program (Twitter video)

 

[T&B]

Drew Sanders' 2019 stats:

38 catches for 734 yards and 12 TDs

43 carries for 357 yards and 11 TDs

8 of 9 for 102 yards passing for 5 TDs

The Denton Ryan coaching staff compiled defensive stats from the season yesterday:

Sanders: 46 Tackles, 21 TFL’s, 10 sacks, 25 QB hits, 1 defensive TD

 

[T&B]

Alabama WR Tyrell Shavers ready to take the next step

Despite it also having Slade Bolden, John Metchie, Xavier Williams and a few talented names coming in the 2020 signing class, there is one player that appears to finally be ready to take the next step and break into the rotation. Tyrell Shavers, a native of Lewisville, Texas, was in the 2017 class with Tua Tagovailoa and the trio of Jeudy, Smith and Ruggs.

The 6-foot-6, 205-pounder was a four-star prospect and presence a big target for whomever is at quarterback.

Much of his plays came on special teams last season, as he collected a blocked punt for a touchdown versus Texas A&M.

He caught one pass through 12 games: a 20-yard reception against Western Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Depth at the position has forced Shavers to wait his turn, but this is the individual that Tide fans anticipate having a breakout season soon.

He’s lined up behind Smith at the “Z” position through three years, but there is potential for Shavers to now take the “X” spot that Ruggs exits.


Spring practice will be interesting when March and April roll in, but Shavers is prepared to emerge.

Prior to arriving at Alabama, he recorded 1,200 yards receiving with 20 scores on 64 catches in two years at Lewisville High School in 2015 and 2016.

Shavers and Mac Jones ran scout-team together as freshmen and both guys have developed a connection.

As Jones looks to fend off Taulia Tagovailoa, Bryce Young and Paul Tyson, it will be interesting to see the rise of Shavers for next fall.

LINK

 

[T&B]

Taizse Johnson talks Alabama interest, conversations with Terrell Lewis
LINK

Alabama has made the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area a major part of their recruiting classes as of late and St. John’s College High School has been the focus of some of that attention.

Former Alabama outside linebacker, Terrell Lewis, and current Alabama running back, Keilan Robinson, are products of St. John’s. Shane Lee, an Alabama inside linebacker, also spent some time at St. John’s before transferring to St. Frances Academy, another school in the DMV area. The Tide looks to continue their efforts when it comes to recruiting St. John’s with 2021 4-Star defensive tackle, Taizse Johnson.

Johnson looks to be one of Alabama’s top defensive targets in the 2021 recruiting class as he currently has the Tide in his top 6. The 6-1 290 pound prospect said he wants to get to Tuscaloosa for a visit soon “for sure” and feels Alabama’s dominance speaks for itself.


“They show dominance every year,” Johnson said. “This year is the only year, they were not in the college football playoffs. You know that (Nick) Saban is going to have a nice path for whoever comes to Alabama. There is always a high, especially as a defensive lineman, there is always a high chance to get to the next level.”

Terrell Lewis has been in contact with Johnson about Alabama.

“He just said Alabama is a good place,” Johnson added. “Even with him struggling with all the injuries, he said the program helped him bounce back, the program stayed on him and the program is just a great program because for him as a football and a player, the program did not quit on him.”

The Tide’s running back coach, Charles Huff, is Johnson’s main recruiter.

Johnson plans to take multiple visits this Spring. He said several factors are important to him when looking at possible schools.

“I want a nice substantial environment I can grow into,” Johnson said. “Playing early and my relationship with coaches are important too.”

 

[T&B]

Tide in the mix for grad transfer? (BamaOnLine)

quote:

Alabama is still on the hunt for another tight end in the 2020 class to join Caden Clark who signed in December. BOL has learned of a couple new developments on Friday as the Crimson Tide continues its search at the position.

-- Alabama has made contact with FSU grad transfer tight end Tré McKitty since he entered the Transfer Portal on Thursday. Will he visit? That remains to be seen. He says it's been a hectic day of phone calls, so he's still sorting through things as it stands. McKitty has to graduate first (similar to Landon Dickerson last summer) but will be immediately eligible next season.

-- Interest appears to be fading between Alabama and Brandon Frazier. He had the Tide in his top four, but has yet to visit Tuscaloosa. He was considering visiting UA on Jan. 24 but that trip will now go to his one-time commitment Arkansas. Auburn gets him on campus Jan. 17, and Chad Morris hired on to the Tigers' staff has given them a boost in my opinion.

Frazier will not take any visits the final weekend before National Signing Day, and will likely have a decision made before then. Could things change? Yes. The Tide staff will still have the ability to go visit Frazier this month after the Dead Period, but as of today it looks like Alabama and Frazier are going in two different directions.

3* TE Tré McKitty 6-4/235 FSU grad hudl

 

[T&B]

 

[T&B]

Alabama DB target sets OV plans (BamaOnLine)

quote:

Alabama made an offer to rising Texas cornerback Ennis Rakestraw earlier this week, as the Duncanville standout has had a surge of interest in his recruitment following his senior season. Of the Tide's offer, Rakestraw told BamaOnLine it was a big one. “It’s immeasurable with words. Since I was eight years old I’ve wanted to go to Bama.”

Rakestraw spoke with Nick Saban after he got the news from Jeff Banks this week and got a visit date locked in. The Lone Star State standout will officially visit Tuscaloosa on Jan. 24. Other visits on his schedule shakeup include Missouri on Jan. 17 and Georgia, another recent offer, on Jan. 31 prior to National Signing Day. Originally Mizzou, Miami and Michigan State were reserved for the remainder of the month.

Among the final contenders, Alabama has long been a program of high interest for Rakestraw. “Ever since I’ve been growing up, it’s just how their defense plays, they play hard,” he said of what stands out about the Tide. “That’s how I pride myself — being physical, fast, and fearless.

“Just watching them as a football team, you’ll learn a lot from a coach like Nick Saban and how he instructs those guys. They have discipline. You can tell he’s very structure-oriented.”

3* CB Ennis Rakestraw 6-0/170 TX hudl

 

[T&B]

Brandon Frazier CBd to Auburn by an AU mod - sounds like he may be following Chad Morris

 

[94 Grad]

Tide in the mix for grad transfer? (BamaOnLine)


3* TE Tré McKitty 6-4/235 FSU grad hudl

I really like McKitty. We played REALLY well for FSU when they actually used him. Could be a good one if we can get him.

 

[T&B]

I really like McKitty. We played REALLY well for FSU when they actually used him. Could be a good one if we can get him.

UGA seems to think they lead for McKitty