BONE: Final thoughts on Alabama's 2018 class...
QB
-Tough position to recruit this year when the reigning SEC Player of the Year was only a sophomore and then Elite 11 QB Tua Tagovailoa signed in 2017. Most quarterbacks are looking for an opportunity to come in and compete right away. Alabama was high on guys like Trevor Lawrence, Jack Tuttle, Emory Jones and Justin Fields. Alabama probably could have signed Jarren Williams (Miami signee) if they would have put on the full court press. Alabama decided to wait to see what Emory Jones would do. Quarterback wasn’t really a major priority. Alabama wanted one, but wasn’t going to take just anyone. Brevin White had a late opportunity, but decided to stick with Princeton. Expect a graduate transfer.
RB
-Alabama entered the class with plans on taking one running back. It’s hard to recruit the elite backs when the roster is stacked with talent especially after signing the No. 1 RB in the country (Najee Harris) and a Rivals100 back (Brian Robinson) the previous class. Alabama decided to take a shot at Zamir White (UGA signee). Alabama was in the race, but he knows playing time is immediate in Athens.
Alabama zeroed in on Asa Martin (Auburn signee). Once again, immediate playing time is available at Auburn. Alabama didn’t really pursue other guys. I know James Cook was mentioned a few times as a possibility, but Alabama was never really a major school for him. Alabama landed a very good player in Jerome Ford. Alabama wants to use him in a Josh Jacobs/Kenyan Drake-type role.
WR
-Guess what? Alabama hit a homerun. Jaylen Waddle was Alabama’s No. 1 WR target for a very long time. Alabama wanted to add Justyn Ross or Jacob Copeland. The plan was to take one of the two for the last few months, but ended up missing on both. The surprise was definitely Ross as he gave Alabama very clear indication he would sign with the Tide.
Alabama also added Xavier Williams, one of the fastest players in the country and Slade Bolden. Bolden can be used in several different ways. Alabama didn’t have to take more than three receivers. There were some elite players UA would not say no to, but it was not a major priority after the 2017 class with Ruggs, DeVonta, Jeudy and Shavers. A lot of excitement about this group. Waddle as their guy.
TE
-Alabama has some young talent at tight end. This was not a major position of need. However, Alabama was burned twice during the cycle by Dominick Anderson. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Anderson committed to Alabama and then announced for Texas during the summer. He committed once again to the Crimson Tide after his decommitment from the Longhorns only to sign with Tennessee.
Luke Ford was an Alabama lean. Who knows if he would have eventually signed with the Tide instead of UGA, but Alabama put its effort and energy into recruiting Anderson instead. It was a mistake.
Alabama is high on Michael Parker. He impressed the coaches during camp and earned an offer during the season. I was told for a very long time that in any other year he would have easily had a regular scholarship, but with tight numbers and uncertainty at positions or how the close would end the blueshirt option was on the table. Alabama missed on a few guys today and Parker was able to go ahead and sign.
OL
-Another position group which was expected to have a low number. Three was the Tide’s max. I think this is why we saw Jarrett Bell and Alabama part ways during the season. Alabama had a commitment from legacy Tommy Brown and pressed hard to flip former Michigan commitment Emil Ekiyor (future center). Why the low number of OL? Alabama signed several elite OL in the last two recruiting classes. This was a tool used against them in recruiting Nick Petit-Frere. There was strong belief especially after his official visit he was going to sign with Alabama.
The Crimson Tide is stacked with talented offensive tackles. Not to say he would not have competed. I think he is that good. Ohio State signed him. Penei Sewell just didn’t want to go too far away from home. I spoke with his father several times, and a few others close to him. His family wanted him at Alabama (You can go back and read the interviews to get the impression.). They were going to let him make his own decision.
DL
-This was a big need this year. Alabama landed a few guys in Stephon Wynn and Christian Barmore on the interior. Barmore is highly regarded by Alabama. He still needs to remain focused in the classroom, but the belief is he will not have an issue qualifying.
Bobby Brown was a tough loss for Alabama today. He led the Tide to believe he would stick with his decision as early on Wednesday morning. He then signed with Texas A&M. I had a gut feeling he would flip after he spent a few days in College Station this past weekend. I made a prediction on him sticking based on the uncertainty from speaking to different reporters who cover Texas A&M and the confidence of him remaining on board coming out of Tuscaloosa.
I’m still surprised by Malik Langham signing with Florida. He was considered a done deal to Alabama. I have heard he was upset by one of the Alabama assistant coaches missing a scheduled in-home visit. I don’t know if it eventually pushed him to Florida, but I do know Nick Saban was not happy. Alabama wanted Langham and expected him in this class. Nick Saban and Tosh Lupoi worked very hard in the final 24 hours to hopefully turn his attention back to Alabama. It just didn’t work which is a surprise.
There were a few other interior DL Alabama had high interest including Tyler Friday (Ohio State signee), Billy Ferrell (Arkansas signee), Tyreke Smith (Ohio State signee) and Coynis Miller (Auburn signee). Alabama will just have to find a possible grad -transfer or pick it up in next year’s recruiting cycle. I imagine Alabama will try to sign at least two JuCo defensive linemen. Keep in mind Alabama was set to add Tear Tart-Spencer (FIU signee) before some additional off-the-field issues.
Edge rushers/OLB
-Another big hit as Alabama reeled in five-star Eyabi Anoma. Possibly the best pass rusher in the country. Just an absolute freak. He’ll work out just fine in Tuscaloosa. Alabama also added Jordan Davis and Cameron Latu. I expect Davis to eventually grow into a DE while I see Latu as more of a Jack linebacker.
Alabama was very high on UGA signees Brenton Cox and Adam Anderson. Alabama tried to work some magic with Anderson in December which was very low-key. There was some serious talk about a possible flip, but UGA shut it down and got him to go ahead and sign on December 20.
Cox decomitted from Ohio State. It seemed like Alabama had a chance to get him, but he also decided to stay in-state. Sometimes you have to turn five-stars away. Alabama was set to get an official visit in December from KJ Henry (Clemson signee). Eyabi Anoma was coming in the same weekend. Alabama basically told Henry not to visit. He didn’t, and signed with the Tigers.
Linebackers
-Alabama hit on edge rushers and possible some outside linebackers as mentioned above. The Tide missed on Quay Walker. Not sure what Alabama was supposed to do with him. He said all the right things to the coaching staff throughout the process, but most knew the writing on the wall.
JJ Peterson was a lock to Alabama for several months. Pruitt to Tennessee killed their chances as we have discussed. Alabama really liked Auburn signee Michael Harris early on in his recruitment, but didn’t really give anyone else a chance after he committed.
Washington signee Brandon Kaho was also high on Alabama’s list, but decided to stay closer to home. I know a lot of people say Vernon Jackson was forced out of the class. I definitely never heard that from people in Tuscaloosa. Alabama planned on keeping him, but did tell him on Tuesday to make a decision. This is the reason why he was not sent an LOI.
Alabama looked throughout the country in January to see which players were still available. Jaylen Moody was an under the radar prospect who had some grade issues, but once schools started figuring out he had a chance to qualify he created some more opportunities. Yes, he was a back-up plan, but Alabama would rather have a back-up plan than nothing at all. He was needed for depth. Linebacker will be a major point of emphasis in 2019.
Defensive backs
-Alabama signed several of its top defensive back targets. Many were top targets from day 1. Patrick Surtain pulled the stunner today as he signed with Alabama instead of LSU. He was a heavy lean to LSU throughout his recruitment, but things completely changed after his official visit to Alabama and after his father (Patrick Surtain) had an interview with Nick Saban about joining the staff. He was not hired, but was able to spend a day with Coach Saban and learn more about him as a person and coach. This definitely helped in Alabama’s pursuit of his son.
Josh Jobe was a key target for the Tide. Alabama was able to flip him away from Miami. Jalyn Armour-Davis was big in-state addition. Alabama was able to get JuCo-transfer Saivion Smith on board. Smith will have a good chance to make an immediate impact. Probably the most underrated recruit in Alabama’s class. Alabama was in the mix for five-stars like Isaac Taylor-Stuart and Olajiah Griffin, but Smith was higher on the Tide’s board. Alabama did miss on Tyson Campbell, but it was expected after getting Surtain. It was a pipe dream for Alabama to get both. Very, very good DB class. Alabama hit its needs at the position.
Special teams
-Alabama landed its top punter target in Skyler Delong who flipped from Tennessee in June. He will likely be a day 1 starter. I definitely expect a few players from this signing class to eventually make an impact in the return game. Keep an eye on Jaylen Waddle, Xavier Williams or Jalyn Armour-Davis.
Overall
An outstanding recruiting class. It's a lot to ask for a staff to sign the guys they did especially with so much turnover on the coaching staff in the last two recruiting cycles. Alabama lost several of its best recruiters in the last two years.
Nick Saban evaluated coaches from a coaching and recruiting standpoint after the season. He went out and landed a terrific group. I think these guys are well known in the coaching circles as elite recruiters especially Jeff Banks, Josh Gattis and Karl Scott. Alabama has room for improvement. Coach Saban will evaluate the areas where they need to improve during the off-season and the staff will get back to work.
Some big needs were met. A few were left to be desired. This group, to go along with Alabama's best class in 2017, can certainly help the Crimson Tide reach the top once again. Let's see how things go in 2019.
Recruiting - BONE: Final thoughts on Alabama's 2018 class... | BamaInsider.com
We have a great class ESPECIALLY the Dbacks BEST by position of ANY Saban class!!! RTR!!!! He is already loading up for 2019
