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Best class ever?
Andrew Bone | Editor
No.1 overall Najee Harris
The University of Alabama is closing in on potentially the best recruiting class in the history of Rivals.com. The Crimson Tide is less than 100 points from surpassing the record set by Alabama's 2014 class. The class (3199 points), with an average star ranking of 4.1, is currently No.2 all-time. Alabama is not finished in this recruiting cycle, and all remaining targets are ranked four-stars or higher. Alabama has 22 of 25 commitments ranked four-stars or higher including seven five-stars which is a recruiting class record.
Alabama has the No.1 ranked player in the Rivals100 already enrolled in Najee Harris. Alabama also has five other five-stars on campus in Alex Leatherwood, Isaiah Buggs, Elliot Baker, Dylan Moses and Jerry Jeudy. Buggs and Baker are junior college transfers.
Alabama has nine Rivals100 commitments- Jedrick Wills, Tua Tagovailoa, VanDarius Cowan, Brian Robinson and Xavier McKinney join the non-JuCo players listed above. Willis is also a five-star.
Rivals250 members also include: Markail Benton, Tyrell Shavers, Mac Jones, Daniel Wright, Chris Allen, Chadarius Townsend, Kendall Randolph.
Kyriq McDonald, Major Tennison and Kedrick James are four-stars just outside the Rivals250. McDonald and Tennison have enrolled at Alabama.
Only three players in Alabama's class are ranked below four-stars- Hunter Brannon, Akial Byers and Thomas Fletcher.
Rivals100 targets still on Alabama's radar include five-star defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon, four-star defensive end LaBryan Ray and four-star wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Ray is the No.1 ranked player in Alabama.
Rivals250 targets also include four-star wide receiver Henry Ruggs, four-star cornerback C.J. Henderson, four-star safety Todd Harris and and four-star defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis.
Heisman winner Mark Ingram
How do you know when you might have the best recruiting class in the history of Rivals.com National Team Rankings?
One only needs to look back to the 2008 class as the standard for the Crimson Tide. It marked Nick Saban's first No.1 recruiting class at Alabama.
Notable players (2008): Mark Ingram (Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner), Julio Jones (considered by many the best WR in the NFL), Marcell Dareus (No.3 highest paid DT in the NFL), Dont'a Hightower (Super Bowl Champion, Pro Bowler), Barrett Jones (Outland Award, Remington Award, 3x All-American), Courtney Upshaw (All-American, Defensive MVP 2012 National Championship), Mark Barron (All-American), Terrence Cody (All-American), Damion Square, Michael Williams, Robert Lester.
Doak Walker award winner Trent Richardson
Alabama secured back-t0-back No.1 recruiting classes with an unbelievable finish on National Signing Day. This class was part of three national championships for the Crimson Tide.
Notable players (2009): Trent Richardson (Doak Walker Award winner, Heisman Finalist), AJ McCarron (2x national championship QB), Eddie Lacy (MVP of the 2013 National Championship), Chance Warmack (All-American, 1st round pick), D.J. Fluker (All-American, first round pick), Dre Kirkpatrick (All-American, first round pick), James Carpenter (First round pick), Anthony Steen, Quinton Dial, Nico Johnson.
Derrick Henry
The 2013 class finished as one of Nick Saban's most remarkable classes. It was the No.1 class, and the highest ranked class in the history of Rivals.com at the time. The class produced a national championship in 2016, a Heisman Trophy winner and many more accolades.
Notable players (2013): Derrick Henry (Heisman Trophy winner), Jonathan Allen (Bednarik Award, Nagurski Award, Ted Hendricks Award, ESPN SEC Player of the Year, and a finalist for many others), Reuben Foster (Butkus Award winner), A'Shawn Robinson (All-American), Tim Williams (All-American), O.J. Howard (MVP 2016 National Championship), Eddie Jackson, ArDarius Stewart, Anthony Averett. Two players who transferred- Alvin Kamara, Maurice Smith.
Outland Trophy winner Cam Robinson
Alabama's 2014 class is the highest ranked incoming class in the history of Rivals.com. Alabama signed six five-stars three years ago, and all played a significant roles for the Tide in the last few years. Two former five-stars will enter the NFL draft this spring after deciding to forgo their senior season.
Notable players (2014): Cam Robinson (Outland Trophy winner, All-American), Marlon Humphrey, Bo Scarbrough, Jarran Reed, D.J. Pettway, JK Scott, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Rashaan Evans, Ross Pierschbacher, Da'Shawn Hand, Tony Brown, Hootie Jones.
Biletnikoff winner Amari Cooper
The 2012 class also finished No.1 in the Rivals.com National Team rankings. It may not have as many big names as some of the other top classes signed by Nick Saban, but they were some of the best to wear the Crimson Tide uniform. Two made the Pro Bowl this year.
Notable players (2012): Amari Cooper (1st rounder, Heisman finalist), Landon Collins (All-American, 2016 Pro Bowler), T.J. Yeldon (2x National Champion, 1st Team All-SEC), Reggie Ragland (All-American), Ryan Anderson (All-American), Cyrus Jones, Kenyan Drake, Dalvin Tomlinson.
USC topped Alabama in 2015 according to Rivals.com, and quarterback Sam Darnold is on several early Heisman lists for next season. Alabama's 2015 class may have finished No. 2, but some big-time players in this class. New names may start to emerge this fall. It's not on the level as some of the other classes, but it's also still in-progress.
Notable players (2015): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Daron Payne, Calvin Ridley, Damien Harris, Ronnie Harrison, Lester Cotton, Anfernee Jennings.
SEC Offensive Player of the Year Jalen Hurts
What is the projection on the Tide's 2016 class in the next three years? This recruiting class finished No. 1 in the country. Two were freshman All-Americans and SEC Championship. How many All-Americans will this class produce? Will they win any national championships?
Notable players (2016): Jalen Hurts (SEC Offensive Players of the Year), Jonah Williams (Freshman All-American), Joshua Jacobs, B.J. Emmons, Mack Wilson, Terrell Hall, Ben Davis, Trevon Diggs, Raekwon Davis, Miller Forristall, Quinnen Williams, Shyheim Carter, Nigel Knott, Scott Lashley.
Recruiting - BONE: Best class ever? | TideSports.com
