Recruiting Roundup: Alabama starting to zero in on top targets

Lets be honest. September was another disappointing month for The Tide on the recruiting trail. Alabama only added one commitment, that coming on 10/29 when high 4-star OG Emil Ekiyor flipped from Michigan to Alabama. While Ekiyor is a great flip and he is the highest ranked player for Alabama in the 2018 class, he is still rated as the 105th player in the nation.

Teams like Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Florida State and Oregon rank above Alabama in the current standings. While those all may be big-time programs, Alabama is the biggest and is having a picture-perfect season thus far. *knocks on wood*

While Alabama’s slow start wasn’t ideal, now is the time for Bama to secure some big names and crack the top 10. While I think Alabama still takes a QB, I think the focus has to be on DBs. Some targets to follow are Joshua Jobe, Saivion Smith, Isaac Taylor-Stuart, Kelvin Joseph and Nadab Joseph. The top two QB targets still have to be Emory Jones (OSU) and Jarren Williams (Kentucky).

New Alabama Commit

Although I will not go into too much detail due to the fact that my editor, Brent, has already put up a story on him, 4-star OG Emil Ekiyor has flipped from Harbaugh to Saban. First thoughts after watching his tape are power and size. Ekiyor is 6-2, 322 pounds. He plays with a low center of gravity and gets his legs under him well. Tough body to move off the line.

Skyler Delong

Alabama punter commit Skyler Delong is off to a great senior season, including this MONSTER punt.

Akeem Dent

2019 5-star ATH and DB Akeem Dent has pickup an Alabama offer. Dent is a top 10 player in the 2019 class who is from Florida.

Daviyon Nixon

Alabama offers current Iowa commit and JUCO DT Daviyon Nixon. One to keep an eye on down the road.

Dominick Wood-Anderson

#1 JUCO TE Dominick Wood-Anderson has decommitted from Texas. Alabama was heavily in the mix and even the favorite for a while before he committed to the Longhorns. Expect Wood-Anderson to commit to Alabama, soon.

Where the Cornerbacks Stand

While top target Joshua Jobe is currently still committed to The U, word around Tuscaloosa is that they feel confident. Jobe has been to Tuscaloosa before and the staff is pursuing heavily. If Jobe doesn’t end up flipping, look at JUCO DB Saivion Smith as a possible replacement. Both are takes, along with Kelvin Joseph and Nadab Joseph.

Where the Defensive Line Stands

With Alabama missing out on big-time target Bobby Brown (sigh) to A&M, Alabama is targeting JACK Andres Fox along with LSU commit Dare Rosenthal. Both look to be realastic options.

Where the Wide Recievers Stand

With McElwain out at Florida, expect Alabama to push for 4-star WR Jacob Copeland. Copeland committed to in-state Florida a few months back, but Alabama likes him a lot. Nick Saban even took him on a car ride along with Justyn Ross. Flip watch is on, and I predict him ending up with the Tide.

As for in-state WR Justyn Ross, I still think he goes with the Tide. Clemson is a legit threat, but I think Saban comes through. The WR depth chart isn’t loaded by any means and I think Alabama will be too much for Ross to turn down. Ross plays his recruitment close to the chest, so it is hard to read.

Final Notes

• Keep an eye on Dameon Pierce. The former Bama RB commit has been a machine this year, averaging over 200 yards per game. Alabama has some interest.
• Nadab Joseph could come to a decision soon. Big-time CB who just decommitted from LSU.
• Emory Jones looks to be the top QB target. Interest is really boiling up.
• Iowa DT commit Daviyon Nixon says he will visit Alabama. Picked up an offer this week.
• Nebraska WR commit Joshua Moore has Alabama interest. Recently visited, and a decommitment from The Big Red could be in the works. Flashy playmaker from Texas.