Alabama Football Recruiting: Final Roundup Before Early NSD

This 2018 Alabama recruiting cycle has been a little unusual. Most Bama fans aren’t used to The Tide not being on top of the rankings, let alone sitting at number 7. Alabama has been pretty quiet this recruiting cycle, but on Wednesday, things will have a chance to change. This is the first year that recruits will have the chance to sign early with their school, rather than waiting till February 1^st. You can read more about this new system HERE.

As it states in that article above, college programs are expected to have 80% of their class sign early. For Alabama, an impressive 13 out of the 16 current commits (81.25% for those of y’all who are numerically-inclined... Alabama beating the average as usual PPPAAAAWWWWLLLL) are expected to sign early with The Tide. The 3 who are not expect to sign are Quay Walker, Vernon Jackson and Michael Parker.

Michael Parker is looking more and more to become a blue shirt. Jackson and Walker look to still explore other options, but I think both will stick with the Tide and sign in February.

Alabama is also looking to add some top talent to the class in this December signing period. Let’s look at the top candidates who could sneak into this Bama class.

Eyabi Anoma

Chance he commits to Bama – 90%

The number 7 player in the country comes from Baltimore, MD. The 5-star DE has it all: size, speed and raw talent. Anoma is listed at 6-5, 230 pounds and still has plenty of room to add weight to his frame. He holds over 20 offers, and his top schools are Alabama, Michigan and Maryland. Anoma still has a lot to work on as far as hand skills and technique goes, but his ceiling is through the roof. Alabama looks to be a lock for Eyabi and would be the prized gem of this 2018 class. He’ll be committing/signing on Friday.

Brenton Cox

Chance he commits to Bama – 20%

If you’re looking for a college ready pass rusher, Brenton Cox may be the best player to fill that role. From his strength to his fundamentals, Cox looks the part. He is the 22^nd ranked played in the country along with being a 5* DE. Cox easily passes the eye test at 6-4, 247. Brenton recently decommitted from Ohio State last month and has named Georgia and Alabama his final two. He is from Stockbridge, GA. I don’t see Cox leaving the Peach state, but if he does choose the Tide, you’ll have a lot of happy campers in Tuscaloosa.

Dominick Wood-Anderson

Chance he commits to Bama – 51%

Wood-Anderson is a rare situation. The Tide have been up and down on his list, and since Alabama does have another TE committed in Michael Parker, I think that may push Wood-Anderson away a little. But as I said above, Parker may take a blue shirt so this isn’t as black and white as people think. Wood-Anderson is a 4* JUCO TE. He stands at 6-5 and is originally from California. I honestly don’t know where he will commit, but I think Bama has the best shot. Alabama could really use an athletic and play-making TE like Wood-Anderson and he could see playing time immediately for the Crimson Tide next year.

Other names to watch: 4* DE Tyler Friday, 4* OL Penei Sewell and 4* DL Bobby Brown.

New 2018 Commit

3-star RB Jerome Ford has committed to Bama. Ford hasn’t been a hugely coveted UA target, but once the spot opened up he jumped on the chance to play for the Crimson Tide. Ford is an all purpose back who can block and catch the ball just as well as he can make a guy miss on the outside. Ford is from the Tampa, Florida area and will sign early.

Most recent 2019/2020 prospect news

Huge news for the Alabama faithful. 2019 4-star QB and grandson of Bear Bryant, Paul Tyson has picked up an offer from Alabama. Tyson is ranked as the 6^th pro style QB in the 2019 class and is from Trussville, AL. Tyson stands at 6-4 and holds offers from Army, Notre Dame, Arkansas and more.

Alabama lands a huge commit from 2019 4-star OLB/JACK in King Mwikuta. Mwikuta is ranked as the 5^th OLB in the country and plays his high school ball in LaGrange, GA. Already at 6-4 and 232 pounds, Mwikuta has elite speed and size. He committed to Alabama over the likes of Georgia, Florida, Auburn and more. Mwikuta has already started to recruit others to join him as Alabama looks to have an elite 2019 class.

Alabama is getting after it early with the 2020 class, as they secured a huge commit from Stone Mountain, GA cornerback Javier Morton. Morton already holds 19 offers as only a sophomore and was recruited heavily by Tosh Lupoi. Morton sticks out on tape with his transition speed and length, as he is listed at 6-1. It may be a while away, but Morton can be the cornerstone of this 2020 class.

Alabama extends an offer to 2019 LB Tra Wilkins. Wilkins flies under the radar, but already holds offers from Alabama, Louisville and South Carolina. Many expect the in-state Georgia to land Wilkins once they offer, but Wilkins clearly has Alabama interest. Wilkins is listed at 6-2 and shows tremendous change of direction for somebody his size.

Alabama has been hitting Georgia hard lately, and they are staying true to the trend. 2019 4-star WR Ramel Keyton has added his 21^st offer from Alabama. Keyton’s recruitment is still wide open and Alabama is throwing their hat in the mix. Derrick Ansley is the primary recruiter and will try to get Keyton to Tuscaloosa for a visit soon. Keyton is one of the top WRs for the 2019 class and had a very strong sophomore season.

Make sure to stay tuned here at RBR and follow me on twitter @BobbyMKunz for all your Alabama football needs.