Alabama Football Recruiting 2019: Names You Need To Know

By now, you have had some time to let the 2018 Alabama Signing Class to sink in. No, it was not a #1 class but it is ridiculous to think the Nick Saban can pull that off every year. The Crimson Tide had many factors that led to a lower ranking such as the higher than usual coaching staff turnover. However, the real factor might be the level of available talent.

Josh touched on it in Monday’s Jumbo Package:

The lack of talent in Alabama wasn’t the only state that hurt the Tide. Mississippi was way down. There wasn’t one target Alabama strongly pursued throughout the recruiting process in the 2018 cycle. It’s a state that Alabama usually does well in. But, like Alabama, Mississippi has elite talent in the 2019 class.

As a matter of fact, talent was down across the entire nation. Having the best recruiting class of 2018 is like winning a gold medal in the 1980 Summer Olympics when half of the world stayed home.

2019 should more then make up for the dearth of talent from the high school ranks. Below are some names Tide fans should get familiar with hearing. While it is WAY to soon to know where these prospects sign, these are the ones who have a good shot at landing in crimson and white.

OFFENSE

QB:
Taulia Tagovailoa (Alabaster, AL) QB 5-11 202 **** - You already know this guy, right?
Paul Tyson (Trussville, AL) QB 6-4 210 **** - This one too.

RB:
Trey Sanders (Port St Joe, FL) RB 5-11.5 216 ***** - Decommitted from Alabama but still high possibility of landing at Bama. Currently at IMG Football Factory.

TE:
Keon Zipperer (Lakeland, FL) TE 6-2 240 **** - Took an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa Feb 3.

OL:
Pierce Quick (Hewitt-Trussville, AL) OT 6-5 285 ***** - This is one Alabama commit I expect to stick.
Amari Kight (Alabaster, AL) OT 6-7 315 **** - Teammate of Taulia Tagovailoa; He is a Tide lean.
Clay Webb (Oxford, AL) OC 6-3 297 ***** - Top rated player in the state. It is a mystery who will start at center for the Tide in 2018. This Top 10 prospect could answer that question for 2019 and beyond.

DEFENSE

WkDE:
Ani Izuchukwu (Nashville, TN) WkDE 6-4 230 **** - Has made two trips to Tuscaloosa including Feb 3.
Derrick McLendon (Tucker, GA) WkDE 6-3 220 **** - Alabama has had bad luck with Tucker HS prospects in the past, but this one has made several trips to T-town and seems to favor the Tide.

SDE:
Nathan Pickering (Seminary, MS) SDE 6-5 270 **** - Top 50 prospect.
Jaren Handy (New Augusta, MS) SDE 6-4 250 **** - May be 50-50 with Ole Miss.

DT:
DJ Dale (Clay-Chalkville/Pinson, AL) DT 6-3 265 **** - Bama lean.

ILB:

Nakobe Dean (Horn Lake, MS) ILB 6-0 215 *****
Vonta Bentley (Jackson-Olin/Birmingham, AL) ILB 6-2 220 ****

OLB:
King Mwikuta (Troup County/Lagrange, GA) OLB 6-4 232 **** - Committed to the Tide; just need to keep the UGA Kool-Aid at bay.

DB:
Akeem Dent (West Palm Beach, FL) CB 6-0.5 170 ***** - I have a hunch about this guy. He is committed to FSU but after the ‘Noles start floundering in 2018, his tune may change.
Christian Williams (Daphne, AL) CB 6-1 177 **** - Bama lean.
Jaylen McCollough (Powder Springs, GA) S 6-1 190 **** - Oddly enough, he seems to be avoiding the UGA Kool-Aid.
Brendan Gant (Lakeland, FL) S 6-2 185 **** - Bama commit.
Christian Williams (Daphne, AL) CB 6-1 177 **** - Bama lean.

ATH:
Brandon Turnage (Oxford, MS) ATH 6-1 180 **** - Bama commit. Projects as a cornerback over wide receiver. Plays QB for his high school team.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Will Reichard (Hoover, AL) K 6-1 185 *** - Nation’s #1 kicker has already received an offer by the Crimson Tide.