2018 Alabama Football Recruiting: National Signing Day Eve Primer

National Signing Day is Wednesday, February 7. While much of the drama has been co-opted by the Early Signing Period (ESP), there are still many unknowns to reveal themselves.

The Crimson Tide signed 15 recruits during the ESP including greyshirt Jarez Parks. Nick Saban made a recent comment that he would sign a total of 23 . Quick math tells you that leaves eight openings. That is, of course, unless Saban has something up his sleeve - and he usually does.

Below are the young men who may sign with Alabama on Wednesday.

GOOD CHANCE:

The general thought is the Tide takes two of the remaining three wide receivers. However, they could take all three.

Jaylen Waddle WR Houston, TX 5’10”/165 ****½ - Favored over TAMU
Justyn Ross WR Phenix City, AL 6’4’’ / 197 **** - Favored over Clemson.
Jacob Copeland WR Pensacola, FL 6’1” 188 **** - Fla, the team to beat.
Patrick Surtain Jr. DB Plantation, FL 6’1.25”/199 (247’s #6 overall player) ***** - LSU seems confident they will get him.
Malik Langham DE Huntsville, AL 6’5.5”/269 ****
Bobby Brown DT Arlington, TX 6’4’’/282****
Eddie Smith CB Slidell, LA 6’1”/180 *** - cousin of NCG hero DeVonta Smith.
Vernon Jackson ATH (likely LB) Boling, TX 6’3’’/240**** - Flipper?
Michael Parker TE Huntsville, AL 6’6’’/230*** likely blueshirt or greyshirt.

50-50:

Nick Petit-Frère OT Tampa, FL 6’5’’ / 260 ***** - Looking like Fla.
Quay Walker OLB Cordele, GA 6’4”/220 **** - might flip to Tenn or UGA.

PLAN B:

If the Tide comes up short, one or more of these guys might get the call.

Jaylen Moody ILB Conway, SC *** - If linebackers Walker and/or Jackson sign elsewhere.
Moro Ojomo DT Katy, TX ***
Glenn Beal TE New Orleans ***

Not looking good:

J.J. Peterson LB Norman Park, GA 6-1.5/210 **** - Tennessee commit
Tyson Campbell DB Plantation, FL 6’2.5”/180 (#12) ***** - Mia or UGA.
Olaijah Griffin CB Mission Viejo, CA 6’1”/170 (#28) ***** - So Cal.
Isaac Taylor-Stuart CB San Diego, CA 6’2”/190 (#32) **** - So Cal.
Penei Sewell OL St. George, UT 6-5/349 **** - Oregon.

PWO:

Spain Park quarterback Braxton Barker, the son of Alabama national championship quarterback Jay Barker, committed to a preferred walk-on offer Monday. This development provides further evidence that the Tide will not sign a QB in this class. (FYI, Mobile’s 3-star QB Swift Lyle has committed to Georgia State.)

3-star WR Collins Woods (6’3”/190) from Blount HS in Eight Mile, AL, has been offered a Preferred Walk-On but he has some full offers from other schools.

Huntsville center Jackson Roby has accepted a Preferred Walk-On offer with the Tide.

TV & NSD COMMIT SCHEDULES:

(All times CT)

ESPN will feature 8-plus hours of signing day coverage, beginning at 8am on ESPNU. Their coverage will move to ESPN2 from 11am-3pm before returning to ESPNU from 3pm-6pm. Nick Saban and other coaches will have guest spots. Greg McElroy will be stationed in Tuscaloosa for the day.

The SEC Network will start their Signing Day Special at 11am and run until 2pm. This may be preferred watching. THeir coverage will be followed by the Paul Finebaum Show.

(All times CT; Subject to change at the whims of 18 year olds)

• Patrick Surtain Jr. and Tyson Campbell during the 8am hour ESPNU
• Nick Petit-Frere during the 8am hour ESPNU
• Quay Walker during the 9am hour ESPNU
• James Foster during the 9am hour ESPNU
• Justyn Ross during the 11am hour ESPN2
• Jacob Copeland during the noon hour ESPN2
• Jaylen Waddle noonish ESPN2 (unconfirmed)