I've been looking into the 2019 Recruiting class and Georgia looks to be ahead of Alabama now.. again. Smart and company are essentially able to bring in more 5 star players and that screws with the massive lead Alabama had for the entire off season.
Has ANY kid signed -- No. They can't yet. However, aside from a relatively slight shift on these verbals.. these commitments represent an accurate depiction of how things will ultimately ... "roughly" .. become.
Right now - Georgia has 19 TOTAL, with 5 - Five Star commits | 11 - Four Star | 3 - Three Star.
Alabama has 21 TOTAL, with 1 - Five Star commit | 19 - Four Star | 1 - Three Star.
They are ranked - Georgia #1 @ 292.13 and Alabama #2 @ 287.34
Right now Alabama continues with the most talented team as Bama has (on roster, counting 5 years) -- ALL #1 Classes except the latest class,.. a drop to #5 (We know why)
However, for the best coach to maintain the best "Jimmys and Joes" we have to sign a considerable number of 5 star players.
That's my concern right now. Georgia is able to bring them in , in record breaking numbers. Alabama has ONE (Hard)commit as of today. Georgia, again, has FIVE commits.
Yes - Saban can develop players better - and those 19 four stars are great. The ONLY 3 star is the best Kicker in the country (from Hoover).
Anyhow Georgia's Hard commit Five stars = DE - Nolan Smith, WR - Jadon Haselwood, DT - Travon Walker, RB - John Emery Jr. and OLB - Dominick Blaylock. -- THREE of those are from Georgia and thus locked imo.
I know Alabama is working on FIVE Star(s):
DE - Kayvon Thibodeaux -- (Who has 11% interest in AL according to the surviving service Crystal Ball)
ILB - Dakobe Dean - (Who has 7% Predictor for AL ...)
Safety - Daxton Hill - (Who has 44% Predictor for AL)
DT - Faatui Tuitele - (Who has 50% Predictor for AL)
Then the one or two we have = Center - Clay Webb, and I think... RB - Trey Sanders.
I'd just really like to see Saban and this new , young, elite recruiting staff [With a program that can basically guarantee a NC to these kids] -- Pull in MORE 5 stars than Georgia.
Again, I know Saban is a master Talent Evaluator - so many of those 4 stars are NFL top talent in the end -- but I still feel that.....
Each class needs several 5 stars to really make these rosters proper. We need the Minkah Fitzpatrick's, Julio Jones, Reuben Foster's, Da'Ron Paynes (All 5 stars) sprinkled in these classes imho.
For some perspective from the 5 year span (2013-2017) :
Alabama Signed 27 Five Stars (That's averaging OVER 5 - 5 stars per class)
In this span it went:
Alabama = 101 Four + Five Star Recruits, with 27 - 5 Stars.
Clemson = 58 Four + Five Star Recruits with 7 - 5 Stars.
Georgia = 73 Four + Five Star Recruits with 11 - 5 Stars.
and
Oklahoma = 55 Four + Five Star Recruits with 3 - Five Stars.
Also to put the classes that are still AT our schools .. the 2015 ,2016 ,2017 and 2018 classes (primarily) --
Alabama #1 for 2015, 2016, 2017 (5th in 2018)
Georgia #15 for 2015, #19 for 2016, #8 for 2017 and (#1 for 2018)
Both Teams Freshman Classes Broken Down: Georgia = 7 - 5 Stars, 15 - 4 Stars, and 4 - 3 Stars.
Alabama = 2 - 5 Stars, 13 - 4 Stars, and 7 - 3 Stars.
The Talent gap is quickly closing between these two SEC programs and let's be honest,.. the recruiting has been a nice 'advantage' for Alabama all these years.
What is the likelihood Georgia beats Bama in 2019 recruiting (maintains) ?
What is the likelihood Georgia pulls more 5 Stars than Alabama in 2019 ?
How did Alabama lose the massive lead in recruiting?
I'd be lying if I said it wouldn't bother me if Saban and his effort were unable to beat Kirby Smart and Georgia for 2 years in a row in the "Recruiting Battle".
Combine that with the obvious effort Nick Saban geniusly devised and executed,.. in overhauling the coaching staff (Turning a potentially negative situation into a monumentally positive one) for 2018 on field production but also to massively increase recruiting production and ultimate RESULTS. Saban built a MUCH younger staff where 30's and 40's are a 'norm' at major positions in assistant coaches and thus recruiters.
-- Facilities are constantly being upgraded to appeal to recruits while being functionally better.
-- Saban hosts multiple cookouts at his Lake House for recruits (and players who are ambassadors).
-- The BUILT IN appeal of an existing team and coach coming off a National Championship victory with an exciting new QB and offense.
-- And,.. lastly --- Alabama has the ability, and the luxury to sign at least 10 MORE Recruits for this 2019 class.
A Saban/Alabama "Normal" number of 5 stars ensures 2019 class = #1 and all is right with the world of football.
So..
TLDR: Where are all the 5 Stars for Alabama's 2019 Class? ;)