Alabama Crimson Tide Recruiting: Two Weeks to National Signing Day

With two weeks and a day until National Signing Day, the Crimson Tide still have 22 signed for the class of 2020 and four unsigned commits. One of those four is expected to go elsewhere or blueshirt. See our previous crootin post for more info on these prospects.

LAST WEEKEND:

Alabama hosted four Class of 2020 visitors of varying degrees this past weekend. Of those four guests, one has already signed, one is committed to Bama, one is committed to UGA, and one is an unofficial visitor who is a top target of the Tide.

• Kyle Edwards RB (Destrehan, LA) - Edwards signed his LOI during the Early Signing Period, so it’s unusual that he took an official a month later. He is rated 3-stars but many think it’s because he suffered from a lack of exposure during his junior campaign as he sat behind current LSU running back John Emery last season. Edwards could be a sleeper for the Tide. He is expected to enroll for summer courses.
• Javon Baker WR (Powder Springs, GA) - This 4-star Georgian has been solid to the Tide since committing back in November of 2018. Baker has tentative plans to visit Arkansas this coming weekend. It could be a back-up plan in case he does not qualify for enrollment at the Capstone. Otherwise, he seems strong to Alabama.
• Sedrick Van Pran OC (New Orleans, LA) - This 4-star interior lineman had been firm on his commitment to Georgia until OL coach Sam Pittman took the head job at Arkansas. The lack of buzz around his OV to T-town gives the impression he might just be a “sight-seer”. He will OV Georgia this coming weekend and Florida January 31. Unless someone at UGA pulls a “Reese Dismukes”, expect him to sign with the Dawgs.
• McKinnley Jackson DL (Lucedale, MS) - Jackson is a high priority for the Alabama staff. Getting him and his step-mom (who is like a mom to him) back on campus last weekend as unofficial visitors as opposed to him going somewhere else on an official was a big step closer towards securing his signature. He originally OV’d Tuscaloosa way back in September for the Ole Miss game and went to Auburn during the dead week of December 6. He will see LSU this weekend and TAMU in two weeks. Despite the lousy weather, he had really good things to say about his trip to Bama. He also spoke highly of Freddie Roach. However, the jury is still out on this one. Nick Saban is scheduled to have an in-home visit with him this week. If Jackson cancels those other visits, it is highly likely he rolls with the Tide.

THIS WEEKEND:

As of post, Bama will have one official visitor in town this weekend but that number could change.

• Ennis Rakestraw (Duncanville, TX) 6’0”/170 - Nick Saban paid this 3-star cornerback an in-home visit on Monday and in turn Rakestraw will come to Tuscaloosa this weekend. His ranking might need some updating, since he played so well in the postseason during his team’s run to the state championship game. He saw Mizzou last weekend and will be at Georgia Jan. 31. Alabama appears to be the leader for now.
• Marcus Henderson OG (Memphis, TN) 6’5”/300 - This 4-star was believed to be visiting but it may not happen. IMHO, he would be a nice addition but he does not appear to be anything special nor is there a big need for another offensive lineman who is not top 250 in this Tide class.
• Bama OL commit Damieon George could possibly OV Alabama this weekend as well. He is expected to sign with Bama.

FWIW

• Rivals will roll out their final player rankings for 2020 this week. It has already been announced that Crimson Tide QB signee Bryce Young landed in the No. 2 overall spot. He leapfrogs Clemson signee DJ Uiagalelei as the top quarterback in the country on their list.
• Alabama’s William Anderson is expected to pick up a fifth star by Rivals after absolutely blowing up at the All-American Bowl practices and game.
• Nick Saban reportedly had an in-home visit with 4-star Alfred Collins on Monday. The Bastrop, TX defensive end appears to be a Texas lean. Unless Saban can coax an unofficial visit before NSD, there is not much chance of him signing with the Tide. Collins finished all his OVs before the new year.
• The heat surrounding uncommitted tight end Brandon Frazier (McKinney, TX) has simmered considerably. There is not much reason to think he joins the Crimson Tide.
• Alabama has shown some interest in North Carolina grad-transfer tight end Carl Tucker. It is unlikely that anything happens before NSD. The rising redshirt senior does not have to make a decision until after the spring semester ends. As a RS freshman in Chapel Hill, Tucker played in every game and had seven starts. He started the first four games of his sophomore year before tearing an ACL for which he was granted a hardship waiver for a sixth year. The next season, he caught 16 balls for 265 yards and a pair of TDs. This past season, Tucker again missed time due to injuries. Because of his time away and first-year coach Mack Brown’s disinclination to throw to the tight end, Tucker caught only five passes with one score. 2020 will be his final season of eligibility.
• 2021 5-star offensive tackle Amarius Mims from Cochran, Georgia is expected this weekend on an unofficial visit. Reportedly, he grew up an Alabama fan. UGA was thought to be the favorite before Sam Pittman skipped town.
• Also in town this weekend will be fellow 2021 5-star Dylan Brooks of Roanoke, AL. The weakside DE is the top rated player in the state.
• Alabama will host an invitation-only Junior Day on February 1 for rising high school seniors and a few juniors. These events have been recruiting bonanzas for the Tide in recent years.