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Alabama Recruiting Update: Early Signing Day Primer

The Early Signing Period is Wednesday December 16.

By CB969
Auburn vs Alabama
bAMa DoEsn’T PlAy fREsHmEn.
Photo by UA Athletics/Collegiate Images/Getty Images

Nick Saban has never been a fan of the Early Signing Period (ESP). It is especially poor timing this season. Since there is not much he can do about it, he embraces it and like everything else he does in college football, he dominates it.

Wednesday morning begins the ESP which runs through Friday, Dec 18. Despite the “Early” nomenclature attached to it, the first day has become the de facto National Signing Day. Alabama is expected to sign at least 23 recruits for the Class of 2021. The Crimson Tide class is currently ranked as the top in the nation by Rivals, ESPN, and 247sports, as well as the 247sport composite ranking which tends to be the most accurate and the go-to at RBR.

The Tide have 23 committed and could end up with as many as 26 or 27 in this class.

COMMITTED

All of the below recruits are committed to Alabama and are expected to sign tomorrow. Many of them intend to enroll in January. They are signified with EE. The numbers (#) signify their 247sports composite rankings.

  1. JC Latham OT Chicago, IL/Wisconsin (IMG) 6’6”/305, #2 EE - Bama has the nation’s top two tackles.
  2. Tommy Brockermeyer OT Fort Worth, TX 6’6”/288 #5 EE - Here is the other one.
  3. Dallas Turner DE/OLB Ft. Lauderdale, FL 6’4”/235 #8 - The next great Bama LB?
  4. Damon Payne DT Belleville, MI 6’3.5”/297 #19 - May wait to sign in Feb with teammates but still firmly committed.
  5. Ga’Quincy McKinstry CB Pinson, AL 6’0-5”/180 #23 EE - Won state championship with head coach Sam Shade. In Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, he caught three passes for 76 yards on offense and had two interceptions on defense.
  6. Jacorey Brooks WR Miami, FL (IMG) 6’3”/180 #34 EE
  7. TJ Ferguson OL Fort Valley, GA 6’4”/300 #54 EE
  8. Deontae Lawson LB Mobile, AL 6’3”/215 #55 EE - Made five tackles, including one sack, and broke up a pass in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.
  9. Agiye Hall WR Valricio, FL 6’2”/183 #56 EE
  10. Christian Leary WR Orlando, FL 5’9”/190 #68 EE - Has run a 10.5 in the 100 meters.
  11. Jalen Milroe QB Katy, TX 6’1.5”/192 #78 EE - Raw but immensely gifted QB.
  12. Monkell Goodwine DE/OLB Fort Washington, MD 6’4/260 #89 EE
  13. Kendrick Blackshire LB Duncanville, TX 6’2”/245 #144 EE
  14. Kadarius Calloway DB Philadelphia, MS 6’0”/210 #150 - Made a big impression at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game on both side of the ball.
  15. Kaine Williams S Marrero, LA 6’2”/190 #170 EE
  16. James Brockermeyer OG/OC Fort Worth, TX 6’3”/273 #183 EE - The top-rated center is not a bad package deal.
  17. Ian Jackson LB Prattville, AL 6’1”/249 #235 EE - Five tackles in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.
  18. Devonta Smith CB Cincinnati, OH 6’0”/185 #313
  19. Tim Keenan DT Birmingham, AL 6’2”/364 #364
  20. Khyree Jackson CB Upper Marlboro, MD 6’3”/197 #3 juco player
  21. Anquin Barnes DT Montgomery, AL 6’5”/310 #521 - Underrated big man made two tackles, including one for an 8-yard loss in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.
  22. Robbie Ouzts TE Rock Hill, SC 6’4”/240 #615 EE
  23. * Caden Clark TE Akron, OH EE - Greyshirt from last season as he recovers from surgery.

PROSPECTS

Below in no particular order is a quick rundown of who Alabama is believed to be targeting the most for the ESP (announcement times are tentative and subject to the whims of teenagers):

  • WR Xavier Worthy (Fresno, CA) - Michigan commit. (3:00pm CT)
  • DT Maason Smith (Houma, LA) - LSU, Bama, UGA. (3:30pm CT)
  • S Sage Ryan (Lafayette, LA) - Committed to LSU.
  • DE Keanu Koht (Vero Beach, FL) - Committed to LSU.
  • DE Tunmise Adeleye (Katy, TX) - Texas A&M, Florida, Alabama. (Noon CT)
  • WR Brian Thomas (Walker, LA) - Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU. May wait until Feb.
  • Mystery Recruit - There always seems to be one.

The Crimson Tide will take both Worthy and Thomas if they want to commit. They would like to sign one more defensive back with an emphasis on safety and a few more defensive linemen with at least one being in the interior.

FEBRUARY SIGNEES

The final National Signing Day is Feb 3. DE J.T. Tuimoloau, S Terrion Arnold, and S Jardin Gilbert will wait until then to sign.

One to watch is 4-star DE Tyreak Sapp from Fort Lauderdale, FL who is committed to Florida. If he does not sign this week, Alabama may be in the chase for his signature in February. FWIW, he is teammates with Alabama commitment Dallas Turner.

#NSD2021



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