Alabama Football Recruiting: Early Signing Day Primer

Wednesday is the first day of the Early Signing Period. Alabama currently has 24 committed prospects and the No. 1 rated class. All of them are expected to sign with the Crimson Tide. Below is the list of those who have given their pledge. (EE = Early Enrollee)

COMMITTED

• S Caleb Downs 6’0” 183 (Hoschton, GA) #6 - The top player in Georgia is expected to arrive at Alabama shortly after signing day to begin bowl practice with the team. EE
• EDGE Keon Keeley 6’6” 230 (Tampa, FL) #10 - No. 1 edge rusher.
• RB Justice Haynes 5’10” 195 (Buford, GA) #25 - No. 2 player in the Peach State is expected to start practicing with the Tide on Wednesday. EE
• CB Jahlil Hurley 6’3” 170 (Florence, AL) #38 EE
• WR Jalen Hale 6’2” 175 (Longview, TX) #41 EE
• RB Richard Young 6’1” 201 (Lehigh Acres, FL) #48 EE - No. 4 RB.
• S Tony Mitchell 6’2” 190 (Alabaster, AL) #54 EE - Been flirting with Texas A&M.
• EDGE Yhonzae Pierre 6’3” 220 (Eufaula, AL) #59
• DL Jordan Renaud 6’4” 240 (Tyler, TX) #62 EE
• QB Eli Holstein 6’4” 220 (Zachary, LA) #74 EE - Already practicing.
• OL Wilkin Formby 6’8” 306 (Tuscaloosa, AL) #77 EE - Already practicing.
• QB Dylan Lonergan 6’2” 198 (Snellville, GA) #140
• DL Hunter Osborne 6’4” 255 (Trussville, AL) #144 EE - Already practicing.
• DL Edric Hill 6’2” 277 (Kansas City, MO) #180 EE
• OL Olaus Alinen 6’7” 310 (Windsor, CT) #189 EE
• OL Miles McVay 6’7” 336 (East St. Louis, IL) #200 EE - Already practicing.
• TE Ty Lockwood 6’5” 220 (Thompsons Station, TN) #235 EE
• WR Jaren Hamilton 6’1” 190 (Gainesville, FL) #286 EE
• WR Cole Adams 5’10” 175 (Owasso, OK) #304 EE
• ATH Brayson Hubbard 6’2” 185 (Ocean Springs, MS) #335 EE - Already practicing.
• OL Ryqueze McElderry 6’4” 325 (Anniston, AL) #375 EE - Already practicing.
• WR Malik Benson 6’1” 185 (Hutchinson, KS) - Consensus #1 JUCO EE - “Officially” reported to Alabama on Monday and is expected to start practicing with the team this week.
• ILB Justin Jefferson 6’3” 210 (Poplarville, MS) - Consensus #2 JUCO EE - Also “officially” reported to Alabama on Monday and is expected to start practicing with the team.
• K Conor Talty 6’1” 190 (Chicago, IL) #3 Kicker

TARGETS

• OT Kadyn Proctor 6’7” 330 (Des Moines, IA) #12 - This 5-star offensive lineman committed to the hometown Hawkeyes back in the summer and then Iowa preceded to roll out one of the worst Power 5 offenses of recent memory. It is easy to see why Proctor is wavering on his earlier decision. Thus, he and his parents made an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa this past weekend. All signs point to a happy union between Proctor and Alabama but he will have the daunting task of leaving his home state at the altar. I still say it’s about 50-50 chance. Announcing 8:45am CT. EE
• DL James Smith 6’3” 310 (Montgomery, AL) #18 and LB Qua Russaw 6’2” 230 (Montgomery, AL) #22 - This 5-star package deal has maintained from the beginning that they will sign with the same program. As two of the top 2023 prospects, there has been much fanfare surrounding their recruitment. IMHO, they made up their minds a long time ago. Unless they are planning some foolish shock-the-world announcement, expect them to sign with the Tide. The duo is announcing Wednesday around 1pm CT on ESPNU. EE
• CB Desmond Ricks 6’1” 170 (IMG/Chesapeake, VA) #23 - Ricks recently reclassified to the 2023 class. Despite the move up, he is still rated as a 5-star. It has been a whirlwind recruitment stretch for him. LSU feels like the leader but Bama is not out of it yet. He will announce on Thursday around 5:30 p.m. on CBS Sports HQ.
• CB Damari Brown 6’1” 180 (Fort Lauderdale, FL) #185 - The 4-star is a Miami legacy but as we have seen in recent recruiting cycles, that is not as important as it once use to be. That said his brother, Davonte Brown, was a starting CB at UCF and just announced a transfer to Miami Monday evening. There is no word if there is a package deal thing going on here. Damari attends American Heritage in Fort Lauderdale, the same school that produced Patrick Surtain II and Earl Little Jr., so Bama has some connection too. The Crimson Tide still has a shot with him on Wednesday but it won’t be easy. Announcing 2:15pm CT.
• TE Luke Hasz 6’3” 245 (Bixby, OK) #195 - It’s another 50-50 shot at this 4-star who is currently committed to Arkansas. Bama has put the full court press on him these last several weeks. The Razorbacks recent loss of tight ends coach Dowell Loggains to South Carolina which has left the door ajar. Announcing 11am CT.

LONGSHOTS

• 4-star DL Jordan Hall (Jacksonville, FL) - probably UGA.
• Ole Miss LB commit Suntarine Perkins 4-star linebacker (Raleigh, MS) - There is talk that he may wait until February to sign. If that happens, watch out!
• CB Tyler Scott 3-star cornerback from Mableton, GA looks like a Plan C. I predict Auburn.