Alabama Football: Big recruiting weekend news and tidbits, July 23

Alabama football: Big Recruiting Weekend … the big recruiting weekend that was more and less than we expected.

Alabama football held its last camp of the summer this past week. On July 21, Alabama football also hosted about 30 of the nation’s top 2018 and 2019 recruits for the Champions Cookout.

Earlier in the week, the No. 5 ranked player in the nation, Micah Parsons visited with Tide coaches. The 5-Star defensive end is being pursued by Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia and Alabama along with a bunch of other schools. Alabama football is in a strong position to snare the Buckeye’s top anticipated prize.

Alabama football is also hotly pursuing OSU commit, 4-Star, QB, Emory Jones. 247 Sports rates Jones the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the nation. It appears the chances of a Tide flip are increasing.

So far the only new commit for the week is Tommy Brown, Check out the 4-Star offensive lineman in this short video.

Alabama football had a surprise visitor

The big surprise for the week was a visit from 5-Star cornerback, Patrick Surtain, the nation’s No. 1 ranked cornerback. Recruiting experts report Sartain favors LSU and FSU in that order. Here is what he said after the visit to Tuscaloosa.

"“Bama was awesome, I really enjoyed it just spending time with Coach Saban and Coach Ansley, and spending time with the players. It was an all around awesome visit.“They made a big move. They’re definitely on the hot streak.”"

Alabama football has considerable ground to make on with Surtain to overcome LSU. The Tide has time with the No. 4 rated player in the nation probably not announcing his decision in the near future.  Check out these highlights.

Nick Saban continues to sweep into Louisiana for top talent, This week Alabama football offered 2019 5-Star and LSU commit, Kenyon Green. Green is rated as the No, 2 offensive tackle in the 2019 class.

The most intriguing Alabama football offer of the week was to a soon to be eighth-grader, about the size Da’Shawn Hand, Jaheim Oatis.

Da’Shawn and Jaheim are both 6 feet-four. Hand outweighs him by two pounds. Who says Nick is contemplating retiring soon!

Next Alabama Football Commit?

Our best guess for the next Alabama football commit is 4-Star defensive end, Cameron Latu. Latu and his mother were in Tuscaloosa for the Champions Cookout. It was Cameron’s third visit with the Crimson Tide. Some recruiting experts believe USC leads for Latu. Some Alabama football insiders believe Latu is a silent commit.

What is clear is Cameron’s mother loves Alabama,

"“They standout in many ways. I love the coaching staff and the administration. They’re just all great people … I like the overall feel at Alabama. They’re very family-oriented. They just make you feel really welcome.”"

Latu is expected to announce a decision soon. If not Latu, the next commit could be 3-Star, Slade Bolden. The 3-Star label does not mean Bolden would not be a great pickup for the Tide. Bolden is a bit of a ‘tweener’ but Brian Daboll wants him as a slot receiver. Some insiders suggest Daboll sees in Bolden a player like the Patriot’s Julian Edelman. Per 247 Sports, Bolden said this about his Tuscaloosa visit and Daboll.

"“To Coach Daboll, a slot receiver is like a whole other position, it’s a different mindset. You’ve got to be able to find holes in the defense and settle in, run quick routes, have great hands, and not be afraid to take a lick. He sees me as some of the guys he’s worked with in New England.”"

We cannot end our weekly review without something about Hugh Freeze. After four Freeze posts from us the last few weeks, we will let the Oxford, MS newspaper speak for us with its headline.

Next: 30 Great Tide Players who were 3-Star Recruits

Check in with us every Sunday when we offer news and tidbits from the past week. The season is finally fast approaching. Fall camp begins in less than two weeks.