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Alabama Football: The stars converge on Atlanta Saturday night

By Ronald Evans

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 15: A general view inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium during a walkthrough tour on August 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 15: A general view inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium during a walkthrough tour on August 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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College football’s biggest games absorb massive national attention. For Alabama football that also means bringing out the stars in Atlanta.

Football players from both teams will shine Saturday night. The Alabama football and Florida State rosters are filled with some of the biggest names in college football. The Sports Illustrated list of the Top 100 Players for 2017 has nine Alabama football players and six from Florida State.

On 2017, college football awards watch lists, Alabama has 12 players nominated. Florida State has nine. Alabama football has five players named to the AP preseason All-America first and second teams. FSU has two on both were named to the first team.

We doubt this gaudy array of talent will be surpassed by any other 2017 regular season game. All these Crimson Tide and FSU stars will shine on the new Mercedes-Benz field. Other stars will be visible off the field, seated in the stands.

Special guests of both teams will include an astounding number of 2018, 2019 and 2020 4-Star and 5-Star recruits. Some of the players watching Saturday night are being recruited by both schools. Let’s review a list of those who will be attending with Alabama football tickets.

Note: The player ratings in this post are from either 247Sports or Rivals.com.

The 5-Stars

  • Patrick Sartain (2018), The No. 1 rated CB in the nation has Alabama, LSU, Florida State, Ohio State, Clemson as leaders.
  • Quarvaris Crouch (2019), The No. 2 rated RB in the nation has Clemson, Michigan, Stanford, South Carolina and Alabama as leaders.
  • Clay Webb (2019), The No. 1 rated OG in the nation appears to be a battle between Alabama, Auburn and Georgia with Florida and Clemson also in contention.
  • Arik Gilbert (2020), The No. 2 rated ATH in the nation is considering Georgia, Alabama, Florida State, Florida and Clemson.
  • Tate Ratledge (2020), The No. 4 rated OT in the nation is considering Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Auburn and Alabama

The 4-Stars

The Crimson Tide will be hosting 18, 4-Star visitors. The partial list below does not include four players already committed to Alabama football: Cameron Latu; Quay Walker; Pierce Quick and Xavier Williams.

  • Emory Jones (2018) The No. 3 rated dual-threat QB in the nation. Jones is committed to Ohio State but the Tide is working hard to flip him.
  • Justyn Ross (2018), The No. 8 rated wide receiver in the nation is believed to be a battle between the Tide and Auburn.
  • Jaylen Waddle (2018), The No. 11 rated wide receiver in the nation is considering TAMU, Alabama, Florida State and Oregon.
  • Jalen Perry (2018), The No. 11 rated CB in the nation has a bunch of offers and schools in consideration. Alabama football offered him early.
  • Harold Joiner (2018), The No. 5 rated RB in the nation is considering LSU, Michigan State, Alabama, Clemson and Auburn.
  • Luke Ford (2018), The No. 2 rated TE in the nation is considering Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia and Florida.
  • J.J. Peterson (2018), The No. 1 rated OLB in the nation and many believe a near-lock for Alabama. Auburn, Georgia and Clemson are still active in his recruitment.
  • Adam Anderson (2018), The No. 2 rated OLB in the nation has Georgia with a big lead. Alabama, LSU, Clemson and Auburn are still in the mix.
  • Nadab Joseph (2018), The No. 9 rated CB in the nation de-committed from LSU and Alabama has made him a priority.
  • Jaylen McCollough (2019), The No. 3 rated S in the nation is a strong lean to FSU. Alabama is trying to change his mind.
  • King Mwikuta (2019), The No. 5 rated OLB in the nation appears to be a two-way battle between Alabama and Georgia.
  • Kyler McMichael (2018), The No. 4 rated ATH in the nation is a Clemson commit.
  • Taulia Tagovailoa (2019), The No. 8 rated dual-threat QB in the nation should be solid to join his older brother at Alabama. FAU, Hawaii and Oregon have not given up.
  • Ani Izuchukwu (2019), The No. 12 rated WDE in the nation likes Alabama football. Alabama football was on Ani early but other teams are working to catch up.

Florida State will have a large contingent of recruits in Atlanta as well. Of particular note for Alabama football fans, 5-Star QB Justin Fields and 4-Star OL William Barnes will be FSU guests.

Next: The History of Tide-FSU Games

There is much to be gained with a victory on Saturday. The game’s winner will be hard to dislodge from an eventual CFB Playoff berth. And all the stars in the stands will be mightily impressed.

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