Alabama Football Recruiting: Update on top defensive prospects

Linebackers

Alabama football is blessed with a deep roster of highly rated linebackers. Rashaan Evans and Shaun Dion Hamilton will not return in 2018 but former 5-Stars and an abundance of 4-Stars are waiting for their turn. 4-Star Quay Walker is the only linebacker commit and a few insiders are doubting he sticks with the Tide.

It is important to remember some of the defensive ends listed above could become outside linebackers. Since 2018 numbers are so tight, Alabama football may only take two pure linebackers in the 2018 class.

• J. J. Peterson – LB; 4-Star; No. 1 OLB and No. 42 Overall. Tide coaches believe they are the leaders for Peterson. Auburn is in the hunt while Clemson, Georgia, Florida and FSU have not given up on signing Peterson. With some added weight, J. J. could also play inside linebacker.
• Adam Anderson – LB; 4-Star; No. 2 OLB and No. 43 Overall. Alabama and Georgia are in a tight battle for the Peach State player. The Dawgs may lead but if so, the Tide is not far behind. Clemson, Tennessee and to a lesser extent, Auburn and LSU are also factors.
• Kevontae’ Ruggs – LB; 3-Star; No. 38 OLB and No. 618 Overall. Most recruiting experts have expected the younger brother of Henry Ruggs III to be a Crimson Tide lock. The problem for Ruggs and the Tide is numbers. Will Alabama football have room in the 2018 class? If not, look for Ruggs to be a blueshirt or grayshirt option.
• FLIP WATCH – Brandon Kaho – LB; 4-Star; No. 6 ILB and No. 137 Overall. Kaho is committed to BYU but that may change. If he picks a new school it is expected to be Alabama, Washington or Oregon. Tosh Lupoi does great work in the west and Kaho would be a great pickup for the Tide.

This post we will be updated often as new information emerges over the next few weeks.

Next: Beat Nick or be fired is reality for most SEC coaches

We promised additional thoughts on Coynis Miller, who almost everyone predicts will choose Auburn. Losing an in-state player and lifelong Tide fan, at a position of clear need, is troubling. Playing time may be a factor if other schools are telling him he can start as a freshman.

A few connected fans suspect Miller and his family have been influenced by an individual who is pro-Auburn and anti-Alabama. We cannot confirm or refute that rumor.

What does come to mind is that Paul Bryant knew his career was near an end when he could no longer close a key, Alabama high school player. Years after the fact, Pat Dye admitted his confidence as the new Auburn coach many years ago, was because he knew with the age difference he could outwork Bryant on the recruiting trail.

It is hard to imagine anyone out-working Nick Saban – ever. But there will come a day, somewhere beyond 2018 when it happens. And when it does, it may be a signal to Nick to think about life off the football field.