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Are flips coming for Alabama football as Star Recruits head to T-Town?

By Ronald Evans

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 16: A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Colorado State Rams on September 16, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 16: A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Colorado State Rams on September 16, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Beyond the festivities and the game, this Homecoming weekend is loaded with recruiting stars, some of whom Alabama football will try to flip.

If you have not yet followed Alabama football 2018 recruiting closely, now would be a good time to start. Homecoming weekend is always special in Tuscaloosa. This weekend it could be explosive and we are not just talking the football game.

The 2018 recruiting cycle for Alabama football has been good but far from explosive. Based upon 247Sports 2018 Team Rankings, Alabama football is No. 23 in the FBS. Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, Miami and Oregon currently have the top five 2018 recruiting classes.

Alabama football fans are not accustomed to the Crimson Tide lagging behind in recruiting. Not being near the top five is bad enough but even worse Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, LSU and even Kentucky have 2018 recruiting classes ranked higher than the Tide.

The Crimson Tide has 11 verbally committed players. Check out the UA Commit List. Of the 11, seven are 4-Star players and four are 3-Star players.

Due to last season’s blueshirt and grayshirt decisions, Alabama cannot sign 25 players in 2018. The number will likely be 22, maybe 23. Reduced open slots make becoming the No. 1 class very difficult.

Even with the numbers limitation, Alabama football will be a top ten class, maybe a top-five class in 2018. Nick Saban is a master recruiter and few fans doubt the Tide will close well.

The Tide is in play for a big number of the top prospects in the nation. Some of those prospects are verbally committed elsewhere. Flips happen in every recruiting cycle. Alabama football will probably gain some and lose some.

Possible Flips to the Tide

Based upon the current list of star recruits expected to attend the Arkansas game, the Tide has some exciting flip prospects. Around 40 recruits are expected to attend. The group includes a few 2018 Tide verbal commits and prospects in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 recruiting cycles.

Here is a partial list of the top 2018 and 2019 players the Tide will trying to flip from other schools.

  • Brenton Cox – 5-Star Defensive End (Currently committed to Ohio State)
  • Asa Martin – 4-Star Running Back (Currently committed to Auburn)
  • Jaycee Horn – 4-Star Cornerback (Currently committed to Tennessee)
  • Lyn-J Dixon – 4-Star Running Back (Currently committed to Tennessee)

UPDATED: Not long after the Vols lost to South Carolina, Dixon tweeted he has re-opened his recruitment.

  • Jeffery Johnson – 3-Star Defensive Tackle (Currently committed to Mississippi State)
  • Kenyatta Watson II – 4-Star Safety (Current 2019 commit to FSU)
  • George Pickens – 4-Star Wide Receiver (Current 2019 commit to Auburn)

In addition to the committed players, the Crimson Tide will be hosting some key 2018 and 2019 uncommitted prospects.

  • Tyreke Smith – 4-Star Defensive End
  • Luke Ford – 4-Star Tight End
  • Saivion Smith – 4-Star Cornerback
  • King Mwikuta – 4-Star Linebacker (2019 recruit)

Click on the link below for the latest details on more than 20 of the top 2018, Crimson Tide defensive prospects.

Next: The Latest Update on more than 20, 2018 Defensive Prospects

Recruit travel plans sometimes change at the last minute. We will update this post as we learn of any changes.

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