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Alabama Football: Tide recruiting numbers crunch, 22 recruits for 10 slots

By Ronald Evans

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs out of the tunnel with his team before taking on the Michigan State Spartans in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs out of the tunnel with his team before taking on the Michigan State Spartans in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT /
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The big story on Alabama football recruiting is how many top recruits will not find room in a small 2018 signing class.

Due to grayshirts and blue shirts from last season’s recruiting cycle, Alabama football cannot sign 25 new players in the 2018 class. The Alabama football number is believed to be 22, with perhaps a small chance to make it 23.

A top five recruiting class is still possible, even with only 22 new players. The overall class will not match schools who are able to bring in 25 or more players through the use of back-counters. Based on the Tide’s current 12 verbal commits, Alabama football is No. 16 in the 247 Sports Team Rankings.

2018 Verbal Commits

Jarrett Bell; 3-Star; No. 22 G and No. 467 Overall

UPDATE, Bell has de-committed and all indications are the decision was made with concurrence of both Bell and the Tide staff

  1. Cameron Latu; 4-Star; No, 7 WDE and No. 146 Overall
  2. Emil Ekiyor; 4-Star; No, 2 C and No. 105 Overall
  3. Jalyn Armour-Davis; 4-Star; No. 16 CB and No. 124 Overall
  4. Jordan Davis; 4-Star; No. 10 WDE and No. 218 Overall
  5. Quay Walker; 4-Star; No. 6 OLB and No. 126 Overall
  6. Skyler Delong; 3-Star; No. 2 P
  7. Slade Bolden; 3-Star; No. 11 ATH and No. 510 Overall
  8. Stephon Wynn; 4-Star; No. 5 SDE and No. 114 Overall
  9. Tommy Brown; 4-Star; No. 14 OT and No. 176 Overall
  10. Vernon Jackson; 3-Star; No. 18 ATH and No. 390 Overall
  11. Xavier Williams; 4-Star; No. 23 WR and No. 117 Overall

Most likely to join 2018 Class

  1. Brandon Kaho; 4-Star; No. 6 ILB and No. 137 Overall
  2. Emory Jones; 4-Star; No. 3 Dual QB and No. 36 Overall
  3. Eyabi Anonma; 4-Star; No. 3 WDE and No. 57 Overall
  4. Jaylen Waddle; 4-Star; No. 11 WR and No. 68 Overall
  5. Jerome Ford; 3-Star; No. 17 APB and No. 732 Overall
  6. J.J. Peterson; 4-Star; No. 1 OLB and No. 42 Overall
  7. Penei Sewell; 4-Star; No. 5 OT and No. 50 Overall
  8. Saivion Smith; 4-Star; (JUCO) No. 1 CB and No. 4 Overall
  9. Tyson Campbell; 5-Star; No. 2 CB and No. 23 Overall

Add the two lists and the total of 21 leaves one, maybe two open slots. Beyond the two lists, Alabama football needs to sign two defensive linemen, a tight end and one more cornerback. Another wide receiver and an additional offensive lineman are also wanted. Adding four more players would take the 2018 Signing class to 25, at least two or three too many. Adding six more players above our two lists and the Tide is way over its numbers.

How to make the numbers work

In the group of 11 commits, a player or two may flip to another school.  With the recent exit of Jarrett Bell, Quay Walker and Vernon Jackson appear to be the greatest flip risks. If there are no flips, a grayshirt or two might evolve.

In the group of nine ‘most likely’ to sign with the Tide, a few may go elsewhere. Alabama football appears to be in great shape with all nine but it is over five weeks to the Early Signing Period and a long way to February.

Another group sill in play

The additional position needs, referenced in the paragraph above, will likely be filled from the group below.

  1. Patrick Surtain; 5-Star; No. 1 CB and No. 5 Overall
  2. Luke Ford; 4-Star; No. 2 TE and No. 47 Overall
  3. Nadab Joseph; 4-Star; No. 21 CB and No. 212 Overall
  4. Jacob Copeland; 4-Star; No. 7 WR and No. 44 Overall
  5. Nicholas Petit-Frere; 4-Star; No. 4 OT and No. 41 Overall
  6. Caleb Tremblay; 4-Star; (JUCO) No. 5 DT and No. 6 Overall
  7. Christian Barmore; 3-Star;  No. 53 DT and No. 724 Overall
  8. Dominick Anderson; 3-Star; (JUCO) No. 1 TE and No. 14 Overall
  9. Andres Fox; 3-Star; No. 21 WDE and No. 359 Overall
  10. Justyn Ross; 4-Star; No. 8 WR and No. 46 Overall
  11. Tyler Friday; 4-Star; No. 3 DT and No. 64 Overall
  12. Jaycee Horn; 4-Star; No. 23 CB and No. 218 Overall
  13. Josh Jobe; 4-Star; No. 12 S and No. 91 Overall

Are there other recruits still being considered? Alabama football is probably in communication with another 30 players for 2018. A few of them could end up being in the 2018 class. Not including any of those ‘others’ we have listed 34 players for 22 or 23 slots.

Every recruiting cycle, making numbers work is a challenge for Alabama football. The only difference about 2018 is the challenge is tougher. Nick Saban always makes the numbers work.

Next: 30 Greatest Games in Tide Football History

All player rankings listed in this post are from the 247Sports Composite Rankings. We will update our three lists often as the 2018 recruiting pace quickens.

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