Alabama football is attracting a strong 2018 class of defensive ends. Check out the current commits and the top remaining prospects.
Updated: 12/13/17
The first NCAA Early Signing Period starts December 20th. Alabama football can entertain prospects on campus, in-person until the recruiting process reaches a Quiet Day on December 17th.
After the 17th, the December Dead Period begins and there can be no in-person contact between schools and players. The Early Signing Period is a 72-hour window, December 20-22.
ICYMI: An overview of prospects for the Early Signing Period
Many experts believe up to 75 percent of the eventual 2018 class will sign in December. That estimate goes up to 90 percent for those players intending to enroll early.
Alabama football currently has 14 verbal commits: 2018 Verbal Commits. This week we are profiling the Tide commits and top prospects by position group. Previously posted was a breakdown of the defensive tackles, Defensive Tackle Recruiting a Tide Problem.
Strong group of defensive ends helps the shortage of defensive tackles
The current defensive commits are a strength of the 2018 recruiting class. A trio of 4-Stars, Stephon Wynn, Jordan Davis and Cameron Latu appear to be solid commits. Wynn and Davis will sign early and enroll in January. Latu will sign early and will enroll next summer.
Wynn and Davis are Top 100 players and rated as the No. 3 SDE (Wynn) and the No. 5 WDE (Davis.) Latu is the No. 7 rated WDE nationally. At 285 pounds, Wynn will be able to play on the interior of the Tide defensive line as well as DE.
Added to the 2018 defensive end class will be 2017 recruit, Jarez Parks. Parks was a 4-Star, Top 100 player in the last cycle who accepted a Tide grayshirt. He will sign and enroll this month.
Top defensive end prospects
Eyabi Anoma is expected to be the jewel in the Tide’s 2018 recruiting class. The 5-Star WDE is rated as No. 2 at his position and the No. 7 player overall in the nation.
Anoma is not expected to sign early. UPDATED: Eyabi said on Dec. 13th he will announce his commitment on Dec. 22nd. He is reported to need some improved scholastic performance in order to qualify academically. It is believed his lead recruiter, Mike Locksley, and Nick Saban fully understand the academic work required of Anoma and will hold a slot for him.
Much like Stephon Wynn who can play multiple positions, Anoma and Latu could end up also being Jack linebackers for the Alabama football defense.
A few days ago, Alabama football appeared to be close to flipping another 5-Star defensive end. When Brenton Cox de-committed from Ohio State, Alabama was believed to be the leader. A quick change put Georgia in the lead and Cox is now expected to become a Bulldog.
Tide cools on a couple of prospects
There are background stories circulating about 3-Star Andres Fox and 5-Star K.J. Henry. Fox, a longtime Tide fan had been anxious to commit to Alabama. The Tide apparently slow-played him and with the move of Jeremy Pruitt to Tennessee, Fox is expected to become a Vol.
For whatever reason, Alabama football decided to pass on Henry. Rumors abound and one of them contends Henry’s father is looking for a coaching gig and has tied that pursuit to his son’s college choice. Fact or fiction, it appears the Tide chose to move away from the 5-Star.
Remaining defensive end prospects
- Tyreke Smith – 4-Star; No. 4 WDE and No. 59 Overall. Smith has close to 40 offers. Alabama, Ohio State and Penn State appear to be leading for Smith. Smith will announce his choice on January 4th.
- Malik Langham – 3-Star; No. 29 SDE. Langham’s recruiting has picked up recently. Almost all the SEC schools, plus Notre Dame and FSU are interested in his potential to become a big-time player. He is a cousin of former Alabama football star, Antonio Langham. The Tide is expected to have the advantage in signing Malik if there is room in the 2018 class.
Next: 30 Great Tide Players who were 3-Star Recruits
Our next detailed update (on Dec. 13th) will cover the defensive secondary, followed by the other position groups as we work down to Dec. 20th. All position group, detail posts will be updated with new information as it becomes available.