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Alabama Football: Update on WR and TE 2018 prospects

By Ronald Evans

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 01: A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Kentucky Wildcats on October 1, 2016 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 01: A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Kentucky Wildcats on October 1, 2016 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Alabama football recruiting has narrowed down to a small number of WR and TE prospects. Check out the latest information on possible signees.

Less than a week away from Early Signing Day (ESD), Alabama football looks to add a couple of wideouts, a tight end and a quarterback.

The new ESD is not one day. It is a three-day signing period that begins on Dec. 20th. Leading up to ESD, we are providing detailed information on top targets, by position group.

Previously published and updated position group details: Defensive Tackles, Defensive Ends, Cornerbacks and Safeties, and Quarterbacks and Running Backs.

2018 Wide Receiver and Tight End Verbal Commits (all ratings are from 247Sports Composite)

  • Xavier Williams – 4-Star; No. 26 WR and No. 136 Overall player in the nation. Williams is from south Florida and Miami is still fighting to flip him. He appears solid to Alabama and will sign during the ESD. He is not expected to enroll until summer
  • Slade Bolden – 3-Star; Bolden is rated as an APB and because he played so many positions in high school he is hard to rate. As a DB, WR, RB and QB he was the 2017 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year. He is expected to play slot receiver for the Tide. He will sign early and enroll early.
  • Michael Parker – 3-Star; No. 43 TE. Parker has 15 offers, including Auburn. He is solid to the Tide. At 230 pounds on a 6-foot-6 frame, he will need to add weight to handle SEC blocking assignments. If numbers become tight, he might be asked to consider a grayshirt.

How tight are the numbers in these two position groups? Cottondale, AL (Tuscaloosa suburb) 4-Star WR, Seth Williams committed to Auburn. He is the No. 33 rated WR in the nation and insiders believe the Tide did not expect to have room for him.

Top Targets

  • Jacob Copeland – 4-Star; No. 9 rated WR and No. 53 Overall player in the nation. Alabama football fans worry Jeremy Pruitt may be able to lure Copeland to the Vols. Copeland is visiting Tennessee this weekend. He has not announced a commitment schedule. Copeland has over 30 offers. Alabama was believed to be his leader but appears to be slipping. Along with the Vols, Lousiville and UCLA are in the mix.
  • Jaylen Waddle – 4-Star; No. 7 WR and No. 50 Overall player in the nation. Alabama has long been the leader for Waddle. Instead of a previously scheduled announcement on Dec. 20th, he has no set decision schedule. TAMU and Jimbo Fisher are the Tide’s primary threat. Also in contention are Texas, TCU and Oregon. Waddle has over 25 offers and may prove to be hard pull away from his home state of Texas. Alabama football insiders believe the Tide is in a strong position.
  • Dominick Wood-Anderson – 4-Star JUCO No. 1 TE and No. 10 Overall JUCO player. Anderson’s recruiting has been a roller coaster ride for the schools in pursuit. The Arizona player originally committed to Texas. Alabama has been his leader most of the time since be backed away from the Longhorns. In the same period, he was said to also favor USC and Arizona State. TAMU is now a factor and Wood-Anderson is visiting Tennessee this weekend.

Other Possibilities

  • Justyn Ross – 4-Star, No. 10 WR and No. 58 Overall player in the nation. Ross is a high priority for Alabama football. The state’s top player is in no rush to make a decision. For most of the recruiting cycle, Cleamon has appeared to be his favorite. Ross recently said he has no clear leader. Some insiders believe it will come down to the Tigers or the Tide. Auburn is also in the hunt.
  • Justin Wadkins – 4-Star, No. 21 WR and Overall No. 102 Overall. The battle appears to be between the Tide and LSU with the Bengal Tigers in the lead. Alabama will not push Wadkins hard unless two of Copeland, Waddle and Ross appear to be going elsewhere.

Not Likely to become Tiders

  • Luke Ford – 4-Star; No. 2 TE and No. 49 Overall. The Tide has worked hard to sign Ford but it looks to be UGA going forward.
  • Joshua Moore – 4-Star; No. 17 WR and No. 85 Overall. Moore is a good player but there is just no room in this class.

Next: 30 Great Crimson Tiders who were 3-Star recruits

The Tide’s current 14 verbals could increase to 17 players before ESD. Almost all of the ESD signees will enroll in January.

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