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Alabama Football: Big recruiting weekend ahead and notes on QB recruits

By Ronald Evans

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide holds the trophy while celebrating with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship presented by AT
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide holds the trophy while celebrating with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in overtime to win the CFP National Championship presented by AT /
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Alabama football numbers are tight, with about eight spots left in the 2018 class. Check out visitors for Jan.19-21 and the latest news on QB recruits.

Nick Saban wants to sign a quarterback in every Alabama football recruiting class. The Tide chased and missed on some top targets. The chase is down to three options, none of whom yet have a committable offer.

Quarterback James Foster is one of nine top 2018 targets who will visit Tuscaloosa this weekend. Foster is a 4-Star, No. 13 ranked dual-threat QB. He lists LSU as his leader but he has strong interest in Alabama football. Foster is also considering FSU. He may or may not be the Tide’s top option.

Gilbert, AZ, 3-Star, pro-style QB, Brock Purdy has a preferred walk-on offer from the Tide. Purdy racked up high passing yards as a high school senior. Even though he is classified as pro-style, Purdy passed for over 4,800 yards and ran for another, 800-plus yards.

New Alabama football assistant coach Jeff Blake had a scheduled visit with Purdy on Monday night. Purdy has scholarship offers from Boise State, UCF, Kansas, Colorado State and Iowa State, plus several smaller programs. Purdy is scheduled to visit Tuscaloosa on January 26th.

A third name has surfaced this week. Jamarye Joiner is a 3-Star commit to Arizona. He is ranked as the No. 18 dual-threat QB in the nation. Joiner does not have an Alabama football offer yet but he is scheduled to visit on February 2nd.

January 19-21 visitors

In addition to James Foster, Alabama football will host several top recruits this weekend.

  • Alabama commits Quay Walker and Vernon Jackson. Walker is one of the top linebackers in the 2018 class. He will not announce his final decision until NSD. Most recruiting insiders believe the 4-Star, Walker will not stick with the Tide. Pulling the 3-Star Jackson out of the state of Texas is difficult but he is a high priority for the 2018 class. Jackson has later visits scheduled at TCU and Texas A&M.
  • J.J. Peterson – 4-Star and No. 1 ranked OLB in the class is expected to visit. Peterson had the Crimson Tide as his leader for a long time but that changed with Jeremy Pruitt’s exit. Most recruiting insiders believe the Tennessee commit will go with the Vols but the Tide has not given up.
  • Justyn Ross – 4-Star WR, ranked No. 8 in the nation. The battle appears to still be between the Tide and Clemson. Alabama does not often lose a top in-state guy and the staff is confident that will not change with Ross.
  • Nicholas Petit-Frere – 4-Star OT, ranked No. 4 in the nation. There is probably not room for more than one more offensive lineman. Petit-Frere would be an excellent finish for the Tide. Notre Dame is battling the Tide and Petit-Frere has later visits to Ohio State and Florida.
  • Malik Langham – 3-Star DE, ranked No. 28 in the nation. Malik is a cousin of Antonio Langham. Most recruiting insiders believe the Huntsville, AL player will choose the Tide. Florida is pushing hard to change that.

Two elite prospects

The next two recruits are 5-Star, high school teammates. Neither is expected to announce until NSD. The competition is fierce for both.

  • Tyson Campbell – 5-Star and No. 3 ranked CB in the nation. The Tide have chased Campbell long and hard. Georgia may be his leader. Don’t count out the Tide with Nick Saban having an in-home visit left.
  • Patrick Surtain Jr. – 5-Star and No. 1 ranked CB in the nation. LSU has been listed as his leader for months. Recently, Patrick said the Tide is close behind. Saban also has an in-home left for Surtain Jr.

It is a big weekend for Alabama football. A firm commitment might be gained from Malik Langham. Otherwise, recruit feedback will determine what spots are held open or made available to visitors over the last two weekends of the recruiting cycle.

Next: Alabama-Saban Dynasty is the Greatest Ever

How much impact will Alabama football, assistant coach changes affect recruiting? No one, including Nick Saban, knows that answer. Check in with us often for all the latest information.

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