Alabama Football: Final player rankings released for 2018 recruiting class
By Ronald Evans
Check out where Alabama football signees and top recruits finished in the final 2018, player rankings. Compare the Tide list to the rest of the SEC.
With the 2018 recruiting cycle ending in less than three weeks, Alabama football stands to have another top signing class. At the lowest, the Crimson Tide should finish in the top five, maybe even the top three. That is not quite the same domination Alabama football fans have grown accustomed to, but being No.1 in every recruiting cycle is unrealistic.
Alabama football has about eight open slots to be filled. Some of those slots may be filled with highly rated 5-Star recruits. Other slots will be filled to meet specific needs that allow a 4-Star or even a 3-Star recruit to become a Crimson Tide priority.
ICYMI: 3-Star recruits who became Crimson Tide greats
The gold standard in rating recruits is the Top 247 from 247Sports. Let’s review where 2018, Alabama football signees and top recruits rank in the Top 100 players in the nation.
Alabama 2018 Signees in Top 100
Eyabi Anoma; DE, Baltimore, MD; St. Frances Academy. Ranked No. 3
Josh Jobe; CB, Cheshire, CT; Academy. Ranked No. 40
Jalyn Armour-Davis; CB, Mobile, AL; St. Paul Episcopal. Ranked No. 70
Stephon Wynn; DE, Bradenton, FL; IMG Academy. Ranked No. 95
Alabama 2018 Commits in Top 100
Quay Walker; LB, Cordele, GA; Crisp County. Ranked No. 31
Alabama football is in a tough battle to hold on to Quay Walker. Many recruiting experts see him flipping to Georgia.
Alabama Prospects in the Top 100
Nicholas Petit-Frere; OT, Tampa, FL; Berkely Prep. Ranked No. 9
Patrick Surtain Jr.; CB, Fort Lauderdale, FL; American Heritage. Ranked No. 11
Tyson Campbell; CB, Fort Lauderdale, FL; American Heritage. Ranked No. 12
Isaac Taylor-Stuart; CB, La Mesa, CA; Helix. Ranked No. 35
Tanner McKee; QB, Corona, CA; Centennial. Ranked No. 38
Penei Sewell; OG, St. George, UT; Desert Hills. Ranked No. 53
Jaylen Waddle; WR, Bellaire, TX; Episcopal. Ranked No. 64
J.J. Peterson; LB, Moultrie, GA; Colquitt County. Ranked No. 74
Jacob Copeland; WR, Pensacola, FL; Escambia. Ranked No. 98
Among these Alabama prospects, all but Tyson Campbell, Tanner McKee and J.J. Peterson are strong possibilities to join the 2018 class.
Player Rankings for other 2018 Signees
Tommy Brown; OT, Santa Ana, CA; Mater Dei. Ranked No. 154
Cameron Latu; DE/LB, Salt Lake City, UT; Olympus. Ranked No. 172
Emil Ekiyor; OC, Indianapolis, IN; Cathedral. Ranked No. 181
Jordan Davis; DE/LB, Memphis, TN; Southwind. Ranked No. 189
Christian Barmore; DT, Philadelphia, PA; Neumann Goretti. Ranked No. 215
Jerome Ford; RB, Seffner, FL; Armwood. Ranked No. 225
Player Rankings for other 2018 Commits
Bobby Brown; DT, Arlington, TX; Lamar. Ranked No. 142
Vernon Jackson; ATH/LB, Boling, TX; Boling. Ranked No. 223
After missing the early signing day deadline, there is some risk Brown decides to stay in his home state of Texas. The same risk exists for Jackson. The Tide will use a January 19th official visit to try and lock down Jackson.
Player Rankings for other 2018 Prospects
Justyn Ross; WR, Phenix City, AL; Central. Ranked No. 101
Tyler Friday; DT, Ramsey, NJ; Don Bosco. Ranked No. 154
Julius Irvin; S, Anaheim, CA; Servite. Ranked No. 177
Malik Langham; DE, Huntsville, AL; Lee. Ranked No. 222
Alabama is believed to be in great shape for Langham who may announce a commitment during the January19-21 weekend. The Tide and Clemson are fighting for Ross. Friday will announce a decision on January 19th with Ohio State trending as his leader. Irvin received a late Tide offer and it is not yet known if he will visit.
Who leads among SEC schools in the Top 100 players? Georgia has a commanding lead with nine players. Alabama football has five, with one of those, Quay Walker likely to flip to Georgia.
Next: Mike Locksley to Offensive Coordinator
The players listed are only the ones ranked in the Top 247 spots, linked above. Other Tide signees and prospects are or may become members of the 2018, Alabama football signing class.