Alabama Football: 2018 class trending up after NC celebration weekend
By Ronald Evans
The Alabama football, 2018 recruiting class is trending up after top players and family members loved their Tuscaloosa visit for the National Championship celebration.
Alabama football hosted 10, 4-Star and 5-Star recruits and one 3-Star, Tide verbal commit Vernon Jackson. Multiple insider reports indicate the Crimson Tide coaching staff made huge progress. Among the group of 11 top prospects, Alabama football is arguably the leader for six future signees.
Among the remaining five, the Tide improved its position with two. The remaining three include Tennessee commit, J.J. Peterson, 4-Star, QB James Foster, who is reportedly on hold by the Tide staff and Julius Irvin, 4-Star safety from California, who just received his Tide offer days ago.
Tide looking strong for a pair of 5-Stars
Based upon the weekend, several Alabama football insiders believe the Tide will sign 5-Star, CB Patrick Surtain Jr. and 5-Star, OT Nicholas Petit-Frere. LSU will not give up on Surtain Jr. Neither will Michigan and Notre Dame with Petit-Frere but the Tide took a leap forward with both. Petit-Frere’s mother and the Surtain family were enthusiastic about Tuscaloosa and the Tide. Neither player is expected to announce before NSD2 (the second national signing day.)
Former and current Tide players help recruit
The Tide has renewed confidence with the three unsigned players. Nick Saban devoted significant time to 4-Star, LB Quay Walker. Walker was hosted by the new ‘top player recruiter’ Mack Wilson. Former Tide player, Reggie Ragland pitched in to help as did Shaun Dion Hamilton. Before the weekend, several recruiting experts predicted a Walker flip to Georgia. While that may still happen, the Tide reasserted itself with the top priority recruit.
The two other commits, 3-Star, ILB Vernon Jackson and 4-Star, DT Bobby Brown affirmed solid commitments to Alabama football.
Tua hosted 4-Star, WR Justyn Ross. Alabama strengthened its position with Ross and should hold off Clemson and Auburn for his signature. The Tide is the clear leader for 4-Star, DE Malik Langham who some believe is already a silent commit.
The Tide also improved its position with 5-Star, CB Tyson Campbell. Campbell may choose Georgia or Miami at the end, but Alabama is in the final mix.
Although smaller in number, another impressive group will be in T-Town January 26-28. 4-Star, CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart, 4-Star, WR Jacob Copeland and 3-Star, QB Brock Purdy visit in the next group. Recruiting insiders believe Alabama is in great shape with all three.
Next: Current 2018 Signing Class
If the Tide had more than a handful of open slots, the 2018 group could become another No. 1 class. Even with few slots left, the class should finish at No.3, maybe even No. 2. NSD2 is February 7th.