Alabama Football: NFL Draft could lead to Tide 5-Star bonanza

The 2018 NFL Draft was again a showcase for Alabama football. The result could be a 2019 class loaded with 5-Star recruits.

On the first day of May, Alabama football climbed back to the top of the 2019 team recruiting rankings compiled by 247 Sports. With 11 verbal commits, the Tide is on track to gain the No. 1 class in December and February.

It is too early to celebrate. Much will change between May and the two signing periods. Young men will change their minds. Perhaps, in the end, even a few will go back on their words. Every school is vulnerable to the capriciousness of young minds. Alabama football is less vulnerable than most for one big reason.

Nick Saban delivers what he sells. Academic degrees, championships and for the top players the best NFL pipeline in college football. Despite a recruiting blip that saw the 2018 class finish only ranked No. 6, Alabama football under Nick Saban has been a recruiting machine.  Except for 2018, Alabama football has finished No. 1 every year in recruiting rankings going back to 2011.

Just like the old Carly Simon tune that became the theme of a James Bond movie,

"Nobody does it betterMakes me feel sad for the restNobody does it half as good as youBaby, you’re the best…"

But don’t take our word for it. Look at the fact from this tweet provided by 247 Sports. Using the 247Sports Composite player ratings from 2008-2015, 48.3 percent of the Tide’s recruited 5-Stars were drafted in the first round, compared to just 17 percent for the rest of college football.

The tweet needs no elaboration. The fact is stunning proof that ‘nobody does it better.’ Actually, no other program even comes close to doing it as well.

Calling Recruits on Draft Day

During the first day of the NFL Draft, Nick Saban made time in Dallas to call top recruits. A partial list of the players he called includes seven 5-Star recruits. No one has to guess what Nick said on those calls.

The seven 5-Star players Saban reportedly called from the NFL Draft are all top 25 players in the 2019 class. Alabama football is actively recruiting 15 of the top 50 players in the 2019 class. One more 5-Star in the top 50, Pierce Quick, has already committed to the Tide.

Nick Saban will not bring all those players to Alabama football. He won’t get every player he wants. He might even over or underestimate a player in the 2019 class. But he does not miss often and his Alabama football player rating system (that ignores recruit, star ratings) misses even less.

Just like Carly sang, “nobody does it better.”

So don’t be surprised in December or February when the Alabama football 2019 class includes names like Sopsher, Thibodeaux, Wright, Webb, Tuitele, Dean and Hill. Joining the marquee names will be a group of 4-Stars and maybe even a couple of 3-Stars who will likely have great Crimson Tide careers.

Nick Saban delivers what he sells.

Next: 3-Star recruits who became Crimson Tide greats

Check the current list of 2019 Verbal Commits. Bama Hammer will keep the list updated with each new player decision.