Alabama Football: What to expect from Champions Cookout 2

Alabama football is entertaining another group of top recruits for the second Champions Cookout of the summer. What should fans expect?

Every media source covering Alabama football keeps up a steady refrain of all the 5-Star recruits expected to sign with the Crimson Tide. So far, among the Tide’s 20, 2019 commits, there is one 5-Star, plus six 4-Stars inside the 247Sports Composite Player Rankings, top 100 players in the nation.

The list of remaining top targets for the Crimson Tide includes nine, 5-Star players and even more highly rated 4-Stars. There has been little indication of imminent announcements. Daxton Hill, 5-Star, safety and Trey Sanders 5-Star running back are the most likely announcements for the next few days or weeks.

The battle for Hill was believed to be between Alabama football and Oklahoma. The Sooners are also hosting a bar-b-que this weekend but the latest info is Hill will not be attending. Surprising, recruiting insiders say Michigan is the Tide’s top competition for Hill.

Trey Sanders and his IMG teammate and new 5-Star, Evan Neal (OT) cannot visit Tuscaloosa this weekend. IMG opens its high school season early and none of the players are being allowed to travel this weekend. Sanders has said he might make a decision before his high school season begins. The Crimson Tide remains in a strong position for Sanders.

There has been some doubt about enough room for Neal. The latest speculation is room will be made for Neal if he wants to commit. The Tide staff is also interested in 3-Star, Kamaar Bell. Bell has performed at a high level in summer camps, including in Tuscaloosa. He is visiting this weekend. It is believed he cannot commit at this point.

Top Tide 5-Star prospects are visiting other schools this weekend. Strong crimson tide lean, Clay Webb is expected to visit Georgia and Clemson. The nation’s No. 1 player, Kayvon Thibodeaux is visiting FSU. If Alabama has a ‘must-get’ in this class, it is ILB recruit Nakobe Dean. Dean will also visit FSU this weekend.

Since Alabama coaches want to recruit to save official visits for game weekends, the Cookout is an unofficial visit. That makes for an expensive trip for the guys traveling a long distance. For that reason, a few top targets will wait for a fall official visit.

The most high-profile visitor of the weekend is 5-Star, OT, Darnell Wright. Wright visited for the A-Day game, where he received the coveted ride with Nick Saban to the stadium. Wright has a three-day visit planned and will be joined by his mother. He is not expected to make a decision until December.

Also visiting Tuscaloosa this weekend are LSU commit, Tyrion Davis, 4-Star RB and Christian Harris, 4-Star, Athlete, the Tide is considering as a linebacker. Harris is from Baton Rouge.

Wandale Robinson, 4-Star WR, is a dynamic player attracting considerable attention and is visiting Tuscaloosa this weekend. He is compared to current Tide freshman, Jaylen Waddle. The Crimson Tide is looking for another big-body receiver and may not have room for Robinson.

The best news Alabama football fans could receive this weekend regards Darnell Wright’s mother. We need to hear Nick and Miss Terry have made a slam-dunk impression on her.