Alabama Football Recruiting: Top targets in T-Town for Aggies weekend
By Ronald Evans
It is a big recruiting weekend for Alabama football with more than 20 top 2019 and 2020 prospects visiting Tuscaloosa for the Tide-Aggies game.
Recruiting has been slower for Alabama football after the summer push. Now, less than three months from the Early Signing Period, a new push has begun.
One reason this weekend is so important is the somewhat adjusted, geographical focus for Alabama football recruiting efforts. The Crimson Tide recruits nationally and does not cede any territory to opponents. However, with Saban’s current group of young, aggressive recruiters, more emphasis has been placed on Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Three current assistant coaches, Jeff Banks, Karl Scott and Pete Golding have established relationships in the region.
The two biggest threats to Alabama football dominating the three-state area are Ed Orgeron and Jimbo Fisher. Tom Herman as yet has not re-ignited Longhorn recruiting. The Crimson Tide has an opportunity to remind recruits it holds the upper hand over Texas A&M.
Texas has been good to the Tide under Nick Saban. The latest plum was Jaylen Waddle who strongly considered the Aggies before choosing Alabama football. Before Waddle, Jalen Hurts, Deionte Thompson, Tony Brown and others were top recruits pulled by Saban out of the state of Texas.
Big names in town for TAMU game
The biggest name is easily Kayvon Thibodeaux. The 5-Star, future jack linebacker is the No. 1 rated player in the nation. He will be in Tuscaloosa on an official visit. USC is projected to lead for the California recruit but the Tide remains in a strong position.
Two other 5-Star recruits will also be in Tuscaloosa, linebacker Nakobe Dean and offensive lineman, Clay Webb. Dean is the top rated ILB in the 2019 class. Georgia and TAMU are threats to sign Dean but the Mississippi player has spent a lot of time around Alabama football the last few months. He is expected to sign in December and enroll early. The Crimson Tide has led for Webb for months but Georgia has continued to push hard. He too will sign in December.
Wandale Robinson is listed as a 4-Star APB but his college work may be primarily at receiver. Robinson is a Tide priority and the Kentucky product could make a decision soon, possibly in the next few days.
Alabama football is also hosting an important flip possibility. George Pickens, 4-Star WR, and Auburn commit is visiting with his parents. Insiders believe The Tide has a good chance to flip Pickens. Another potential flip could come with 4-Star safety, Jarrian Jones. Jones initially committed to Oklahoma and is currently a Mississippi State commit. After 5-Star, Dax Hill chose Michigan over the Tide, there might be room for Jones in the 2019 class.
Big names in 2020 recruiting class
All rankings are from the 247Sports Composite.
- 5-Star DT, McKinnley Jackson
- 5-Star CB, Dwight McGlothern
- 4-Star RB, Roydell Williams
- 4-Star DE, Reggie Grimes
- 4-Star S, Jerrin Thompson
- 4-Star ATH, Jakhi Douglas
Looking for an indication of how important, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are to Alabama football recruiting? Of the 12 players mentioned above, six of them are from the three-state region.
Next. Three Keys to beating the Aggies. dark
Another possibility for a weekend commitment comes from a Crimson Tide legacy. A decision by Reggie Grimes to follow in his father’s Tuscaloosa footsteps would be no surprise.