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Alabama Football: After great Signing Day, what to expect next

By Ronald Evans

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Confetti falls after the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 35-28 in the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Confetti falls after the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 35-28 in the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Alabama football came close to filling its 2019 class on the first day of the Early Signing Period. What to expect next.

The first day of the Early Signing Period has, at least for top Power Five schools, become the new Signing Day. Alabama football came close to filling its entire 2019 class on Wednesday. The Crimson Tide has a few spots left, including at least one that will be held open until February.

Did the Alabama Crimson Tide get EVERY player it wanted? Of course not, no team can ever win every recruiting battle. It won more than its share. It also met several key positional needs.

Five Big wins for Alabama football on Wednesday

  • Will Reichard – No top team needed the nation’s best kicker more than the Tide. Check out our Will Reichard profile.
  • Evan Neal – The Tide is likely finished with offensive line recruiting for 2019 and the 5-Star Neal could become the best of a very strong group. Check out our Evan Neal profile.
  • Antonio Alfano – The defensive front needed replenishing and Alfano is a guy who should be a major contributor during his freshman season. Check out our Antonio Alfano profile.
  • Justin Eboigbe – The Tide staff sweated some waiting on Justin’s signature. He is an important piece to rebuilding the defense for 2019. Knowledgeable insiders report he is so strong coming off the edge, he comes close to making up for missing on Thibodeaux. Check out our Justin Eboigbe profile.
  • Jeffery ‘Scooby’ Carter – The 2019 secondary group is tremendous. Even without Dax Hill, the Tide has loaded up and there is a buzz Carter can be the best cover corner in the group. Check out our Jeffery Carter profile.

What is Next in 2019 Recruiting?

As Nick Saban made it clear Wednesday afternoon, the Crimson Tide has open slots. How many depends on what happens with the few commits who did not sign on Wednesday. Best guess is there are five or six open slots left. One will be held until February for 5-Star, DT, Ishmael Sopsher.

Another will be held for 4-Star ILB, Henry To’oto’o. We presume 4-Star, OLB, Khris Bogle has a slot for his announcement on Jan. 5. 4-Star, CB, Marcus Banks may flip from TAMU at anytime.

There are several remaining options for other openings. Another defensive lineman is a strong possibility. As we wrote a few days ago, making the 85 roster limit work can become the bigger challenge. At least the 85 number does not have to be resolved until fall camp.

Next. 2019 Alabama Crimson Tide Signees. dark

The Alabama Crimson Tide finished day one of the Early Signing Period as the No. 1 class per 247Sports. It is likely to finish that way in February.

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