Alabama Football: 2020 class may not need a February Signing Day

Alabama football added the state’s No. 1 player, Quandarrius Robinson and the 2020 class has 10 or more Top 100 targets in play and so few spots.

Enthusiasm is running high for the Alabama football 2020 class. On Tuesday, the Alabama Crimson Tide added the top player in the state of Alabama, linebacker, Quandarrius Robinson from Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham.

Currently rated as a 4-Star and the No. 53 player in the nation by the 247Sports Composite, Quandarrius Robinson has been moving up the rating lists for the 2020 class. He could be an edge rusher for the Tide, play either of the outside linebacker positions and with some added muscle and mass become an inside linebacker.

What he is most, along with several other targets and commits in the 2020 class, is an exceptionally gifted athlete. Add in all the teammates he will join in Tuscaloosa, put exceptionally gifted athlete (EGA) on the depth chart and the list of players would be staggering.

Just among the traditional linebackers and edge rushers, the list would look something like the one below.

• Seniors: Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings
• Junior: Dylan Moses
• Sophomores: Chris Allen and Eyabi Anonma
• Freshmen: Shane Lee; Christian Harris; King Mwikuta; Kevin Harris and Cameron Latu (unless he is moved to tight end permanently)
• Verbal Commits: Chris Braswell (5-Star); Quandarrius Robinson (4-Star); Demouy Kennedy (4-Star); Drew Sanders (5-Star)
• Top Targets: Justin Flowe (5-Star); Sav’ell Smalls (5-Star); Reggie Grimes (4-Star); Phillip Webb (4-Star) and Will Anderson (4-Star)

Note: The commits and targets listed above are all Top 100 recruits. Six of them are Top 40 recruits and two (Flowe and Smalls) are inside the Top 5, at No. 3 and No. 4.

Numbers being tight in the 2020 class is a massive understatement. The current number of commits is 20. Alabama football insiders believe 26 is the limit for the 2020 class. Without some attrition on the commit list, only six spots remain.

Is it possible the Crimson Tide could sign too many linebackers in the 2020 class? Theoretically, the answer is yes but a more nuanced answer is maybe not. Getting back to the EGA hypothetical position we made up, roster management can justifiably be skewed. Absent a grades or character issue, you just don’t close the door on an EGA.

There are numerous ways it can work out. Latu is one current example. Outside linebackers can move inside or grow to base and nickel defense defensive ends. As Crimson Tide fans have seen in the past with guys like Rashaan Evans and Donta Hightower, edge rushers can play other primary positions.

Will Nick Saban, if need be, make room for all five of the top targets listed above? The chances are he will not have to make that decision. One or more will, in the end, choose another school.