Alabama Football: Latest Crimson Tide recruiting news

Alabama football has one less verbal commit for the 2020 class as Nick Saban’s recruiting board gets shuffled with new visits planned.

The Alabama football 2020 list of verbal commits is down to 22 players. Xavier Hill, 3-Star and rated as the No. 459 player in the 2020 class has reopened his recruitment. It has been reported the Crimson Tide will continue to recruit Hill.

Now with only two offensive line verbal commits in the 2020 class, the Alabama football staff is likely to prioritize other options. While most insiders believe another offensive line recruit will be added, last year’s strong O-line class means the new open slot might be shifted to another position.

Recent chatter from T-Town is the expected addition of cornerback Joel Williams is now unlikely. Long believed to be solidly in the Crimson Tide camp, Williams has delayed announcements. The best guess now is the Alabama football staff is content adding only one more defensive back. That DB will almost assuredly be Nadab Joseph if he performs well enough academically to qualify.

Most of the buzz in Tuscaloosa recently has been centered on a group of 5-Star prospects. Tight end Arik Gilbert has hinted Alabama leads for his signature. He still plans some official visits, including one to Georgia. He has already used his official to Tuscaloosa but is expected to return for an unofficial this fall. The addition of QB Bryce Young and the Tide’s tight end history with O.J. Howard and Irv Smith Jr. are strong motivations for Gilbert choosing the Crimson Tide.

A couple of LSU commit, wide receivers plan official visits to check out the Crimson Tide. Rakim Jarrett, 5-Star and the No. 19 rated player in the 2020 class, appears to be the best flip option. The other one is 4-Star Kayshon Boutte. The unknown is whether the Tide will make room for one or two more wide receivers in the 2020 class. If it is two, 4-Star Xzavier Henderson might join the Tide before Jarrett makes a decision. Another 4-Star, J. J. Evans, a current Auburn commit is also a possibility.

One exception to only adding one more defensive back might be 5-Star, Elias Ricks. The 5-Star cornerback is committed to LSU but will take more visits, including one to Tuscaloosa. The Alabama football staff would make room for Ricks if the opportunity arises.

All the player ratings in this post are from the 247Sports Composite.

Rakim Jarrett is expected in Tuscaloosa before the end of October. Boutte is also likely to visit during the same period.