Alabama Football: Update on 2020 class less than a month from Early Signing

Alabama football does not have many available slots but the Crimson Tide still has work to do with the 2020 Signing Class.

The 2020 class Early Signing Period begins on Dec. 18. Alabama football is expected to close the deal with over 20 recruits during the three-day, early NCAA period. The Tide currently has 23 verbal commitments. Based on the 247Sports Composite, the Crimson Tide has the third-best class in the nation.

Clemson with only 20 verbal commits is the No. 1 class. Close behind the defending National Champions are the LSU Bengal Tigers with 24 verbal commits. Other SEC schools currently in the Top 10 are Georgia (5), Texas A&M (7) and Auburn (8).

A full list of the 23 Alabama football verbal commits is linked here.

Only two of the 23 are not opting for signing early. They are 4-Star, wide receiver Javon Baker and 4-Star defensive tackle, Jayson Jones. For a few months, it has been rumored the Alabama football staff wants Jones to play offensive line. That is no longer a rumor. Jones apparently is considering other programs that are pursuing him as a defensive lineman.

The question of how many players the Alabama Crimson Tide can add is fluid. The anticipated number for the final class is 27 or 28. So four to five more, plus perhaps an additional slot if Jones de-commits.

The priorities for filling out the 2020 class are a tight end, a defensive lineman, a cornerback and a wide receiver. The tight end targets are 5-Star, Darnell Washington and 4-Star, J.J. Pegues. The main d-line target is McKinnley Jackson. Jackson will not sign early and the Alabama football staff will hold a spot for him. JUCO 4-Star cornerback, Ronald Williams is visiting Tuscaloosa for the Western Carolina game. He has replaced Nadab Joseph as the Tide’s most probable addition at cornerback.

The wide receiver prospects became more open after Bryce Young flipped from USC to the Crimson Tide. Guys want to play with who many believe is the top quarterback in the 2020 class. Flipping 5-Star, Rakim Jarrett from LSU is a possibility. Another highly valued wideout in the mix is 4-Star, Arian Smith.

The player Alabama football fans are most concerned about being flipped away is 4-Star, defensive lineman, Tim Smith. Smith and Jackson would make for a stellar d-line class. Clemson and Florida are working hard to flip Smith.

More than a dozen of the players signing early also plan to enroll early. The Tide’s current three 5-Star commits, Bryce Young, Chris Braswell and Drew Sanders are among that group. Also planning to enroll early are 4-Star linebackers Demouy Kennedy and Will Anderson.