What will Alabama football do after failing to land Jason Marshall?
Alabama football‘s key to success has always been strong recruiting. They consistently land some of the best high school prospects in the country. However, they can’t get every player on their big board. Players still have the freedom to choose their own path. This was proven recently as Jason Marshall committed to the Florida Gators. Alabama would have loved to see him play in Tuscaloosa, but that wasn’t the case.
Jason Marshall is one of the best prospects in the 2021 recruiting class. As the second-best cornerback in the class, he was recruited heavily by several schools. It appears that staying close to home meant a lot to Marshall as he elects to go to an in-state school.
Alabama didn’t like their odds to land Marshall, but they remained hopeful. The question now remains: what’s Plan B for the Crimson Tide?
Alabama football’s options after missing on Marshall.
Let’s start with players that are already committed. The only cornerback in the 2021 class for Alabama football right now is Devonta Smith. With little experience on Alabama’s current roster in the secondary, it is vital that the Tide add some talent here. Smith was recruited for a reason, but some media sources are low on him. All that matters is what Nick Saban thinks, but you still need depth at a position like cornerback.
The one key prospect that Alabama will try to land is Ga’Quincy McKinstry. McKinstry is the only cornerback rated higher than Marshall, and Alabama has been hot on the recruiting trail. He’s down to three schools, and the Tide remain in the mix. He would be a monster addition to this recruiting class that is already shaping up nicely, and he might have recently implied that he’s going to commit to the Tide.
Outside of that, Alabama doesn’t have many options. They might have the inside track on JUCO transfer Khyree Jackson. There are also some safeties that Alabama could land, but they might not adjust well to playing cornerback. I think all Alabama football fans should be praying that the Tide manage to land Ga’Quincy McKinstry.
If Alabama wraps up the 2021 recruiting class with Devonta Smith, Ga’Quincy McKinstry, and Khyree Jackson, then that would be a win. However, the Tide might have to settle for two out of the three. If things really go south, they might only get one. It’s worth keeping an eye on as recruiting amps up over the coming months.