Alabama Football added two verbal commits Saturday. Both can be elite.
Alabama football fans are excited to welcome 4-Star, defensive end, Monkell Goodwine and JUCO all-star cornerback, Khyree Jackson to the ’21 recruiting class.
The verbal announcements on Saturday were not a surprise. Goodwine had been trending to the Alabama Crimson Tide for the last few weeks. Jackson had reportedly been close to announcing his Crimson Tide decision as far back as June.
Athletically, both players are dynamic. Jackson’s reputation has been made as a JUCO cornerback, but he is loaded with physical attributes. He is both big and fast as the high school video below shows, he has great hands as a wide receiver.
Jackson is expected to concentrate solely on cornerback when he begins his Alabama football career. The video shows he knows what to do after an interception. Khyree is the heir-apparent to replace Patrick Surtain II when PSII leaves for the NFL after one more season.
Seven SEC schools, other than the Crimson Tide, pursued Jackson, along with Oklahoma, FSU, West Virginia, Utah and Oregon. Jackson’s JUCO career is at East Mississippi Community College. He is from Maryland and while Mike Locksley offered him, Jackson was always destined for an elite program.
Based on the 247Sports Composite, 4-Star, Monkell Goodwine is the No. 112 player in the 2021 class and the No. 9 strongside defensive end. Goodwine already has a college-ready body. Alabama football fans can’t wait for his physical tools to be maximized by Dr. Matt Rhea and David Ballou. Goodwine excels at pass rushing and he could play at defensive end or outside linebacker.
Goodwine, also from Maryland had a bunch of offers from elite schools. Missing out on his commitment are Clemson, Ohio State, Penn State, Oklahoma, Georgia, Notre Dame and Michigan.
Check out some Monkell highlights from early in his high school career.
The two new commits give the Crimson Tide 18 for the 2021 class. The Crimson Tide sits at No. 2 behind the Ohio State in the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings. Ohio State had maintained a big lead at No.1 but over the last few weeks, the Crimson Tide has been rising rapidly. Both with 18 commits, the Alabama football 2021 class could overtake the Buckeyes later in the recruiting cycle. At No. 3 are the Clemson Tigers. Dabo’s class is currently a distant third in the team rankings.
The Alabama football staff is not finished at cornerback. at least one more top-rated corner is expected to join the ’21 class.