Alabama Football: What to expect during Crimson Tide Early Signing Period

Alabama Football: Crimson Tide will ink most of its 2021 Signing Class this week. Check out what is expected, along with possible surprises.

Wednesday, Dec. 16 is a big day for the 2021, Alabama Football Signing Class. Every one of the 22 Alabama Crimson Tide verbal commits is expected to sign early. More prospects could commit and sign with the Crimson Tide during the three-day period that ends on Friday Dec. 18.

The Alabama football staff is pursuing several highly rated prospects who are either uncommitted or verbal commits to other programs. The biggest challenge for Nick Saban and his Alabama football staff is not finishing with the No. 1 class. There is no way the Tide might slip below the No.2 class and it has almost locked up the No. 1 class already.

Only Crimson Tide fans are concerned about the team rankings. Nick Saban does not care, just as he does not care how many stars a rating service gives players. The Alabama Crimson Tide relies on its own player assessments and recruits on the basis of roster needs.

Saban’s toughest challenge this week and the later February Signing Day is the lack of available slots. Alabama football insiders believe the Tide has room for 26 and possibly 27 in the 2021 class. Former recruit and tight end Caden Clark was not healthy and his 2020 recruitment was pushed back to the 2021 class.

Assuming Clark takes one of 27 slots, that leaves at most, four spots open. Before discussing the four open slots, a quick review of the 22 future Alabama football players expected to sign early.