Alabama Football: The ’22 Class Commits and who to watch for next

Alabama Football: Nick Saban is in no hurry to line up the ’22 class. Top prospect names to watch for spring verbal commits.

The small Alabama Football 2022 class has only four verbal commits. The latest, 5-Star QB, Ty Simpson has already asked for a list of targets he can help close. Nick Saban may not need the help but no doubt he will welcome it.

Saban and the new Alabama football staff are being patient. The NCAA extended the Dead Period through May, so no in-person contact can take place until June. It is a different world for recruiting but Saban and Bill O’Brien had no problem closing Simpson through phone and Zoom contact.

The Alabama Crimson Tide currently has the No. 15 class based on the 247Sports Team Rankings. Given the Crimson Tide has four verbal commits, compared to other schools having as many as 10, No. 15 is not bad. Ohio State, LSU, Georgia, Texas A&M and Penn State lead the way in 2022 recruiting.

2022 Alabama Football Verbal Commits

• Ty Simpson – 5-Star, No. 3 Pro-Style QB and No. 27 player overall
• Robert Woodyard – 4-Star, No. 4 Inside Linebacker and No. 70 player overall
• Elijah Brown – 4-Star, No. 13 Tight End and No. 303 player overall
• Walter Bob – 3-Star, No. 24 Strongside Defensive End and No. 390 player overall

The Crimson Tide is not expected to take another QB in the class unless a transfer reduces the current roster. Running back is another position where the Tide may only take one player in the 2022 class. The top Tide running back prospect is Emmanuel Henderson. The Geneva County 5-Star is scheduled to announce a decision on Mar. 13. Recruiting experts place the Crimson Tide in a strong position to beat out Clemson, Auburn and Florida for Henderson.

With Simpson helping recruit, there is new confidence, among some Alabama football insiders, that 5-Star WR, Kevin Coleman might start leaning toward the Crimson Tide. The Tide has a deep bench of receivers and may not take more than two in the 2022 class. A more probable pickup would be 4-Star, WR, Omari Kelly from Hewitt-Trussville. Another WR to watch is 4-Star, Barion Brown from Nashville.

In-state DT, 4-Star, Khurtiss Perry is primed to be a Crimson Tide pickup over Auburn. Perry is rated the No. 64 player and the No. 6 DT in the class. From Montgomery, 4-Star LB, T.J. Dudley is a priority for the Alabama football staff. Shemar James is a 4-Star ATH, out of Mobile. The Crimson Tide is believed to be in a strong position with James, who is expected to play defense in college.

Some players, like J.T. Tulmoloau in the 2021 class, intend to wait for campus visits to resume. Nick Saban and his staff are expected to remain patient. All the player ratings in this post are from the 247Sports Composite.