Alabama Football: ’23 Quarterback recruiting takes a turn

It is a long time until the next Early Signing Period in mid-December. Many recruits perceived to be elite will be patient, knowing top schools will hold spots open for them. That will not be true for some who for various reasons do not want to drag out the recruiting process. More than any other position, quarterbacks motivate programs to push for early verbal commits.

Already in the 2023 class recruiting cycle, two of the top nine QBs, based on the 247Sports Composite are committed. It was three of the nine until Texas A&M commit, Eli Holstein de-committed on Friday.

The other commits are 5-Star, Malachi Nelson to Southern Cal and 4-Star, Jackson Arnold to Oklahoma.

Alabama football fans were pleased with the Holstein decision. It means that the Crimson Tide is in serious contention for four of the top nine 2023 QBs. Nearly every Crimson Tide fan covets either 5-Star Arch Manning or 5-Star, Nicholaus Iamaleava. In the top nine group of QBs, Manning is rated No. 1; Iamaleava is No. 4 and Holstein is No. 8.

Some Crimson Tide fans believe a state of Alabama QB, ranked No. 7 should be in the Tide’s top four prospects. Christopher Vizzana has several offers from top programs. His most recent is Ohio State, along with Clemson, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Florida, Georgia, Auburn, LSU and Miami.

Vizzana does not have a Crimson Tide offer and some Alabama football insiders do not expect that to change. The reason the Crimson Tide would pass on a talented recruit like Vizzana is two-fold. The main reason has to be the Crimson Tide feels very confident in its chances with two of the other top QB recruits. Tied to that is, although Nick Saban wants to sign a QB in every class, the Tide, having Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson could wait until 2024 to add a QB.

What comes next for Alabama Football QB prospects?

Iamaleava is expected to make a commitment within the next few weeks. The widely reported $8M NIL deal believed to be on the table for Iamaleava from Tennessee likely means Nick Saban has walked away from the young man. Nick Saban does not want players who make ‘highest bidder’ decisions.

That leaves a top three for the Crimson Tide of Manning, Holstein and 4-Star, Dylan Lonergan. Lonergan is a top 100 player and could become as good as anyone in the group. He is a two-sport guy and reportedly wants to play football and baseball in college. It remains to be seen how important it is to the young man, to play for a high-level baseball program.

Neither Manning nor Holstein is expected to make a decision soon. There is no indication Nick Saban is in a hurry either.