Alabama Football: Talking ’23 class numbers and likely commits
By Ronald Evans
Alabama Football has four verbal commits in its 2023 class. With six months to go until the Early Signing Period, it may seem unnecessary to talk about numbers. It isn’t.
Why it isn’t is two-fold. The most straightforward reason is for the 2023 class, teams can sign as many players as they choose. In an effort to counter transfer attrition there is no 25-signee limit.
The overall limit on an 85-scholarship roster has not changed. So few teams will do what Ole Miss did several years ago and sign 38 high school players.
How many Nick Saban will add to his Alabama football roster is not known, but a reasonable guess is 25-28 additions. Saban will not want to add so many high school players and JUCO players that he will have few spots for incoming transfer players.
If 28 is used as a working number, it still will not be enough. That statement requires an explanation. With so much attention going to what some programs are doing with huge NIL deals, some Crimson Tide fans have worried, the Tide’s recruiting will suffer.
An early prediction is recruiting will not be diminished. There will still be more, highly rated recruits and other priority targets, who would sign with the Tide – but will not because there will not be enough available slots to take them.
Alabama Football 2023 Recruiting by position
Look for the 2023 class to have 28 signees aligned with these position needs.
- Offense – Quarterback (2); Running Back (2); Wide Receiver (3 or 4); Tight End (2); Offensive Line (4 or 5)
- Defense – Defensive Line (4 or 5); Linebackers (5 or 6); Cornerbacks (2 or 3); Safeties (2 or 3)
- Special Teams – Placekicker (1)
Other than possibly Elliot Washington, the other three current, verbal commits (Eli Holstein, Yhonzae Pierre and Jahlil Hurley) are expected to stick with the Crimson Tide.
Assuming all four stick, and a class number of 28, 24 more guys will sign in some combination of the position needs listed above.
A couple of weeks ago Bama Hammer predicted five of a list of seven recruits would sign with the Crimson Tide. One change is being made to that prediction. Due to numbers, it is not believed there will be room for 4-Star, offensive lineman, Payton Kirkland.
Future Verbal Commits
The list below is derived from strong hunches and bears no resemblance to ‘crystal balls.’
- 5-Star, RB, Richard Young
- 4-Star, WR, Cole Adams
- JUCO, WR, Malik Benson
- 4-Star, TE, Riley Williams
- 5-Star, OL, Francis Maulgoa
- 5-Star, OL, Kadyn Proctor
- 4-Star, OL, Wilkin Formby
- 4-Star, OL, Olaus Alinen
- 5-Star, DL, James Smith
- 5-Star, DL, Peter Woods
- 4-Star, DL, Kelby Collins
- 4-Star, DL, Jordan Renaud
- 4-Star, Edge, Jaquavious Russaw
- 4-Star, LB, Malik Bryant
- JUCO, LB, Justin Jefferson
- 4-Star, S, Derek Williams
- 4-Star, CB, Makari Vickers
- A kicker, next on the Tide list, after Peyton Woodring committed to Georgia.
Note: Recruit star ratings in this post are from the 247Sports Composite.
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Many changes, between now and the December Early Signing Period, are to be expected.