Alabama Football: No problem if no 5-Star OL in ’23 class
By Ronald Evans
Alabama Football might not land a 5-Star offensive lineman in the 2023 class. Possibly the Tide’s best chances were Francis Maulgoa who committed to Miami and Kadyn Proctor who chose Iowa. There is one more 5-Star OL target for the Crimson Tide in Samson Okunlola but most recruiting experts are predicting Miami. It is a long time until December. So, much can change in the interval and a flip is always possible.
But if the 2023 signing class has no 5-Star offensive linemen, it will not be a problem.
Before explaining why there is no cause for alarm, a brief aside. Given the high success rate for Crimson Tide 5-Star offensive linemen becoming NFL first-round selections, it is perplexing when such a recruit chooses another program. Then again, some other programs make offers that can be too good (in other ways) to refuse.
There are 5-Star offensive line recruits who never excel in college. Alabama has had a couple that turned out to be busts. The recruit rating groups can miss on offensive linemen, who are dominant in high school, but not against top competition.
Alabama football and Nick Saban are not affected by those rating misses. The Alabama football staff does its own evaluations in camps. As closely as the potential signees are evaluated, it is still difficult to know how good a high school offensive lineman can become.
Alabama appears to be in a good position to land 4-Star, Olaus Alinen with an announcement soon. Many recruiting experts see the Crimson Tide landing 4-Star, Miles McVay in August. Expected in Tuscaloosa next week is a recent riser, interior offensive prospect, Raymond Pulido. There has been some chatter the Crimson Tide might be a serious contender for highly rated 4-Star, Monroe Freeling.
The Tide’s 2023 class already has commitments from 4-Star, Wilkin Formby and 3-Star, RyQueze McElderry.
Alabama Football and no 2023 Offensive Line 5-Stars
No offensive line 5-Stars in the 2023 class is not a reason for Alabama football fans to panic. The Crimson Tide added three 4-Stars in the 2022 class. There are high expectations for at least two of them, Elijah Pritchett and Tyler Booker. In 2023, 5-Stars in the 2021 class, JC Latham and Tommy Brockermeyer could lead the Tide’s offensive line. Some Crimson Tide fans believe Latham could be the Tide’s best offensive lineman in 2022. Former 4-Star recruit, Terrence Ferguson, also from the 2021 class, is expected to be a future starter.
After the 2022 season, there will be attrition to the NFL and possibly from outgoing transfers. But the future for the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lines is positive.
Next. Recruits and the impact of NIL. dark
It may not change quickly, but already some recruits are deciding long-term value is a more important consideration than immediate NIL cash. Nick Saban will keep making that point and more than enough will listen.