Alabama Football: Flip prospects and other recruiting news

In reviewing Alabama Football flip prospects, what follows are potential additions to the 2023 class in which the Crimson Tide is the ‘Flipper’ and not the ‘Flipee’. Fans love to talk about flipping a prospect from another program. More accurately, in many cases, the recruitment of a prospect does not stop when he commits to another program.

Verbal commits are important, but many recruits change their minds and later sign with a different school. Also, flip rumors abound. For example, Alabama would love to flip 5-Star, wide receiver Zachariah Branch from USC and 4-Star, tight end, Lawson Luckie from Georgia. But any message board poster who claims the Crimson Tide has a chance with either one is making a wild guess.

Speaking of wild claims, some Auburn folks recently claimed Bryan Harsin has a chance to flip either of two Tide QB commits, either Eli Holstein or Dylan Lonergan. Never say never in recruiting, but if either of those guys should later decide the QB room will be too deep in Tuscaloosa, they would have far better opportunities than choosing Auburn.

Alabama Football Recruiting and Flips

• Based on an official visit date of Sept. 3, the next likely prospect for a commitment is 4-Star, WR, Jalen Hale. According to the On3 Consensus, Hale is the No. 54 player in the 2023 class. Texas is a heavy favorite to land Hale, but Alabama could surprise.
• If Hale does not jump on board soon, recent Michigan State de-commit, 4-Star, WR Demitrius Bell may finish the Tide’s wide receiver class.
• 4-Star, CB, Sharif Denson is a Tide flip target. According to the 247Sports Composite, Denson is the No. 23 cornerback in the 2023 class. The Florida Gators may lose Denson’s commitment.
• The biggest plum the Crimson Tide hopes to pick is former Notre Dame commit, 5-Star, Edge, Keon Keeley. Keeley has an official visit to Tuscaloosa planned for Oct. 7. Many national recruiting experts have Alabama as the heavy favorite to land Keeley.
• Another Crimson Tide flip target is a state of Alabama recruit, 4-Star, DL, Kelby Collins who is committed to the Florida Gators. Collins, a longtime Crimson Tide fan is scheduled to visit Tuscaloosa on Dec. 9.
• Another 4-Star, DL, Daevin Hobbs has an Alabama Football official visit scheduled for Oct. 22. Alabama may or may not be willing to take both of the defensive linemen, should 4-Star Jordan Renaud commit to the Tide in the next few weeks. Renaud is expected to play Jack linebacker for the Crimson Tide, but could add weight and become a defensive end. The Crimson Tide will also hold a spot open for 5-Star, DL, James Smith.
• One expected flip that has not happened is 4-Star, LB, Suntarine Perkins from Ole Miss to the Crimson Tide.

The 2022 NCAA Early Signing Period is Dec. 15 – Dec. 17. How many Nick Saban will take in the 2023 class is not known but could be as many as 30.