This Alabama staff, just like the previous regime in Tuscaloosa, places a lot of value on in-person evaluations. Recruiting rankings don't always tell the full story, as evidenced by how under-the-radar Lotzeir Brooks flew during the last cycle. Brooks is going to be a playmaker and will make an immediate impact for the Crimson Tide.
On Monday, Alabama extended an offer to another under-the-radar prospect while he camped in Tuscaloosa. 3-star Owen Cabell, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound WR from Nashville, reported an offer from the Crimson Tide yesterday:
A first glance at Cabell's recruiting profile, and Alabama fans aren't likely to be that excited. But what has to be understood is that he was evaluated in person by the Tide staff, namely WR coach JaMarcus Shephard. This staff has proven adept at being able to evaluate talent, and their eyes have to be trusted.
Cabell put up some impressive numbers during his junior season at CPA in Nashville. He caught 43 passes for 973 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also runs track and posted eye-opening times in the 100 (10.76) and 200 (22.43) meters.
Cabell seems destined for the dreaded "Bama bump" in recruiting, something that has continued under Kalen DeBoer. Rival fans will roll their eyes, but the Crimson Tide past and present have proven to be among the best in the country at evaluations. Look at how much the recruitment of Alabama commitment Chris Booker has blown up since he committed to the Crimson Tide as an example. Fans mocked the "Bama bump" there, too, until their teams offered him and began full-court pressing to flip him.
Alabama immediately picked up a prediction to land Cabell
Vanderbilt 247 writer Robbie Weinstein immediately logged an expert prediction for Alabama to land Cabell following the reported offer.
Weinstein is obviously plugged into the Nashville high school scene as a Vandy writer. Alabama will be working to get Cabell on campus for an official visit in the coming weeks following the offer.
It will be interesting to see who else starts pressing for Cabell now that the Crimson Tide is involved. He has reported offers from both Georgia and Tennessee, and the Bulldogs and Volunteers could start pushing harder for him, knowing that the Alabama staff has signed off on him.
Cabell could be a hidden gem in this class, and with his ranking he isn't likely to impact Alabama's pursuit of the more high-end prospects at WR in this class, such as Cederian Morgan, Tristen Keys, and Boobie Feaster.