Alabama Football: Biggest need following early signing day

Despite a successful early signing day where the Alabama Football program received 23 signed letters of intent, they still have one massive area of need in this year's signing class. The Alabama Football team will have to search the transfer portal or look to sign a few offensive linemen in the next signing period as this year's class only has three players that will play offensive line. While only signing three wouldn't be a massive issue and the team can survive if it doesn't add any more, for development and roster-building reasons you'd like to add more.

The Alabama Football team entered early signing day in a difficult situation with three offensive line commitments and the opportunity to land one more prospect in tackle Favour Edwin. The Tide didn't end up landing Edwin as he committed to Auburn, leaving the Tide with just three linemen. Coach Saban described the Alabama Football program as "still in the market" for lineman saying there are still targets out there.

The three offensive linemen the Alabama Football team signed will be great players down the line. Casey Poe is the fourth-ranked interior offensive lineman in the 2024 class and is already with the team for Rose Bowl preparations. William Sanders and Joseph Ionata are both three-star prospects who have joined the team for Rose Bowl practices as well. The need for offensive linemen isn't due to the talent in this group but, is more so a depth issue as you need to build up extra depth with the transfer portal costing teams depth as well.

Alabama Football: Positions to watch for in next recruiting period

The next recruiting period won't be as action-packed but, will still provide opportunities to build depth for the future. The first position to watch is the offensive line, you'd prefer to sign around five linemen but, ideally, around seven as you'll lose 2-3 to the transfer portal in all likelihood.

After that, another need is running back. Should Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams leave, with the addition of Kevin Riley, Bama would only have four running backs on scholarship. Nick Saban could look to move Emmanuel Henderson back to running back but, they'd certainly prefer to add more depth to the running back room. It wouldn't be shocking if the Alabama Football team added players at cornerback, inside linebacker, and tight end as additional players wouldn't hurt depth-wise.

The biggest name to watch post-early signing day will be five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams. Williams has long been committed to Alabama, but his reclassification could throw a wrench in his recruitment. Over the next month or longer as he waits to sign, top programs and especially SEC Rivals will do anything in their power to poach him from the Alabama Football program.