This summer, Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Football team have handled business landing four commitments while pushing for a few more. The Crimson Tide are expected to host nine recruits this weekend with the hopes of adding a few more blue chip prospects to this signing class. This weekend is important but, the Tide's visits next weekend may shape how the recruiting class pans out.
Recent Visitors trending to the Tide
Thus far, the Alabama Football Program has gotten solid returns from their summer recruiting visits landing commitments from Keelon Russell, Chuck McDonald, Michael Carroll, and Mal Waldrep. Alabama's recruiting class is now ranked sixth in the country and could take a jump with a few recent visitors trending towards the Tide.
All eyes were on Dawson Merritt last weekend as the top-100 prospect is between Alabama and Nebraska. After Merritt's visit, all signs are pointing to Alabama but, Merritt still has a visit to Oklahoma lined up this spring.
Tight end Nick Townsend was also in town this past weekend, and given his relationship with the new staff and Keelon Russell, the Tide look like the team to beat. The biggest name on campus last weekend was five-star Na'eem Offord as the Tide look to flip the Buckeye commit. Alabama is doing an excellent job getting Offord on campus for an unofficial visit, an official visit, and for the 7 on 7 tournament all in the past week.
Can DeBoer and Co. go flipping again?
The biggest commitment the Tide have gotten this Spring is when they flipped Keelon Russell from SMU. This weekend gives Alabama the chance to flip two of the Nation's top running back recruits.
Akylin Dear will be the highest ranked recruit on campus, as the 30th ranked player in the country according to On3. The four-star running back has been committed to in-state Ole Miss however, the Tide continue to push. Dear came to Tuscaloosa in March on an unofficial visit and a solid weekend in Tuscaloosa could give him plenty to think about.
The Tide will host another committed running back with USC Trojans commit Harry Dalton. The Virginia native is also a four-star recruit ranked as the 243rd best player in the country and the Nation's 20th ranked running back. It'll be tough for the new staff as Dalton returns to USC next weekend but, DeBoer and his staff have been so impressive you can't rule the Tide out.
Making up ground on top-100 players
There will be two massive recruits on campus who have yet to commit that the Tide will need to make up some serious ground to land commitments. Four-star Wide Receiver Travis Smith is the most important as Smith appears headed to in-state Georgia. Smith is ranked as the 59th best player in the class and the tenth best receiver. Wide Receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard has gotten Smith on campus twice prior to this visit but, the Tide will need to really impress to land a massive commitment.
Also coming to campus is the Nation's 52nd ranked player, defensive lineman Justin Hill. The Ohio native appears heading towards in-state Ohio State but, the Tide will get a chance to make this interesting this weekend. The new staff got Hill on campus for the first time in April on an unofficial visit but, they'll need a strong weekend before Hill commits on July 3rd.
Who can the Alabama Football team close this weekend?
Making up ground is important but, the aspect everyone cares about is landing the commitments. This weekend, the Tide will host four-star offensive tackle Jackson Lloyd with the hope of closing him out before he visits USC. Next on the list comes three-star defensive lineman London Simmons, whom Alabama will host before he heads to the other major contender Arkansas. Freddie Roach is handling Simmons and with the chance to close him out expect Roach to push for a commitment. Finally on campus this weekend will be Alex Asparuhov an unranked punter who the Tide are targeting to replace James Burnip.