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After starting the 2017 recruiting cycle a little slow, Alabama has been on an absolute tear since the start of December. The Tide have secured the commitments of seven prospects within the last three weeks.
With the recent success, this year’s class — according to 247Sports — has now climbed into the top 5 behind Ohio State, Georgia, Texas and Penn State.
Among those who recently chose to continue their playing career in Tuscaloosa were four 4-stars, two 3-stars and the most recent addition — 5-star defensive end Eyabi Anoma, who committed to the Tide earlier today.
Speaking of Anoma …
Top player in the class
Name: Eyabi Anoma
Position: Defensive end
Rank: 5-star, No. 7 player overall
Hometown: Baltimore, Md. (St. Frances Academy)
Skinny: Anoma is exactly the sort of player that Alabama needs on defense.
His ability to combine power and speed could still use some work, but the 6-5, 230-pound edge rusher is going to be a headache for opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators in the near future.
Anoma chooses Alabama over Michigan & Maryland.
Why?
“It’s the Nick Saban era. Time in & time out he produces top notch players that compete at a high level” – #ESPN300 No.4 prospect DE Eyabi Anoma pic.twitter.com/22xcZOp3QQ
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) December 20, 2017
If this year taught us anything, it was that you can never have too many pass rushers. Alabama has seen its top four players at the position (Christian Miller, Terrell Lewis, Anfernee Jennings and hybrid linebacker Rashaan Evans) go down with injuries at some point this season.
How we’ll remember this class
This class is going to be remembered as the one that returned Alabama’s defense to a historical level.
The Tide has still been elite on the defensive side of the ball — they’re currently No. 2 in the country in total defense — but we haven’t seen that same level of dominance that we have grown accustomed to seeing from them.
Of the 18 current commitments in this class, 11 play defense, six are on offense and one is on special teams (3-star punter Skyler DeLong).
Biggest need filled
Alabama’s secondary is taking a huge hit following this season. The team’s top three cornerbacks (Anthony Averett, Levi Wallace and Tony Brown) are all seniors.
At safety, two of Alabama’s top three players are juniors (Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Harrison), but they’re both projected to be first-round NFL picks. If they leave, the Tide’s secondary will be decimated.
The good news is there are reinforcements on the way at the cornerback spot, where Alabama currently has three 4-star prospects committed. Those three are Josh Jobe (No. 95 overall), Jalyn Armour-Davis (No. 122) and the No. 1 JUCO cornerback Saivion Smith.
Still need …
While adding Jalen Hurts in 2016 and both Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones in 2017 might make it seem like the position is in good hands, this class still needs a quarterback.
Why? Well, Alabama learned the hard way that players can transfer during its last offseason when three of the team’s four scholarship quarterbacks left — Blake Barnett, Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell.
Tagovailoa’s emergence has been a pleasant surprise, but it could also cause some trouble in the offseason if he feels like he’s ready to start. If he isn’t given that opportunity — which he has earned — then he may look to go elsewhere.
Nick Saban on getting a QB for the 2018 Class: “We would certainly like to get a quarterback. I always want four on the roster, but that may or may not be possible.” https://t.co/9EHdFZZimA
— Alex Scarborough (@AlexS_ESPN) December 20, 2017
Overall early class grade: A-
Reasoning behind the grade: Anytime you can position yourself to have a top 5 class, it’s worthy of some sort of “A” grade.
The reason that it was given an A-minus is because it isn’t on the level that past classes have been — at least not yet. Alabama has brought in seven consecutive No. 1 recruiting classes, so that type of class has almost become the standard.
That doesn’t mean this is a down year, however. Alabama has some quality players in this class, and should add a few more before February.
But first off, the Tide must keep its current pledges committed. Of the 18 current commitments, 14 signed letters of intent on Wednesday — leaving four to follow suit by Friday or wait until February.
Clint helps cover the SEC West for Saturday Down South. His work can also be found on USA TODAY Sports, The 'Bama Beat podcast and The Bullpen with TonyMac and The Lamb. Previous stops include SEC Country, 247Sports and Touchdown Alabama Magazine.
