Saban's Best Recruiting Class Ever?
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| UA Head Football Coach Nick Saban Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
Could this be the best recruiting class in the 10 seasons Nick Saban has been the head coach at The University of Alabama? Many college football experts think it may well be.
Sure, there have been decommitments, and some of last season's players have chosen to transfer to other institutions. But The Process still goes on. Both in recruiting and preparation.
Alabama football is definitely filling needs in this coming year's recruiting class. Just yesterday the Crimson Tide picked up three more verbals, bringing the class of 2017 to 21 total commitments. (See additional stories below.) And there is still a lot of time remaining before National Signing Day, with more sure to come.)
Today's blog consists of football recruiting, both those who have committed and those looking at Bama.
Enjoy!
And Roll Tide!
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Alabama Football Adds Randolph & McDonald
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| 4-Star OT Kendall Randolph Twitter Photo |
In a video prepared by Justin King of Alabama Media Group, four-star offensive tackle Kendall Randolph and three-star cornerback Kyriq McDonald, let it be know they were going to play their college football for Coach Nick Saban and The Alabama Crimson Tide.
These are two in-state prospects that Saban and his staff had really been working.
Randolph is the brother of former Crimson Tide basketball great Levi Randolph out of Madison, Alabama. The 6' 5", 285-pound offensive tackle prospect is the No. 22 OT and the No. 179 overall player in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite. Rivals had him at 24 and 211 respectively. His commitment came yesterday afternoon, giving the Tide their 19th commit for 2017. Other schools having extended offers to Randolph were Auburn, Arkansas, Geogria, Florida, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and more from outside the SEC.
Randolph tweeted, "To be the best you have to play with the best."
Kyriq McDonald, who also hails from Madison, Alabama, was offered by the Tide back in June. The 5' 11", 185-pounder is the No. 53 cornerback and No. 536 overall player in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. Rivals has him as the No. 41 safety.
Besides the University of Alabama, McDonald holds offers from Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Florida State and several others. He became Alabama's 20th commit for 2017.
Both Randolph and McDonald had been expected to commit to the Tide.
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| Kyriq McDonald Twitter Photo |
Be sure to check out the video @ https://youtu.be/cqbGSaRLdKk --- Just click the link
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Crimson Tide Receives Verbal Commit From TE Kedrick James
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| Kedrick James Photo Credit: 247Sports |
And then there were 21.
The University of Alabama football program had a really big day yesterday in recruiting. The third high school prospect to commit to the Crimson Tide let it be known T-town was the place for him, boosting the top-rated class of 2017 to 21 commitments.
Just yesterday evening three-star tight end Kedrick James gave his verbal commitment to Nick Saban and The Alabama Crimson Tide. The 6' 4", 245-pound youngster out of Waco Texas (La Vega High School) selected Bama over SEC schools Texas A&M, Tennessee and Arkansas, as well as a host of other suitors. According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, James is the No. 12 tight end and the No. 46 overall player out of the state of Texas.
James actually made his commitment via a phone call to coach Billy Napier, according to Scout.com, and is Alabama's first tight end commit in the 2017 class.
*State of Alabama Recruits/Commitments
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2017 Football Commitments For Alabama Football
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team currently has 21 student-athletes who have committed to furthering their football careers at the Capstone. As new commits are announced the list will be updated and released.
Here is the complete list of 2017 commitments to UA as of 8/01/16:
- Najee Harris, RB (6-1, 210), Antioch, California
- Alex Leatherwood, OL (6-4, 300), Pensacola, Florida
- Chadarius Townsend, ATH, (6-0, 180), Tanner, Alabama*
- Brian Robinson, RB (6-2, 210), Tuscaloosa, Alabama*
- Aaron Sterling, DL (6-1, 270), Stone Mountain, Georgia
- Gary Johnson, LB (6-2, 225), Dodge City (Kan.) Community College
- VanDarius Cowan, LB (6-4, 217), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
- Tua Tagovailoa, QB (6-1, 210), Honolulu, Hawaii
- Elliot Baker, OL (6-7, 295), City College of San Francisco (Calif.)
- Mac Jones, QB (6-2, 185), Jacksonville, Fla.
- Markail Benton, LB (6-2, 245), Phenix City, Alabama*
- Brandon Ruiz, K (5-10, 165), Gilbert, Arizona
- Tyrell Davis, LB ( 6-6, 202), Lewisville, Texas
- Thomas Fletcher, C (6-2, 220), Bradenton, Florida
- Akial Byers, DL, (6-4, 275), Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Jhavonte Dean, (6-2, 189), Homestead, Florida
- Brannon Hunter, (6-4, 290), Cullman, Alabama*
- Jerry Jeudy, ( 6-1, 177), Deerfield Beach, Florida
- Kyriq McDonald, DB (5-11, 185), Madison, Alabama*
- Kendall Randolph, OL (6-5, 290), Madison, Alabama*
- Kedrick James, TE (6-5, 250), Waco, Texas
*State of Alabama Recruits/Commitments
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DE LaBryan Ray Includes Bama In Top 6
DE LaBryan Ray Includes Bama In Top 6
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| LaBryan Ray Photo Credit: AL.com/Dennis Victory |
Big LaBryan Ray out of James Clemons High School in Madison, Alabama has narrowed his recruitment favorites to six. The 6' 4" four-star defensive end released his list last night.
Ray's top six schools for which he is interested in playing are The University of Alabama, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn and Ole Miss. There is no particular order to the list.
The new addition to the list, originally not in Ray's former top 12, is Auburn University. Their persistence has Ray looking in their direction.
Alabama is expected to be the favorite for Ray's services. His teammate, Kyriq McDonald, announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide last night. Many believe that will only encourage Ray further toward the Tide.
According to 247Sports, Ray is the No. 3 prospect in the state of Alabama, and the No. 98 overall nationally.
