Introduction
If you have been following this year’s recruiting cycle in any capacity, whether as a die-hard or casual college football fan, a few things might surprise you. The one that’s probably the most striking is Alabama’s recruiting class, ranked outside the top 10 as of June 30th.
The Crimson Tide currently has the 19th-ranked recruiting class in 2023, according to 247 Sports. But if you are an Alabama fan, those numbers shouldn’t alarm you. Coach Saban and company have ten commitments in the class of 2023. Two are five-star prospects; five are four-star, one three-star, and one is a JUCO commit.
All player rankings referenced in this article are sourced from the 247 Sports Player and Team Composite Rankings.
The Current Class
I think it’s safe to say that Alabama isn’t finished this recruiting cycle, and I’m willing to bet the house on it. Many highly ranked players have the crimson Tide on their shortlist of schools to attend next fall. We’re going to go into detail on a few of them, but for now, let’s talk about the players that have already announced their pledges to play in Tuscaloosa.
Defensive Backs
Known for having an elite defensive back play, Alabama continues this tradition by securing the commits of two of the top three ranked cornerbacks in the nation. Conveniently, both prospects reside in the state of Alabama.
Tony Mitchell stands at 6’2 and weighs 180 pounds. He is the second-ranked CB in the nation and the 15th-ranked player in the nation.
Jahlil Hurley stands at 6’2 and weighs 170 pounds. He is the third-ranked CB in the nation and the 19th-ranked player in the nation.
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These two in-state defensive backs have the potential to become complete bookend corners at the collegiate level.
Quarterback
The remainder of the current class is nothing to look over by far—Eli Holstein is the eighth-ranked QB in the nation and the 56th-ranked player in the nation. Holstein is currently participating in the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp Finals. He stands at a stout 6’4 and weighs 222 pounds.
Notable recent commits
Saban also landed hometown product four-star Wilkin Formby, 6’7, 295 pounds, the tenth-ranked OT prospect and 83rd-ranked player in the nation. Four-star safety Elliot Washington 5’11, 195 pounds (6th-ranked S), four-star edge Yhonzae Pierre 6’4, 220 pounds (19th-ranked EDGE), four-star wide receiver Cole Adams 5’10, 180 pounds (40th-ranked WR), three-star athlete Brayson Hubbard 6’2, 190-pounds (40th ranked ATH), and JUCO stand out linebacker Justin Jefferson 6’1, 215-pounds rounds out the current class.
Key Targets
Alabama is currently in a recruiting battle for the nation’s number-one-rated safety, Caleb Downs. It’s a three-team recruiting race between the Tide, Georgia, and Ohio State.
Bama also has received a crystal ball from one of the country’s most highly recruited running backs. Richard Young, 5’11, 200-pounds, is the second-ranked RB in class and 24th-ranked player.
No 1 RB in 2023 Richard Young at Future50 https://t.co/RMzZyWiek3 pic.twitter.com/ioukD5mRVc
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) June 12, 2021
They are also waiting for the decision of highly touted defensive linemen recruit Peter Woods, 6’4 265 pounds. Woods is the third-ranked DL and 23rd-ranked player nationally. Woods declared his commitment on July 8th, and the Tide made his top four schools.
Alabama is also on the shortlist of schools for four-star EDGE Bai Jobe (63rd-ranked player nationally), four-star CB Caleb Presley (107th-ranked player nationally), four-star DL Enow Etta (58th-ranked player nationally), and four-star TE Riley Williams (77th-ranked player nationally). There’s plenty of time for Coach Saban and Alabama to surge towards the top of the recruiting ranks in this class. We will likely see this happen over the next few weeks as the commitments begin to roll in.
