Alabama Football Recruiting: Five things to know
Big in-home visits scheduled this week
Alabama coaches will hit the trail running this week with the dead period arriving next Monday. The Crimson Tide will visit several priority targets and commitments. Coaches will also visit schools to check-in on early underclassmen targets.
A slew of key recruits who remain uncommitted will have an in-home visit with Nick Saban this week including James Smith, five-star defensive tackle, Qua Russaw, five-star linebacker and Keon Keeley, five-star edge, will welcome the Tide’s head coach to their home. Alabama will also see a few recruits who are committed elsewhere including an in-state defensive lineman.
Coach Saban will also see a few of his current commitments. He will see Caleb Downs, five-star plus+ safety and Justice Haynes, five-star consensus running back, Yhonzae Pierre, Top 100 linebacker, Hunter Osborne, four-star defensive lineman and Bray Hubbard, four-star safety.
MUST-FOLLOW: In-home visit tracker! Find out which days Alabama will see its top recruits
Five-star intel after official visit
The five-star duo (James Smith and Qua Russaw) took their official visit to Alabama this past weekend. It was likely their final trip before the announce their college destination on December 21.
“I pretty much have an idea (of where I am going to go),” Russaw told On3 Sports after the visit.
Russaw and Smith had great time in Tuscaloosa. They’ll have a busy week with hosting coaches including Coach Saban, Kirby Smart and Hugh Freeze.
More on Smith and Russaw’s official visit with the Crimson Tide
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Is Caleb Downs solid with Alabama?
Alabama commitment Caleb Downs, five-star plus+ safety has kept many on their toes regarding his recruitment. Downs visited Ohio State three weekends ago for the Buckeyes game against Michigan. Downs had intended to visit Columbus at some point during the regular season. It was his only opportunity to visit.
Many took the visit as a sign of Downs reconsidering his commitment to Alabama. Downs kept things quiet for a few days until he spoke with On3 Sports about his status with the Crimson Tide.
“There’s always going to be interest there, but at the end of the day, I’m committed to Alabama,” Downs said. “That’s all that needs to be said right now.”
Alabama assistant coach Travaris Robinson is the lead recruiter for Downs. He was in attendance on Saturday night for Mill Creek’s state championship win against Carrollton. Downs scored three rushing touchdowns. Coaches from other schools will likely recruit Downs until he signs on December 21.
He may listen to what other schools have to say, but the commitment to Alabama appears solid at this time.
Suntarine Perkins re-affirms commitment to Ole Miss
Suntarine Perkins, Top 100 linebacker from Raleigh High School in Mississippi, announced via Twitter on Sunday evening his intentions to stick with his commitment to Ole Miss. Perkins told On3 Sports last week that he would take an official visit to Alabama.
Perkins has been a flip target for the Crimson Tide throughout the year. He told confirmed to BamaInsider earlier this fall that he was very close to flipping his commitment to Alabama in July. Pete Golding visited Perkins twice in the last two weeks.
Alabama will likely continue recruiting Perkins despite the social media post. Coach Saban also has an in-home visit available if Perkins allows it to happen. Perkins delivered the statement below.
“To my family, thank you for all your support and unconditional love. Your support at games, practices & workouts means the world to me and you are the reason why.
“To the city of Raleigh Thank You for all your prayers and support. It has been an awesome ride. This has been a long process getting to this point but I want to thank all the schools that offered and spent time recruiting me.”
“At this point I want to the let the world know that I am ‘100’ locked in and 1000% going to Ole Miss. Excited for the future and can’t wait to get to work.”
DON’T MISS: Alabama has the No. 1 recruiting class according to the On3 Sports Consensus Football Team Rankings.
Alabama offers Maryland tight end transfer
Alabama welcomed its first transfer portal recruit to Tuscaloosa this past weekend. Maryland tight end CJ Dippre took an official visit with the Crimson Tide. The Pennsylvania native measured 6-foot-5, 260-pounds.
He received several offers prior to the weekend including N.C. State, Nebraska, Ole Miss, South Carolina and West Virginia. Alabama offered him on Sunday.
“It was awesome,” Dippre told BamaInsider. “I called my dad and he got pretty emotional. Just the road I’ve been through. Not being highly recruited out of high school and going somewhere to play for two years. Now, having the opportunity to play with one of the best programs in the country.
“They’re going to try to compete for a championship every year,” Dippre added. “You’re going against the best in the country every day in practice. That’s definitely a big factor in it.”
So, where does Alabama stand with Dippre following his offer and visit? He shared more about his trip, which school will receive a visit next weekend and decision time-frame.
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