Alabama Official Visitor Weekend Nuggets
Alabama will host six official visitors this weekend including three confirmed five-stars this weekend. Coaches have visited top recruits throughout the week. Will any surprise visitors make to T-Town?
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Final official visit for James Smith, Qua Russaw
The five-star duo returns to Tuscaloosa for their final official visit. James Smith, the No. 1 defensive tackle and Qua Russaw, the No. 1 linebacker from Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama, headline the weekend visitors for the Crimson Tide. The state’s top two recruits have been through the recruiting gauntlet.
Both have been priority targets for several schools for almost two years. They’ve taken officials, attended many games and talk to several coaches on a daily basis. They quickly return to Alabama after attending the Tide’s win against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Alabama remains in a very tight recruiting battle against Auburn, Florida and Georgia.
CLICK HERE to learn more about where things currently stand in Russaw and Smith’s recruitment!
Alabama hoping to lure five-star cornerback
Desmond Ricks, On3 Consensus five-star cornerback from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, also returns to Alabama this weekend. The visits marks his third trip to Tuscaloosa. Ricks visited Florida last weekend. He will visit LSU on December 16-18. Ricks will announce his college destination on December 22.
Ricks is heavily favored to the Tigers according to the On3 Sports Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Nick Saban, however, had an in-home visit with Ricks and his family on Tuesday. Alabama is in need of another cornerback in this class. Ricks is definitely one the Tide hopes will have an ‘eye-opening’ experience this weekend.
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Alabama hoping to close Arion Carter
Arion Carter, four-star linebacker from Smyrna High School in Tennessee, has emerged as one of the best players in the country after moving to the defensive side of the ball this past season. Carter, a former Memphis commit, attracted dozens of new offers before settling on official visits to Ohio State, Tennessee and now, Alabama.
Carter attended three games in Tuscaloosa during the fall including the Iron Bowl. He has also called Alabama his “dream school”. Carter took an official visit in Knoxville last weekend. The Vols have put itself in strong contention with the Crimson Tide.
Coach Saban and Eric Wolford (area recruiter) had an in-home visit with Carter on Monday morning. Less than 24 hours after his return from the official visit to Tennessee. Alabama has prioritized Carter since extending him an offer in September.
Maryland Transfer Tight End visiting Alabama
CJ Dippre is the first transfer portal recruit to visit Alabama this year. Dippre just completed his sophomore season for the Terps where he had 30 receptions for 314 yards and three touchdowns.
Dippre had an in-home visit with Alabama tight ends coach earlier this week. The Pennsylvania native has received several offers since entering the transfer portal including: Illinois, N.C. State, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Rutgers, South Carolina, Syracuse, USF, and West Virginia.
Justin Jefferson holding it down for the No. 1 class
Justin Jefferson, the No. 1 JuCo linebacker from Pearl River Community College in Mississippi, takes a final visit before enrolling at Alabama next month. He is the only Tide commitment scheduled to return to the Capstone. Alabama has the No. 1 ranked class in the country according to the On3 Sports Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings.
Jefferson has been looking forward to the official visit for several weeks. He committed to Alabama in June. A few other schools continued to recruit Jefferson after his decision. He has remained solid throughout the year.
“I’m locked in,” Jefferson told BamaInsider after the Tide’s loss to LSU. “I’ve got an official with Bama from Dec. 9-11. I’m looking forward to getting acclimated. Getting around the players and the people I’m going to be with so we can get the train rolling for next year. I’m really excited!”
Jefferson recorded 86 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception in nine games this fall. He is recruited by Pete Golding to play inside linebacker.
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