Top Priority Positions of Need: An inside look at Alabama top remaining targets in the 2023 class

On3 imageby:Andrew Bone09/23/22

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Big week for the Crimson Tide!

Alabama added to its 2023 No. 1 ranked recruiting class according to On3 Sports Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings with two major commitments from the Lone Star State. Jordan Renaud, four-star defensive end from Legacy High School in Tyler, and Jalen Hale, four-star wide receiver from Longview High School committed to the Crimson Tide. Alabama, currently with 23 commitments, still has several key targets it hopes to add in this class.

Commitment Analysis: What Jalen Hale’s commitment means for the Crimson Tide

Jordan Renaud makes the call for Alabama

Alabama has excelled with star power on both sides of the ball in its 2023 class. It still has a few important positions of need. They are all on defense with a pressing need at all three levels. The remaining targets give the Crimson Tide hope that it can secure another monumental class in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama remains strongly in the mix with several five-stars and Top-100 caliber players. BamaInsider goes in-depth on where things currently stand with each remaining target in each position group, not just the major positions of need. Below is a short sample. Continue reading the top priority positions of need on the Talk of Champions!

Elite DBs including Cormani McClain, Malik Muhammad remain priority targets for Alabama

Priority Position No. 3: Cornerback

Alabama desperately wants to add another cornerback in this class, but the options remain limited. The only uncommitted target currently in-play is Cormani McClain, five-star Plus+ from Lakeland High School in Florida. Alabama Is also still heavily recruiting Malik Muhammad, the No. 2 cornerback in the country from South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas. Sharif Denson, four-star from Bartram Trail High School in Jacksonville, Florida, received an offer from Alabama in early August.

Alabama cornerbacks coach, Travaris Robinson, has recruited the nation’s top cornerback (McClain) since before he arrived in Tuscaloosa. The two have an outstanding connection. There was a lot buzz after McClain’s unofficial visit to Alabama in June that seemed to indicate a decision would happen sooner than later.

McClain opted to hold off from announcing a decision (even though one was not previously scheduled). He took visits to Florida and Miami in July, and also returned to Gainesville three weeks ago. Alabama will have McClain on campus for an official visit on October 8-9. McClain told BamaInsider last week that it may not be his only trip to Tuscaloosa before he makes a decision (currently expected in December).

“Alabama is a great team,” McClain said. “Great coaching staff. They produce a lot of athletes to the league. I think I’m an athlete that’s great for the program.”

Alabama, Florida and Miami are considered the top three schools with many considering the Gators as the team to beat. It’s appeared more an Alabama/Florida battle in the last few months. The return visit to Alabama is clearly important for the Tide’s chances. Alabama will have an opportunity to re-emerge as the favorite in McClain’s recruitment.

Alabama has put forth a tremendous effort in targeting (Malik) Muhammad despite his July 20 commitment to Texas. He has visited Tuscaloosa several times which included two visits in the spring and one in June. Muhammad is still trying to finalize plans for an official visit to Alabama. He is considering return for the A&M game, but it may also happen a later in the year.

“At the end of the day, it’s Alabama,” Muhammad told BamaInsider. “If you step on the field there, you most likely — like 99.9 percent — are going to get drafted. If you play well at Alabama, you will get drafted in the first round. There’s no question about it. They keep DBs drafted every year. That’s probably the main reason [I’m interested].”

(Sharif) Denson, who is currently committed to Florida, is expected to take an official visit to Alabama during the weekend of the Texas A&M weekend. Denson has interest in the Tide after camping in Tuscaloosa a few months ago. His parents attended Florida which is possibly tough to overcome if Alabama presses hard to flip Denson away from the Gators.

“They have to show that they want me and need me for me to give a really good look,” Denson told BamaInsider last month. “Bama is Bama. It’s hard to beat. I don’t want to go anywhere just to be another guy. A lot just depends on how much they want me.

“My dad is objective. He wants me to be in the best position to succeed. If they don’t have a plan for me like Florida does, and I’m just another guy then it’s not going to be the place for me. If they do show me how they will use me, and that I will have a chance to make an impact then I will seriously consider them.”

Alabama Is keeping its eyes open for other cornerbacks throughout the country, and has continued to speak with others who are currently committed elsewhere. BamaInsider will continue to keep a close watch on any developments at the position throughout the course of the season. The transfer portal is also an avenue Alabama may explore if it does not add any additional players.

Continue reading the in-depth look at the Tide’s top remaining positions of need in the 2023 class!

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