Top Recruits flocking to Alabama for the Iron Bowl
Key targets returning for rivalry game
The Alabama Crimson Tide will host a vast amount of top recruits for the annual Iron Bowl game in Tuscaloosa. BamaInsider takes a look at the notable names who have confirmed their plans to visit the Capstone this weekend.
James Smith, five-star defensive tackle and Qua Russaw, five-star linebacker from Carver High School in Montgomery, are two of only three recruits ranked inside the top 20 in Alabama who remained uncommitted. Both are critical targets for the Crimson Tide and Tigers.
Russaw and Smith are expected to attend the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. It will mark the third time they have attended a game in Tuscaloosa this season. Both also attended Alabama’s home wins against Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. They will take their official visit in December.
The latest on Smith and Russaw in Stock up, Stock Down: Alabama targets trending to and away from the Tide
The Crimson Tide will also host at least two SEC East commitments. Lawson Luckie, four-star tight end from Norcross High School in Georgia, will return for his second visit of the season. Luckie was also in town for Alabama’s win against Texas A&M. The UGA legacy took his official visit to Alabama in June.
Father of UGA commitment opens up about where things stand with Alabama
Kelby Collins, four-star defensive lineman from Gardendale High School in Alabama, is also expected to return for an unofficial visit with the Crimson Tide this weekend. Collins, who was also in town for the game against the Aggies, has not given any indication that he is a soft commitment to Florida. He is still listening to Alabama, and will likely return for an official in December.
“It’s always a good experience when I go there,” Collins told BamaInsider after his visit last month. “They treat me like family. They’re trying hard to flip me. It was a good experience.
Rueben Bain, Top 100 defensive lineman from Central High School in Miami, re-affirmed his plans to attend the Iron Bowl. Bain has deep connections to University of Miami. Many, however, believe Alabama and Auburn have realistic chance to pull him away from the Hurricanes. Bain took his official visit to Alabama in June. This is his first time returning to Tuscaloosa since the summer.
“Been talking to the coaches lately and they’ve just been stressing the need of guys they need up front,” Bain recently told BamaInsider regarding his conversations with the Crimson Tide. “They’re a little banged up this year, so they need people who will make an impact on Day One. That’s what Coach Roach has been telling me, as well as Coach T-Rob and Coach Saban.
COMPLETE LIST OF RECRUITS VISITING ALABAMA THIS WEEKEND!
Alabama hosting official visitors
Two Alabama commitments are currently expected to take their official visit this weekend. Those players include Tony Mitchell, Top 100 safety from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama, and Conor Talty, three-star kicker from St. Rita Catholic School in Chicago.
There are still some questions regarding Mitchell’s recruitment, mainly if he will take additional official visits. Mitchell took unofficial visits in the last month to Auburn and Texas A&M. Those two programs along with Florida have continued heavily recruiting Mitchell.
Jaren Hamilton, four-star wide receiver from Bucholtz High School in Gainesville, Florida, is currently the only ‘confirmed’ uncommitted recruit taking an official visit with the Crimson Tide this weekend. This is Hamilton’s first official visit. It’s also the only one scheduled.
“Yes sir, they are,” Hamilton told BamaInsider when asked if Alabama is his leader. “Just the relationships I have built with the coaches. My comfortability with them. What they’ve been doing with players for the past decade, especially at my position. They’ve really been putting on a showcase at that spot. It speaks for itself.”
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Haynes, Young and many returning Tide commitments
Alabama will also have the majority of its commitments in Tuscaloosa this weekend. Jahlil Hurley, Top 100 cornerback from Florence High School in Alabama, and Justice Haynes, Top 100 running back from Buford High School in Georgia, are expected to return. .
Haynes remains strong with his commitment to Alabama
Richard Young, five-star running back from Lehigh High School in Florida, will attend after his team fell in the playoffs on Friday night. Edric Hill, four-star defensive lineman from North High School in Kansas City and Olaus Alinen, four-star offensive tackle from Loomis-Chaffee High School in Windsor, Connecticut are among the out-of-state visitors.
The top two junior college players in the country/Tide commitments are also slated to visit. Malik Benson, the No. 1 wide receiver from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and Justin Jefferson, the No. 1 linebacker from Pearl River Community College in Mississippi, will take in their first Iron Bowl experience.
CLICK HERE for the complete list of Alabama commitments scheduled to attend the game against Auburn!
Alabama currently has the No. 1 recruiting class in the country according to the On3 Sports Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings.
Will they visit or not?
Several additional targets have said they are still deciding on their weekend visit plans including Damari Brown, four-star cornerback from American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida.
“[Recruitment is] pretty mild right now,” Brown told BamaInsider following his team’s 49-0 playoff win on Saturday. “But I might get up to the Iron Bowl. Just don’t know yet… I’m leaning toward going. Just have to talk with coach [Travaris Robinson].”
Will the Crimson Tide host the following recruits?
Keon Keeley, five-star edge rusher from Berekely Prep in Tampa
Desmond Ricks, Top 100 cornerback from IMG Academy in Bradenton Florida
Suntarine Perkins, Top 100 linebacker from Raleigh High School in Mississippi
Jordan Hall, Top 100 defensive lineman from Westside High School in Jacksonville, Florida
Arion Carter, four-star linebacker from Smyrna High School in Tennessee
Any recruits currently committed elsewhere or surprises?
CLICK HERE to keep track throughout the week!
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