Alabama Football Recruiting Update: OFFENSE

With college football on hold until bowl season revs up, it is time for a catch-up on Alabama football recruiting. It has been surprisingly quiet all fall with the last Crimson Tide commitment announcement coming back on September 16. There have been visits of the official and unofficial variety but no real news to speak of. Now with two weeks to go until Early Signing Period (ESP), there will be some upcoming crootin’ activity.

Everything got weird when the highly unpopular ESP was put into play some years ago. But eventually, programs adapted. However, things have gotten weirder with the onset of what is basically free agency. Even the last defiant holdout, Dabo Swinney, has gotten on-board the Transfer Portal Express. There will be another period of transition in this era to figure out the whole roster management thing. For awhile programs were signing full classes in December and maybe one or two prospects in February. Now, commitment lists are a little smaller in December with anticipation of the portal bursting open. For many programs, it is more advantageous to pick up a veteran transfer with some experience than an 18 year old project coming from small high school football who may never pan out.

2024 COMMITS

Currently, Alabama has 20 commitments:

• 5-star QB Julian Sayin 6’1”/ 195 Carlsbad, CA
• 5-star CB Jaylen Mbakwe 5’11”/ 178 Pinson, AL
• 4-star CB Zabien Brown 6’1”/ 180 Santa Ana, CA
• 4-star TE Caleb Odom 6’5”/ 215 Carrolton, GA
• 4-star DE Jeremiah Beaman 6’4”/ 260 Birmingham, AL
• 4-star WR/ATH Amari Jefferson 6’1”/ 190 Chattanooga, TN
• 4-star IOL Casey Poe 6’5”/ 290 Lindale, TX
• 4-star S Peyton Woodyard 6’2”/ 188 Bellflower, CA
• 4-star WR/DB Jameer Grimsley 6’3”/ 185 Tampa, FL
• 4-star EDGE Sterling Dixon 6’3”/ 211 Spanish Fort, AL
• 4-star WR Rico Scott 6’0”/ 180 Harrisburg, PA
• 4-star LB Cayden Jones 6’4”/ 220 Arden, NC
• 4-star S Rydarrius “Red”/ Morgan 6’0”/ 175 Phenix City, AL
• 4-star IOL William Sanders 6’3”/ 295 Brookwood, AL
• 3-star LB Justin Okoronkwo 6’3”/ 205 Furstenfeldbruck, Germany
• 3-star IOL Joseph Ionata 6’4”/ 290 Clearwater, FL
• 3-star DT Isaia Faga 6’2”/ 275 Phenix City, AL
• 3-star TE Jay Lindsey 6’5”/ 235 Butler, AL
• 3-star DB Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. 6’0”/ 186 Gadsden, AL
• 3-star LB Quinton Reese 6’0”/ 215 Birmingham, AL

BY POSITION

QUARTERBACK (1)

The RBR staff have been drooling over Julian Sayin since he committed to Bama over a year ago. We think he will be special. He will join the team for bowl practice though he is NOT eligible to play in this postseason.

With his addition and Tyler Buchner gone, the Tide is still at five QBs. If another one leaves, they are down to a manageable four. But if two or more leave, Nick Saban will have to hard-sell someone on the premise that they probably won’t play early on (a la Layne Hatcher a few years ago).

RUNNING BACK (0)

Alabama has three young and talented backs expected to return and two seniors with potential for a super bonus season. I pray to the good lord above that Saban has the wisdom to let those guys move on instead of eating up carries that could go to Jam and Justice. But who knows? It would seem unfathomable for the Crimson Tide to not take at least one RB. Kewan Lacy of Lancaster, TX is high on their list.

WIDE RECEIVER (2)

Amari Jefferson and Rico Scott look like solid commits. Bama probably adds at least one more and maybe two. Perry Thompson made a very odd flip to Auburn this summer and seems content with that decision. If he does not sign with the Tigers on ESP, then something may be afoot. Texas commit Aeryn Hampton is also on Alabama’s radar. The big news is the rumor that 2025 5-star Ryan Williams might reclassify to 2024. He is VERY good.

Some recruiting sites list Jameer Grimsley as a WR but it feels like he might end up on the defensive side.

TIGHT END (2)

With these two guys on board, the Tide is probably done with this position. If something should happen to the current depth chart, it is not difficult to pick someone up off the portal or put a number 88 jersey on an offensive lineman.

OFFENSIVE LINE (3)

Bama has three commits but they are all interior linemen. Casey Poe is the pick of that group. William Sanders projects a guard and Joseph Ionata as a center.

Kadyn Proctor will be back at the Capstone to man one tackle, but CJ Latham is likely off to the NFL. The Tide staff has zeroed in on Jordan Seaton who is the top OT in the country. Originally from Washington, DC, he currently plays at IMG. Alabama will be in a tussle with an Ohio State and Tenne$$ee over his signature. He will announce his commitment on Thursday, December 7th but there is some talk that whatever school he announces for may not be who he signs with on the 20th.

Alabama signed four tackles to the 2023 class and all them saw extensive playing time this fall. In addition to Proctor, Miles McVay and Olaus Alinen played in four games and Wilkin Formby played in three which allowed all of them preserve their redshirt.

Seaton is definitely a take. Any other acquisition might be from the TP.

SCHEDULE

The Transfer Portal powered up on Monday, December 4 and lasts until Tuesday, January 2, 2024. The Early Signing Period (ESP) starts Wednesday, December 20 and ends on the 22nd.

NEXT: Alabama Football Recruiting Update: DEFENSE