When was the last time Alabama did not have a Top 10 recruiting class?

1996

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2006. They were #11

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Don't you mean #111? We've been told repeatedly that all Shula was able to secure were walk-ons or players who chose 'Bama over Stillman. Saban inherited no D-1 players.

When Shula was coach

27th is a little better than the Tide narrative on this board.

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27th is a little better than the Tide narrative on this board.

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Not really. We recruited at 6-7th place level. We mostly finished at a 6-7th place level.

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We've been told repeatedly that all Shula was able to secure were walk-ons or players who chose 'Bama over Stillman.

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Most of the players in the '06 class didn't blossom until their junior and senior years - after they had a year under Saban's belt. Also...the '06 class finished high because Shula picked up two 5-star players. Mike Ford and Andre Smith. Ever hear of Mike Ford? No? That's because he never played a down at Alabama. He ended up going to South Florida where he faded into obscurity, save for a run in the '07 season.

Many of the 4-star players in that class, like RB Terry Grant, had some early success but eventually faded into obscurity due to better players being added to the roster by Saban and co. The three biggest successes from that class were Andre Smith, Javier Arenas and Greg McElroy - both of them 3-stars. Javy's only other offer besides Alabama was Florida International and he signed to play RB at Alabama. He left after the '09 season as an All-American CB and PR.

You know damn well that the 2006 class was the only Shula class not affected by scholarahip reductions. And still it was a smaller class. Not to mention an abundance of grade and character issues he signed. What talent Saban did inherit was underdeveloped and soft.

Yeah...like Mike Ford.

There were still some guys who went on to contribute in that class though. Mike McCoy, Javier Arenas, Greg McElroy, Earl Alexander, Terry Grant, Marquis Johnson, Preston Dial, Andre Smith and a couple others. It was a decent class but it was the only decent class Shula ever pulled. Averaging 6.5 wins a season over 4 years will make sure you don't ever recruit for Alabama again.

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saban's first class (2007)... he wasn't hired until after the NFL season, so their class suffered before the hire was announced.

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Yep - had some solid 3-star contributors out of that class.

Darius Hanks, Marquis Maze, William Vlachos, Alex Watkins, Kareem Jackson, Nick Gentry. And then of course Rolando McClain.

I remember being jacked about signing Prince Hall and Jimmy Johns in the 2005 class.

And never forget this guy



Jeebus times were tough.