re: 2020 FB Recruiting & Roster

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One of the standout performers at Alabama’s first camp of the summer was 2021 four-star quarterback Jalen Milroe. The Katy (Texas)...

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1. RANDOM MUSINGS ABOUT THE 2020 RANKINGS

It’s a really strong year at running back in 2020 and hard to gauge who will pan out as the best. I love the fit of Chris Tyree at Notre Dame and think he’s perfect for that offense. Daniyel Ngata is dynamic and can fit in many offenses or be a slot receiver if needed and A.J. Henning brings speed and sneaky power to the all-purpose position.

But it’s the true running backs that have me the most excited, the guys who can be three-down players. Zachary Evans is on top, but I like Demarkus Bowman a lot, as well. In fact, Bowman could have more college success with all the talent that will surround him at Clemson. Evans would fit anywhere but needs to make a good choice to develop properly. Don Chaney, the Miami running back commitment, is very fast and a kid I like a lot and think will be a star while Bijan Robinson is dynamic as well. Kendall Milton is a big running back, but I do question his speed at the next level. More and more we are focusing on speed at the running back position because it’s so important in today’s college game. One guy who doesn’t get enough attention? Jase McClellan, the Oklahoma commitment who could be a perfect fit.

Overall this isn’t a great year at quarterback, not nearly as good as we thought a few years ago as some guys haven’t continued to take the next step in their development. This is especially true at the dual-threat quarterback position where Bryce Young is our top guy. Young, a USC commitment, is very dynamic but lacks size and can struggle at times with mechanics. I can’t remember a time when our highest rated dual-threat quarterback has a 5.9 rivals rating. This summer and next season and especially the all star games will be interesting because this list could be turned upside-down.

I like this wide receiver group a lot, led by Ohio State commitment Julian Fleming, and it’s no surprise we have four five-stars already and many knocking on the door. Zavier Betts is a guy to keep an eye on as the Nebraska commitment has a good size and speed combination.

My favorite non five-star? It’s still Georgia commitment Broderick Jones. He has a chance to be an amazing offensive tackle at the next level. Watch out for linebacker Quandarrius Robinson, who could be a great hybrid or a freaky tall and long linebacker wherever he lands.

Is there a five-star I don’t agree with? There are a few, but Georgia linebacker commitment Mekhail Sherman is someone who has great upside but is still very raw and coming off an injury. Linebacker Antoine Sampah, an LSU linebacker commitment, is another I worry about as he’s also coming off injury. Scouting linebackers has become as difficult as any other position. I’m a little wary about five-star linebackers after we clearly overshot in the 2016 class.

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What is my personal top 10? Here you go.

DE Jordan Burch – He’s one of the most athletic defensive ends I’ve seen in a few years and his ceiling is ridiculous.

CB Elias Ricks – A tall corner with great instincts should be a little higher than we have him.

LB Justin Flowe – He’s a beast and a rarity at linebacker from an aggression standpoint.

QB D.J. Uiagalelei – A great quarterback prospect but I don’t have him as my No. 1 guy in the nation.

CB Kelee Ringo – Like Ricks, it’s hard to keep a corner this big and talented lower.

RB Zachary Evans – I love Evans and his running style and think he could move higher.

DT Bryan Bresee – He’s a monster who can play defensive end or defensive tackle.

DT Justin Rogers – He’s special as a defensive tackle and will be a star.

RB Demarckus Bowman – I love his speed and his sneaky power.

OT Paris Johnson Jr. – The best tackle in the class belongs in the top 10. He is very athletic.

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The 2020 Rivals250 has been updated and released. Some prospects saw their stock rise, while others saw theirs fall. Below, however, we focus on the positives, and explore four schools that should be pleased with the rankings release.

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LINK ]Dameion George, three-star offensive tackle from North Shore High School in Houston, Texas, surprised many with his sudden commitment to Alabama on Wednesday. He is scheduled to return to Tuscaloosa on Thursday and remain in town until Saturday. He had Alabama in his top two along with Texas.

We spoke with North Shore wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Joe Price about the Tide's recruitment of the player and how Alabama snagged the 6-foot-7, 330-pound lineman.

"Obviously with his size and potential, he’s been receiving national attention for the past couple years," Coach Price said. "Karl Scott and Jeff Banks have done a great job recruiting Dame (George) thru the entire process.

"Saban. The Process. I think they were one of the few schools that recruited him by himself and not as a package type deal. They were great with his family, too."

There has been plenty of talk regarding George and his teammate, Zachary Evans, who is the No. 1 running back in the country. Evans was in Tuscaloosa on Monday and Tuesday.

"I think they have two separate processes," Price said. "No package deal. The decision was Dame's and his family alone."

Price said George may explore the option of graduating early, but possibly too late in the process. He also said Alabama is recruiting him as a guard and tackle. Coach Price gave his take of George off-the-field.

"Low key," he said. "Hard to miss of course. He's not the time of kid to be the center of attention."

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LINK ]Jaquez Smith is only a rising junior, but the talented athlete out of Atlanta (Ga.) Hapeville Charter is considered one of the top prospects in the Peach State regardless of class. Alabama saw that Tuesday. Smith showed up in Tuscaloosa around noon, he got the tour and took a look at the Crimson Tide's facilities for the first time before camping later that day.

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