re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

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This is a good question from loyal SEC Country reader @rickythegreat8. Right now, the plan is to take at least two more defensive backs. Alabama signed three defensive backs during the early signing period, all of them 4-star prospects: Jalyn Armour-Davis, Josh Jobe and Saivion Smith.

The Tide are still recruiting the following DBs:

5-star cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr.

5-star cornerback Tyson Campbell

4-star cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart

4-star safety Julius Irvin

3-star cornerback Eddie Smith

Those are the top targets right now. Alabama is in good position with each of those players, but there aren’t many spots open in the 2018 class. The team currently has 14 signees and another four unsigned commitments. Alabama wants to add one quarterback, two wide receivers, one offensive lineman, one defensive lineman and at least two defensive backs. There’s not enough room to make that happen because three players in the 2017 class received delayed scholarships (Joseph Bulovas, Hunter Brannon and Jarez Parks) so they count against the total number the Tide can sign this year.

Nick Saban said Alabama can sign 23 players this class. One of the players currently committed, 3-star tight end Michael Parker, will likely receive a blueshirt and won’t count against this cycle’s numbers. That essentially means the team has 17 Class of 2018 commitments or signees.

In order to sign at least three more defensive backs, one or two current commits will have to de-commit or the team will have to miss on a player at a different position.

Here’s what I see happening:

A linebacker commitment, Vernon Jackson or Quay Walker, signs elsewhere. That brings the total number of signees and commitments to 16.

Quarterback Brock Purdy signs with Alabama. 17.

Wide receivers Justyn Ross and either Jacob Copeland or Jaylen Waddle sign with Alabama. 19.

Offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere or Penei Sewell signs with Alabama. 20.

Defensive end Malik Langham signs with Alabama. 21.

Pick two of the DBs mentioned above. 23.

Alabama is going to have to miss at least one target at wide receiver or strike out on the offensive line in order to sign three defensive backs if Saban didn’t misspeak about the team being able to sign 23.

I think it’s more likely Alabama misses out on two wide receivers than missing out on both Petit-Frere and Sewell at this time.

As always, this is a problem the Tide face come January — the numbers game. Alabama always has more players interested in signing with the program than available spots. The team always makes the numbers work. We’ll see if it can find a way to sign three defensive backs.

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