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

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Alabama holds 16 commitments in the 2018 recruiting class. During the inaugural early signing period, which runs from Dec. 20-22, many of those verbals will transition into signees.

The majority of the Tide’s current class is expected to sign their letters of intent as early as Wednesday, Dec. 20, the first day of the early signing period. The class could be bolstered by a few new commitments, namely decisions forthcoming from 5-star Jack linebacker Eyabi Anoma, 5-star defensive end Brenton Cox, 4-star defensive tackle Christian Barmore and 4-star tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson.

Additionally, be on the lookout for any current Alabama verbal commitment that does not put the pen to paper at any point before Dec. 22. That means Alabama will need to continue to recruit those commitments. Only two current commitments aren’t expected to sign early: 4-star linebacker Quay Walker, who’s still considering Auburn and Georgia, and 3-star tight end Michael Parker, who will either get a blueshirt or greyshirt.

Projected Alabama signees in the early signing period

Stephon Wynn Jr., 4-star DT (Bradenton, Fla.) — signing at 10 a.m. ET

Jordan Davis, 4-star Jack LB (Memphis, Tenn.) — signing at 10 a.m. ET

Jalyn Armour-Davis, 4-star CB (Mobile, Ala.)

Josh Jobe, 4-star CB (Miami)

Jerome Ford, 3-star RB (Seffner, Fla.)

Emil Ekiyor, 4-star C (Indianapolis) — signing at noon ET

Cameron Latu, 4-star Jack LB (Salt Lake City) — signing at 1:15 p.m. ET

Xavier Williams, 4-star WR (Hollywood, Fla.)

Vernon Jackson, 3-star LB (Boling, Texas)

Nadab Joseph, 4-star CB (Miami)

Tommy Brown, 4-star OT (Santa Ana, Calif.) — signing at 3:30 p.m. ET

Saivion Smith, 4-star CB (Perkinston, Miss.) — already practicing with the team

Slade Bolden, 3-star ATH (West Monroe, La.) — signing at 1 p.m. ET

Skyler Delong, 3-star P (Nation Ford, S.C.) — signing at 2 p.m. ET

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Chris Kirschner @ChrisKirschner

The first LOI is in for Alabama. Skyler Delong, the nation's No. 2 punter and likely JK Scott's replacement, has signed with the Tide.

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Chris Kirschner @ChrisKirschner

Jerome Ford, a 3-star running back out of Florida and Alabama’s most recent commitment, has faxed in his letter of intent. Ford won’t enroll at Alabama until the summer.

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Christian Barmore, the No. 17 defensive tackle in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, loved everything about his trip to Alabama and an in-home visit with coach Nick Saban he saw enough to end the recruiting process.

Rather than sign in February and make a trip to Georgia, the four-star prospect from Philadelphia Nuemann Goretti committed to Alabama Wednesday morning. He told 247Sports he would sign his letter of intent later in the day.

"I like everything about Alabama," the 6-foot-5, 290-pound Barmore said. "When I went down there, I felt at home and I liked the way they did things. They have a really good plan for me not only on the field, but off the field.

"It feels special. I can't wait to go and celebrate everything with my parents. I will be signing and I cannot wait. It's great."

Barmore, a one-time Temple commit, also made an official visit to Baylor.

However, after returning home from the trip, he spent the day with Saban and was blown away.

"They came to see me and that was (important)," Barmore said. "Coach Saban came to my school and my to my house. He was there for about two hours and he was with my family, my coaches, and I just like everything about 'Bama."

Barmore is best suited to play on the interior, but he the ability to be versatile in the defense was a key factor.

"They can move me around and use me in different ways, change it up a lot," he said. "I like everything about them. I like their style. I like the way they move around and I like the way they play."

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