re: Class of 2019 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: That's a Wrap Edition

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An Alabama Crimson Tide early enrollee emerges as the 247Sports No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2019. Defensive lineman Antonio Alfano of Colonia (N.J.) was announced Tuesday as the new No. 1 prospect in the country ahead of Nolan Smith, Demarvin Leal and Derek Stingley.

Alfano is the fourth New Jersey recruit in six years to finish inside the 247Sports Top 10. He joins Rashan Gary in 2016 as No. 1 overall prospects. Alfano is the first Colonia defensive lineman to go to a power-five school since Eric LeGrand signed with Rutgers in 2008.

What gave Alfano the nod at No. 1?

“What this boiled down to for us was, what’s he missing? He had every box checked,” Simmons said during the 247Sports rankings reveal broadcast. “He’s 6-foot-4, 275 pounds. He’s got 11-inch hands, which is huge, 34-inch arms, a 4.8 40 (yard dash), which is freakish at that size, a 37-inch vertical jump. So all of the testing numbers are there. Okay, turn on the film. The film is phenomenal. His numbers, 10 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, dominates competition everywhere he’s been.

“Then he goes into the All-American Bowl. Truly, you couldn’t block him. He’s got versatility. He can play on the defensive end in any scheme. He can be a 4-3 D-end, a 3-4 D-end. He could blow up physically and become an interior guy, a true 3-technique. He could be, right now, probably effectively play a 3-4 outside linebacker as a stand up, edge rusher. I just think there’s so much to like.”

Take one look at the NFL Draft crop for 2019 and you can see why there is such a focus on the defensive line. From Clemson’s loaded line to Quinnen Williams to Rashan Gary, Nick Bosa, Ed Oliver, Jeffery Simmons and beyond, there is a premium on defensive linemen at the next level. If Alfano lives up to his early expectations, he could join them soon.

“We asked coaching staffs that didn’t land him,” Simmons said. “Can you tell me what we’re missing on Alfano? What is his flaw? We couldn’t come up with one. It’s Nick Bosa-ish profile for Antonio Alfano. Robert Nkemdiche is another comp we’ve made. I really believe that he’s got a chance to be a really unique player at Alabama.

“ … When we look ahead to the NFL Draft, defensive line is the position we see drafted No. 1,” Simmons said. “If there was something that we were missing on Alfano, if we could come up with an on-the-field flaw, we may have gone with Leal. We may have gone with Stingley. We may have gone with Nolan Smith. But we just couldn’t find that flaw to give us the nudge to somebody else.”

Alabama ranks No. 1 overall in the 247Sports Composite rankings in 2019 class after an impressive early signing period. The Crimson Tide already have 15 signees enrolled in classes, nine more signed and four verbal commitments.

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Keilan Robinson, a 4-Star running back, was verbally committed to the Tide during the early signing period, but decided to hold off his signing. His commitment doesn’t look like it has wavered and he looks to be the Tide’s second 2019 running back signee as Saban and company has not gotten a commitment for any other back in the class.

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Khris Bogle, a 4-Star defensive end, who committed to the Tide on Jan. 5, recruitment is a bit interesting. It was a tough battle for Alabama to grab the Florida prospect from Miami. With such a late commitment, it is easy to understand why there maybe some doubt about his commitment. He is not on flip watch, but don’t expect Miami to stop pursuing him.

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Ishmael Sopsher, Nathan Pickering, Henry To’oto’o, Darnell Wright and Brett Seither look to be the Tide’s priority targets headed down the stretch.

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Ishmael Sopsher’s recruitment has went back and forth between Alabama and LSU, with both looking like they were leading at times. Something of interest about Sopsher is that he has brought up that he will only go to a school that will take his brother, Rodney Sopsher. Alabama has not offered Rodney in any form or fashion.

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Nathan Pickering is easily one of the best defensive tackles in the nation, but Mississippi State currently has his verbal commitment. Alabama has continue to pursue him and he has gone on record and said if any team could flip him, it would be Alabama. The Tide is expected to get his last official in February.

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Brett Seither is the Tide’s lone 2019 tight end target and they are recruiting him very hard. Nick Saban and Alabama special teams coach, Jeff Banks, visited McGregor at home on Tuesday. The Tide have to battle it out hard after only offering him less than one month from the February signing period. He is expected to visit Alabama this weekend.

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Darnell Wright is a 5-Star offensive lineman, who Alabana would love to get, but with the depth they have on the offensive line in the 2019 class, it would not be a huge lost for the Tide

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Ishmael Sopsher, DT, Amite (La.)

Sopsher has long been considered a battle between LSU and Alabama. It appears his commitment will come with one string attached:

He will go wherever his older brother, Rodney, is also offered. Thus far, LSU and Oregon are the only schools to come through with that offer.

Rodney Sopsher is a JUCO prospect, so a scholarship to him would not have to take up four seasons, like it would for a high schooler. It is notable that as of this writing, Alabama has not offered Ishmael’s brother. Sopsher had a good week at the Under Armour All-America Game practices, though he got banged up in the game.

Alabama and Ole Miss are expected to get visits. He already visited Oregon.

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