re: 2020 FB Recruiting & Roster

Demetric Warren did CB Jalen Milroe to Bama, but not Gabe Brooks, who is 247's lead analyst expert for Milroe's recruitment. Brooks' CB for Milroe is Foggy, not Bama. Idk if Warren's CB is significant. He is an Ole Miss mod and OM hasn't offered Milroe, so he may just be following suit with Hank's and Roach's CBs.

Think we can safely remove Drake Maye from the target list. He seems like another Tebow case. Can't imagine he'll go anywhere but UNC.

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247Sports national analyst Charles Power reviewed the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder's performance:

"Javon Baker is very strong-handed, he runs good routes, I’d say now he’s more of a possession receiver who’s going to get most of his separation through routes, much more so than top-end speed. Top-end speed is definitely a thing he’s going to need to work on and improve. My comparison for him is Riley Ridley, I think their games are pretty similar in terms of their physical attributes. I thought he was good from the games where I watched him play."

Baker is rated the No. 32 wide receiver and the No. 172 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Rankings.

The Tide commit is still fielding interest from other programs like Arkansas, Georgia Tech, LSU, and Ohio State, but reaffirmed his commitment to Alabama at the event. Baker plans to return to Tuscaloosa later this month for the Tide's second recruiting cookout of the summer.

For a more in-depth Alabama recruiting breakdown following The Opening Finals, listen to the Built by BamaOnLine Podcast below.

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247Sports compares the Peach State standout to former Alabama star Eddie Jackson:

"Has a muscled, but lean build. Possesses, long, developed arms with room to add weight in his midsection and lower body. An all-around skilled football player who effects the game in all three phases. Has a dynamic, playmaking presence in the back half, showing the ability to read routes and the quarterback in jumping routes and making plays on the ball. Closes quickly in defending underneath routes. A skilled receiver who has Power Five talent at that position, as well. Has strong ball skills with the ability to track over his shoulder and pluck the ball out of the air. Shows ability in the open field, with speed and change of direction whether it's as a receiver, on special teams or on interception returns. Can continue improving his take-on skills and form as a tackler as he tends to grab and sling at times. Projects as a multi-year starter at the Power Five level with the upside of developing into an all-league performer and high round NFL Draft pick." -- Charles Power

As for his recruitment, Branch maintains a firm pledge to the Crimson Tide. He has remained open to taking visits elsewhere, including an official visit to Georgia Tech last month. "My commitment is solid," he recently told BamaOnLine.

Branch took two visits to Tuscaloosa in the month of June. He plans to return to the Capstone several more times, including an official visit scheduled for the LSU game this November.

The Georgia native is one of four defensive backs currently in the Tide's 2020 class. The others are: Malachi Moore, Jahquez Robinson and Javier Morton. Bama remains after several defensive backs in the cycle, including Kristian Story, Xavion Alford, Joel Williams, Nadab Joseph, Antonio Johnson, and Elias Ricks, among others.

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Way too Early Mock Class (28; 1 grayshirt)

Quarterbacks (2)
4* QB Bryce Young 5-11/183 CA hudl
4* ATH Kristian Story 6-1/206 AL hudl

Running Backs (2)
4* RB Roydell Williams 5-10/202 AL hudl
5* RB Zachary Evans 5-11/200 TX hudl

Wide Receivers (5)
4* WR Thaiu Jones-Bell 5-11/187 FL hudl
4* WR Traeshon Holden 6-3/195 CA hudl *
4* WR Arian Smith 6-1/170 FL hudl
4* WR Xzavier Henderson 6-3.5/180 FL hudl
4* WR Kayshon Boutte 5-10 175 LA hudl
or 4* WR Javon Baker 6-1/190 GA hudl

Tight Ends (2)
5* TE/OLB Drew Sanders 6-5/222 TX hudl
5* ATH Darnell Washington 6-7.5/261 NV hudl
or 5* ATH Arik Gilbert 6-5.5/253 GA hudl

Offensive Line (3; 1 grayshirt)
3* OC Seth McLaughlin 6-4/270 GA hudl (GS)
3* OG Xavier Hill 6-3/325 MS hudl
3* OT Damieon George 6-6.5/348 TX hudl

Defensive Line (3)
5* DE Jordan Burch 6-5/250 SC hudl
4* DL Jaquelin Roy 6-3.5/289 LA hudl
4* DT Jacobian Guillory 6-2/331 LA hudl *
or 4* DT McKinnley Jackson 6-2/327 MS hudl

Linebackers (6)
4* ILB Demouy Kennedy 6-2/204 AL hudl *
4* ILB Jackson Bratton 6-3/225 AL hudl
5* ILB Justin Flowe 6-2/225 CA hudl
or 4* ILB Jordan Banks 6-1/228 CA hudl
5* OLB Chris Braswell 6-3/220 MD hudl
4* OLB Quan' Robinson 6-4.5/217 AL hudl
4* OLB Will Anderson 6-3/233 GA hudl

Defensive Backs (5)
4* S/CB/WR Brian Branch 6-0/182 GA hudl
4* S/NB Xavion Alford 6-0.5/188 TX hudl
4* CB/S Malachi Moore 6-0/180 AL hudl
4* CB Nadab Joseph 6-2/180 Juco hudl
5* CB Elias Ricks 6-2/192 IMG/CA hudl *
or 4* CB Jahquez Robinson 6-1.5/185 FL hudl *

Yeah, it's obviously a very optimistic mock class. But, Bama actually is "in it" for everyone listed.

I've seen some chatter that Bama isn't recruiting Jermaine Burton very hard, but I'm not convinced that's actually true.

Story announces July 18th and it appears he's a take -- very versatile: DB, WR, APB, QB, Wildcat.

Our 2019-class OL haul makes it hard to land elite OLs in this cycle, but we also don't need to. OL is a developmental position and those 3 have great upside. We can redshirt them and develop them into excellent players.

ETA: Hill, George and JRob are pretty likely to become 4-stars and Young a 5-star. There's also a pretty decent chance for Boutte, QRob and Roy to become 5-stars.

ETA: I keep tabs on what Hank, Tim and insiders post, but they also can't/don't post everything they've heard. And I can't repeat everything they say because it's VIP content, but their "chatter" does help me to keep our Top Targets "board" (1st post) reasonably accurate.

ETA: I'm only speculating that Seth McLaughlin may be willing to grayshirt if needed. I haven't seen any chatter about it.

Tidal, what happened between Story and the barn. He lives in their back yard and doesn't even have them listed.

Missing Joel Williams on there. Seems like everything I have read has him wanting to commit