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

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It was around this time last year that three-star edge defender Andres Fox’s recruitment took off with the likes of Alabama, Auburn, LSU and many others joining the race for the Mobile (Ala.) Christian product.

Another Mobile standout in Desmond Little could soon see the same type of rise with several schools showing interest.

The three-star defensive end from Vigor reported an Alabama offer last spring, but says he has not heard much from the staff since Jeremy Pruitt left for Tennessee. That will change this weekend, however, as Little plans to visit Tuscaloosa for Junior Day on Saturday.

UA head coach Nick Saban was in at Vigor last month, but contact rules don’t permit coaches from speaking with underclassmen off campus.

The 6-foot-6, 214-pounder says he grew up an Alabama fan, and would certainly welcome renewed interest from the Capstone.

“I’d say like if you go to Alabama, and start, you’re going to the next level no matter what,” Little said.

Other programs like LSU, South Carolina and Tennessee have offered, with more likely to come this spring. After this weekend, Little will visit Baton Rouge on March 3.

“To get a degree and get an education, but I really just want to play football,” Little said of what’s most important to him when looking at programs.

Little is rated the No. 37 weak-side defensive end and the No. 556 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

The Tide holds the lone Crystal Ball prediction for Little as it stands.

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IN HIS OWN WORDS…

“There are a lot of schools recruiting me really hard right now,” Crouch said. “I kind of like Tennessee and Clemson. I have a really good relationship with the Clemson running backs coach, coach Elliott. At Tennessee, I like coach Pruitt and I feel like they have something going. There a lot of new faces up there from other places.

“I like South Carolina and I have a really good relationship with coach Bentley,” he said. “I always have. They just got a new offensive coordinator and I think he can make something happen. This year will tell a lot about South Carolina and what they can do.

“I talk to Alabama a little bit,” said Crouch. “I’ve been keeping my eyes out for them because that’s running back university. I like Alabama but I need to get back down there.

“I like Michigan too,” he said. “Some schools are telling me I can play on both sides of the ball. I could play defense and have a package at running back so the other way. It’ll be interesting though because as a running back you take a lot of hits and may not last as long.

“I like North Carolina,” Crouch said. “I was up there for my birthday. I have a good relationship with the coaches and they aren’t too far away from home.

“There are a lot of schools I want to go see still,” he said. “Maybe I can get out west and go see Stanford and some of those schools. I might get down to Auburn too. I want to get on as many campuses as possible. I don’t have any visits planned right now but I might go to Georgia this weekend.”

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Alabama finished 7th in the recruiting rankings in the 2018 class, but expect the Crimson Tide to be back on top in 2019. SEC Country’s Chris Kirschner will answer the Recruiting Question of the Day each weekday. You can ask him your questions on  Twitter or Facebook. Find our previous questions and answers  here.

I’ll preface this by reminding people that this is just a projection and in no way an official breakdown of the class size, because Alabama may still not be finished numbers wise in the 2018 class by adding graduate transfers on scholarship, so this could totally change.

But this is how I see the class size and numbers for the 2019 class:

QB–2 RB–2 WR–2 TE–1 OL–4
DL–5 LB–3 Jack–2 DB–3 PK–1

That’s a class size of 25. Again, more could be added if Alabama doesn’t end up taking any graduate transfers on scholarship. I think the team will take at least one in quarterback Gardner Minshew. And the Tide could take at least one defensive lineman.

If that happens, to my understanding, Alabama would be able to sign 26 players in the 2019 class because the Tide currently have three open spots after signing only 19 players in the 2018 class. But, remember, three players from the 2017 class counted against Alabama in the 2018 class (Hunter Brannon, Joseph Bulovas and Jarez Parks). That technically gives Alabama a 2018 class size of 22. That’s where the three additional spots come into play as the Tide didn’t reach the 25 signee limit.

Alabama needs to focus on getting quality defensive linemen and linebackers this class. Those are two areas the team missed on in the 2018 class. That’s why I currently have 10 spots taken by defensive linemen, linebackers and Jack linebackers (weakside defensive ends/outside linebackers).

The Tide will attempt to sign two quarterbacks and two running backs. I’m confident in those numbers. The wide receiver class will be small because the team will return all of the key players heading into the following season. Alabama tries to sign a tight end every class, so that’s why I have one down.

I see the offensive line class shaping up like this: 5-star tackle Pierce Quick, 5-star center Clay Webb, 4-star tackle Amari Kight, all of whom are from Alabama, and then one out-of-state player. Perhaps someone such as 5-star tackle Darnell Wright.

The defensive back group won’t be that big of a class. Maybe one true safety and two corners.

Alabama will sign a kicker. Will Reichard is the nation’s No. 3 kicker. He goes to Hoover (Ala.) High School.

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