Alabama football isn’t done in the 2024 recruiting cycle, yet a busy week concludes Friday as the early signing window closes. Before attention pivots back to the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl, how successful was the Crimson Tide?
Twenty-three players signed their letter of intent and submitted it to UA’s offices in Tuscaloosa. There are two five-stars, eight four-stars and 13 three-stars. Saban estimated about 19 have already joined the team in practices (players won’t be eligible till next fall). The most notable absence is Saraland athlete Ryan Williams, who will put pen to paper in February.
While the analysis of the media likely won’t matter within the offices of UA coaches (and it shouldn’t), Alabama’s score would be the lowest in five years, when it was rated 289.94 in 2018. That group included Patrick Surtain II and Jayln Waddle, among others.
CBS Sports – Brandon Huffman: “Well, look who shined on signing day. The Crimson Tide rose from fourth to second in the rankings, keeping their annual off-field rivalry with the Georgia in play for yet another cycle. Five-star QB Julian Sayin, a longtime commit, was never in play to go elsewhere as the headliner of the class. But where Alabama really does damage is in flipping players, and Wednesday was no different. The Tide flipped four-star RB Kevin Riley from Miami and four-star ATH Aeryn Hampton from Texas.”
USA Today – Paul Myerberg: “Sayin, from Carlsbad, California, chose Alabama over two dozen additional offers, many from the Crimson Tide’s biggest rivals in the SEC. With Jalen Milroe opting to return in 2024, Sayin will have an opportunity to learn the system in a backup role, potentially playing in four or more games, before battling for the starting job in his second year on campus. The Tide also brought in one of the top talents in the state in five-star cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe.”
The Tuscaloosa News – Nick Kelly: “Another strong class for the Crimson Tide. It’s not at the same ridiculously elite level as the class that included nine five-star prospects a season ago, but it’s still a good haul on the first day of the early signing period with more to come.”