Alabama will host its second 'official' Junior Day this weekend! We will have plenty of updates throughout the next several days. Below are some of the biggest storylines to follow + list of confirmed recruits attending the event. I am sure more names will get added.
Cormani McClain, five-star CB from Lake Gibson HS in Lakeland, Florida
Malik Bryant, Rivals100 LB from Jones HS in Orlando, Florida
Jahlil Hurley, Rivals100 DB from Florence HS in Alabama (Alabama commitment)
Peter Woods, Rivals100 DE from Thompson HS in Alabaster, Alabama
Tony Mitchell, Rivals100 CB from Thompson HS in Alabaster, Alabama
Jalen Hale, Rivals100 WR from Longview HS in Texas
Bravion Rogers, Rivals100 CB from LaGrange HS in Texas
Eli Holstein, Rivals100 QB from Zachary HS in Louisiana (Texas A&M commitment)
Aaron Williams, four-star CB from Centennial HS in Corona, California
Elliot Washington, four-star CB from Venice HS in Florida (Alabama commitment)
Daylen Austin, four-star CB from Poly HS in Long Beach, California
Bryson Rogers, four-star WR from Wiregrass HS in Wesley Chapel. Florida
Yhonzae Pierre, four-star OLB from Eufaula HS in Alabama
Cole Adams, four-star WR from Owasso HS in Oklahoma
Branden Strozier, four-star CB from St. Francis School in Alpharetta, Georgia
Eugene Wilson, four-star ATH from Gaither HS in Tampa
Kalib Hicks, three-star RB from Ryan HS in Denton, Texas
Dijon Johnson, three-star CB from Wharton HS in Tampa, Florida
Dontavius Russell, three-star RB from Washington County HS in Sandersville, Georgia
Tyree Adams, three-star OT from St. Augustine HS in New Orleans
Bryce Thornton, three-star ATH from Milton HS in Alpharetta, Georgia
John Slaughter, three-star S from Southhaven HS in Mississippi
Kelton Henderson, ATH from Lehigh HS in Lehigh Acres, Florida
Ellis Robinson, 2024 four-star CB from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida
Aydin Breland, 2024 four-star DL from Mater Dei HS in Santa Ana, California
Jacob Smith, 2024 four-star DE from Loomis School in Windsor, Connecticut
Jerod Smith, 2024 DE from Loomis School in Windsor, Connecticut
Will the Tide make a move for the No.1 DB
Alabama is heavily involved with several elite defensive back targets. It has a pair of DB commitments in Jahlil Hurley and Elliott Washington. I expect Alabama will try and sign 5-6 DBs in the 2023 class. Cormani McClain is right at the top of the Tide's wish list The top schools on his current list include Alabama, BYU, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon. McClain visited Georgia in late January and many see the Bulldogs are the current front-runner in his recruitment.
McClain has a very strong relationship with new Alabama DBs coach Travaris Robinson who spent the last year recruiting him for Miami. He will re-connect with TRob this weekend as the Crimson Tide look to make a lasting impression on the five-star during his weekend trip. This is a great opportunity for Alabama to make a major move for the high priority target.
What's happening with Tony Mitchell?
Alabama appeared as the heavy favorite for Mitchell throughout the fall after several trips to Tuscaloosa. Alabama now has two DB commitments on its board and several other highly regarded targets in the fold. There has been some debate on which position Mitchell will play in the secondary. Alabama has expressed heavy interest in Mitchell for the last two years, but will have to make tough decisions in the coming months as to which remaining DB recruits to prioritize. That's what Alabama is trying to do with a TON of DBs visiting the Tide's campus for Junior Days. spring visits, the A-Day game and all the camps in June.
Mitchell has enjoyed visits elsewhere including Florida, Georgia and Texas A&M. Mitchell is a highly rated in-state recruit. That's what most will focus on and if he decides to go elsewhere. However, Alabama is going to push for players it believes has the best chance to make an impact in its program. It will need to make a decision if Mitchell is one of those players. There is a high number of DB targets, several with Alabama in their top 2-3, a new DBs coach (TRob) who is also known as an elite recruiter and spots are limited. Alabama has always liked Mitchell. We might know a little bit more after this weekend if it will crank things up a notch with the Thompson HS star.
Will we see any commitments?
Those who follow Alabama recruiting closely know it's pretty rare for the Tide to add multiple commitments during Junior Days, but you never know what may happen. There are a few players to keep a close eye on this weekend.
Ryqueze McElderry: The in-state lineman also attended Alabama's Junior Day on January 29. Alabama was trending in the right direction for the UGA commitment prior to Matt Luke stepping down as the OL coach. I will not be surprised if McElderry flips or re-opens his recruitment after this weekend.
Peter Woods: Alabama has been considered the heavy favorite for the elite defensive end since the start of his recruitment. Woods has yet to indicate when he will decide, but it will not surprise anyone if he jumps on board this weekend.
Ellis Robinson: This one is a little bit of a wildcard, but the Tide might add its first commitment in the 2024 class from Robinson. He is arguably the top cornerback in the 2024 class. Alabama is his dream school, and is a strong lean to the Crimson Tide.
More quick hitters
-Will Texas A&M commitment Eli Holstein show? The Rivals100 QB told BamaInsider in late January of his plans to attend the the Tide's Junior Day. Holstein did not confirm those plans this week. (Friday update: Holstein is expected to visit).
-Alabama has been very high on Malik Bryant, the No.1 OLB in the country, for a long time. Can this be a momentum changing visit for the top 20 national recruit?
-Bryson Rogers is taking his fourth visit to Alabama this weekend. He attended camp last summer and also visited Tuscaloosa twice during the season.
-The Crimson Tide appears very high on Cole Adams and Kalib Hicks. These guys may not be household names just yet, but definitely targets to follow. Alabama likes what they have seen so far. This weekend will give the Tide another evaluation opportunity as far as height/weight, getting to know them more, etc...
-I am very intrigued to see if Alabama makes a big push for either of the two DBs from California- Aaron Williams and Daylen Austin. I expect Alabama to sign 5-6 DBs in this class. It already has two, Jahlil Hurley and Elliot Washington. Hurley and Washington will return to Tuscaloosa this weekend. Several other DBs including Cormani McClain and Tony Mitchell will also be in town.
-The Tide will also host two of the best athletes from the Lone Star State in Jalen Hale and Bravion Rogers. Alabama is on the short list with Hale. We will know a little more regarding Rogers after this weekend.
-Alabama has expressed a lot of interest in in-state edge rusher/OLB Yhonzae Pierre. I think Alabama will likely wait a little bit longer before it makes a push for him to commit, but definitely one who could easily end up in the Tide's class.
Cormani McClain, five-star CB from Lake Gibson HS in Lakeland, Florida
Malik Bryant, Rivals100 LB from Jones HS in Orlando, Florida
Jahlil Hurley, Rivals100 DB from Florence HS in Alabama (Alabama commitment)
Peter Woods, Rivals100 DE from Thompson HS in Alabaster, Alabama
Tony Mitchell, Rivals100 CB from Thompson HS in Alabaster, Alabama
Jalen Hale, Rivals100 WR from Longview HS in Texas
Bravion Rogers, Rivals100 CB from LaGrange HS in Texas
Eli Holstein, Rivals100 QB from Zachary HS in Louisiana (Texas A&M commitment)
Aaron Williams, four-star CB from Centennial HS in Corona, California
Elliot Washington, four-star CB from Venice HS in Florida (Alabama commitment)
Daylen Austin, four-star CB from Poly HS in Long Beach, California
Bryson Rogers, four-star WR from Wiregrass HS in Wesley Chapel. Florida
Yhonzae Pierre, four-star OLB from Eufaula HS in Alabama
Cole Adams, four-star WR from Owasso HS in Oklahoma
Branden Strozier, four-star CB from St. Francis School in Alpharetta, Georgia
Eugene Wilson, four-star ATH from Gaither HS in Tampa
Kalib Hicks, three-star RB from Ryan HS in Denton, Texas
Dijon Johnson, three-star CB from Wharton HS in Tampa, Florida
Dontavius Russell, three-star RB from Washington County HS in Sandersville, Georgia
Tyree Adams, three-star OT from St. Augustine HS in New Orleans
Bryce Thornton, three-star ATH from Milton HS in Alpharetta, Georgia
John Slaughter, three-star S from Southhaven HS in Mississippi
Kelton Henderson, ATH from Lehigh HS in Lehigh Acres, Florida
Ellis Robinson, 2024 four-star CB from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida
Aydin Breland, 2024 four-star DL from Mater Dei HS in Santa Ana, California
Jacob Smith, 2024 four-star DE from Loomis School in Windsor, Connecticut
Jerod Smith, 2024 DE from Loomis School in Windsor, Connecticut
Will the Tide make a move for the No.1 DB
Alabama is heavily involved with several elite defensive back targets. It has a pair of DB commitments in Jahlil Hurley and Elliott Washington. I expect Alabama will try and sign 5-6 DBs in the 2023 class. Cormani McClain is right at the top of the Tide's wish list The top schools on his current list include Alabama, BYU, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon. McClain visited Georgia in late January and many see the Bulldogs are the current front-runner in his recruitment.
McClain has a very strong relationship with new Alabama DBs coach Travaris Robinson who spent the last year recruiting him for Miami. He will re-connect with TRob this weekend as the Crimson Tide look to make a lasting impression on the five-star during his weekend trip. This is a great opportunity for Alabama to make a major move for the high priority target.
What's happening with Tony Mitchell?
Alabama appeared as the heavy favorite for Mitchell throughout the fall after several trips to Tuscaloosa. Alabama now has two DB commitments on its board and several other highly regarded targets in the fold. There has been some debate on which position Mitchell will play in the secondary. Alabama has expressed heavy interest in Mitchell for the last two years, but will have to make tough decisions in the coming months as to which remaining DB recruits to prioritize. That's what Alabama is trying to do with a TON of DBs visiting the Tide's campus for Junior Days. spring visits, the A-Day game and all the camps in June.
Mitchell has enjoyed visits elsewhere including Florida, Georgia and Texas A&M. Mitchell is a highly rated in-state recruit. That's what most will focus on and if he decides to go elsewhere. However, Alabama is going to push for players it believes has the best chance to make an impact in its program. It will need to make a decision if Mitchell is one of those players. There is a high number of DB targets, several with Alabama in their top 2-3, a new DBs coach (TRob) who is also known as an elite recruiter and spots are limited. Alabama has always liked Mitchell. We might know a little bit more after this weekend if it will crank things up a notch with the Thompson HS star.
Will we see any commitments?
Those who follow Alabama recruiting closely know it's pretty rare for the Tide to add multiple commitments during Junior Days, but you never know what may happen. There are a few players to keep a close eye on this weekend.
Ryqueze McElderry: The in-state lineman also attended Alabama's Junior Day on January 29. Alabama was trending in the right direction for the UGA commitment prior to Matt Luke stepping down as the OL coach. I will not be surprised if McElderry flips or re-opens his recruitment after this weekend.
Peter Woods: Alabama has been considered the heavy favorite for the elite defensive end since the start of his recruitment. Woods has yet to indicate when he will decide, but it will not surprise anyone if he jumps on board this weekend.
Ellis Robinson: This one is a little bit of a wildcard, but the Tide might add its first commitment in the 2024 class from Robinson. He is arguably the top cornerback in the 2024 class. Alabama is his dream school, and is a strong lean to the Crimson Tide.
More quick hitters
-Will Texas A&M commitment Eli Holstein show? The Rivals100 QB told BamaInsider in late January of his plans to attend the the Tide's Junior Day. Holstein did not confirm those plans this week. (Friday update: Holstein is expected to visit).
-Alabama has been very high on Malik Bryant, the No.1 OLB in the country, for a long time. Can this be a momentum changing visit for the top 20 national recruit?
-Bryson Rogers is taking his fourth visit to Alabama this weekend. He attended camp last summer and also visited Tuscaloosa twice during the season.
-The Crimson Tide appears very high on Cole Adams and Kalib Hicks. These guys may not be household names just yet, but definitely targets to follow. Alabama likes what they have seen so far. This weekend will give the Tide another evaluation opportunity as far as height/weight, getting to know them more, etc...
-I am very intrigued to see if Alabama makes a big push for either of the two DBs from California- Aaron Williams and Daylen Austin. I expect Alabama to sign 5-6 DBs in this class. It already has two, Jahlil Hurley and Elliot Washington. Hurley and Washington will return to Tuscaloosa this weekend. Several other DBs including Cormani McClain and Tony Mitchell will also be in town.
-The Tide will also host two of the best athletes from the Lone Star State in Jalen Hale and Bravion Rogers. Alabama is on the short list with Hale. We will know a little more regarding Rogers after this weekend.
-Alabama has expressed a lot of interest in in-state edge rusher/OLB Yhonzae Pierre. I think Alabama will likely wait a little bit longer before it makes a push for him to commit, but definitely one who could easily end up in the Tide's class.
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