Alabama has two defensive backs committed in the 2016 class- Shyheim Carter, Rivals100 cornerback from Kentwood High School in La., and Joshua Perry, three-star cornerback from Amite High School in La. The two are best friends who live 15 miles apart. Carter committed to Alabama last year, Perry committed to the Crimson Tide on Monday after receiving an offer from Nick Saban at A-Day.
Alabama's defensive backfield has been a strong suit during Nick Saban's tenure in Tuscaloosa. Plenty of stars at cornerback and safety. Top names have included Dre Kirkpatrick, Kareem Jackson, Javier Arenas, Dee Milliner, Mark Barron, HaHa Clinton-Dix and Landon Collins.
The 2014 class featured a pair of five-star signees in Marlon Humphrey and Tony Brown. Talent was once again signed in 2015, and Ronnie Harrison possibly next in line of first round defensive backs from Alabama. He was considered the best DB signed in the class long before he enrolled.
Alabama will look to add more top talent to the defensive backfield. Best guess is likely five.
The next one may come from in-state.
Shawn Jennings, three-star safety from Dadeville High School, is the younger brother of Alabama signee, Anfernee Jennings. He has offers from Alabama and Auburn. Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has turned up the heat lately. He has been considered an Alabama-lock since receiving an offer from the Tide, but Auburn DC Will Muschamp has made him a top priority target for the Tigers.
Alabama remains the favorite for Jennings who might make a decision the next time he visits Tuscaloosa which is at the end of the month. He does not have to attend camp to earn a 'committable offer'. One is on the table now. Alabama is only recruiting him as a safety.
Alabama is in good position with Jacquelle Green, four-star safety from D'Iberville High School in Miss., and Andrew Pryts, four-star safety from Hickory High School in Hermitage, Pa. Green has visited Alabama a few times. He attends the same school as former Crimson Tide star, Kevin Norwood, who has given him a lot of great advice regarding Alabama.
Pryts has been one of Alabama's top safety targets for a while. Nick Saban had a video conference with him two weeks ago. Green and Pryts are expected on campus this summer.
Jared Mayden, four-star cornerback from Sachse High School in Texas, is heavily recruited by Alabama. Billy Napier has done a very good job. Mayden visited Alabama in the spring, and will return this summer. Alabama has signed a defensive back from Texas in the previous three recruiting classes- Deionte Thompson, Kendall Sheffield (2015), Tony Brown (2014), Maurice Smith (2013).
Alabama has a few defensive back targets who can play corner or safety. They also have the same first name. Nigel Warrior, Rivals100 safety from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Ga., and Nigel Knott, four-star safety from Germantown High School in Madison, Miss., are high on the wish list. Both prospects have been seen by Alabama in-person this spring, and have talked with Nick Saban. Warrior's recruitment will likely go the distance. Alabama is considered a top two or three contender. Knott visited Alabama earlier this spring. He is expected to return for summer camp.
There are a few cornerbacks committed elsewhere who remain top targets for the Tide. Alabama expects to get those players on campus this summer. They include Levonta Taylor, five-star and FSU commitment from Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Va., Chauncey Gardner, Rivals100 and Florida commitment from Cocoa High School in Fla. Taylor and Gardner rank as the top two cornerbacks in the country.
Alabama was a finalist for Taylor before he committed to the Seminoles. He has yet to visit Tuscaloosa, but has informed Alabama of a visit. Gardner has expressed high interest in Alabama since receiving an offer from the Tide in April. He is eager to visit, and Alabama hopes they can flip his commitment much like they did with Ronnie Harrison a year ago.
So who are Alabama's top DB targets again? (no order)
Cornerback
Shyheim Carter, Rivals100 from Kentwood High School in La. (Alabama commitment)
Levonta Taylor, five-star from Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Va. (FSU commitment)
Chauncey Gardner, Rivals100 from Cocoa High School in Fla. (Florida commitment)
Jared Mayden, four-star from Sachse High School in Texas
Safety
Joshua Perry, three-star from Amite High School in La. (Alabama commitment)
Andrew Pryts, four-star from Hickory High School in Hermitage, Pa.
Jacquelle Green, four-star from D'Iberville High School in Miss.
Shawn Jennings, three-star safety from Dadeville High School in Ala.
Safety or corner
Nigel Warrior, Rivals100 from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Ga.
Nigel Knott, four-star from Germantown High School in Madison, Miss.
What if all want to commit to Alabama? Which ones have priority?
I know many are wondering who has first priority to commit. It's really not the case. It's more of which players pull the trigger first. Alabama will take the players listed above. All of these players listed are takes by Alabama, but for limited spots. They do not have to audition at camp. They are all defensive back targets.
Alabama's defensive backfield has been a strong suit during Nick Saban's tenure in Tuscaloosa. Plenty of stars at cornerback and safety. Top names have included Dre Kirkpatrick, Kareem Jackson, Javier Arenas, Dee Milliner, Mark Barron, HaHa Clinton-Dix and Landon Collins.
The 2014 class featured a pair of five-star signees in Marlon Humphrey and Tony Brown. Talent was once again signed in 2015, and Ronnie Harrison possibly next in line of first round defensive backs from Alabama. He was considered the best DB signed in the class long before he enrolled.
Alabama will look to add more top talent to the defensive backfield. Best guess is likely five.
The next one may come from in-state.
Shawn Jennings, three-star safety from Dadeville High School, is the younger brother of Alabama signee, Anfernee Jennings. He has offers from Alabama and Auburn. Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has turned up the heat lately. He has been considered an Alabama-lock since receiving an offer from the Tide, but Auburn DC Will Muschamp has made him a top priority target for the Tigers.
Alabama remains the favorite for Jennings who might make a decision the next time he visits Tuscaloosa which is at the end of the month. He does not have to attend camp to earn a 'committable offer'. One is on the table now. Alabama is only recruiting him as a safety.
Alabama is in good position with Jacquelle Green, four-star safety from D'Iberville High School in Miss., and Andrew Pryts, four-star safety from Hickory High School in Hermitage, Pa. Green has visited Alabama a few times. He attends the same school as former Crimson Tide star, Kevin Norwood, who has given him a lot of great advice regarding Alabama.
Pryts has been one of Alabama's top safety targets for a while. Nick Saban had a video conference with him two weeks ago. Green and Pryts are expected on campus this summer.
Jared Mayden, four-star cornerback from Sachse High School in Texas, is heavily recruited by Alabama. Billy Napier has done a very good job. Mayden visited Alabama in the spring, and will return this summer. Alabama has signed a defensive back from Texas in the previous three recruiting classes- Deionte Thompson, Kendall Sheffield (2015), Tony Brown (2014), Maurice Smith (2013).
Alabama has a few defensive back targets who can play corner or safety. They also have the same first name. Nigel Warrior, Rivals100 safety from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Ga., and Nigel Knott, four-star safety from Germantown High School in Madison, Miss., are high on the wish list. Both prospects have been seen by Alabama in-person this spring, and have talked with Nick Saban. Warrior's recruitment will likely go the distance. Alabama is considered a top two or three contender. Knott visited Alabama earlier this spring. He is expected to return for summer camp.
There are a few cornerbacks committed elsewhere who remain top targets for the Tide. Alabama expects to get those players on campus this summer. They include Levonta Taylor, five-star and FSU commitment from Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Va., Chauncey Gardner, Rivals100 and Florida commitment from Cocoa High School in Fla. Taylor and Gardner rank as the top two cornerbacks in the country.
Alabama was a finalist for Taylor before he committed to the Seminoles. He has yet to visit Tuscaloosa, but has informed Alabama of a visit. Gardner has expressed high interest in Alabama since receiving an offer from the Tide in April. He is eager to visit, and Alabama hopes they can flip his commitment much like they did with Ronnie Harrison a year ago.
So who are Alabama's top DB targets again? (no order)
Cornerback
Shyheim Carter, Rivals100 from Kentwood High School in La. (Alabama commitment)
Levonta Taylor, five-star from Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Va. (FSU commitment)
Chauncey Gardner, Rivals100 from Cocoa High School in Fla. (Florida commitment)
Jared Mayden, four-star from Sachse High School in Texas
Safety
Joshua Perry, three-star from Amite High School in La. (Alabama commitment)
Andrew Pryts, four-star from Hickory High School in Hermitage, Pa.
Jacquelle Green, four-star from D'Iberville High School in Miss.
Shawn Jennings, three-star safety from Dadeville High School in Ala.
Safety or corner
Nigel Warrior, Rivals100 from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Ga.
Nigel Knott, four-star from Germantown High School in Madison, Miss.
What if all want to commit to Alabama? Which ones have priority?
I know many are wondering who has first priority to commit. It's really not the case. It's more of which players pull the trigger first. Alabama will take the players listed above. All of these players listed are takes by Alabama, but for limited spots. They do not have to audition at camp. They are all defensive back targets.
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