It seems Alabama was almost in this same situation a year ago. Several wide receivers were favoring Alabama at this point. It seemed like the Crimson Tide would have 4-5 signees at the position. T.J. Simmons was the lone commitment, but Alabama was considered the leader or top two for Cavin (Riley) Ridley (Georgia), Mykel Jones (Oklahoma), Keith Gavin (FSU), Tyler Simmons (Georgia) and Ahmmon Richards (Miami), Trevon Diggs (Alabama). Alabama ended up with only two. That will change this year.
When it comes to wide receiver recruiting it comes down to Nick Saban, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and wide receivers coach Billy Napier. They make the decision on which recruits to target, and eventually take.
Alabama is recruiting several targets. Do they take all they targets they are recruiting? No. There is an order. Sometimes it's hard to explain the order. Schools like Alabama, among many other programs, don't want the order to get out to the public or to recruits. Some down the list wouldn't like knowing they are not a take now, but down the road in case someone goes elsewhere.
This all being said, I'm going to tell you all where the focus lies at least for the next month. This doesn't mean it's necessarily the order. It's just where the focus is because Alabama has recruited these guys for so long, and want them in the class.
For several months Alabama has focused on Jerry Jeudy, Rivals100 WR from Deerfield Beach High School in Florida, DeVonta Smith, Rivals100 WR from Amite High School in Louisiana and Henry Ruggs, four-star WR from Lee High School in Montgomery. Nothing has changed.
Other four and five-star receivers have started showing more interest in Alabama with recent visits to Tuscaloosa. It changed absolutely nothing in regards to Alabama's recruiting efforts of the three mentioned.
Ruggs may have delayed his August 1 decision date. It doesn't mean he is not announcing in August. Expect him to still announce at some point in the next month with Alabama remaining the favorite for his commitment.
DeVonta Smith will announce on August 15. Yes, he took a surprise visit to LSU. Yes, they are now in his top three along with Alabama and Miami. Alabama remains in very good shape here, and should land his commitment next month.
Jeudy was in Tuscaloosa from Monday through Friday. Yes, he missed the cook-out to attend Florida's Friday Night Lights camp. Would you rather had him on campus for five days or one evening? Many expect Jeudy to announce before the season.
The Alabama coaching staff feels great about where they stand with all three prospects. All three will likely be on Alabama's commitment list prior to the season.
Now where does Alabama go from here? Will they take five wide receivers in this year's class? They have Tyrell Shavers (6-6, 205) on board. Commitments from Smith, Ruggs and Jeudy would put them at four. Alabama is going to try to take the best players available. Sure they would love to sign five receivers. They would love to sign 10 if possible. There are other position coaches fighting for their targets too (I'll break down more in the next Insider Report).
Alabama is going to see where they are at the end of August with commitments. There are some big names out there who have high interest in Alabama.
Mark Webb, Rivals100 wide receiver from Archbishop Wood Catholic in Warminster, Pennsylvania, and Jeff Thomas, Rivals100 wide receiver from East St. Louis High School in Illinois, have named Alabama as their favorite.
Tarik Black, four-star wide receiver from Cheshire Academy in Connecticut and Jamire Calvin, four-star wide receiver from Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, will return for an official visit.
Nico Collins, five-star wide receiver from Clay-Chalkville High School in Alabama, will also still take an official visit to Alabama despite Michigan as his current favorite.
Opinions are always welcomed as to which players fans want/hope Alabama will sign. This is a breakdown of where things stand as of today. Alabama coaches want to have Smith, Jeudy and Ruggs wrapped up before the season starts, and it is very likely to happen.
When it comes to wide receiver recruiting it comes down to Nick Saban, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and wide receivers coach Billy Napier. They make the decision on which recruits to target, and eventually take.
Alabama is recruiting several targets. Do they take all they targets they are recruiting? No. There is an order. Sometimes it's hard to explain the order. Schools like Alabama, among many other programs, don't want the order to get out to the public or to recruits. Some down the list wouldn't like knowing they are not a take now, but down the road in case someone goes elsewhere.
This all being said, I'm going to tell you all where the focus lies at least for the next month. This doesn't mean it's necessarily the order. It's just where the focus is because Alabama has recruited these guys for so long, and want them in the class.
For several months Alabama has focused on Jerry Jeudy, Rivals100 WR from Deerfield Beach High School in Florida, DeVonta Smith, Rivals100 WR from Amite High School in Louisiana and Henry Ruggs, four-star WR from Lee High School in Montgomery. Nothing has changed.
Other four and five-star receivers have started showing more interest in Alabama with recent visits to Tuscaloosa. It changed absolutely nothing in regards to Alabama's recruiting efforts of the three mentioned.
Ruggs may have delayed his August 1 decision date. It doesn't mean he is not announcing in August. Expect him to still announce at some point in the next month with Alabama remaining the favorite for his commitment.
DeVonta Smith will announce on August 15. Yes, he took a surprise visit to LSU. Yes, they are now in his top three along with Alabama and Miami. Alabama remains in very good shape here, and should land his commitment next month.
Jeudy was in Tuscaloosa from Monday through Friday. Yes, he missed the cook-out to attend Florida's Friday Night Lights camp. Would you rather had him on campus for five days or one evening? Many expect Jeudy to announce before the season.
The Alabama coaching staff feels great about where they stand with all three prospects. All three will likely be on Alabama's commitment list prior to the season.
Now where does Alabama go from here? Will they take five wide receivers in this year's class? They have Tyrell Shavers (6-6, 205) on board. Commitments from Smith, Ruggs and Jeudy would put them at four. Alabama is going to try to take the best players available. Sure they would love to sign five receivers. They would love to sign 10 if possible. There are other position coaches fighting for their targets too (I'll break down more in the next Insider Report).
Alabama is going to see where they are at the end of August with commitments. There are some big names out there who have high interest in Alabama.
Mark Webb, Rivals100 wide receiver from Archbishop Wood Catholic in Warminster, Pennsylvania, and Jeff Thomas, Rivals100 wide receiver from East St. Louis High School in Illinois, have named Alabama as their favorite.
Tarik Black, four-star wide receiver from Cheshire Academy in Connecticut and Jamire Calvin, four-star wide receiver from Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, will return for an official visit.
Nico Collins, five-star wide receiver from Clay-Chalkville High School in Alabama, will also still take an official visit to Alabama despite Michigan as his current favorite.
Opinions are always welcomed as to which players fans want/hope Alabama will sign. This is a breakdown of where things stand as of today. Alabama coaches want to have Smith, Jeudy and Ruggs wrapped up before the season starts, and it is very likely to happen.
