Alabama will host an abundance of top talent this weekend for official visits. The Crimson Tide will also have a kicking camp on Saturday. There isn't a high school camp this weekend. It's a good thing since it will give the staff a lot of time to spend with the big group of officials heading to Tuscaloosa.
The official visitors to know
Arch Manning, five-star quarterback from Isidore Newman HS in New Orleans
-Does Alabama still have a legit chance with Manning despite Eli Holstein's commitment? The No. 1 overall player in the country is still visiting, so it should indicate there is at least some interest. He could have easily visited another school without a QB commitment. We'll know more after this weekend if the Tide will remain in-play. Alabama has recruited Manning for a long time and has yet to slow down its pursuit.
Richard Young, No. 2 running back from Lehigh HS in Florida
-Alabama is perceived as the leader for Young, but he has not given any indication of a favorite. Young visited Oklahoma last weekend. He visits Georgia next weekend. Can Alabama create some separation this weekend? He has raved about each trip to Alabama. Young seems to favor the Tide after each trip, but it's a very tight battle.
Kadyn Proctor, five-star offensive tackle from Southeast Polk HS in Pleasant Hill, Iowa
-Offensive line is a priority position for Alabama. It will have several top linemen on campus this weekend including Proctor. He visited last summer. Alabama has treated him like a top priority. Iowa might have the inside track for the in-state recruit, but Alabama is seen as a very legit contender in his recruitment.
Anthony Hill, five-star linebacker from Ryan HS in Denton, Texas
-Alabama has recruited Hill for a very long time. Most expect him to stay closer to home with Texas A&M and Oklahoma very high on his list. Alabama is a darkhorse in his recruitment and can make up some serious ground this weekend.
Francis Mauigoa, No. 3 offensive tackle from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida
-The biggest thing with Mauigoa has been getting him on campus. This is his first trip to Tuscaloosa. Alabama has plenty of success with IMG players especially linemen which has included Evan Neal, JC Latham and Tyler Booker. We will know more about where things stand with the Tide after this weekend.
Raul Aguiree, Rivals100 linebacker from Whitewater HS in Fayetteville, Georgia
-Aguirre visited Alabama in April. We will see if Alabama decides to make a major push after his weekend visit. He visited Florida last weekend, and scheduled to visit Ohio State on June 24-26. A visit to Miami is also in the works.
Wilkin Formby, Rivals100 offensive tackle from Northridge HS in Tuscaloosa
-The local lineman has visited Alabama several times including a few unannounced visits this spring. Formby is a definite take for the Tide. Some believe he will leave the state (Ole Miss is rumored as the favorite), but I don't buy it. I think he will sign with Alabama and a decision may happen sooner rather than later.
Olaus Alinen, four-star offensive tackle from Loomis Chaffee HS in Windsor, Connecticut (by way of Finalnd)
-Alabama has been considered the favorite for Alinen since November. The Finnish lineman will return this weekend with his family. He had a really good trip to Miami this past weekend, and scheduled to visit Ohio State next week. I do think other schools have made it a lot tougher for Alinen in the last few months, but this is when Alabama typically pulls away. Strong chance to wrap things up this weekend, but the plan is to take his remaining visits.
Jacobe Johnson, four-star athlete from Mustang HS in Okahoma
-Very intriguing athlete who seems to really like Alabama after his first trip to Tuscaloosa in April. He measured 6-foot-3, 190-pounds during the visit with the Tide. Alabama is looking at him as a receiver and defensive back. It looks like it might come down between Alabama and Oklahoma for Johnson's signature.
Other news and notes heading into the weekend
-The Crimson Tide will host its only kicking camp of the summer on Saturday. Alabama has yet to offer any kickers in the 2023 class, but expect that to change after this weekend. Alabama wants a kicker in this class. I've heard nine of the top 10 kickers Alabama has identified as potential players who might receive an offer will participate in the camp.
-Alabama commitment Eli Holstein is also in town throughout the weekend on an unofficial visit.
-Colin Simmons, the No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class, is visiting Alabama today (Thursday).
-I have several interviews with players who competed in Alabama's camp on Wednesday that will post within the next 24 hours.
The official visitors to know
Arch Manning, five-star quarterback from Isidore Newman HS in New Orleans
-Does Alabama still have a legit chance with Manning despite Eli Holstein's commitment? The No. 1 overall player in the country is still visiting, so it should indicate there is at least some interest. He could have easily visited another school without a QB commitment. We'll know more after this weekend if the Tide will remain in-play. Alabama has recruited Manning for a long time and has yet to slow down its pursuit.
Richard Young, No. 2 running back from Lehigh HS in Florida
-Alabama is perceived as the leader for Young, but he has not given any indication of a favorite. Young visited Oklahoma last weekend. He visits Georgia next weekend. Can Alabama create some separation this weekend? He has raved about each trip to Alabama. Young seems to favor the Tide after each trip, but it's a very tight battle.
Kadyn Proctor, five-star offensive tackle from Southeast Polk HS in Pleasant Hill, Iowa
-Offensive line is a priority position for Alabama. It will have several top linemen on campus this weekend including Proctor. He visited last summer. Alabama has treated him like a top priority. Iowa might have the inside track for the in-state recruit, but Alabama is seen as a very legit contender in his recruitment.
Anthony Hill, five-star linebacker from Ryan HS in Denton, Texas
-Alabama has recruited Hill for a very long time. Most expect him to stay closer to home with Texas A&M and Oklahoma very high on his list. Alabama is a darkhorse in his recruitment and can make up some serious ground this weekend.
Francis Mauigoa, No. 3 offensive tackle from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida
-The biggest thing with Mauigoa has been getting him on campus. This is his first trip to Tuscaloosa. Alabama has plenty of success with IMG players especially linemen which has included Evan Neal, JC Latham and Tyler Booker. We will know more about where things stand with the Tide after this weekend.
Raul Aguiree, Rivals100 linebacker from Whitewater HS in Fayetteville, Georgia
-Aguirre visited Alabama in April. We will see if Alabama decides to make a major push after his weekend visit. He visited Florida last weekend, and scheduled to visit Ohio State on June 24-26. A visit to Miami is also in the works.
Wilkin Formby, Rivals100 offensive tackle from Northridge HS in Tuscaloosa
-The local lineman has visited Alabama several times including a few unannounced visits this spring. Formby is a definite take for the Tide. Some believe he will leave the state (Ole Miss is rumored as the favorite), but I don't buy it. I think he will sign with Alabama and a decision may happen sooner rather than later.
Olaus Alinen, four-star offensive tackle from Loomis Chaffee HS in Windsor, Connecticut (by way of Finalnd)
-Alabama has been considered the favorite for Alinen since November. The Finnish lineman will return this weekend with his family. He had a really good trip to Miami this past weekend, and scheduled to visit Ohio State next week. I do think other schools have made it a lot tougher for Alinen in the last few months, but this is when Alabama typically pulls away. Strong chance to wrap things up this weekend, but the plan is to take his remaining visits.
Jacobe Johnson, four-star athlete from Mustang HS in Okahoma
-Very intriguing athlete who seems to really like Alabama after his first trip to Tuscaloosa in April. He measured 6-foot-3, 190-pounds during the visit with the Tide. Alabama is looking at him as a receiver and defensive back. It looks like it might come down between Alabama and Oklahoma for Johnson's signature.
Other news and notes heading into the weekend
-The Crimson Tide will host its only kicking camp of the summer on Saturday. Alabama has yet to offer any kickers in the 2023 class, but expect that to change after this weekend. Alabama wants a kicker in this class. I've heard nine of the top 10 kickers Alabama has identified as potential players who might receive an offer will participate in the camp.
-Alabama commitment Eli Holstein is also in town throughout the weekend on an unofficial visit.
-Colin Simmons, the No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class, is visiting Alabama today (Thursday).
-I have several interviews with players who competed in Alabama's camp on Wednesday that will post within the next 24 hours.
