Alabama will have the second-best signing class in 2024; this will be the lowest-ranked Tide class since 2018.
Even though Alabama football’s 2024 recruiting cycle isn’t over, the early signing window closes on Friday, capping a hectic week. How successful were the Crimson Tide before the focus shifted back to the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl?
The letter of intent, signed by twenty-three players, was turned in to the UA offices in Tuscaloosa. There are eight four-star, thirteen three-star, and two five-star properties. About 19 players, according to Saban, have already joined the squad for practices; players won’t be eligible until the following fall. Ryan Williams, a Saraland athlete who will sign a contract in February, is the most notable absentee.
After Georiga, Alabama is ranked second nationally by 247Sports, taking into account Williams’ five-star status. The top players in each class are given more weight in 247Sports’ bell-shaped evaluation system for teams signing new players. In the end, the Tide scored 300.75 while the Bulldogs scored 315.22.
Although the media’s analysis won’t probably matter in UA coaches’ offices (and it shouldn’t), Alabama would receive its lowest score in five years, having been rated 289.94 in 2018. Among those in that group were Jayln Waddle and Patrick Surtain II.
Brandon Huffman of CBS Sports said, “Well, look who shone on signing day.” The Crimson Tide moved up to the top of the rankings, extending their yearly rivalry off the field with Georgia for another season. As the star of the class, five-star quarterback Julian Sayin has been committed for a long time and was never considered to transfer. However, Alabama’s real damage comes from player flips, and this was evident on Wednesday. Four-star RB Kevin Riley from Miami and four-star ATH Aeryn Hampton from Texas were traded by the Tide.
Paul Myerberg of USA Today writes, “Sayin, from Carlsbad, California, rejected over twenty-two offers, many of which came from the Crimson Tide’s most formidable SEC rivals, before deciding on Alabama.” Sayin will have a chance to become familiar with the system in a backup capacity, maybe playing in four or more games, with Jalen Milroe’s decision to come back in 2024. In his second year on campus, he will compete for the starting position. Five-star cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe, one of the best players in the state, was also added by the Tide.
Bill Bender of The Sporting News: “The recruiting game is still called the same, even though the rules have changed.” The three universities that excel at accumulating talent are Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State. For the past five years, only these three schools have put together recruiting classes ranked in the top five. That hasn’t changed despite the recruiting calendar, transfer portal, and NIL.
Nick Kelly of The Tuscaloosa News: “The Crimson Tide had another outstanding class. Even though it’s not as good as the class that featured nine five-star prospects the previous season, it’s still a respectable haul on the first day of the early signing period, and there are still more to come.
