Alabama Crimson Tide Football Recruiting Update: Final Weekend

We are in the home stretch with the last weekend that colleges can host visitors. The Quiet Period begins on Sunday, Jan. 31. On that day, prospects can still visit campuses but coaches cannot visit them off school grounds. On Monday, Feb. 1, the Dead Period kicks in with no contact through National Signing Day (NSD) on Feb. 3. The next day, another Quiet Period begins. This QP may be very important this year as some recruits may wait until after NSD to sign with a school.

MIDWEEK VISITOR

This past week, Alabama had one midweek visitor in Michail Carter (Jackson HS, Jackson, GA). The 4-star DT is 6'3"/288. UGA is the leader over Alabama and Clemson, with Georgia Tech trailing.

WEEKEND VISITORS

There are a few possibilities here.

• De'jon Harris (John Ehret, Marrero, LA) ILB 6-0/238, 3-stars - Committed to Arkansas back in May 2015. You have to wonder if he is a Plan B in case the Tide misses out on some other high-profile LBs. I think he might flip if Bama gives him a firm offer.
• Robert Washington (Mountain Island Charter, Mount Holly, NC) 5-10/215, 3-stars - Lower rating is probably caused by the fact that he plays in a lower division. He has over 40 FBS offers, mostly P5 schools. A Mark Ingram build with 4.47 speed. Bama just has to beat out Pitt, ECU, UNC, Syracuse, and TCU for his signature. Possible sleeper.
  
• Deonte Brown (Austin, Decatur, AL) OG 6-3/340, 4-stars - Solid Alabama commit. Among the top 125 players in the nation.
• TENTATIVE: Connor Murphy (Phoenix, AZ) DE 4-stars - He was originally scheduled to OV but it is not likely to happen. (CANCELLED)
  
• TENTATIVE: According a few reports, 5-star ATH Demetris Robertson will visit on Sunday before the dead period starts and right after his official visit to Georgia Tech. We'll see...
  
• UNOFFICIAL: Rashan Gary's mother says they are trying to squeeze in a trip to Tuscaloosa on Saturday night through Sunday on an unofficial visit. The plan is to take an OV to Clemson on Friday and Saturday, leaving in the evening for T-town. Stay tuned. (UPDATE BELOW)
  

POSITIONS OF NEED

A speculative list of what the Bama staff appears to be going after, beyond who is committed:

TE - It seems that Saban wants to add a third tight end to this class as he continues to court several. They may be on the cusp of getting their third 3-star and lower rated TE in Irvin Smith out of New Orleans.

RB - As Tide fans found out, you can never have enough good running backs. Bama is open to adding one more beyond B.J. Emmons. Unheralded 3-star running back Joshua Jacobs (179-2704, 36 TD as a SR) from Tulsa, Oklahoma has been picking up steam.

WR - One more receiver is a must but don't be surprised if the Tide picks up two more.

LB - This team needs college-game-ready linebackers. However, the Class of 2016 is not making it easy on the staff by waiting until NSD. They likely add three linebackers to this group and could go to four if they all accept.

DL - In this system, you can never have enough D-linemen. Maybe two more?

CB - Saban would like to land a high-end cornerback to mold into an NFL first rounder.

QUICK RECAP

Early Enrolled (8):
Charles Baldwin OL 5 stars - Juco with two years eligibility. Possible starter at RT.
Jonah Williams OL 5 stars
Jalen Hurts QB 4 stars
Chris Owens OL 4 stars
T.J. Simmons WR 3 stars
Miller Forristall TE 3 stars
Shawn Jennings DB 3 stars - Brother of Bama LB Anfernee Jennings.
Christian Bell DE  3 stars - greyshirt.

Firmly Committed (10):
B.J. Emmons RB 4 stars - #1 RB, needs to get test score up to qualify.
Quinnen Williams DT 4 stars
Trevon Diggs ATH 4 stars - Safety is his likely position. Brother of Vikings All-Rookie WR Stefon Diggs.
Raekwon Davis DT 4 stars - Back from a flirtation with Miss State.
Kendell Jones DT 4 stars - "The Hulk"!
Deonte Brown OL 3 stars
Tyler Simmons WR 3 stars - Maybe the biggest sleeper of this class.
Brendan Scales TE 3 stars
Joshua Perry DB 3 stars
Riley Cole LB 3 stars

High Targets Bama has a shot at:
Ben Davis LB 5 stars - Bama lean.
Lyndell Wilson LB 5 stars - Bama and UGA. Fla eliminated.
Mique Juarez LB 5 stars - UCLA lean.
Terrell Hall DE 5 stars - Had a great Bama OV. Trending towards Bama.
Demetris Robertson ATH 5 stars - ND, UGA, Bama. May wait til after NSD to decide/announce.
Nigel Knott DB 4 stars - OM, Miss St, Bama.
Jared Mayden DB 4 stars - NEW! Trending towards Bama.
Mykel Jones WR 4 stars - In home visit from Saban on Thursday. Bama, OM, Tenn, LSU.
Shyheim Carter ATH 4 stars - LSU, UGA, Bama. Report that he is father of 2 in Looziana. That may decide it.
Nigel Warrior DB 4 stars - Tenn lean?
Keith Gavin WR 4 stars
Michail Carter DT 4 stars - UGA lean.
Dontavious Jackson LB 4 stars - NEW! Trending towards Bama.
Ahmmon Richards WR 4 star - Bama, Aub, Mia, Tenn.

There are plenty more targets but these aer just the top ones.

Longshots:
Derrick Brown DT 5 stars - UGA or Aub.
Jeffery Simmons DE 5 stars - OM lean.
Mecole Hardman ATH 5 stars - UGA lean.
Scott Lashley OT 4 stars - In-home from Saban this week. OM or Miss St.
AJ Brown WR 4 stars - Miss St lean.
Rashan Gary DT 8 stars - May visit on Saturday. Mich lean.

FRIDAY UPDATE: Also this weekend is the first Junior Day of the year with several 2017 and 2018 prospects in town.

FRIDAY UPDATE: As mentioned above, Joshua Jacobs is on Alabama's radar and they made him a 2016 offer on Friday. He is also looking at Okie and Mizzou. As a senior, he ran 179 times for 2704 yards and 36 TDs. Did you do the math? That's 15.1 ypc. He is expected in Tuscaloosa on Saturday.

FRIDAY UPDATE: Ole Miss hit with NCAA violations. Will it scary anyone off?

FRIDAY UPDATE: Nigel Knott may announce on Monday, Feb. 1, his birthday.

FRIDAY UPDATE: In a bit of a surprise, Keith Gavin committed to FSU on Friday.

SATURDAY UPDATE: Bama commit Tyler Simmons is in Miami this weekend on an OV and Bama coaches are none too pleased.

SATURDAY UPDATE: As mentioned above in the top paragraph, today is the last day of the off-campus contact period. Sunday is a quiet period (only on campus contact). Monday starts a dead period.

SATURDAY UPDATE: After considering a trip to Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Rashan Gary ends up not visiting. I had a feeling this might happen. Either Clemson convinced him to stay or they didn't want to make another drive after a long weekend of traveling. #DidntWantHimAnyway

SATURDAY UPDATE: Ahmmon Richards eliminated Tennessee leaving Miami, Aubie, and Bama.

SATURDAY WRAP-UP: Saturday was pretty uneventful. Most of the focus has been turned to future classes. The Tide staff handed out several offers to juniors, sophomores and even a few freshmen (Ge'mon Eaford and Owen Pappoe). The quiet period begins at midnight - not more off-campus contact.

Things are looking up in Tuscaloosa. Alabama is in the mix for some of the best prospects in the nation. The Crimson Tide is primed for a huge NSD. The RBR staff will be keeping you abreast of developments. Stay tuned!

#RollTide

#NSD2016

For more Bama 'Crootin' News, check out the RBR recruiting page at www.rollbamaroll.com/recruiting