Alabama’s 2019 recruiting class is off to a fantastic start. They now have a total of 14 commits, including one five-star, 12 4-Stars and one 3-Star. The Tide are looking to add some more elite talent. Here is a list of guys the Tide are heavily recruiting in the 2019 recruiting class.
Clay Webb
Webb is a 5-Star recruit and is the top center in the nation. He is arguably Alabama’s top Target at the moment. The Tide are currently in a good position with him and currently holds a verbal commitment from one of his best friends, Pierce Quick.
Nakobe Dean
Dean has been on Alabama’s radar for quite some time. He is a 5-Star linebacker that has the ability to play both inside and outside. He has expressed to yours truly Alabama is still one of his top schools and he plans to visit June 15-16.
Kayvon Thibideaux
Thibideaux is the No.1 recruit in the nation. He is a complete freak of nature. He is one of the few guys in this talented class that has a chance to play early and often no matter where he goes. He has expressed that Alabama will receive an official visit this Fall.
Faatui Tuitele
Tuitele released a top 5 that included the Tide. He is a 4-Star defensive tackle out of Hawaii. He currently attends the former high school of Alabama quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, and Alabama commit, Taulia Tagovailoa. Alabama has used that connection to appeal to Faatui. Another plus is the Tuitele family has a good relationship with the Tagovailoas.
John Metchie
Metchie is a 4-Star wideout out of Maryland that the Tide have made up a lot of ground with. He has always had a great relationship with Alabma’s wide receiver coach, Josh Gattis, dating back to his time at Penn State. He has told me that Alabama has remain in communication with him and his relationship with both Mike Locksley and Gattis are great. He is currently in the process of setting up an official visit now.
Jaren Handy
Handy is another huge defensive linemen target for the Tide. He expressed to me that the Tide’s coaching staff talks to him every day. He plans to visit Tuscaloosa sometimes this summer. Alabama will have to battle it out with some of the top SEC schools to land Handy as it looks like he will choose an SEC school when he makes his decision. He plans on dropping a top 5 soon.
Devontae Lee
Devontae Lee is listed as an athlete and that is what he truly is. His recruitment looks as if it will come down to Alabama and LSU. The interesting thing about him is the Tide want him to play defensive back and LSU likes him at wide receiver. He has expressed that he doesn’t mind where he plays at the next level. Saban and company could get this guy due to Saban’s willingness to try players all over the field.
Darnell Wright
Wright is the top offensive tackle in this class and is listed as a 5-Star recruit. He along with Webb could help the Tide pull in the best offensive lineman class Saban has ever pull in according to recruiting rankings. Alabama’s coaching staff has recruited this guy heavily and have shown him they want him in Tuscaloosa. He even rode in the car with Saban on A-Day.
Keon Zipper
Zipper is the No. 3 ranked tight end in the nation. He already possesses great size and athleticism to play tight end at the next level. Florida and Miami had looked like they were the leaders for the Florida-native, but according to a recent tweet by Zipper, he will leave the state of Florida to go to college.
Christian Harris
Harris’ recruitment is looking like is going to be one of those classical LSU Vs. Bama scenarios. We have all seen this play out before with several different recruits. The only safe thing to say about Harris is that he will most likely choose Alabama or LSU. The latest announcement he made was a top ten, which included Alabama and LSU. It is expected that he will take a ton of visits this summer and should at least have his list cut down some more by the fall.
Mycah Pittman
Pittman is the top wideout in the state of California. He has Alabama in his top 5 along with Nebraska, Florida, Ohio State and Oregon. Pittman could fit right in with Alabama’s loaded wide receiver group. He has a ton of speed and is most definitely a deep threat. He is also something special with the ball in his hands. His quickness makes it very difficult for guys to tackle him in the open field. He expressed that he and Gattis are on good terms.
Trey Sanders
Sanders has had an interesting recruitment thus far. He was once committed to Alabama, but decided to de-commit to open up his options. He did say Alabama would remain as one of his top schools. Many teams have made up ground since Sander’s de-commitment, especially Florida. They have become a huge player in the battle for the top running back in the nation. Sanders has the whole package. He is explosive and very elusive. He can make juke moves on the dime, which enables him to take advantage of his great vision. The fact that he goes to IMG Academy will only help his game developed more as he gets the chance to travel around the nation and battle it out against the best. The Tide has gotten a commitment from him once. It’ll be interesting to see if they could do it again.
Quavaris Crouch
Crouch is the top athlete in this class. The Tide does have the advantage of the fact that they offered Crouch over a year ago and have been able to build a connection with him. Crouch is a bit of a taller back at 6-feet-2-inches, but knows how to use his height to stride and makeup ground quickly. There is no secret that this kid is one of the most highly recruited backs in this class. He has not released a top school list yet, but have been visiting many different places. Alabama’s wide receiver coach, Josh Gattis, took a visit to see him on April, 28. This could be a huge get for the Tide if they can land Crouch.
Mycah Pittman
Pittman is the top wideout in the state of California. He has Alabama in his top 5 along with Nebraska, Florida, Ohio State and Oregon. Pittman could fit right in with Alabama’s loaded wide receiver group. He has a ton of speed and is most definitely a deep threat. He is also something special with the ball in his hands. His quickness makes it very difficult for guys to tackle him in the open field.
Marcus Banks
Banks is heavily considering Alabama and is expected to make his commitment in late June or early July. when I spoke to him, he told me that Alabama pretty much speaks for itself. He will take an official visit on June 15-17. It is safe to say that the Tide are in a great position to get a commitment from him this Summer.
Noa Pola-Gates
Gates is a 4-Star defensive back out of Arizona. The Tide are in an excellent position to land him. He told me that Alabama is most definitely in his top three.
Kenyon Green
Green released a top five that included the Tide. The biggest threats to the Tide is LSU and Green’s home state school, Texas. Alabama wants to pull in a great offensive line class and Green can help also cement that claim.
Kamaar Bell
Bell is a 3-Star offensive lineman that has seen a huge boost in his recruitment since Alabama first offered him. He now holds more than eight offers from some of the top programs. He told me that the Tide are still his leader at this point.
Daxton Hill
Alabama is in a good position to land Hill as of now, but they are going to have to battle it out with some top notch teams to pull him in. He released a top 5 late last month, which included the Tide, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Clemson and Ohio State. Hill has not provided a favorite, but it is believed that he will make a decision this Summer. He does plan on taking a visit to each school before making his decision, which gives Alabama a chance to lay out the red carpet. Something to pay attention to though is his brother, Justice Hill, is actually a running back for Oklahoma State. This one is going to basically come down to whatever program makes Hill feel the most at home.
Jacoby Pinckney
Pinckney is making his visit this weekend and the Tide hope they can make some ground up with him. The South Carolina-native is a very aggressive wideout. He doesn’t mind fighting and jerking for position. His 6-feet-2-inches and 205-pound frame give him an advantage over most defensive backs.
Nick Cross
Cross is a 4-Star safety out of Maryland. Cross is set to visit Tuscaloosa next weekend. The Crimson Tide will look to make up some ground with him and get him closer to making Alabama his choice.
Demarco Hellams
Hellams is also a 4-Star defensive back out of Maryland. He will be in Tuscaloosa next weekend as well. It will be interesting to see how this visit affects his recruitment.
Ethan Rae
4-Star TE, Ethan Rae, released a top 10 on last week and included the Tide. He told me that the Tide are looking for two tight ends in the 2019 recruiting class and everything is good between him and the Tide.
Garmon Randolph
Randolph is the latest tight end to receive an offer from Alabama. He should be setting up a visit to Tuscaloosa soon and only time will tell whether the Tide will become a huge player in his recruitment.
Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
