Peter Woods’ decision to commit to Clemson over Alabama Friday provoked a lot of reactions from Alabama fans, and one constant reaction was a call to fire the Crimson Tide’s defensive line coach Freddie Roach.
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Roach is one of Alabama’s primary recruiters for Woods, but major brakes need to be put on a movement to fire him. The former Alabama linebacker has an impressive track record of landing some of the state’s top talent during his tenure with the Tide. He is also on pace to help Alabama secure a strong in-state 2023 class despite him not being able to lead the Tide to a verbal commitment from Woods.
Roach’s early successes in the 2023 recruiting class include helping Alabama land five-star defensive backs, Jahlil Hurley and Tony Mitchell, as well as four-star defensive end, Yhonzae Pierre. Hurley actually received his Alabama offer from Roach.
The Alabama defensive line coach also has Alabama in a relatively good position with the remaining uncommitted defensive linemen from the yellow hammer state. All three have spoken highly of Roach, including five-star defensive lineman, James Smith.
“My relationship with coach Freddie Roach is good,” Smith told Touchdown Alabama “I feel he is a great defensive line coach, and he can help develop me.”
Hunter Osborne, a 2023 four-star defensive end out of Hewitt-Trussville, is another top in-state prospect who has developed a good relationship with Roach.
“We talk all the time,” Osborne said. “It is always great talks, just about anything. It does not need to be about football. It can be about life, what is going on in my life, or his. Our relationship is very strong”
Roach also played a major role in helping Alabama secure signatures from some highly sought-after 2022 defensive prospects in Jeremiah Alexander and Khurtiss Perry.
Yes, fingers can be pointed at Roach and Alabama’s coaching staff for not landing Woods, but no fingers are pointing Roach to the door anytime soon on the grounds of his recruiting abilities.
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Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
