Alabama football is fortunate to have commitments from two of the top 2024 in-state defensive prospects with verbals from Sterling Dixon and Jaylen Mbakwe.
However, the Crimson Tide still have their eyes on other top in-state defensive recruits. Alabama signed six defensive prospects from the state of Alabama during the 2023 recruiting cycle. Nick Saban and company could dominate the state again during the 2024 cycle.
Here is an early look at Alabama’s top defensive targets, who are uncommitted or committed elsewhere:
Jeremiah Beaman – DL
Beaman has the potential to be one of the top overall defensive linemen in the country before this cycle wraps up. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder is an athletic big man, who lives in the gym. He moves like a guy half his size with a very high motor. The Parker High School product considers his recruitment open with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Miami and others heavily in the mix.
Malik Blocton – DL
Blocton’s recruitment exploded after an impressive junior season for Pike Road High School. He picked up 11 D1 offers in January, and when Georgia and Alabama come calling in the same month, it is safe to say your recruitment is trending in the right direction. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder was a force all across Pike Road’s defensive front during the 2022 football season.
Alabama football has offered 4-Star DL Malik Blocton @MalikBlocton.
— Touchdown Alabama Recruiting (@TDARecruiting) January 26, 2023
Demarcus Riddick – LB
Riddick recently picked up an offer from Alabama, and the Chilton County product is verbally committed to Georgia. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is one of the most versatile defensive prospects in the country. Not going to find many linebacker prospects more athletic with faster closing speed. He is also an exciting kick returner. Alabama is expected to make a push for the Georgia pledge.
Bradley Shaw – LB
Shaw is another in-state linebacker, who recently earned an offer from Alabama. Shaw’s offer list continued to grow throughout the season. and it looks as if his recruitment will grow even more before he gets an opportunity to trim things down. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder’s ability to read and react was on full display during the 2022 football season. He feels his ‘instincts’ are one of his biggest strengths at the moment, but he is working to improve the use of his ‘hands.’
Jordan Ross DE
Ross is projected to be one of the top edge-rushers in the 2024 recruiting class in the country. The 6-foot-4 prospect has the prototypical size for an edge-rusher. Alabama is expected to be heavily involved with him.
Joseph Phillips – LB
Phillips earned an offer from Alabama in December. He boasted an impressive offer list before last month but added 10 new offers to his growing recruitment. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Phillips wreaked havoc off the edge as a junior by exploding into the backfield. He was also a mismatch when placed outside to run routes as a wide receiver, displaying great athleticism and the ability to go up and get the football.
Travaris Banks – DB
Travaris Banks visited multiple schools in January, and the four-star defensive back is close to narrowing down his recruitment. He wants to commit on June 18. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Tennessee are a few of the schools in the mix for Banks. At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, Banks will have an opportunity to play all over the secondary at the next level.
Multiple teams are standing out to 4 ⭐️ DB Travaris Banks @BanksTravaris with his commitment date locked in.
He talks latest in his recruitment.
READ: https://t.co/nVeNvk0mxx pic.twitter.com/byPZhGNvLX
— Touchdown Alabama Recruiting (@TDARecruiting) February 5, 2023
Kavion Henderson – DL
Henderson is verbally committed to Arkansas. He committed to the Razorbacks in October, but the Crimson Tide are expected to continue pushing for the versatile defensive prospect. He will have an opportunity to play multiple positions along the defensive front at the next level.
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Justin Smith is the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
