By: Chris Shelton
Under Nick Saban, Alabama has been a force on the recruiting trail the past seven years. This year seems to be no different with the commitments the Tide has already received. However, the staff in Tuscaloosa is not done yet. The following is a list of the “Top Ten MostWanted Recruits” for the Alabama Crimson Tide as we approach National Signing Day on February 5th.
1. Marlon Humphrey
Position: DB
Ht/Wt: 6’0/168
Recruiter: Doug Nussmeier
5 STAR
Humphrey is a 5 star defensive back from football power Hoover High School in Hoover, AL. Marlon’s dad, Bobby, is one of ‘Bama’s all-time greats as a running back in the 1980s. Many think that Marlon should be a shoe-in for a Tide commitment, but he has shown strong interest in Florida State and Mississippi State. ‘Bama is not after him for his name; the guy can play and could fill an immediate void in the defensive backfield. Humphrey has been offered by the Tide but has not had an “official visit” to The Capstone.
2. Leonard Fournette
Position: RB
Ht/Wt: 6’1/225
Recruiter: Burton Burns
5 STAR
Fournette is a big, powerful runner from St. Augustine High School in New Orleans and is ranked the top running back in the country, which the Tide knows something about. Fournette’s speed combined with his power running style make him a good compliment to the stable of backs ‘Bama already has. The talented back has garnered offers from most major programs but Alabama seems to be very much in the mix.
3. Raekwon McMillan
Position: ILB
Ht/Wt: 6’3/235
Recruiter: Kirby Smart
5 STAR
Raekwon McMillan is a speedy, but strong inside linebacker from Liberty County High School in Hinesville, GA where he is one of the top players in the state. He has been clocked with a 4.65 40 time. The Tide could use a speedy guy in the middle of that defense when facing these spread, zone read attacks. McMillan has been offered by the Tide and had his official visit on November 8, the weekend of the LSU game.
4. Tony Brown
Position: CB
Ht/Wt: 6’0/182
Recruiter: Burton Burns
5 STAR
Tony Brown is a blazing fast cover corner (4.4 40 yd. dash) from Ozen High School in Beaumont, TX. Brown’s speed and cover ability is advanced for the high school level and being tutored by DB guru Nick Saban can only improve his abilities. Brown has been offered by many programs, but has only visited three schools (Ohio State, Florida State, Alabama).
5. Jalen Tabor
Position: DB
Ht/Wt: 6’1/186
Recruiter: N/A
5 STAR
Jalen Tabor from Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington D.C. is another big time defensive back prospect the Tide has their eye on. Tabor is a big, physical corner, which is becoming more common with the increasing amount of big, physical wide receivers. Tabor has made visits to Arizona and Maryland but will visit Tuscaloosa on December 13.
6. Damien Mama
Position: OG
Ht/Wt: 6’5/360
Recruiter: N/A
4 STAR
Damien Mama is a big offensive guard out of St. John Bosco in Bellflower, CA. Mama is the type of offensive lineman a power running team like Alabama needs. He would fit in very nicely with the young talent the Tide has up front. Although he hails from the west coast and has offers from UCLA and USC, Mama’s interest in making Alabama his college choice is very high. With the new USC head coaching hire, ‘Bama may need to move fast and smart. He did visit Tuscaloosa on LSU weekend and has officially been offered by Nick Saban’s staff.
7. Malik McDowell
Position: DE
Ht/Wt: 6’6/292
Recruiter: N/A
4 STAR
Malik McDowell, defensive end from Southfield High in Southfield, MI, would make an excellent edition opposite Da’shawn Hand who recently committed to play for Nick Saban and the Tide. McDowell is a bigger defensive end but athletic enough to handle the position. McDowell seems to have interest in staying in-state but has garnered offers from several SEC powers including Florida and LSU. McDowell is expected to begin making his official visits soon with Alabama probably being on that list.
8. Marshon Lattimore
Position: ATH
Ht/Wt: 6’0/185
Recruiter: N/A
4 STAR
Marshon Lattimore from Glenville Academic Campus in Cleveland is listed as an athlete—and that is just what he is. Lattimore could figure into playing time at either defensive back or wide receiver. The 4 star athlete, one of the best players from the state of Ohio, has mutual interest from Ohio State but has also received an offer from the Tide and took a visit to the Capstone on November 22nd. It seems to be coming down to those two powers Lattimore.
9. Rashaan Evans
Position: OLB
Ht/Wt: 6’3/215
Recruiter: Kirby Smart
4 STAR
Rashaan Evans is a big, fast outside linebacker from Auburn High School. Evans is an athletic player and has his team vying for a state championship next week in Bryant Denny against Marlon Humphrey’s Hoover squad. As expected, and as is the case with most in-state guys, it has come down to Auburn and Alabama for this highly skilled linebacker. He has also shown interest in UCLA having visited the campus earlier this year. However, it will most likely be between the Tide and Tigers.
10. Lorenzo Carter
Position: DE
Ht/Wt: 6’/235
Recruiter: Kirby Smart
4 STAR
Lorenzo Carter, another powerful, athletic defensive end, hails from Norcross, GA. Carter has offers from power house schools all over the country, not to mention those here in the SEC including LSU, Georgia, and Florida. Carter has made one visit thus far to Florida but should be expected to take more official visits in the near future, including to Alabama.
Stay tuned for more recruiting updates from Touchdown Alabama.
