Alabama trending for elite 4-star CB Zay Mincey

Throughout the majority of Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland four-star cornerback Zay Mincey’s recruitment, the question was which in-state program was going to land his pledge.

Florida, Florida State and Miami each charged for the touted defensive back down the stretch this fall, but so did a mighty program outside of the Sunshine State. Alabama was always mentioned alongside the aforementioned trio, but it wasn’t until the calendar turned to 2024 that the Crimson Tide emerged as a real threat.

Now, with Mincey’s All-American Bowl decision reveal just two days away, it’s Bama that’s trending, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

On New Year’s Eve, On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman logged an expert prediction in favor of Nick Saban and Co. Since then, Florida recruiting insider Corey Bender and Florida State recruiting insider Michael Langston have followed suit.

“There is a sense that Alabama made a strong impression in recent weeks leading into the DB’s decision,” Spiegelman wrote. “Sources close to this recruitment believe Nick Saban‘s role in the defensive back room and history of producing NFL DB is a major factor being considered.”

Mincey has made a pair of visits to Tuscaloosa, including an official visit at the end of October. Alabama defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson also made an in-home visit with Mincey at the beginning of December.

The Crimson Tide’s in-person contact with Mincey was much less than the in-state coaching staffs that have also been pursuing him, but momentum looks to be with the SEC powerhouse. Mincey will have four hats on the table at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday, though he’s already put pen to paper and signed his Letter of Intent.

“It’s great coaches, a great coaching staff all-around, and they’re just winners,” Mincey told Spiegelman of Alabama earlier this week. “It was great when Coach Saban came out to the school. That was something that never happened at my school, and it showed seeing he cares to take enough time out of his day to come see me.”

Alabama looking to close out 2024 cycle in style

Mincey isn’t the only blue-chip prospect Alabama will have its eye on this weekend. Meridian (Miss.) four-star running back Daniel Hill is also set to announce his decision — and the Tide have picked up momentum in his recruitment as well.

Alabama won’t catch Georgia, but it is looking to cap off the No. 2 recruiting class in the 2024 cycle — per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings — with a bang. On Early National Signing Day, the Tide flipped Northport (Ala.) Tuscaloosa County four-star RB Kevin Riley from Miami and Daingerfield (Texas) four-star athlete Aeryn Hampton from Texas.

In total, the class consists of 25 commits — 23 of whom have signed. Adding Mincey and Hill would help take the class to yet another level, proving once again that Saban’s dominance on the recruiting trail is alive and well.