Alabama unfazed by top pledges taking official visits elsewhere

This time of the year sees several committed and uncommitted recruits on the road for official visits. When it comes to the top committed prospects taking official visits, those committed to Alabama are no exception, Alabama recruiting insider Tim Watts said on the On3 Roundtable.

Two of the Crimson Tide’s most notable 2024 pledges did just that at the start of June as five-star athlete Jaylen Mbakwe traveled to Auburn and four-star linebacker Sterling Dixon visited LSU again

Watts broke down the significance of those visits and if the Crimson Tide should worry about a flip from either recruit.

“Sterling has always sort of flirted with LSU,” Watts said. “He’s liked him from day one and I think Alabama beat LSU initially. There’s always been some kind of attraction there but with that said, he left still committed to Alabama.

“Most smart recruits are gonna kind of at least have a fall-back plan. I think Sterling’s that guy and LSU’s done a good job. He’s been there several times and he’s also been to Alabama several times as It’s not that far of a trip for him for Mobile.”

Watts noted that Mbakwe was injured late last year and he’s now just coming around when it comes to visit. Regardless of where they take visits during the summer, Watts doesn’t think Nick Saban and his staff are too worried about that right now.

“The thing about this is Alabama knows they’re going to take the visits,” Watts said. “Alabama’s never shied away from their commitments taking visits. They bring in kids committed to other schools so they’re just seeing how it is.

“I think the philosophy is make sure this is the right choice for you before we get to December, then you figure out you if want to flip. I think they don’t worry too much about the summer visits at this stage.”

Alabama’s chances of flipping two Georgia pledges

While some of their commitments were out taking visits to other schools to kick off the month, Alabama’s set to host a few pledges from the nation’s No. 1 class in Georgia over the next two weeks.

The Crimson Tide will host top-40 linebacker Demarcus Riddick on June 16 and top-80 cornerback Demello Jones on June 9. Riddick has been committed to Georgia since Nov. 4 and Jones since March 17.

Watts noted that of the two, flipping Jones away from the Bulldogs may be the bigger challenge despite Alabama being in his initial top-two.

“Rusty Mansell will tell you South Georgia kids are really hard to keep from the University of Georgia,” Watts said. “They have a good track record there. I think Alabama’s trailing Georgia obviously since he’s committed there, but any time somebody takes a visit, you at least get your hopes up and have a chance to impress them and possibly flip them.”

A flip from Riddick though wouldn’t be as shocking to Watts. Georgia offered Riddick early on in his recruitment and he pledged there early.

Despite that, Alabama and Auburn have stayed heavily involved and have the factor of being close to home.

“I think at this stage he’s probably the more likely of the two to flip to somebody,” Watts said. “I know his parents were thinking a little bit closer to home.  Being from Chilton County, Alabama, Auburn and Alabama are obviously closer.”