Alabama flips four-star Ohio State commit Ty Lockwood
The temperature isn’t the only thing that’s been scorching hot in the state of Alabama this summer. The Crimson Tide have been setting the recruiting trail ablaze since the middle of June, and that continued on Tuesday with a commitment from four-star tight end Ty Lockwood out of Thompson’s Station (Tenn.) Independence.
In fact, this latest pledge wasn’t just a huge get for Alabama; it was also a loss for Ohio State.
Lockwood had been committed to the Buckeyes for almost a year, but he had recently received his official offer from Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. Ultimately, that offer proved to be too good to pass up for the 6-foot-5, 225-pound tight end, and now he makes commitment No. 18 for Alabama’s top-rated 2023 class.
Per the 2023 On3 Consensus, Lockwood is the No. 132 overall recruit in the country. He’s also being labeled as the No. 9 tight end and No. 2 player from the state of Tennessee. In addition to Alabama and Ohio State, he held offers from other prominent programs such as Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Michigan and Penn State.
Alabama loaded up on the tight end position in its 2022 recruiting class. Amari Niblack, a five-star hybrid pass-catcher per On3, led the group, but the Crimson Tide also signed four-star Elijah Brown, three-star Danny Lewis and a JUCO player in Miles Kitselman.
Not a member of BamaInsider? Join today and get one year of premium access for just $1!
Adding Lockwood may seem like overkill, but it isn’t.
Saban has shared his concerns about the depth at tight end in recent months, and with current starter Cameron Latu set to move on after this season, more competition is needed for 2023 and beyond. Brown, Lewis, Kitselman and, of course, Robbie Ouzts, will all be involved in that battle to replace Latu, but imagining a long-term combination of Niblack and Lockwood is appealing.
In that scenario, Niblack could act as a “move” option who can flexed out to create mismatches. Meanwhile, Lockwood would theoretically be more of the in-line option who provides quality blocking, but can also be a viable threat in Alabama’s passing game.
Top 10
- 1
A Twisted Mess
Big 12 Championship scenarios
- 2Trending
Saban chirped
Big 12 comes after GOAT
- 3Hot
Underranked SEC
Lane Kiffin protests CFP rankings
- 4
UConn star hospitalized
Alex Karaban hospitalized at Maui Invitational
- 5
DJ Lagway
Fan flashes Florida QB to Pope
One thing is for sure: despite previous concerns after Peter Woods committed to Clemson back in early July, the Crimson Tide are killing it on the recruiting trail right now. In addition to Lockwood, here are the other 14 commitments Alabama has secured over the last six weeks:
- Wilkin Formby: 4-star / No. 84 overall / No. 8 OT (June 20)
- Tony Mitchell: 5-star / No. 27 overall / No. 3 S (June 26)
- Brayson Hubbard: 3-star / No. 537 overall / No. 51 S (June 26)
- Justin Jefferson: Top-rated JUCO linebacker (June 28)
- Cole Adams: 4-star / No. 243 overall / No. 31 WR (June 29)
- Ryqueze McElderry: 4-star / No. 410 overall / No. 30 IOL (July 4)
- Malik Benson: Top-rated JUCO wide receiver (July 5)
- Dylan Lonergan: 4-star / No. 76 overall / No. 9 QB (July 11)
- Justice Haynes: 4-star / No. 44 overall / No. 3 RB (July 17)
- Conor Talty: 3-star / No. 1621 overall / No. 4 K (July 20)
- Olaus Alinen: 4-star / No. 122 overall / No. 11 OT (July 22)
- Caleb Downs: 5-star / No. 13 overall / No. 1 S (July 27)
- Richard Young: 5-star / No. 31 overall / No. 1 RB (July 29)
- Hunter Osborne: 4-star / No. 113 overall / No. 12 DL (Aug. 1)
There are a lot of attractive names, including James Smith, Jordan Renaud, Kelby Collins, Edric Hill and several others, still available, too.
If you’re not a subscriber to BamaInsider yet, I would highly suggest jumping on board. Andrew Bone and Joseph Hastings are now teaming up to deliver the absolute best Alabama recruiting coverage in the industry. Right now, it’s just $1 for an entire year, but that deal will only be available for a limited time. Go sign up!
Quick thoughts on Ty Lockwood from On3
“The On300 tight end was the focal point of Nashville’s Dream Team running crisp routes underneath and making contested grabs over the middle and along the sidelines. Lockwood is sure-handed and impressed as the obvious top target on this 7-on-7 squad.” – Sam Spiegelman, On3 National Recruiting Analyst, back in February
