Alabama RB signee Richard Young is looking to add even more star power to Bama's 2023 class

On Thursday, dozens of top prospects in the Class of 2023 spoke with media members for the Under Armour Next All-America Game hotel check-in.

About a couple of hours into check-in, Five-Star Plus+ cornerback and Miami pledge Cormani McClain walked in. Although he declined to do interviews, it’s interesting to note that he was accompanied by Alabama signee Richard Young.

When asked about McClain, who remains a target for Bama, Young had the following to say.

“I’m not going to say too much,” Young said. “It’s probably stressful for him because he didn’t sign the day he was supposed to sign. Everybody is trying to figure out where he’s going. He’s going to make the right decision sooner or later.”

Later in the conversation, BamaInsider asked Young about Alabama’s star-studded finish this month, which featured commitments from five five-stars.

While looking in McClain’s direction, Young made it clear that the job’s not finished yet.

“Listen. All I’ve got to say is we’re not done,” Young said. “We have one more. He’s here.”

Young has embraced a recruiting role for Alabama

Richard Young has become a fan favorite because of his persistent recruiting efforts on the trail. Throughout the past few months, Young had arguably been the most active of Alabama’s pledges on social media and regularly tweeted at top Bama targets. 

Young was especially happy to see 5-star EDGE Keon Keeley team up with the Tide on Dec. 12. 

“I was happy, man,” Young said. “He was the main person I wanted to get. I kept my word. One thing about me is that I keep my word. I knew I was going to get him.”

Young, the No. 4 running back on the 2023 On3 Consensus, explained why he was so active recruiting for Bama in this cycle.

“Since I committed, I had to build this class up,” Young said. “I got to bring new players in, develop this team, and bring Bama back to where it used to be in the national championship and the SEC Championship. That’s why I chose Bama.

“When I get there, we’re winning every single year we’re there,” Young added. “That’s the goal for us… I believe in Nick Saban and the coaching staff. So, we’re going to come back and change the program with these new guys coming in.”

At the next level, there are three potential roommates at Alabama for Young: Keeley, Kadyn Proctor, or Justice Haynes. Young says that he and Keeley, who also won’t be a mid-year enrollee, are likely to be roommates.

On the topic of Haynes, Young expressed excitement about the opportunity to play alongside him in Tuscaloosa.

“I’m ready to join with him,” Young said. “We’re going to be a two-headed monster back there. Whatever team we’re facing is going to have to learn to stop us.

“I bring more speed and my vision,” Young added. “Justice brings power, acceleration, and catching out of the backfield. We’re going to combine that together and help each other be the best in the backfield together.”

Richard Young: “My heart was at Bama.”

Alabama started to trend for Young earlier this year, with On3 national recruiting analyst Jeremy Johnson putting a prediction in their favor as early as February. Even with more predictions flowing in after his April visit, Young still took five official visits in June.

Young revealed, however, that he was committed to Bama well before his public announcement on July 29.

“It was important to me because I wanted to feel like I was family at the end of the day,” Young said. “They were family when I was there. I’ve been there millions of times. I silently committed for two months but was like, ‘This has to go out to the public.'”

Days after Young signed with Alabama, his high school head coach — James Chaney — joined Colorado’s staff. This was in the works before the official Dec. 26 announcement as Chaney resigned from Lehigh High on Dec. 12.

Some around Young thought he would shock the world by following Chaney to Boulder, but he kept his word with Alabama.

“Everybody thought on signing day that I was going to Colorado with Deion Sanders,” Young said, “but my heart was at Bama. I stuck with my word.”

With Young signed and ready to officially join the Tide next year, he wants Alabama’s fan base to know that he’s going to give it his all these next few years.

“They’re going to get everything out of me,” Young said.

Alabama fans, also be sure to join the discussion about Richard Young on the Talk of Champions message board. There’s always a lot of great team, recruiting, and off-topic conversations going on. So, we look forward to talking with you all there!