Alabama reigns supreme in final team rankings in '23

The University of Alabama, once again, finished as the top recruiting class in the country according to the On3 Sports Consensus Team Rankings. This is not anything new for the Crimson Tide. Alabama has finished with the top class in 2023, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009 and 2008.

Alabama finished No. 2 during the 2022 cycle behind Texas A&M. The Tide responded this year unlike anything most fans expected especially with the NIL playing a major factor in many recruitments these days.

Nick Saban had his recruiting class signed in December. Alabama ranked No. 1 at the conclusion of the Early Signing Period. There wasn’t much debate who would finish at the top in February. The Tide had wrapped things up, and anything else was just an added bonus.

Alabama did not add any additional signees during the late signing period. The only potential target was Cormani McClain, five-star cornerback from Lakeland High School in Florida. McClain announced a flip from Miami to Colorado on January 19. Alabama did not further pursue.

Only four signees in the the Tide’s recruiting class did not enroll in January: Keon Keeley, Yhonzae Pierre, Richard Young and Conor Talty. All are expected to enroll at Alabama in June.

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Eight five-stars headline the No. 1 class

• Keon Keeley, five-star plus+ edge from Berkeley Prep in Tampa, Florida (No. 2 overall-consensus)
• Caleb Downs, five-star plus+ safety from Mill Creek HS in Hoschton, Georgia (No. 5 overall-consensus)
• Kadyn Proctor, five-star plus+ offensive tackle from Southeast Polk HS in Des Moines, Iowa (No. 9 overall-consensus)
• James Smith, five-star defensive tackle from Carver HS in Montgomery (No. 10 overall per On3)
• Yhonzae Pierre, five-star edge from Eufaula HS in Alabama (No. 17 overall per On3)
• Desmond Ricks, five-star cornerback from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida (No. 18 overall-consensus)
• Qua Russaw, five-star linebacker from Carver HS in Montgomery (No. 27 overall-Consensus)
• Malik Benson, five-star wide receiver from Hutchinson C.C. in Kansas (No.1 overall JuCo)

The Tide’s recruiting class is special. It’s the highest rated class in the Nick Saban era. A lot of credit is given to the incredible number of five-stars signed by the Tide including three who are ranked five-stars by all four major recruiting networks (Keeley, Downs and Proctor).

Keeley decommitted from Notre Dame in August after taking a late visit to Alabama in July. He waited until mid-December before announcing his commitment. Alabama went into Georgia to land the the best recruit in the Peach State (Downs), but there was some worry in the final month with a major push from Ohio State.

The Crimson Tide was able to pluck Proctor away from his commitment to Iowa during the Early Signing Period. Proctor was torn between the two schools when he announced his original commitment to the Hawkeyes in June. Alabama also reeled in Desmond Ricks. Many felt he was a heavy lean to LSU the day prior to the start of the Early Signing Period.

Alabama also took care of its home state with an early commitment from Yhonzae Pierre who ended up a five-star after his performance at the All-American Bowl. On3 Sports Rankings and Scouting Director Charles Power shared why Pierre made the significant move in the final On300 update.

James Smith and Qua Russaw were set on staying together at the next level. The teammates from Carver High School in Montgomery waited until December 21 to reveal their decision.

Malik Benson is the No. 1 JuCo player in the country via all four major recruiting networks (On3, 247, Rivals and ESPN). On3 Sports, however, is the only one to give Benson five-stars. He received rave reviews after participating in the Tide’s bowl practices in December.

Final Class Grades: Offense

Final Class Grades: Defense

More Alabama signees in the Top 100

• Justice Haynes, four-star running back from Buford HS in Georgia (No. 33 overall-consensus)
• Jalen Hale, four-star wide receiver from Longview HS in Texas (No. 38 overall-consensus)
• Jahlil Hurley, four-star cornerback from Florence HS in Alabama (No. 50 overall-consensus)
• Jordan Renaud, four-star defensive lineman from Legacy HS in Tyler, Texas (No.56 overall)
• Richard Young, four-star running back from Leigh Acres HS in Florida (No. 64 overall-consensus)
• Wilkin Formby, four-star offensive tackle from Northridge HS in Tuscaloosa (No. 69 overall)
• Eli Holstein, four-star quarterback from Zachary HS in Louisiana (No. 84 overall-consensus)
• Edric Hill, four-star defensive lineman from North HS in Kansas City, Missouri (No. 93 overall)

Alabama finished with 15 signees in the Top 100 (On3 Sports ranking + Consensus). The most impressive recruiting win of the cycle may have been Justice Haynes spurning the Bulldogs, his father’s alma mater to join the Crimson Tide. (Haynes reflects on his decision)

Many did not expect Haynes and Richard Young to commit to the same school early in their recruitment. Both had Alabama and Georgia in their top group. The general feeling was the schools would split the two of the top four running backs in the country. Alabama snagged both and held on, something many also didn’t expect after Haynes visited UGA in November.

Jalen Hale was also a very surprising win on the trail for the Crimson Tide. Hale had strongly indicated Texas was the heavy favorite in mid-July. Alabama captured the lead after back-to-back trips to Tuscaloosa before announcing a decision in September.

A few years from now you might hear a lot of talk of Edric Hill as one of the most underrated players in this class. Hill kept a low profile throughout his recruitment. There are high expectations for the interior defensive lineman in Tuscaloosa.

MUST-READ: Alabama assistants shine during ’23 recruiting cycle

Outside the Top 100

• Tony Mitchell, four-star safety from Thompson HS in Alabaster, Alabama (No. 116 overall-consensus)
• Jaren Hamilton, four-star wide receiver from Bucholtz HS in Gainesville, Florida (No. 120 overall)
• Dylan Lonergan, four-star quarterback from Brookwood HS in Snellville, Georgia (No. 160 overall-consensus)
• Olaus Alinen, four-star offensive lineman from Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut (No. 167 overall-consensus)
• Hunter Osborne, four-star defensive lineman from Hewitt-Trussville HS in Alabama (No. 168 overall-consensus)
• Miles McVay, four-star offensive lineman from East St. Louis HS in Illinois (No. 175 overall-consensus)
• Bray Hubbard, four-star safety from Ocean Springs HS in Mississippi (No. 227 overall)
• Ty Lockwood, four-star tight end from Independence HS in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee (No. 240 overall-consensus)
• Cole Adams, four-star wide receiver from Owasso HS in Oklahoma (No. 276 overall-consensus)
• Ryqueze McElderry, four-star offensive lineman from Anniston HS in Alabama
• Conor Talty, three-star kicker from St. Rita School in Chicago (No. 4 kicker-consensus)

There are a lot of great storylines within this group which includes four players who were once committed elsewhere: Tony Mitchell (Tennessee), Bray Hubbard (USM baseball), Ty Lockwood (Ohio State) and Ryqueze McElderry (UGA).

Hubbard may have one of the most interesting stories. He earned an offer from Nick Saban during the Tide’s football camp in June. He earned an offer as a safety; a position he has never played prior to working in Tuscaloosa. Hubbard also won Class 6A Mr. Football as a junior and senior while playing quarterback.

Tony Mitchell kept many guessing regarding his recruitment all the way until the first day of the Early Signing Period. He spoke with BamaInsider about why he decided to stick with his decision despite the late push from Auburn-CLICK HERE!

Olaus Alinen was the first Finnish-born player to sign with the Tide. He received a lot of attention from several schools especially Miami, but in the end it was “rings over lambos” for the four-star lineman.

On3 Sports National Feature: Superlatives from the 2023 recruiting cycle

The transfers

• Malik Benson, five-star wide receiver from Hutchinson C.C. in Kansas (No. 1 overall JuCo)
• Justin Jefferson, four-star linebacker from Pearl River C.C. in Mississippi (No. 2 overall JuCo)
• Trezmen Marshall, four-star linebacker transfer from the University of Georgia
• CJ Dippre, three-star tight end transferred from the University of Maryland

Alabama recruits junior college players and the transfer portal for players who have the ability to contribute immediately. It may not always work out that way, but it indicates a need for players and the opportunity available to make an immediate impact.

Alabama football: Way-too-early offensive superlatives for 2023

Signing Class Superlatives

How does the rest of the SEC stack up against the Tide?

• 2. Georgia (Notable signees: DE Damon Wilson, DT Jordan Hall, LB Raylen Wilson)
• 5. LSU (Notale signees: OL Zalance Heard, Edge Dashawn Womack, WR Shelton Sampson)
• 11. Florida (Notable signees: DL Kelby Collins, CB Ja’Keem Jackson, WR Eugene Wilson)
• 12. Tennessee (Notable signees: QB Nico Iamaleava, DL Daevin Hobbs, LB Arion Carter)
• 15. Texas A&M (Notable signees: RB Rueben Owens, DL David Hicks, OL Chase Bisontis)
• 16. South Carolina (Notable signees: ATH Nycholas Harbor, DL Elijah Davis, DL Xavier McLeod)
• 17. Auburn (Notable signees: DE Keldric Faulk, RB Jeremiah Cobb, CB Tyler Scott)
• 22. Arkansas (Notable signees: TE Luke Hasz, CB Jaylon Braxton)
• 23. Mississippi State (Notable signees: S Isaac Smith, OL Leon Bell)
• 27. Ole Miss (Notable signees: LB Suntarine Perkins, DL Jamarious Brown)
• 30 Kentucky (Notable signees: WR Shamar Porter, S Avery Stuart)
• 36. Missouri (Notable signees: TE Brett Norfleet, WR Joshua Manning)
• 54. Vanderbilt (Notable signees: CB Martel Hight, WR London Humphreys

Texas A&M went from the highest ranked class of all-time in 2022 to No. 15 overall in this cycle. It still found a way to sign David Hicks, the No. 1 overall consensus DT, and Rueben Owens, the No. 3 consensus running back.

Georgia secured another elite class despite some key in-state losses (Downs, Haynes) to the Crimson Tide. The Bulldogs loaded-up on the defensive side. Expect Alabama and Georgia to continue its constant battle for the premier recruits in the country.

There were not many recruiting wins for Auburn against Alabama in this cycle. Most is contributed to the previous staff. The Tigers are already a lot more aggressive on the recruiting trail with Hugh Freeze. It may start to look like old times soon with several head-to-head battles between the in-state rivals.

LSU quietly had an outstanding class. Tennessee secured its future quarterback in Nico Iamaleava, the top player in the country according to On3 Sports. How about Shane Beamer pulling off unicorn athlete Nycholas Harbor? That’s a very impressive recruiting win for the Gamecocks.

Ole Miss finished in the bottom half of the SEC, but held on to Suntarine Perkins, who strongly considered a flip to Alabama. Pete Golding is known as a great recruiter. Will be help the Rebels break into the top 20 next year?

It’s another wild ride in 2023-24 with many recruitments expected to go about the same way as in ’23, unpredictable. One thing is clear we have it covered from start to finish on BamaInsider.com!

Must-Read: Key positions of need for the Crimson Tide in ’24