Majority of Alabama's 2023 No. 1 class set for early enrollment

The majority of Alabama’s No. 1 ranked recruiting class, according to On3 Sports, will begin their college career as students in Tuscaloosa next week. It may be easier, in fact, to list the signees who are not enrolling early. The four players listed below will enroll at Alabama in June.

Keon Keeley, five-star EDGE from Berekely Prep in Tampa, Florida (Bio/analysis)

Keon Keeley named MVP after Day 1 of practice in the All-American Bowl

Yhonzae Pierre, Top 100 outside linebacker from Eufaula High School in Alabama (Bio/analysis)

Richard Young, Top 100 running back from Lehigh Acres, Florida (Bio/analysis)

Feature Story: Richard Young looking to add more star power to the No. 1 ranked class

Conor Talty, three-star kicker from St. Rita Catholic in Chicago (Bio/analysis)

Alabama will have at least 25 fresh faces this spring

Alabama will have more new additions to its team this spring. Many of the players competed in the Sugar Bowl practices and dressed for the Tide’s win in New Orleans against Kansas State. Some left Tuscaloosa to compete in the Under Armour All-America game. A few others departed New Orleans for San Antonio to participate in the All-American Bowl.

All will return to Alabama on Sunday to begin their journey as student-athletes. The Crimson Tide welcomes at least 25 early enrollees which also includes one player from the transfer portal.

It is possibly a little tougher for Conor Talty to see early significant playing time after Will Reichard decided to return to Alabama for one more season after initially accepting an invite to play in the Senior Bowl. There is plenty of competition heading into the spring at various positions.

All of Alabama’s quarterbacks, wide receivers, offensive line, tight ends, defensive line and defensive backfield signees will compete in spring practice. The Crimson Tide will also have one of its running backs and two linebackers enroll next week.

Early Enrollees on offense

QB Eli Holstein, Top 100 from Zachary High School in Louisiana (Bio/analysis)

QB Dylan Lonergan, four-star from Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia (Bio/analysis)

Change of plans: Alabama QB signee talks early enrollment

RB Justice Haynes, five-star from Buford High School in Georgia (Bio/analysis)

WR Malik Benson, five-star from Hutchinson C.C. in Kansas (Bio/analysis)

WR Jalen Hale, Top 100 from Longview High School in Texas (Bio/analysis)

All-American Evaluations: Hale one of the top performers in Orlando for the Under Armour game (On3+)

WR Jaren Hamilton, four-star from Bucholtz High School in Gainesville, Florida (Bio/analysis)

WR Cole Adams, four-star from Owasso High School in Oklahoma (Bio/analysis)

TE Ty Lockwood, four-star from Independence High School in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee (Bio/analysis)

OL Kadyn Proctor, five-star from Southwest Polk High School in Des Moines, Iowa (Bio/analysis)

OL Wilkin Formby, Top 100 from Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa (Bio/analysis)

OL Olaus Alinen, four-star from Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut (Bio/analysis)

OL Miles McVay, four-star from East St. Louis High School in Illinois (Bio/analysis)

OL Ryqueze McElderry, four-star from Anniston High School in Alabama (Bio/analysis)

*Alabama has also added former Maryland TE CJ Dippre from the transfer portal (What it means, On3+)

Must-Read: Alabama Signing Class Grades: Offense (On3+)

Early Enrollees on defense

DL James Smith, five-star from Carver High School in Montgomery (Bio/analysis)

DL Edric Hill, Top 100 from North High School in Kansas City, Missouri (Bio/analysis)

DL Jordan Renaud, Top 100 from Legacy High School in Tyler, Texas (Bio/analysis)

DL Hunter Osborne, four-star from Hewitt-Trussville High School in Alabama (Bio/analysis)

LB Qua Russaw, five-star from Carver High School in Montgomery (Bio/analysis, On3+)

LB Justin Jefferson, four-star from Pearl River C.C. in Poplarville, Mississippi (Bio/analysis)

CB Desmond Ricks, five-star from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida (Bio/analysis)

CB Jahlil Hurley, Top 100 from Florence High School in Alabama (Bio/analysis)

S Caleb Downs, five-star+ from Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Georgia (Bio/analysis)

S Tony Mitchell, Top 100 from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama (Bio/analysis)

Don’t Miss: Mitchell explains why he stuck with his commitment (On3+)

S Bray Hubbard, four-star from Ocean Springs High School in Mississippi (Bio/analysis)

Must-Read: Alabama Signing Class Grades: Defense (On3+)

Will Cormani McClain, others add to 2023 class?

Cormani McClain, five-star+ cornerback from Lakeland High School in Florida, did not sign with Miami during the Early Signing Period. McClain remains committed to the Hurricanes, but it’s anyone’s guess as to what he will do when a decision is revealed.

McClain stated he will sign a financial aid agreement with the school of his choice on January 15. The agreement binds the school to McClain, but he can still sign with another school on February 1 or later.

McClain shied away from interviews throughout the week in Orlando for the Under Armour All-America game. He was interviewed during the ESPN 2 broadcast on Tuesday evening. Alabama is one of the few schools still in contact with McClain as he inches towards the announcement.

Alabama signees are making their pitch to Miami pledge Cormani McClain (On3+)

Interesting interview with Five-Star CB Cormani McClain here.

Will he sign with Miami on January 15th or head elsewhere?https://t.co/xSqXS0NCGh pic.twitter.com/jxqhdyweSV

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 4, 2023

Duce Robinson, five-star tight end from Pinnacle High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, continues to list Alabama as one of his top schools. The Crimson Tide, however, is considered on the outside looking in with Georgia currently leading Texas according to the On3 Sports Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Robinson gives the latest on his recruitment, talks interest in Alabama

There is a chance another high school recruit or two, who is not yet mentioned, will visit Alabama this month. The coaches are likely going through the list of players who have yet to sign or may have fallen through the cracks up to this point. The main focus will likely center on the transfer portal.

The Crimson Tide added its first portal target when CJ Dippre announced his plans to transfer to Alabama last week. The former Maryland tight end is likely not the only portal target this year. Alabama is keeping its eyes open at certain positions of need.

Former Alabama defensive line target Anthony Lucas released a statement via social media on Tuesday indicating his intentions to enter the transfer portal. Lucas just completed his freshman season at Texas A&M. Lucas officially entered the portal on Wednesday morning.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Alabama’s interest in Anthony Lucas (On3+)

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