Recruiting season is in full swing across college football, and no team has experienced more success with the 2014 class than the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Alabama football recruiting 2013: Crimson Tide rolling at the top
Nick Saban’s staff continues to be relentless on the recruiting trail.
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According to 24/7 Sports’ composite rankings, Alabama is No. 1 in team rankings with 19 committed players. Thirteen of those players are four-star athletes, with six others being of the three-star variety. 24/7 gives the Crimson Tide 276.59 points for their class to date, which is nearly 20 more than the second place Ohio State Buckeyes.
The rest of the SEC is faring equally well on the recruiting trail. Tennessee, Georgia and Florida are all currently ranked in the top 10. Eleven schools from the SEC are ranked in the top 25, including Texas A&M at No. 11 and Kentucky at No. 16.
Newly crimson
Alabama’s rise to the top was aided by a handful of notable commitments in late July and August. Christian Miller, who is regarded as a top-50 prospect nationally and one of the top outside linebackers, committed on July 25. Ross Pierschbacher, a four-star offensive lineman who checks in at 6’4 and 290 pounds, pledged to the Crimson Tide on Aug. 11. Cameron Sims, a four-star wide receiver with the size (6’4, 200 pounds) to make an impact on the outside, committed on Aug. 24.
Stars galore
After committing to the team nearly a year ago, four-star athlete Bo Scarbrough out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., remains the Crimson Tide’s top-rated commit. At 6’2 and 225 pounds, Scarbrough will likely be a running back at the next level.
Four-star quarterback David Cornwell out of Oklahoma had offers to just about every big-name program in the country, but decided Tuscaloosa was the place for him. Cornwell is a pro-style quarterback and could replace A.J. McCarron with a strong showing in camp next fall.
Back on the defensive side of the ball, Kalvaraz Bessent, a four-star cornerback out of Georgia, is one of the top secondary players in the 2014 class and could play early in his college career. 24/7 rates Bessent as the sixth-best corner in his class.
Top targets
The Tide seem to be in on almost every major recruit in the country, but two stand out above the rest.
Cameron Robinson, the best offensive tackle recruit in ages, seems to be favoring Alabama. Out of West Monroe (La.), many regard him as the best player in the country, regardless of position. Robinson is also considering LSU, but most feel confident he will play for Alabama.
On the other side of the ball, Lorenzo Carter is a consensus five-star defensive end from Norcross (Ga.) High School. Carter is also considering Georgia, LSU, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Oregon, but many believe Alabama is the most likely destination for the elite pass rusher.
And don’t forget Marlon Humphrey, a five-star cornerback and Alabama legacy out of Hoover (Ala.) High School, who almost everyone expected to choose the Tide as well.
