Recruiting Update: The latest after a big recruiting weekend in Tuscaloosa
The Alabama coaching staff has continued to recruit despite being in the toughest stretch of the season so far. There have been a number of recruits in Tuscaloosa over the past month. However, the biggest recruiting weekend of the season likely came this past weekend as the Tide hosted the Texas A&M Aggies.
2023 commits like Caleb Downs, Justice Haynes, Eli Holstein, and Richard Young were all in attendance for the game this past weekend. They were joined by several other Alabama commits as well as recruiting targets.
Today, Roll Tide Wire will give the latest update regarding Alabama football recruiting and how this past weekend went for the Tide’s chances to land some top-end recruits.
Keon Keeley
Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Keeley’s recruitment has been interesting to follow after his decision to de-commit from Notre Dame several months ago. The Florida native has taken official visits to Alabama, Florida, and Ohio State since then. His most recent official visit was this weekend as he was in Tuscaloosa. Keeley seems to have an interest in joining the Crimson Tide. As opposed to the other schools recruiting him, the Alabama coaching staff sees him as more of a JACK linebacker which is relatively similar to Will Anderson’s role on the defense. I wouldn’t be surprised if he announces his commitment in the near future.
Jaren Hamilton
(Lawren Simmons/Special to the Sun)
The coaching staff has made it evident that they are pushing to sign four wide receivers in the 2023 recruiting class. One of the Tide’s remaining targets is Jaren Hamilton. The product of F.W. Bucholz High School in Gainesville, Florida seems to be leaning toward Alabama. He was in town this weekend for a visit as well. As of right now, it appears to be a three-team race between Tennessee, Michigan, and Alabama to land Hamilton. However, he is scheduled to visit Florida this weekend. This could change a few things. We will have to wait and see.
Duce Robinson
Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
One of the nation’s top tight ends — Duce Robinson was in town for an official visit this past weekend. Robinson caught up with On3’s Chad Simmons and had this to say regarding his visit to Tuscaloosa:
They did a really good job showing me how they would use me. In their offense, playmakers make plays.
Although his praise is high for the Tide, he is still very high on Georgia, Texas, and USC. The Trojans are the favorite to land Robinson at 62.8, according to On3’s RPM.
Suntarine Perkins (Ole Miss commit)
Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger-USA TODAY NETWORK
Alabama has been a team to watch in the recruitment of 2023 athlete and Ole Miss commit Suntarine Perkins. Perkins has been committed to the Rebels for over a year but has expressed high interest in the Crimson Tide. He was speculated by many experts to flip his commitment a couple of months ago but nothing came out of it. As of this past weekend, he was in Tuscaloosa for a visit. It is hard to gauge where Perkins’ mind is right now, but we will know by early signing day in December. When speaking with On3’s Joseph Hastings, Perkins had this to say about the Crimson Tide:
“I just like the atmosphere. It was crazy. I’ve always been an Alabama fan since I was little.”
Tyler Scott
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama recently extended an official offer to 2023 prospect Tyler Scott. The native of Pebblebrook, Georgia made his first trip to Tuscaloosa this past weekend. Soon after, he would add the offer. The Tide began to show interest in Scott following his decision to de-commit from Arkansas State. Several other programs like Auburn, Oklahoma, Maryland, and Michigan State have also offered him. There are no signs pointing toward a decision, but I wouldn’t rule out a decision being made sooner rather than later.
Cormani McClain
ERNST PETERS/ THE LEDGER
I think it is too early to rule out the Crimson Tide for McClain. However, he did cancel his official visit to Tuscaloosa this past weekend. Two other schools that are vying for his commitment are in-state schools Florida and Miami. Despite his decision to not take the official visit for the Texas A&M game, the Alabama coaching staff is hoping to get McClain in for an official visit for the Mississippi State game or in early December.
Arion Carter (Memphis commit)
HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK
The Alabama coaching staff has continued to show heavy interest in the 2023 linebacker and Memphis commit Arion Carter. After sending out his senior highlight reel, many schools have extended him offers. One of those being Alabama. Thus far, he has made two trips to Tuscaloosa. In addition, he has also scheduled an official visit to Alabama in November for the Iron Bowl. The other schools that will receive official visits are Michigan, Tennessee, Ohio State, and LSU. As of right now, I would say Alabama is the team to beat in his recruitment.
Lawson Luckie (Georgia commit)
McClain Baxley-USA TODAY NETWORK
It is clear that Alabama would welcome another tight end commitment in the 2023 recruiting class. This past weekend, Georgia commit Lawson Luckie was in Tuscaloosa on an unofficial visit. Although the Georgia native appears locked in with the Bulldogs, it is never fair to count out Nick Saban and the Tide.
