Nick Saban and Alabama are busy preparing for the College Football Playoff semifinal, but the start of the early signing period on Tuesday is also a big day for the program.
Recruiting is never a bad time for the Crimson Tide, but things look especially promising for the 2024 class. They entered the day with 22 verbal commitments, including three 5-star players.
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Alabama currently has the No. 3 overall class. Georgia and Ohio State are the only programs ahead of the SEC champs.
Here’s a look at the players Saban and his staff have already landed commitments from, as well as predictions for who they might land during the early signing period.
Quarterback Julian Sayin, the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2024 class, is the crown jewel of Alabama’s incoming freshman group. He could solve what has been arguably the biggest problem for the Crimson Tide this season.
Jalen Milroe has come on strong down the stretch after a slow start, but Saban might be looking for more stability at the position going into next year.
Greg Biggins of 247Sports pegged Sayin as a player with the talent and skill set to step in right away as a starter:
“Sayin has been one of the state’s top quarterbacks since his sophomore year. He’s a pure thrower and might be the most ready to step in and play early of all the signal callers in the ’24 class.
His football IQ is very high and he has an advanced feel for the position and understands how to throw with timing and anticipation.
He has excellent pocket mobility and short area quickness. He can elude pressure and either buy time outside the pocket or take off and run when he needs to.
He’s very accurate to all three levels of the field, has a tight release and throws exceptionally well off-platform and with different arm angles.”
Jalen Hurts remains the only true freshman to enter the season as Alabama’s starting quarterback during the Saban era. Milroe’s rise over the course of his sophomore year has probably been enough to secure him the starting job in 2024, but Sayin should see plenty of game reps early in his career.
The rest of the recruiting class is an example of why the Crimson Tide are one of the best teams in the country every year. They are adding elite players at the skill positions and in the trenches.
Wide receiver Ryan Williams could be an impact player right away. His skill set could also look very familiar to Alabama fans, as Gabe Brooks of 247Sports compared him to Calvin Ridley because of his “excellent top-end speed and make-you-miss elusiveness.”
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