Heading into National Signing Day, Alabama had the No. 3 recruiting class according to most of the national evaluators. After flipping a couple of key targets, the Crimson Tide finished the day with 23 signees that likely will result in a No. 2 recruiting class for Nick Saban.
For a brief moment, Saban and his coaching staff had an opportunity to make a run at Georgia for the top recruiting class in the nation. However, the Bulldogs solidified their position later in the afternoon by successfully flipping five-star safety KJ Bolden from Florida State, securing the top-ranked class.
“We’re really pleased with the class,” Saban said after stepping off the practice field on Wednesday. “Got a lot of good players, got a lot of mid-year guys, which I think is really important and helpful in their development. This is the product of a lot of hard work by a lot of people. I think our coaching staff did a really good job, but the people who support us in the university community do a great job with us.”
“So I’m excited about these players. I’m not going to go through them (all) individually or anything like that, but some of them are here. I think we’ve got several guys that are already practicing and a few more guys that may join us later. I think there’s a total of 19 mid-year guys or something like that. That’s probably a really good thing.”
On Wednesday, Saban added another accomplishment to his repertoire. Dre Kirkpatrick, Jr., son of former star Dre Kirkpatrick, signed his National Letter of Intent, becoming the first legacy of the Saban era at Alabama.
“I think it’s great," Saban said during Wednesday's press conference when asked about signing his first legacy. "His dad has been a good ambassador of the program. Great player here and great NFL career. You really appreciate that part of it. I know how proud he is of his son and what his son has been able to accomplish.”
Alabama’s impressive haul on Wednesday was highlighted by five-star quarterback Julian Sayin. Sayin is already on campus participating in Rose Bowl practices with the team and has caught the attention of the head coach.
“Julian is an outstanding player,” Saban said. “The ball comes out of his hand really nice. He’s accurate. He’s smart. He’s had a great high school career, and he’s been one of the best players, most productive players in the country on a very consistent basis. We like him a lot.”
Alabama finished National Signing Day with 23 recruits for the 2024 class. Alabama’s class includes two 5-star recruits, 13 4-star recruits and eight 3-star recruits.
5-star recruits:
QB Julian Sayin
CB Jaylen Mbakwe
4-star recruits:
CB Zabien Brown
TE Caleb Odom
DL Jeremiah Beaman
RB Kevin Riley
ATH Amari Jefferson
OL Casey Poe
S Peyton Woodyard
Edge Jayshawn Ross
WR Jameer Grimsley
S Rydarrius Morgan
Edge Sterling Dixon
WR Rico Scott
WR Aeryn Hampton
3-star recruits:
OL William Sanders
LB Justin Okoronkwo
DL Isaia Faga
OL Joseph Ionata
LB Cayden Jones
DL Steve Mboumoua
TE Jay Lindsey
CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Jr.
Alabama also has a commitment from 5-star wide receiver Ryan Williams, who has reclassified into the 2024 class from 2025 and is expected to sign with the Crimson Tide in February.
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