Alabama OL commit Joseph Ionata is recruiting big targets to Tuscaloosa

A recruiting cycle after signing elite pass rusher Keon Keeley, Alabama is continuing to make its presence known in the Tampa (Fla.) area. This summer, Bama has earned commitments from Jameer Grimsley and Joseph Ionata. The Tide are also in the mix for the likes of Eddy Pierre-Louis and Solomon Williams in the 2024 class.

Ionata wants Alabama to keep their recent momentum going, with the program hoping to land Lindale (Tx.) product Casey Poe on Wednesday. Ahead of Poe’s announcement, Ionata dished out his message to the top-70 overall junior.

“I’d love to team up with him. I’ve texted him that multiple times, how I think we’d be so great together,” Ionata told BamaOnLine. “Also, everyone tries to be Alabama, so why not go for the original and go for the ones that have proved that?”

Along with Poe, the Clearwater (Fla.) Calvary Christian product is actively recruiting Pierre-Louis, Solomon Williams, and Brookwood (Ala.) offensive lineman William Sanders.

“I would love to play with those guys,” Ionata said. “Basically, the thing I’ve been telling them is that if you want to win and get developed, why not go to Bama? If winning and becoming the best player you can be is at the top of your list, there is no other place to go.

“I just want to be surrounded by the best players so we have the best opportunity to win,” Ionata continued. “I don’t feel a sense of heavy competition because I believe we’re all really great players, and I know we’ll all develop into the players we’re supposed to be.”

Ionata has multiple trips lined up to Alabama

Ionata camped at Alabama on June 1, which resulted in an offer from Nick Saban that same day. A few weeks later, he returned to Tuscaloosa for the Tide’s cook out event on June 23.

“It was awesome because I got to see more of the daily life as a student and as a football player at Alabama,” Ionata said. “It was pretty cool to see how I’d be living my life in college… Every time I go up there, it cements how Bama is the ideal, perfect place.

“They support us in everything that we do. They’re there to help with anything that’s going on, both academically and on the field, too. They’re there to give you everything you need. Also, the ability to be developed into an NFL-caliber player is just off the charts.”

Ionata intends on returning for the next cook out on July 29. He is planning to be at Alabama’s game versus Ole Miss on Sept. 23, and will attend their road game against USF the week prior. An official visit to Bama is likely to take place sometime in early December.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound prospect will not be visiting any other programs this fall.

“My recruitment shut down the day I got the offer,” Ionata said. “After I got the offer, I told Coach Saban I wanted to commit. I just needed a couple of days to call the schools that were recruiting me to tell them that I was going to Alabama. It all happened really fast.”

Eric Wolford has formed a strong connection with Ionata

Position coach Eric Wolford began pursuing Ionata before an offer was even extended. The two connected during the spring, with Wolford stopping by Calvary Christian during the evaluation period. Ionata says that he and Wolford are continuing to build upon their bond with one another.

“I think my relationship with Coach Wolford is really great,” Ionata said. “He’s an awesome guy to be around. He’s a true example of someone I eventually want to develop into. Just a super genuine guy who is going to coach you hard, but he’s going to love you hard as well.

“He texts me every day and checks in with my family a lot,” Ionata added. “Checking on me, encouraging me to go out and recruit guys, and build a great class. Supporting me, inspiring me. It’s a lot of communication.”

Ionata also mentioned that Nick Saban’s emphasis on off-the-field development has piqued his interest. His family was receptive to the message that Saban delivered last month when talking about academics and other resources at Alabama.

The production of players at his position also played a part in Ionata’s commitment to the Crimson Tide.

“That’s a ton,” Ionata said. “Coach Wolford being such a great offensive line coach and all the assistant o-line coaches… everyone is there to support you and help you get developed. Also, the strength and conditioning program they have at Alabama. The way they can develop you into such an NFL-caliber player is something that stood out to me.”

Alabama’s winning tradition put them over the top

Reflecting on his recruitment, Ionata mentioned that in-state Miami was of interest for him. The Hurricanes even led for Ionata on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine prior to his commitment to Alabama.

“It was super close. I really loved Miami a lot. They have a ton of great people there,” Ionata said. “Honestly, it was really close between Miami and UCF in my recruitment going into spring. Both schools really recruited me hard and showed a lot of love.”

Although Miami was catching his attention, Ionata wanted to take his recruitment out further into the spring and see which schools would prioritize him.

“I kind of knew that Alabama was always the goal, but it was the goal to see all my options reveal themselves and see where was the best fit for me,” Ionata said. “Everyone watches most of Alabama’s games because they’re the big-time games. They always play great competition and they always have great games. They’re always winning.

“Knowing that Alabama has always really been the top dog is something to look up to. Everyone tries to emulate what Alabama does. Knowing that and my entire life with Alabama being on top really resonates with me.”

Ionata does have ties to another college football program: Florida State. Both his father, Joey, and uncle, John, played with the Seminoles. Despite him being a legacy recruit, FSU did not extend an offer to Ionata.

“I grew up a pretty heavy Florida State fan because my dad and my uncle played there,” Ionata said. “Early, [an offer] would’ve affected it a lot just because I’ve been such a fan for such a while. I truly believe that God makes things happen for us for a reason. That not happening and this Alabama option showing up really showed this was the best place for me.

“My dad said even if I didn’t have a Florida State offer, he’d still strongly push me to Alabama just because of all the resources and all the winning they have over everyone else,” Ionata added.

Ionata is aiming to both enroll early and potentially partake in bowl practice with Alabama in December.

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