State of the ’24 class: In-depth look on the Alabama offensive side
The University of Alabama currently sits with the No. 3 recruiting class in the country per the On3 Sports Industry Team Rankings. The Crimson Tide has reeled in 14 total commitments with less than half on the offensive side of the ball (5). Several major targets remain on offense including all positions outside of quarterback.
BOL breaks down where things currently stand on the offensive side of the ball in the ’24 recruiting class.
Must-Read: Who’s next to commit to the Crimson Tide?
Quarterback:
Alabama QB commit and Elite 11 Finals MVP Julian Sayin. (Joseph Hastings/BamaOnLine)
Alabama can rest easy at the quarterback position with Elite 11 MVP Julian Sayin as a solid commitment on board. Sayin committed to Nick Saban’s program in November, and has yet to second guess the decision despite the offensive coordinator change.
Sayin had a remarkable summer which included the MVP performance at the Elite 11 finals and OT7 National 7-on-7 Championship. He was also named the No. 1 quarterback in the country per On3 Sports.
Sayin has been a big recruiter for Alabama behind the scenes connecting with several priority targets including recent commitments such as Casey Poe and Caleb Odom. He returned to Alabama on June 23-25 for an unofficial visit. Sayin told BOL on Wednesday he currently does not plan to return to Tuscaloosa until later the fall.
Alabama is not expected to add another quarterback in the 2024 class. The UA staff has shifted its attention to ’25 with players like Bryce Underwood (Belleville, Mich), George MacIntyre (Brentwood Academy, Tenn.) and Duece Knight (Lucedale, Miss-George County). UA also remains interested in KJ Lacey (Saraland, Ala.), and has amped up its pursuit in ’26 QB JuJu Lewis (Carrollton, Ga.). Lewis is considering a possible re-classification.
Running back:
Nate Frazier (right) with Alabama running backs coach Robert Gillespie during his April visit.
Commitments: N/A
Target number: 1-2
Notable targets: Nate Frazier (Santa Ana, Calif-Mater Dei), Daniel Hill (Meridian, Miss.), Caden Durham (Duncanville, Texas)
Overview: Alabama has yet to add a running back commitment after signing two of the top four in the country (Justin Haynes, Richard Young) in the ’23 class. The Tide has its eyes set on a few targets including two uncommitted who have been discussed for several months, Nate Frazier and Daniel Hill.
Both backs took official visits to Alabama last month. Hill was also in Tuscaloosa on two other occasions for unofficial visits in June. He will return for the Alabama cook-out on July 29. A decision date was recently set for August 23. The finalists- Alabama, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Tennessee. Though his recruitment is expected to come down between the Tide and Gamecocks.
Don’t Miss: Daniel Hill opens up about his high interest in Alabama
Frazier has yet to set a commitment date, but has indicated it will likely happen before his senior season. He revealed a top eight, but the realistic contenders appear more as Alabama, Georgia, Oregon and Texas A&M. Alabama and Georgia are considered, by many, as the two with the best odds. Frazier has visited Tuscaloosa twice. His teammate, Zabien Brown, also committed to the Crimson Tide last week.
Alabama wants to secure a big win at the position. The hope is a 1-2 punch of Frazier and Hill. It’s a tall task, but one within striking distance. Alabama is happy with at least one of the two. Caden Durham is another prospect who has received heavy interest and expected to take an official visit to Alabama on September 9-10.
The Tide also has Kevin Riley (Northport-Tuscaloosa County) in its backyard if UA decides to circle back to the four-star who committed to Miami last month. Alabama earned a commitment on June 2 from Anthony Rogers, ’25 Top 100 running back from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla (originally from Pike Road, Ala.).
Wide receiver:
Alabama commitment Perry Thompson.
Commitments (2): Perry Thompson (Foley, Ala.), Rico Scott (Harrisburg, Pa-Bishop McDevitt)
Target number: 3-4
Notable targets:Amari Jefferson (Chattanooga-Baylor School), Micah Hudson (Temple, Texas-Lake Belton)
Overview: Alabama has two of its top receiver commitments from more than a year ago on board. Thompson and Scott shined in Tuscaloosa prior to their junior year. Scott, in fact, clocked the fastest 40-yard dash time of any receiver during the ’22 summer camp season. Scott waited until this past April to announce a commitment to Alabama while Thompson committed last June.
Scott and Thompson took official visits to Alabama last month. Thompson also took an official visit to Auburn and expected to return to the Plains for Big Cat Weekend on July 29. Many on the Auburn side feel optimistic on flipping the No. 8 WR in the country away from the Tide. Thompson told BOL on Monday he is also likely visiting Alabama at some point between July 25-28.
Alabama is battling to keep Thompson in its class. A potential flip will give Alabama only one commitment at the position. Though the Crimson Tide does have a commitment from Ryan Williams, the No. 1 WR in the ’25 class, and currently the heavy favorite to add Jamie Ffrench, the No. 4 rising junior WR, who will announce his decision on Saturday.
Alabama is on the short list for Amari Jefferson who will reveal the future destination on August 5. The finalists are Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Jefferson committed to the Volunteers baseball program after his freshman year. He is expected to play both sports in college. Alabama will host Jefferson for a final unofficial visit on July 29. It will mark his fourth trip in Tuscaloosa this year Jefferson’s choice will may come down between the Tide and Volunteers.
READ: Amari Jefferson talks upcoming trip to Alabama
A few others Alabama remains in contact including Micah Hudson. The No. 2 WR, per the On3 Industry Ranking, is currently considered a heavy lean to Texas Tech. He has been in heavy communication with Alabama for months and has expressed desire to visit. A visit could change the momentum, but Hudson remains a long-shot at this time.
Tight end:
Photo by Chad Simmons/On3
Commitments (1): Caleb Odom (Carrollton, Ga.)
Target number: 2
Notable targets: Davon Mitchell (OU commit), Jay Lindsey (Mississippi State commit)
Overview: Alabama reeled in its first commitment at the position on Saturday night as Caleb Odom, the No. 2 TE in the country per On3 Sports, announced his decision. Odom is a major receiving threat after accumulating more than 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns during the ’22 season. He is not considering additional visits.
Big commit: Caleb Odom breaks down decision
The Tide remains high on adding another player, but the options are limited. Davon Mitchell had Alabama on his short list before committing to Oklahoma on July 8. The York, Ala., native also announced he will reclassify from the ’25 class to ’24. It means he can take official visits this fall. Alabama will continue recruiting Mitchell with hopes to get him to Tuscaloosa this season or possibly in December.
Alabama extended an offer to Jay Lindsey last month after the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder impressed at camp. Lindsey, who also grew up a big fan of the Crimson Tide, has not indicated a potential flip to this point. He remains firm with his commitment to the Bulldogs.
Offensive line:
Casey Poe during official visit to Alabama.
Commitments (2): OG Casey Poe (Lindale, Texas), C Joseph Ionata (Clearwater, Fla-Calvary Christian)
Target number: 4-5
Notable targets: Jordan Seaton (IMG Academy), William Sanders (Brookwood, Ala.), Favour Edwin (McDonoguh, Ga-Eagle’s Landing)
Overview: Alabama has hit on two of its interior OL targets with the addition of Poe last week and Ionata in early June. The Crimson Tide was completely sold on Ionata as its main center target after his camp performance. Alabama hopes it can add its next interior target later this week as (William) Sanders will announce a decision on Friday at 3:00 p.m. (CST).
LISTEN: Podcast on what Casey Poe’s commitment means for Alabama
Sanders has finalists of Alabama, LSU and Mississippi State. BOL has recently submitted predictions in favor of Alabama to add the local lineman. The potential addition of Sanders may wrap things up for the Crimson Tide on the interior with offensive line coach Eric Wolford hoping to also add an elite tackle or two in the class.
(Jordan) Seaton has been right at the top of Alabama’s wish list from the start. The Washington, D.C. native transferred to IMG earlier this year. He took his first official visit to Alabama on June 9-11. It was his only summer visit. Alabama is considered one of the front-runners in Seaton’s recruitment. A decision time-frame is unknown as Seaton has kept things tight-lipped. He will return to IMG this week after spending the last month at home. A few other contenders also include Florida, Miami and Ohio State.
Alabama will continue to recruit a few players who have committed to other schools this summer. A few of those players may include targets such as UGA commitments Micael Uini and Daniel Calhoun. South Carolina commitment Josiah Thompson had Alabama on his short list before his spring decision. Alabama likely has the door open for Thompson in case he decides to take additional visits.
Alabama also doesn’t have to stress completely at offensive tackle. It signed a terrific class in ’23 led by Kadyn Proctor, the No. 1 OL in the country. Seaton is a priority. If the Tide can add Seaton and potentially one more tackle it could quickly turn into the best offensive line class in the country.
There are many highly-ranked players who need time to develop. Weston Davis, for instance, noted he needs a redshirt year to learn the position and adjust to the speed of the SEC. Davis is the No. 2 OL in the country per On3 Sports.
Favour Edwin measured 6-foot-8, 290-pounds during the Tide’s camp last month. Edwin was one of the most physically gifted players evaluated, and he made an outstanding impression on Nick Saban and Coach Wolford. He received an offer from Alabama and also invited to return to the cook-out next weekend (July 29). Alabama may still want to see him in a game or two this season, but definitely on the radar who has major upside.
The Tide is off to a fast start with underclassmen commitments on the offensive front- all from the Peach State. Alabama has early commitments from ’25 class Dontrell Glover, four-star interior interior offensive lineman from Langston Hughes High School in Fairburn and Mason Short, four-star offensive tackle from Evans High School. Alabama also recently received its first ’26 commitment in Zykie Helton, interior offensive lineman from Carrollton High School.
Discuss these targets and more on the RoundTable with the BOL staff!
Part 2: A closer look at Alabama’s defensive class, remaining targets coming soon!
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