Alabama’s 2023 Recruits Already Getting to Work

Alabama appears to have assembled a recruiting class for the ages in its number one ranked 2023 class. The rich only appear to be getting richer as five-star edge rusher Keon Keeley officially flipped to Alabama last week and the Tide have been crystal balled to land five-star defensive linemen Qua Russaw and James Smith out of Carver (Montgomery, Ala.), the number one and two prospects in the state of Alabama.

Some of those fine men have already arrived on campus as early enrollees and are putting their nose to the grindstone as the Tide prepares to face Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl on December 31.

The list of early enrollees includes 4-star offensive lineman Wilkin Formby of Northridge High School, 4-star Miles McVay, 4-star RyQueze McElderry, 4-star defensive lineman Hunter Osborne, 4-star athlete Brayson Hubbard, and the much lauded 4-star quarterback Eli Holstein.

Head coach Nick Saban spoke to the media Friday and offered his thoughts on the group of six players getting into town early and getting reps in with the team leading up to the bowl game.

"They have to go through acclimation. These guys came off of playing 15 games, some of them, 12, 13, 14, 15 games of high school that just ended a week or two ago. It's not summer time, it's not hot outside, so that part of it, they have to go out in helmets for two days and all of that." Saban said.

"It's beneficial that they're in meetings, they have a chance to learn, they get on the field, they learn something every day. They may not get the reps because at some point in time we have to rep the guys that are going to be able to play in the game, but just the experience of seeing what football practice is like, what meetings are like, how you have to focus, how you have to learn... I think to help their development, this is really a huge advantage for them."

It is fortunate that so many of the early enrollees are offensive linemen. The group was suspect at best this season after a dismal 2021. Getting as much time as possible with Eric Wolford will be important to the development of the young linemen.

Perhaps the most exciting name in the list of early enrollees is Holstein. Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson failed to impress enough in their stints of action this season to have Bama fans feeling confident about either being the starter next season. However, Holstein's film looks great. Getting extra time in the facility and with the coaches could be enough of a boost for the young quarterback to head into fall camp and out compete Simpson and Milroe for the starting role.