Impact of Williams Decision & More on Recruiting
I've been to hundreds of high school football games over the last 65 years and I've seen some great prospects take the field. I was the first to write about then junior Marcel Dareus when he was a Huffman junior. I saw great running backs from Linnie Patrck to Cadillac Williams. I know talent when I see it.
Ryan Williams has TALENT. I would compare the just-reclassified Williams to former Bama receiver Jameson Williams [no relation] regarding speed, routes and hands. Williams will now be able to graduate Saraland HS in May and enroll for the first summer term at UA. This allows the speedster to be in a prime position to get playing time early and often. He is expected to be a key piece of the 2024 receiving rotation at Bama and he will challenge for time as a kick/punt returner as well.
He's THAT good. Four touchdowns in his final high school game, a tough loss to Clay-Chalkville and future Tide teammate Jaylen Mbakwe, who be covering Williams in Tide practices the next 3-4 years.
But there is other Bama recruiting new to discuss.
Per On3 and frequent Tide 100.9 guest Andrew Bone, we learn the following:
Alabama finished its next-to-last official visit weekend before the Dec. 20 Early Signing Period.
https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/post-weekend-official-visitor-nuggets-more.1232015/
Defensive line is still a priority in this '24 class. A name to watch closely is Steve Mboumoua of Canada. He plans to announce his college destination on December 20. The 6-foot-3.5, 275-pounder has only visited Alabama (2x) since August. On3 predicts Mboumoua to Alabama. We at Tide trust Bone.
Offensive tackle is also a priority. Favour Edwin (McDonough, Ga-Eagle's Landing) has visited Alabama four times since receiving the offer from the Crimson Tide in June. There is high interest in Edwin from Alabama's side, and he has a committable offer. He could decide as early as later this week. Auburn was considered the favorite prior to the weekend. Hower,Bone and On3 feel "Alabama has put itself in very strong position with Edwin, and a lot of it stems from the relationship he has with other commitments. Edwin has not had his in-home visit with Coach Saban yet (likely on Thursday)."
On3 also reports along with others that Nick Saban will have in-home visits Monday and Tuesday with current '24 commitments in California and Florida including soon to enroll QB Julian Sayin. Saban has a busy week planned. He will also see a few other highly-rated Tide targets this week including four-star OLB Solomon Williams of Tampa and Top 100 CB Zay Mincey of Daytona Beach.
https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/post-weekend-official-visitor-nuggets-more.1232015/
Another name to watch per On3 is OLB Jayshawn Ross (Kansas City-Liberty North). On3 and Bone feel Bama is in a good position with Ross. Mincey is the only known DB still in-play for the Tide.
On3 is also hearing that Saban will have an in-home with Arkansas RB commit Jaden Baugh of Decatur, GA Columbia. High. Bone and crew feel Bama will land Baugh as the '24 class' final running back.
In portal news, On3 says "-Many have seen where Alabama is bringing in Texas A&M EDGE/DL LT Overton for a visit next weekend. Freddie Roach met with Overton on Friday in College Station. We have heard Alabama will have staff members visit with other potential transfer portal targets this week before deciding on if they will bring in for visits. Some recent names we've heard as far as interest (have not offered yet) include Tennessee DL Tyler Barron and UTSA EDGE Trey Moore."
Alabama Football Practice- August 15, 2023
Gallery Credit: Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics