Nate Oats’ Staff is Lighting Up the Recruiting Trail

Nate Oats is certainly building a powerhouse in Tuscaloosa.

In just one week, Alabama landed five new basketball recruits, four of which are currently ranked in the 247Sports top 100 for the 2022 class. Leading the way on each and every one of those players was, none other, than assistant coach Bryan Hodgson.

Hodgson joined the Crimson Tide staff in 2019 as one of Oats' first hires and instantly made his impact on the recruiting trail, helping the Tide, not only land big time prospects like Juwan Gary and Jaden Shackelford, but also retain stars like John Petty and Kira Lewis who both tested the waters of the transfer portal.

In three seasons as an assistant, Hodgson has been the lead recruiter on 14 Alabama signees, ranging from three-star Keon Ellis, to, most recently, five-stars Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley. 

Per 247Sports' Basketball Recruiter Rankings, Hodgson is currently second in the nation, only behind, soon-to-be Duke head coach, Jon Scheyer.

The Crimson Tide's 2022 recruiting class is also ranked very highly according to 247Sports, coming in at third in the nation after it's historic week. In just his first four seasons, Oats and his staff have brought in some of the best recruiting classes in program history, earning now four top-25 rankings.

With a lot of time to goin the 2022 recruiting cycle, the only place the Crimson Tide can go is up.  Alabama is still in the mix for some of the nation's top undecided prospects, and could likely see a late bump with another signee.