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Alabama football recruiting: 5 must-have 2016 recruits for the Crimson Tide

By John Buhler

Jan 23, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Southeastern conference commissioner Greg Sankey holds the College Football Playoff trophy with Alabama running back Derrick Henry (2) and head coach Nick Saban during a presentation to celebrate the victory in the CFP National Championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Southeastern conference commissioner Greg Sankey holds the College Football Playoff trophy with Alabama running back Derrick Henry (2) and head coach Nick Saban during a presentation to celebrate the victory in the CFP National Championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 12, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; General view of an Alabama Crimson Tide helmet prior to a press conference at JW Marriott Camelback Inn. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; General view of an Alabama Crimson Tide helmet prior to a press conference at JW Marriott Camelback Inn. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin loves to have players with great ball skills that can make plays in open space. The Crimson Tide usually prefer to pound the rock with a healthy stable of running backs to open up the pass, but great receivers like Julio Jones, Amari Cooper, and now Calvin Ridley have helped define the dominance of the Nick Saban era of Crimson Tide football in Tuscaloosa.

One potentially explosive playmaker the Tide should work hard to sign is five-star athlete Mecole Hardman, Jr. of Elberton, Georgia. Though Hardman is probably leaning towards signing with the in-state Georgia Bulldogs, he does have a strong interest in rolling with the Tide. Hardman has Alabama ranked second behind Georgia for his 2016 National Signing Day commitment.

While the Tennessee Volunteers remain in the mix as well for Hardman, it seems like it will likely come down to Georgia or Alabama for the Elbert County High School standout. Hardman is the No. 2 rated athlete in the 2016 recruiting class.

At 5’11”, 176 pounds, he runs a 4.48 40-yard dash and could help both Saban and new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt in the defensive backfield just as well as he could help out Kiffin in running routes at wide receiver.

Hardman’s ability to play multiple positions makes him a very intriguing prospect in the 2016 recruiting class. Saban would love to poach away this possibly Georgia-bound playmaker from his former defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, the new head coach at Georgia.

Next: 4. Jack Jones

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