Alabama Football Recruiting 2017: 5 must-have recruits for Crimson Tide
By John Buhler
The Alabama Crimson Tide lost the 2016 National Championship. Can they rebound with the best recruiting class of 2017? Here are the five recruits they need.
Though the Alabama Crimson Tide lost the 2016 National Championship Game to the Clemson Tigers 35-31, nothing is going to stop the Crimson Tide from rolling in another strong recruiting class. Alabama is on the precipice of reeling in its sixth straight No. 1 recruiting class, according to 247 Sports.
Heading into the final week before National Signing Day 2017, Wednesday, Feb. 1, Alabama has the No. 1 class in the country. The Crimson Tide have 24 commitments, 12 of whom are early enrollees. Alabama has five five-stars, 15 four-stars, and three three-stars.
Their best signee has early enrolled in running back Najee Harris from Antioch, California. He is the No. 2 player from California, the No. 2 running back, and the No. 3 player overall. If Alabama wants to sustain its place atop the recruiting class rankings, it will need to add to its impressive arsenal to top recruits. Here are the five targets Alabama was must land before National Signing Day.
Henry Ruggs III
Wide Receiver, Robert E. Lee (Montgomery)
With former offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin leaving Tuscaloosa, it is more important than ever for Alabama to keep its best perimeter talent in the state. One guy the Crimson Tide are sure to land is Henry Ruggs III of Montgomery.
Ruggs remains uncommitted but is the No. 2 player from Alabama, the No. 11 wide receiver, and the No. 77 player in the 2017 class. 247 sports has Ruggs as a four-star recruit with a 0.9613 grade.
Since Ruggs isn’t interested in playing for Auburn, he feels like a lock to sign with the Crimson Tide. Defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley was his primary recruiter, but having wide receivers coach Billy Napier aiding in his recruitment only helps. Florida State may be the only school that can think of prying Ruggs away from Alabama. It would be shocking to see Ruggs sign anywhere but with the Crimson Tide.