Alabama Football Recruiting 2017: 5 must-have recruits for Crimson Tide
By John Buhler
Devonta Smith
Wide Receiver, Amite (Amite, LA)
Alabama is making it a point to replenish its wide receiver cabinet in this recruiting cycle. Along with Ruggs from Montgomery, the Crimson Tide will try to land another strong wideout in Devonta Smith of Amite, Louisiana.
Smith remains uncommitted but has a strong lean towards signing with Alabama. However, in-state LSU could be the one team that keeps him from committing to the Crimson Tide. The Miami Hurricanes could make a late push for him as well.
Smith is the No. 2 player from Louisiana, the No. 9 wide receiver, and the No. 64 player in the 2017 class. 247 Sports has him as a four-star recruit with a 0.9679 grade. Alabama running backs coach Burton Burns was his primary recruiter. Like with Ruggs, Napier has followed suit in trying to land Smith’s commitment. Alabama will likely land both of their top wide receiver targets on National Signing Day.
Jedrick Wills
Offensive Tackle, Lafayette (Lexington, KY)
Alabama already has 24 commitments in the 2017 class. The Crimson Tide will land a few more, but will need to hold on to their 12 hard commitments that haven’t early enrolled to stay atop the recruiting class rankings. The one player Alabama head coach Nick Saban cannot afford to lose is offensive tackle Jedrick Wills of Lexington, Kentucky.
Wills committed to Alabama on Nov. 15, 2016, but is getting serious pressure from the Kentucky Wildcats to stay home in college. Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops got his team to a bowl in 2016 and could incentivize Wills with earlier playing time than he could have in Tuscaloosa.
Wills is the No. 1 player from Kentucky, the No. 7 offensive tackle, and the No. 34 player in the 2017 class. 247 Sports has him as a four-star recruit with a 0.9825 grade. Wills will likely sign with Alabama to honor his commitment to the program. However, if any player committed to Alabama flips, it’s Wills to Kentucky.