SEC Recruiting Grades After National Signing Day: Alabama, Tennessee on Top
Jan 20, 2015; Fairhope, AL, USA; Alabama head coach Nick Saban addresses the media during South squad Senior Bowl practice at Fairhope Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Rivals Class Rank: No. 2
Once again, the Alabama Crimson Tide did what they always do. Even if they did fall to No. 2 this year in the Rivals recruiting rankings, they still had an amazing class that gives them what is still the deepest team in all of college football.
Nick Saban did it the way Nick Saban does it: by finding the critical skill players he needs and then loading the rest of the class with massive lineman and great defensive stars. A 335-pound 5-star defensive tackle in Daron Payne, a 5-star defensive back who runs a 4.5-40 in Minkah Fitzpatrick, and eight more 4-star defensive players combined with four 4-star offensive linemen highlights that.
But, Saban still found those critical skill players in 5-star running back Damien Harris and 5-star wide receiver Calvin Ridley, each of whom run a 4.5-40, and 4-star wide receiver Daylon Charlot. Adding 4-star quarterback Blake Barnett ensures that the offense will be exactly what it needs to be.
Like every Saban recruiting class, he has done what is necessary to ensure that there are no weaknesses on the team. Is anybody surprised by that? They shouldn’t be.
Grade: A+
Next: National Signing Day: Winners and Losers
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