Alabama Football: Ranking Crimson Tide’s last 10 recruiting classes

6. 2016

Best Player: Quinnen Williams
Best Value: Josh Jacobs

When you look at the top of this recruiting class, it might seem disappointing. However, this group has a ton of diamonds in the rough. The first one is Jalen Hurts. He was brought in to compete with Blake Barnett and Cooper Bateman for the starting job, but no one expected him to start as a freshman. Hurts shocked the nation, and he’s been shocking them ever since. Even though he is now Oklahoma’s starting quarterback, he will always be loved at Alabama.

Another diamond is Quinnen Williams. Q was outside the top 150 players in his class, and he was still drafted in the top-three after only one season as a starter with the Tide.

The best gem is probably Josh Jacobs. Josh wasn’t recruited by practically any school. He never even officially started with Alabama. However, he was one of the best running backs in college football last year. Even if he wasn’t used a lot, he did enough to earn a first round draft selection this season.

Irv Smith Jr. was another great piece for the Tide. Thanks to Tua, Smith was able to push up his draft stock as a pass-catching tight end. He also blocked well in the run game and slipped out into seam routes.

There was also some talent at the top of the recruiting class. Mack Wilson wasn’t perfect, but he played well at linebacker for his sophomore and junior years. Jonah Williams was one of the best left tackles Saban has ever had. There was also Terrell Lewis, Raekwon Davis, and Trevon Diggs, all of which will be huge contributors to the defense this season.

Some players still haven’t lived up to the hype as they approach their junior and senior seasons. BJ Emmons transferred to Florida Atlantic after one season with the Tide. Ben Davis was the top prospect of the recruiting class, and he still hasn’t contributed at the linebacker position.