Alabama football needs to keep these class of 2024 commits and target these in-state recruits
Alabama football didn't make any additions to its No. 1-ranked class of 2023 on National Signing Day after it signed 26 high school recruits and two junior college transfers in the December early signing period.
Its full attention is, and has been, on the class of 2024 and beyond. It’ll be hard for Alabama to top its 2023 class, one of the best ever according to the 247Sports Composite.
Here’s a look at Alabama's early 2024 commits, the in-state recruits it will want to keep home and a few out-of-state names to know.
Commits
Julian Sayin
The Crimson Tide’s top commit is 6-foot-1, 195-pound five-star quarterback Sayin from Southern California. Sayin is the No. 15 recruit in the nation and No. 2 quarterback. Alabama will likely sign one quarterback after it signed two in the class of 2023.
Jaylen Mbakwe
In-state Clay-Chalkville cornerback Mbakwe is arguably the most important commit as the No. 1 in-state recruit and No. 33 overall. He's primarily played receiver in high school but is the No. 5 cornerback in the nation.
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Perry Thompson
Thompson, a 6-3 and 200-pound receiver from Foley, was the first 2024 commit, deciding last June one month before Mbakwe.
Alabama will have to stave off competitors from Thompson after he told On3, “I’m going to keep taking visits. I would say my commitment is about 60% right now.”
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Sterling Dixon
The Mobile Christian 6-3 edge committed to Alabama after logging more than 170 tackles as a junior.
Martavious Collins
The Rome (Georgia) commit is a 6-3, 241-pound athlete who could create matchup nightmares at tight end.
In-state targets
Jeremiah Beaman
Beaman, a four-star defensive lineman from recruiting hotbed Birmingham, is receiving heavy interest from Alabama, Clemson and Georgia.
Bradley Shaw
Alabama recently offered the Hoover four-star linebacker. Alabama kicker Will Reichard is the last Buccaneer to sign with Alabama back in the class of 2019.
Shaw, the No. 205 recruit in the nation, could end the streak if Alabama keeps off Georgia, Auburn and other suitors. He was a 7A first-team all-state selection as a junior.
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TJ Banks
The Tuscaloosa native and four-star Northridge defensive back visited Auburn, Florida State, Florida and Tennessee this month. He took several gameday visits to Alabama in the fall and received an offer last winter.
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J’Marion Burnette
Burnette has one of the more impressive frames at running back in the country at 6-1 and 210 pounds. The four-star rushed for more than 1,400 yards as a junior after topping 2,000 as a sophomore. The tough-running ball-carrier is expected to commit in early summer.
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Kevin Riley
The Tuscaloosa County running back’s recruitment skyrocketed during his junior season, when he received an offer from Alabama. The four-star all-state selection will reveal the favorites to land him this spring.
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Malik Blocton
Alabama coach Nick Saban traveled to Pike Road to offer the three-star defensive lineman in-person. The 6-3, 270-pounder's brother is Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris.
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Joseph Philips
Like Riley, the Booker T. Washington linebacker was offered by Alabama at the end of his junior season. Phillips, 6-3 and 225 pounds, has just 12 Power Five offers, and Auburn was the first to offer him.
D’Angelo Barber
The Clay-Chalkville linebacker received an offer from Alabama in January. Barber, 6-foot and 205 pounds, leads Clay-Chalkville's defense, which allowed just 8.3 points per game in his junior season. He only has a handful of offers.
Mario Craver
Craver, a 5-9, 160-pound receiver, is one of the most explosive athletes in the state. The Clay-Chalkville junior exploded onto the scene after winning a state championship as a sophomore. He received an offer from Alabama last January and will see more campuses this spring.
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Out-of-state recruits to know
KJ Bolden, Buford (Georgia), S
Zabien Brown, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California), CB
Daniel Calhoun, Centennial (Roswell, Georgia), OT
Dealyn Evans, Pine Tree (Texas), DL (Texas A&M commit)
Corian Gipson, Lancaster (Texas), S
Aeryn Hampton, Dangerfield (Texas), WR
Terrance Hibbler Jr., Holmes County (Mississippi), DL
Daniel Hill, Meridian (Mississippi), LB
Jacob Smith, The Loomis Chaffee School (Windsor, Connecticut), Edge
Jerod Smith, The Loomis Chaffee School (Windsor, Connecticut), DL
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football should target these in-state recruits for its 2024 class
