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Published Oct 4, 2018
Take Two: Is Alabama poised for another strong close to recruiting cycle?
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Mike Farrell, Adam Gorney
Rivals.com

Take Two returns with a daily offering tackling a handful of issues in the college football landscape. Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and a local expert from the Rivals.com network of team sites.

MORE: Impact of Haselwood's decommitment | Hot Power 5 assistants

THE STORYLINE

Alabama once again has the top-rated recruiting class and this is without any five-star commitments yet as the Crimson Tide look to win another team recruiting title heading toward the early signing period.

Things could get much, much better heading to December. Ten of 29 five-star prospects remain uncommitted and many of them - especially those in the top 10 - are serious about Alabama through the fall.

Specifically, offensive tackle Darnell Wright, defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, running back Trey Sanders and defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher all have Alabama among their top schools.

Wright has the Crimson Tide and Tennessee as his top two. Thibodeaux is looking at Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, USC and possibly others. Sanders is serious about Florida, Alabama and Texas among others. Sopsher is looking mostly at the Crimson Tide and LSU. Other five-stars, especially top center Clay Webb, are also high on the national champs.

After five-star receiver Jadon Haselwood’s decommitment from Georgia on Tuesday night, Alabama moved to No. 1 in the team recruiting rankings. Could the Crimson Tide significantly expand its lead by landing all those uncommitted targets in the top 10?

TAKE ONE: ANDREW BONE, BAMAINSIDER.COM

“Alabama has been one of the hottest programs in the country for the last 10 years in terms of signing five-star players. What has been even more impressive is the amount of five-star talent that has panned out during the time period. Alabama signed five five-stars in 2016, six in 2017 and 'only' three in 2018. Alabama currently has the No. 1 recruiting class in the country without a five-star.

“Plenty of top players remain in the mix for the Crimson Tide, especially those who have five-stars next to their name. Alabama is on the short list for guys like Wright, Webb, Thibodeaux, Sanders, Evan Neal and Sopsher. Alabama is also working hard to flip Auburn commitment George Pickens.

"Alabama didn't close as strong as it hoped in 2018. A lot had to do with turnover on the coaching staff. Only three assistants remain on the staff from last year: Tosh Lupoi (promoted to DC), Mike Locksley (promoted to OC) and Brent Key. That much change can certainly cause a major effect on the recruiting front when going up against other top programs. Alabama has a younger staff in place, and despite some likely interest after the season in a few coaches, it likely won't be anything like 2018.

"Alabama should close very strong in terms of five-star recruits, especially on the offensive side of the ball.”

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TAKE TWO: MIKE FARRELL, RIVALS.COM

“Alabama can do anything it wants when it comes to recruiting. They’re not going to get shut out in the five-star department, so they’re going to get their share. I’m not sure Alabama is going to get all four of those guys in the top 10.

“With Sopsher, LSU is going to be difficult. Thibodeaux could stay out West. Wright is between Tennessee and Alabama. Sanders has a brother at Florida. They could strike out on all those guys and still end up getting a couple five-stars. You can never count them out for anybody. If you’re looking at those four players, you have to assume Alabama is going to at least get one or two of them.”

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