Rivals national recruiting analyst Ryan Wright has thoughts on Alabama's offensive coordinator hire, programs signing smaller high school classes and Georgia's chances to win the 2024 recruiting title in today's Three-Point Stance.
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RUMOR MILL: Programs turn the page on 2023, shift focus to 2024
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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
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DID ALABAMA GET ITS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR HIRE RIGHT?
Alabama head coach Nick Saban made two big hires last week filling the defensive coordinator spot with veteran Kevin Steele and went young at offensive coordinator with Tommy Rees. With Steele, this is his third go-round with Saban so both parties know what to expect. With Rees, his rise has been meteoric starting his collegiate coaching career in 2017 as Notre Dame’s quarterback coach before taking over the coordinator’s role in 2020. The question at hand, is Rees a good hire for the Crimson Tide?
Under former head coach Brian Kelly (2020-21), Rees helped the Irish post a 21-4 record. Making the transition to head coach Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame slipped to 9-4. The Irish’s 2022 squad ranked 42nd nationally averaging 31.8 points per game; a far cry from Alabama’s 41 point-per-game average against tougher competition.
The injection of youth on the coaching staff can help in different ways, especially with recruiting and perhaps with a fresh approach to play calling. There is always a learning curve for coaches transitioning into the SEC as an SEC season is a grind with future NFL players at every position. Rees has a balanced attack with his offense and is not afraid to let his QB run which can be dangerous in this conference. Adding to the potential mountain to climb beyond the expectations, Alabama will have a new starter under center in 2023.
An Alabama motto that has worked is “in Saban we trust.” On paper, this hire is risky but could pay off. There will be enthusiasm on the recruiting trail with Rees’ hire, but we won’t have an idea about the fit until spring practices and whether this was the right move until the 2023 season is in full swing.
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WILL PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO SIGN SMALLER HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES?
Kentucky, Colorado, Missouri, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Louisville and Wisconsin are just a few of the big names that closed out the 2023 recruiting class signing fewer than 20 players. Will the trend continue? Yes.
Fans will have to adjust to the new recruiting model. As long as the transfer portal remains a viable option after the season, at the end of spring practices and up to the start of a given season, teams will opt to add talent received from other programs. While this may seem like a hinderance for high school players seeking that Power Five opportunity, what it means is more Group of Five programs will reap the early benefits signing larger classes with kids who can play.
Colorado State (31), Arkansas State (24), Troy (28), and Georgia Southern (26) were among the teams making the most out of a great opportunity to land overlooked talent.
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CAN GEORGIA GO WIRE-TO-WIRE WITH THE 2024 CLASS?
Yes, the Bulldogs had a slow start to the 2023 recruiting cycle and needed a strong close leading up to the Early Signing Period to put together the second-ranked class in the nation. With the 2024 group, the Bulldogs are not wasting time. The staff has accepted commitments from 10 players already, all four-stars. The commitments across the country have yet to really heat up, which will happen more regularly once players get on campus for spring practices and in June when taking official visits.
Expect the regular list of contenders – Alabama, Ohio State, Texas, LSU and Notre Dame – to challenge UGA for the top spot, but the Bulldogs have a proven recruiting record and far more respect as back-to-back national champs.
