Alabama football’s 2024 recruiting season is far from over, but a busy week comes to an end on Friday when the
early signing period closes. How successful was Alabama prior to the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Rose
Bowl?
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Twenty-three players signed their letters of intent and delivered them to the University of Alabama’s Tuscaloosa
headquarters. There are two five-stars, eight four-stars, and thirteen three-stars. Saban estimated that approximately
19 players have already joined the team in practices (players will not be eligible until next fall). The most noteworthy
absentee is Saraland athlete Ryan Williams, who will sign in February.
Including Williams’ five-star ranking, Alabama is ranked second nationwide by 247Sports, trailing only Georgia.
247Sports uses a bell curve to evaluate team signees, with the best players in each class receiving higher priority. The
Tide concluded with a score of 300.75, while the Bulldogs scored 315.22.
While media analysis is unlikely to impact in UA coaches’ offices (and shouldn’t), Alabama’s score would be the
lowest in five years, when it was rated 289.94 in 2018. Patrick Surtain II and Jayln Waddle were among the members
of this outfit.
CBS Sports’ Brandon Huffman: “Look who shined on signing day. The Crimson Tide moved up from fourth to second
in the rankings, extending their yearly off-field battle with Georgia for another cycle. Julian Sayin, a five-star
quarterback and longtime commit, was never considered a potential departure as the class’s top recruit. But
Alabama’s true strength lies in its ability to flip players, and Wednesday was no exception. The Tide acquired four-
star RB Kevin Riley from Miami and four-star ATH Aeryn Hampton from Texas.
