Alabama Recruiting: Top 5 In-State Targets for 2014
Nick Saban and his staff are sitting in an enviable position considering that their 2013 recruiting class is sitting at 18 commitments and is once again on pace to finish with the nation’s top-rated class (h/t 247sports.com).
With just a few slots remaining to fill before national signing day next February, the Crimson Tide can focus their attention on filling the few open 2013 slots—and get a head start on the 2014 class.
The good news for Saban is that it is a strong year for talent in the state of Alabama, according to Greg Ostendorf of ESPN.com—with several elite talents residing in the Crimson Tide’s backyard.
Which in-state prep juniors should Tide fans keep an eye on this fall?
Find out in this breakdown of the state of Alabama’s top five prospects in the class of 2014.
5. Racean Thomas
1 of 5Thomas—who goes by the nickname “Rock”—is one of the nation’s top running back prospects for the class of 2014, and he was recently rated as a 4-star prospect by 247 Sports.
A host of SEC schools have already offered the 5’11”, 191-pound Thomas—including Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Arkansas and Florida.
Thomas rushed for 1,536 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore last season.
The Oxford High School star camped at both Alabama and Auburn last month, and his recruitment appears to be a battle between the in-state powerhouses.
4. E.J. Moss
2 of 5Moss is the state’s top quarterback prospect, and is a candidate to be one of the nation’s top dual-threat signal-callers in the class of 2014.
Moss accounted for more than 2,500 yards of total offense and 23 total touchdowns (14 passing, nine rushing) as a true freshman in 2010.
The 6’4”, 220-pounder from Ashville is raw as a passer, but he possesses tremendous upside considering that he has all the physical traits to be a special prospect if he continues to improve.
Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State are among the schools he is interested in the early stages of his recruitment, according to 247sports.com.
3. Tre' Williams
3 of 5Williams is one of the top defensive players in the state, and he will likely be one of the nation’s most-coveted linebackers in the class of 2014.
The 6’2”, 220-pound Mobile native is already rated as a 4-star prospect by 247 Sports—with the St. Paul’s product claiming early offers from Alabama, Auburn, USC, LSU and Florida State amongst others.
Williams has the speed and the instincts to be a special talent, with those traits already helping him gain a buzz on the summer camp circuit (h/t Paul Strelow, 247sports.com).
Williams—who is the cousin of current Crimson Tide safety Jarrick Williams—appears to be another player that will be in the middle of a bitter recruiting war between Alabama and Auburn.
2. Marlon Humphrey
4 of 5Humphrey is the son of former Crimson Tide star running back Bobby Humphrey, but unlike his father, the younger Humphrey will do his damage in college on defense as a cornerback.
The 6’1”, 175-pound Birmingham native is one of the elite defensive backs available in the 2014 class—as evidenced by him recently being named a 5-star prospect by 247 Sports.
His older brother, Maudrecus Humphrey, currently plays wide receiver at Arkansas—and the Razorbacks are included in the group of schools like Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee and North Carolina who have offered the Hoover High School standout.
Alabama was the first school to offer Humphrey, which should help Saban and his staff win the battle for one of the nation’s top corners.
1. Bo Scarbrough
5 of 5Saban won’t have far to travel to scout a recruit that 247 Sports just rated as a 5-star, and the nation’s top athlete.
The 6’2”, 220-pound wall of muscle could project as a running back or a wide receiver at the next level—but regardless of which position he plays, the Tuscaloosa native will be one the nation’s most coveted prospects in next year’s recruiting cycle.
Scarbrough lists offers from Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Florida State, Georgia and Florida amongst many others.
While he will undoubtedly have several suitors trying to lure him away from his hometown, it's hard to imagine Saban and his staff letting an elite talent like Scarbrough leave the city limits to play his college football.
