Alabama Football Recruiting: Tide's National Signing Day Wish List a Month Out

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Regardless of how the various recruiting services rate the University of Alabama's latest class of prospects on national signing day (Feb. 1), the Crimson Tide will continue their recent trend of having college football's most talented roster.

Still, finishing No. 1 is the annual goal, with doing so in recruiting often leading to comparable results in an upcoming season. Alabama's had unparalleled success in both respects under head coach Nick Saban. With roughly a month until the class of 2017 is finalized, that's exactly where Scout.com has Alabama. The Crimson Tide have commitments from eight of the site's top 100 players.

But that doesn't mean Saban has put away his wish list, even though Alabama has already landed 26 commitments (some more binding than others).

Although the Southeastern Conference has a rule prohibiting teams from signing more than 25 players in a recruiting class, schools can backtrack and count prospects against the previous year's class if players left the program and the roster doesn't exceed 85 scholarship players.

Because Alabama had numerous transfers last year it still has some spots to fill, which could put this group into elite territory when it comes to all-time great recruiting classes...at least on paper.

Regardless, Alabama had nine commitments play in the Under Armour All-America Game, while Saturday's Army All-American Game features five, including both special teams additions.

Here's the well-rounded class so far, with each player's Scout.com position ranking and overall ranking (*indicates soft verbal commitment):

QB: Tua Tagovailoa (4, 36); Mac Jones (22, NR)

RB: Najee Harris* (1, 1); Brian Robinson (16, 169)

WR: Jerry Jeudy (9, 65); Tyrell Shavers (16, 116)

TE: Major Tennison (11, NR); Kedrick James (15, NR)

OT: Alex Leatherwood (3, 18); Elliot Baker (10 JUCO); Jedrick Wills (10, 63); Kendall Randolph* (18, 149)

OG: Hunter Brannon (74, NR)

DE: Isaiah Buggs (2 JUCO)

DT: Akial Byers (10, 181)

ILB: Markail Benton (5, 119)

OLB: Dylan Moses (1, 6); VanDarius Cowan (3, 31); Chris Allen (5, 81)

CB: Kyriq McDonald (44, NR); Jhavonte Dean* (20 JUCO)

S: Daniel Wright (15, 158); Xavier McKinney (17, 180)

ATH: Chadarius Townsend (10,152)

ST: Thomas Fletcher (NR LS); Brandon Ruiz (NR K)

1. Running Back Najee Harris

Although Najee Harris has been a soft commit since spring 2015, Crimson Tide fans are sort of approaching him like recent Iron Bowls: They know they're the favorite, but they're still nervous because history dictates anything can happen. 

Harris, out of Antioch, California, isn't just considered the best running back in the nation, but also the best player overall.

With Harris listed at 6'3", 225 pounds, Alabama fans believe he could be the program's next great running back. However, Michigan has made a major push to lure him away, and Southern California has been a big-time suitor.

All three programs are waiting with bated breath as Harris doesn't have a Twitter account and rarely does interviews, so his recruitment has been difficult for anyone to gauge.

Harris made his official visit to Alabama in November, for the Iron Bowl.

2. Defensive Tackle Aubrey Solomon

Scout.com rates Aubrey Solomon as a 5-star prospect and the nation's No. 2 defensive tackle.

The product of Leesburg, Georgia, has had an atypical recruitment. He's declared numerous front-runners, was at one point committed to Michigan and has said he won't announce a decision by national signing day, per Jeff Sentell of Dawg Nation.

The popular belief is Alabama, Georgia and Michigan are the front-runners, but Solomon told Hank South of BamaOnline on Sunday that the Crimson Tide have a "huge lead."

Solomon has already made an official visit to Alabama and has planned trips to Southern California, Auburn and Florida later this month, plus unofficial visits to Georgia before national signing day, per Sentell.

Saban feels he can never have enough quality players on the defensive line, so some others to keep an eye on are Phidarian Mathis, from Monroe, Louisiana, and Elijah Conliffe from Hampton, Virginia. Scout.com lists both as 4-star prospects.

3. Defensive End LaBryan Ray

LaBryan Ray, a defensive end from James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama, (just outside of Huntsville) is widely considered the top in-state prospect. Scout.com lists Ray as a 4-star player, No. 86 overall and the ninth-best recruit at his position.

Alabama appears to be in good shape for his services, with Ole Miss, Tennessee, Florida and Mississippi State the other top challengers. Despite having a shoulder injury that will require surgery, Ray was one of the players to draw a lot of praise during the Under Armour All-America Game and practices.

Other defensive ends to keep an eye on include Jarez Parks, junior-college prospect Javon Kinlaw and Ryan Johnson.

Scout.com rates Parks, from Sebastian, Florida, fourth among defensive ends. He was going to announce his choice at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl but has since changed his mind. He's already visited Alabama and Florida State and has scheduled trips to Florida, Auburn and North Carolina.

Kinlaw decommitted from South Carolina in November but could still end up there, while Southern California is now in the mix. Auburn is the team to beat for the in-state Johnson, who is from St. Paul's Episcopal in Mobile, Alabama.

4. Wide Receivers

Scout.com

Wide receiver Devonta Smith is playing in this week's Army All-American Game in San Antonio.

Alabama's numbers crunch will likely be on display at this position, where Devonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III are thought to be heavy Crimson Tide leans.

Scout.com rates Smith, from Amite, Louisiana, as a 5-star prospect and the nation's No. 2 wide receiver. LSU and Miami (Florida) are considered the strongest challengers.

Ruggs, who hails from Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Alabama, is a 4-star prospect and the No. 23 wide receiver overall.

Neither player is expected to make a final decision until signing day approaches.

Two other 4-star recruits to watch are Jeff Thomas, who caught three passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns in the Under Armour All-America Game, and Nico Collins, a 6'5" in-state prospect from Clay-Chalkville High School. Michigan is considered the favorite to land Collins.

5. Defensive Backs

Alabama went into last weekend wanting to add at least one more defensive back, and it got him Sunday with Xavier McKinney, who had decommitted from the Crimson Tide over the summer and many believed was heading to Clemson.

Consequently, Alabama could be done in the secondary, but if it does add another player (or someone gets flipped) he'll likely be a safety.

Devon Hunter and Todd Harris are ranked first and ninth, respectively, in Scout.com's position rankings.

Hunter is from Chesapeake, Virginia, and Virginia Tech is the clear front-runner, but he could visit Alabama during the final weekend in January. LSU is the primary competition for Harris, who is from Plaquemine, Louisiana.

Tariq Castro-Fields and Christopher Henderson are cornerbacks who remain in the mix.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Recruit rankings provided by Scout.com.

Christopher Walsh is a lead SEC college football writer. Follow Christopher on Twitter @WritingWalsh.