Alabama Football Recruiting 2023: Top Remaining 2023 Recruits, Class Predictions

The 2023 recruiting class is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the Alabama Crimson Tide. After making back-to-back appearances in the national title game, Alabama missed the College Football Playoff entirely.

This marked only the second time since the CFP's inception that Alabama didn't make the final four.

Additionally, the Crimson Tide is set to lose top talents like pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr., quarterback Bryce Young and running back Jahmyr Gibbs—all top-20 prospects in the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's end-of-season draft rankings—to the NFL.

The incoming freshman class will play a big role in Alabama's ability to get back to being a perennial contender.

Below, you'll find a look at how the class is shaping up heading into Wednesday's National Letter of Intent signing day. You'll find some of the Crimson Tide's top commits, some of the best uncommitted recruits remaining and some predictions for how the incoming class might look in the spring.

Alabama's 2023 Recruiting Class

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ATLANTA, GA - JULY 19: An Alabama Crimson Tide football helmet sits on the stage during the SEC Football Kickoff Media Days on July 19, 2022, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, GA.(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Heading into Wednesday, the Crimson Tide had the nation's top-ranked recruiting class, according to 247Sports. Alabama's class includes a whopping nine 5-star recruits, which is a lot for a team that didn't make the College Football Playoff.

Consider this a testament to the consistency Alabama has shown under head coach Nick Saban—the fact that the Tide regularly sends players to the first round of the NFL draft doesn't hurt.

Alabama's crop of 5-stars includes running back Justice Haynes, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, cornerback Desmond Ricks and pass-rusher Qua Russaw. Of Alabama's 28 total commits, another 18 are 4-star recruits.

Among the 4-stars is talented Brookwood (Georgia) quarterback Dylan Lonergan.

"Will need to keep progressing and adjust to the speed of the game at the Power 5 level, but has the arm talent to make some big-time throws on Saturdays," Andrew Ivins of 247Sports wrote of Lonergan. "Likely to find most success in a balanced offensive attack with complex passing concepts."

Loaded with offensive and defensive talent, Alabama's 2023 class should set the stage for more sustained success in Tuscaloosa. Of course, fans will wonder if the Crimson Tide can add even more future building blocks in the coming days.

Top Recruits to Watch

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Archbishop Carroll ATH Nyckoles Harbor

Two 5-star recruits remain available: Archbishop Carroll athlete Nyckoles Harbor and Pinnacle tight end Duce Robinson. Alabama has shown interest in Harbor, though the Crimson Tide is not considered a top contender to land him, according to 247Sports.

Robinson took an official visit to Tuscaloosa back in October, and he seems like a more realistic option for the Crimson Tide. However, his decision isn't likely to come this week. Chad Simmons of On3 reported on Tuesday that Robinson won't make an announcement on Wednesday.

Georgia, USC, Oregon and Texas are other schools to watch in the Robinson pursuit.

Other available recruits include 4-star offensive lineman Chimdy Onoh, 4-star cornerback Rodrick Pleasant and 4-star linebackers Andrew and Michael Harris. The Harris Brothers de-committed from UCF in December. Quarterback and 4-star recruit Jaden Rashada is also available after decommitting from Florida.

However, Alabama hasn't shown any interest in this group of recruits. Flipping a player is always a possibility, but it's probably Robinson or bust when it comes to the remaining elite prospects.

Predictions

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Fans stand before the start of an NCAA college football game between LSU and Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

We hate to be anticlimactic, but the prediction here is that Alabama's 2023 recruiting class remains relatively unchanged. The Tide has landed 28 commits and is adding former Georgia linebacker Trezmen Marshall and former Maryland tight end CJ Dippre through the transfer portal.

That's already 30 incoming players, and it's not as if Alabama has a tendency to add players late. Tight end Danny Lewis was the school's only February addition last offseason.

Robinson remains an intriguing option, and the Tide would love to land him if it can. However, there's a good chance that he either picks the defending champions or follows top quarterback recruit Arch Manning to Texas.

"Any time we're together, we enjoy spending time together, and I think it would be a lot of fun to catch passes from him," Robinson said of Manning, per Joe Spears of On3.

Our guess is that Alabama is done handing out scholarships for the time being, though that could change during the spring transfer window in a few months. The Crimson Tide already possesses the top-ranked recruiting class, and that should have fans plenty excited about 2023 and beyond.

Prediction: Alabama is finished adding top recruits but retains the nation's top-ranked class.