Alabama Football: Meet Landon Collins, the Crimson Tide's Flagship Recruit

Before Alabama settled its score with LSU on the field for the BCS National Championship on Jan. 9, Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide struck a metaphorical body blow to their friends from Baton Rouge a few days earlier.  

In what has certainly been the most fascinating decision thus far in this recruiting cycle, the world watched when Geismar (La.) Dutchtown safety Landon Collins shocked everyone—even his mother—by picking the Tide over the home-standing Tigers during a nationally-televised announcement during the Under Armour All-American game.  

Collins is a consensus 5-star prospect and a top 20 player in the country regardless of position (rated third overall by 247 Sports, seventh by ESPN, eighth by Scout and 17th by Rivals) and the top player in Louisiana. 

In a 2012 Crimson Tide class already loaded with stars, Collins’ pledge made the biggest splash and simultaneously filled a huge need on defense.  

His decision had a ripple effect of sorts, immediately boosting the Crimson Tide’s case to land the top class in the nation.  

With the Tide losing a host of stars off of the best defense in the BCS era—including first-team All-American safety Mark Barron—getting the best high school safety prospect in the country is a good place to start the reloading process.  

The 6'0", 200-pounder is a physical defensive back that hits like a linebacker yet has the speed and agility to cover slot receivers—which explains why he was so coveted by the two SEC West powerhouses.  

With Robert Lester returning to school for his senior season at free safety, Collins will enter the competition for Barron’s vacated strong safety spot or fight for the spot to back up Lester.  

The battle for playing time will be fierce, with talented young players like Vinnie Sunseri, Hasean Clinton-Dix and fellow 2012 commit Eddie Williams vying for minutes.  

But with Collins already ducking the immense pressure to stay in state, he certainly proved that he would not be afraid of competing to earn playing time.  

Getting an impact defender like Collins is another feather in the cap for Saban, who has proven over time that his penchant for producing elite NFL-caliber defensive backs is second to none.  

By plucking an elite talent like Collins right out of LSU’s backyard, Saban served another notice to the nation that the Crimson Tide can get it done on the field and on the recruiting trail.  

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