Alabama Football Recruiting: The Latest on the Tide's Top 5 Targets

Alabama is coming off a BCS National Championship victory, and they are looking to repeat, with a talented team returning and a great recruiting class coming in. Although it's never wise to settle for what you have, you always want to go out and land as many top prospects as possible. 

There are plenty of great players still out there, and many of them have the Crimson Tide on their list of possible schools they'd like to commit to. As we get closer and closer to National Signing Day, these finals days leading up to it may be the most crucial for these programs.

Here are the latest updates for the top five targets that Alabama is after.

DT Korren Kirven

Korren Kirven is one of the top defensive tackles in this years class and specializes in rushing the quarterback. He would be a great addition to the defensive line and appears to be real interested in becoming a member of the Tide. He is trying to knock out all of his visits now, as he has a visit lined up with Virginia Tech this weekend and is also looking at schools like Tennessee and Maryland.

Here are a few words he said about his recent visit with Alabama. 

"

The visit was great. It was great to hang out with the players. Cyrus Kouandjio and Jeoffrey Pagan were my hosts. We hung out and chilled. We talked about the program. They kept it real with me. They told me what the deal is down there. It was real good.

My favorite part about the visit--I like to eat. The food was real good. It was also good getting to talk to the coaches more and seeing the campus. Just to see where everything is. That was the biggest thing I enjoyed. I went out with the players, and that was fun.

"

OLB Kwon Alexander

The Crimson Tide need linebacker depth more than anything right now, and Kwon Alexander could provide that for them right away. He's taken all five of his visits, most recently with Alabama. He's also looking at schools like Auburn, Florida State and LSU. Although, he has said that Alabama is one of the schools that is recruiting him the hardest.

He's expected to make his decision sometime during National Signing Day, and I would be shocked if he didn't pick the Crimson Tide.

OT Avery Young

Avery Young visited Alabama back in early November, making it his second official visit. They are considered a team in the race, but his recent visit to Miami may have the Hurricanes in the lead for his services. Regardless, the Crimson Tide will be highly considered, along with Miami, Georgia, Auburn and Florida.

He will make his decision in the afternoon on National Signing Day.

DE/DT Eddie Goldman

Adding a player such as Eddie Goldman has to be at the top of Alabama's list. At 6'4", 315 pounds, he's the type of player who can come in and contribute right away on the defensive side of the ball. He's a big boy, athletic and will clog up running lanes for whichever defensive line he wants to become a part of.

He will make his decision in the morning on National Signing Day, and I really think it will be between either Alabama or Florida State. Although, the Seminoles may have the slight advantage now that he knows Mario Edwards will also be a part of the defense as well.

OT Arik Armstead

Alabama was one of the first schools that Armstead visited back in November. But recently, it appeared the Crimson Tide were out of the race when he announced that he'll make his decision on National Signing Day.

The list of his top schools included Oregon, Auburn, California and Notre Dame. Now you can add Alabama back on the list because Nick Saban is planning on making a home visit to the young man to give his last pitch.

It may still be somewhat of a long shot to land the nation's top offensive linemen, but if anybody can pull this off, it's Saban and Alabama.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]