Landon Collins: Alabama Secondary Won't Miss a Beat with 5-Star Safety

Say what you will about Nick Saban and is demeanor, but the guy knows what he’s doing when it comes to recruiting top-shelf help on defense.

There are currently four to five players from his National Championship squad that are projected to be first-round picks, including safety Mark Barron.

Fear not, Tide fans, Landon Collins is coming to town.

Being ESPNU’s sixth overall recruit out of Duchtown High School in Geismar, La., there is little doubt he will be one of the next defensive stars in Saban’s system.

He is basically running a factory at this point.

Collins, at 6’0’’ and 210 pounds, may lack an inch or two in height, but he’s extremely physical and has impressive strength for a safety.

According to ESPNU’s scouting report, he is terrific at reading routes and is a superb tackler that is also an effective blitzer. His combination of speed and strength will show up as a special-teamer instantly.

In short, there is nothing about this guy that doesn’t scream four-year starter.

And what might be the most important factor in landing Collins, ‘Bama stole a New Orleans native away from LSU. Remember the infamous YouTube video where ESPN’s Dari Nowkhah interviewed Collins as he prepared to announce his decision. Sitting right next to him was his mom, who desperately wanted him to pick LSU.

The awkwardness that ensued makes you squirm.

Exactly how Tide fans want to see it.

So not only did ‘Bama land the No. 1 recruiting class less than a month after winning a championship, but they stole one of the very best players in the country from one of their biggest rivals with a shocked LSU mom having to react on national TV.

Collins is going to fit right in on the Tuscaloosa campus.

Barron and the rest of the defensive studs are going to be very difficult to replace, but landing Collins and the rest of the top recruiting class in the nation makes everything a very quick fix. The No. 1 ranked defense in the nation won’t miss a beat.