Alabama Football Recruiting: Top Commitments, Players Considering the Tide

As I've said time and time again, 'Bama has more than likely become the premiere college football program in the game today. From having great coaching, playing in the SEC, winning national titles, tradition and of course recruiting like madmen, the Tide are dominant.

For this read we're going to look at what Alabama is doing to top their 2012 No.1 ranked recruiting class in this 2013 cycle. So hold on tight and let's take a look at what Saban and Co. are up to again in 2013 recruiting.

2013 Alabama Recruiting Class Capsule

Right now, Alabama has nine commitments towards their 2013 haul. Three prospects—Reuben Foster, OJ Howard and Altee Tenpenny—could finish the year with five full stars attached to their name.

Nick Saban usually finds a way to sign whichever number of prospects he wants, so it's tough for 'em to assess what the final tally will be next February.

The Tide really does a great job of recruiting just elite talent, but also evaluates thoroughly and  has a disciplined recruiting approach.  They will fill needs as they move forward during the process.

Top Commitment: Reuben Foster, LB

Foster is a 5-star recruit no matter where you look. He's the top LB in the nation and can play MLB or OLB for a defense.

6'2", 240-pounds, he totaled 185 tackles last year and also notched 14 sacks. He committed to Alabama early in the process and is ranked as the No.2 overall player in the country per Rivals.

He's the headliner of the Crimson Tide's 2013 class.

Prime Prospect: Robert Nkemdiche, DL

So if Foster is the second best player in the country, then you have to be wondering who's No.1, right? Well, it's none other than Robert Nkemdiche, a 6'5", 260-poiund DE prospect from Georgia.

Big, strong, physical, quick, agile, intense and possessing a wealth of talent, Nkemdiche is a man-child in the trenches. 

Alabama sits well for him, as does Ole Miss (where his brother plays), Clemson, Georgia and Ole Miss.

'Bama in Conner's Top Three

Antonio Conner is a 6'2", 192-pound DB prospect from Mississippi. I feel he's a 5-star recruit and a top flight overall player. Ranked inside the Top 40 for Rivals, I think Conner is undervalued.

But Alabama doesn't.

The Tide have offered the talented back end defender, and while the Mississippi native has Ole Miss and Mississippi State in his upper echelon of choices, Alabama is in the mix too. 

Recruiting Spotlight: O.J. Howard, TE

Howard committed to Alabama last year and is one of the top overall players in the nation, as he sits at No. 35 in the Rivals 100.

6'5", 225-pounds, Howard can play TE, DE or OLB. I think with Alabama not really having an elite pass-catching TE in some years, he should be stuck at TE and developed to become one of the top players in the SEC there.

Possessing great length, incredible athleticism, play speed, agility and more, the sky is the limit for Howard.

Prime Prospect: Max Browne, QB

Rivals lists Browne No. 8 overall and the nation's No. 1 QB prospect for 2013.  He's a 6'5", 205-pounder with a quick release, a strong arm, accuracy to all levels and solid pocket presence.

Alabama has a need for a top flight QB prospect and Browne is on their radar. Hailing from Washington, Browne is being recruited by former Husky OC-turned-Crimson Tide OC Doug Nussmeier.

Browne will visit Alabama in April. 

Fulwood Liked Tuscaloosa Visit

Ahmad Fulwood is a 6'4", 200-pound WR from Jacksonville, Florida, who took a trip to Alabama in mid-February for the Tide's Junior Day festivities.

Commenting on the facilities and using the word awesome when describing the visit tells me he enjoyed himself. Fulwood spoke with Nick Saban and Jeremy Pruitt, the latter being his primary recruiter.

Alabama has informed him that they are in need of a big WR and Fulwood likes the idea of filling that role. 

Prime Commitment: Altee Tenpenny, RB

Ranked No. 20 overall by Rivals on their Top 100 board, Altee Tenpenny is one of the top RBs in the nation. 6'0", 205-pounds, Tenpenny hails from Arkansas and is committed to Alabama.

He has flashed great leg strength, tackle-breaking ability and break away speed. Tenpenny is coming off a leg injury, so his senior year will be used to prove he's back to full strength.

Bosa Scopin' 'Bama

Joey Bosa is a DE that Rivals ranks as its No. 14 overall player in the country.  He stands a big and stout 6'5", 260-pounds, and notched 52 tackles, 18 TFLs and eight sacks last season en-route to a decorated junior campaign.

Alabama has offered the big DE, as they sit inside his top five, which also consists of Florida, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Florida State.

Stay tuned for more as we track Bosa's commitment as the year goes along.