Alabama Football Recruiting: Latest Crimson Tide Notes from the Recruiting Trail

Nation’s Top Recruit Sets Announcement Date 

The race to land the top recruit in the country will rage on for five lucky schools until May 18. 

That’s when Grayson High School (GA) defensive end Robert Nkemdiche will announce which of his five finalists—Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Clemson and Ole Miss—will land his signature next February.  

“I’m ready to commit because I know where I want to go,” Nkemdiche told Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “I feel like I’ve seen all the places I needed to see, and talked to all the coaches everywhere.” 

Alabama has long been considered the team to beat, but after his visit last weekend to LSU, the buzz is starting to build in the Tigers' favor.  

Scout.com’s Laura McKeeman tweeted that Nkemdiche announced that LSU was his leader.  

However, Nkemdiche did tell the AJC that he plans to possibly take additional visits to Georgia and Alabama to take in spring practice. 

Expect the rumor mill to be churning for the next two months, but Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide will be in it until the end. 

Tide Lose a Commit 

Alabama’s 2013 recruiting class took a hit when Miami (FL) defensive back Artie Burns of Northwestern High chose to back off his early pledge to the Crimson Tide and reopen his recruitment.  

"Yes I did (decommit from Alabama)," Burns told BamaOnline’s Charles Power (subscription required). "My top schools are FSU, UM (Miami), USC (Southern Cal), Louisville, and LSU. I'm just going to keep working and I would let the nation know where I'm going on signing day."  

With Burns failing to mention Alabama in his revised top five, it is highly unlikely that a scenario unfolds with him rejoining the Crimson Tide’s class.  

The 6’1”, 180-pound Burns was a teammate of current Crimson Tide wide receiver, and 2012 early enrollee, Amari Cooper.  

Burns’ move leaves Alabama’s 2013 class with eight commitments. 

Latest on QB Search 

Browne is rated as the nation’s top signal-caller by 247 Sports, and in a recent interview with BamaOnline’s Charles Power, the Washington native announced his intention to visit Tuscaloosa in the near future.  

“It might be sooner (than A-Day) because my spring break is the week before. I’d like for it to be a couple of days,” stated Browne. “I don’t know anything really about Alabama, like about the state or anything, but they’re the national champs and the relationship I have with Coach (Doug) Nussmeier is very attractive.” 

Meanwhile, the latest quarterback to receive an offer is Raleigh (N.C.) gunslinger Connor Mitch. 

The 6’3”, 220-pounder threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 51 touchdowns as a junior last season at Wakefield High.  

Mitch’s offer list has grown considerably recently, with SEC powers LSU and Tennessee joining Alabama in the race for the 3-star prospect. 

Mitch told BamaOnline that he hopes to make a decision before his senior season begins, and that he will visit Alabama for the A-Day spring game on April 14.  

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