Alabama Football Recruiting: Updates on 2013 Commits and Targets

Naturally, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have one of the most impressive recruiting classes in college football right now.

The scary thing for other programs, especially in the SEC, is that the Crimson Tide aren't done on the recruiting trail just yet. This is a program that's going to continue to get better.

The world of college football recruiting is often full or surprises. Things can happen in the blink of an eye, especially for a program like Alabama. That can make it hard to keep up. But you won't have that problem anymore.

If you're a fan of Alabama football or even just college football recruiting in general, consider this to be your "one stop shop" for Alabama recruiting.

You'll find all the news, analysis and updates on commitments and targets that you'll ever need right here.

Note: All 2012 stats via 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

Latest News

Update: 4-Star defensive end/linebacker Tim Williams from Baton Rouge picks the Tide over Miami. –End of Update 1/14/13

Update: 5-star DE DeMarcus Walker flipped his commitment from Alabama to Florida State on 1/8/13

Update: 4-star strong-side defensive end Joe Mathis commits to Washington over USC, UCLA and Alabama. Mathis committed at the 2013 U.S. Army All-American game. --End of Update 1/5/13

Update: Kendell Beckwith snubs Alabama for LSU. --End of Update 1/4/13

Update: Four-star running back Alvin Kamara, who has Alabama and Georgia on top of his interest list (247Sports), may likely end up taking his last visit to Alabama. Michael Carvell of ajc.com reports on the visit situation:

"

Kamara has a tight friendship with Alabama assistant Kirby Smart. He said that Smart had requested his final official visit and “I’ll probably do that.”

"

The last visit is important in recruiting because a program is essentially able to make the final impression with a recruit before he makes up his mind. Kamara could end up being a good change-of-pace back for the Crimson Tide if he were to commit to Alabama. He has yet to set dates for official visits, according to Carvell.

Update: The Alabama 2013 recruiting class has moved up to the No. 1 spot, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Alabama is one of the hottest programs in recruiting right now and the momentum seems to be building after the Crimson Tide were able to land the commitment of 5-star wide receiver Robert Foster.

The wideout picked Alabama over the hometown Pittsburgh Panthers, which goes to show you how much of a draw Alabama is with elite recruits.

Quarterback

Targets: None

Already Committed:

Cooper Bateman: 4-star pro-style QB, 6'3'', 195 pounds, 4.70 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 2,384 passing yards, 15 TDs, 82 rushing attempts, 277 rushing yards, 12 rushing TDs

All-Star Game: Under Armour - 4-12 31 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT

Parker McLeod: 3-star pro-style QB , 6'3'', 190 pounds. (247Sports)

Analysis:

Cooper Bateman could well be the quarterback of the future for Alabama. He has good size and is pretty fast for a quarterback. McLeod, on the other hand, will be a serviceable backup, so he's a good recruit to have on board.

It's also worth noting that 3-star quarterback Luke Del Rio (son of NFL coach Jack Del Rio) will walk on as well. AJ McCarron is a redshirt junior, so there's no better time to start prepping his replacement. If you're asking me, Bateman will be the guy.

Running Back

Targets:

Alvin Kamara: 4-star all-purpose RB, 5'10'', 195 pounds. (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 2,264 rushing yards, 26 TDs

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Georgia

Already Committed: 

Derrick Henry: 5-star RB/ATH, 6'3'', 240 pounds, 4.54 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 4,261 rushing yards, 55 TDs

All-Star Game: U.S. Army - 10 CAR 53 YDS, 1 TD

Altee Tenpenny: 4-star RB, 5'11'', 212 pounds. 4.49 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 1,379 rushing yards, 21 TDs, 135 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, Jan. 5, 1 p.m. ET

Tyren Jones: 4-star RB, 5'8.5'', 202 pounds. (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 1,682 rushing yards, 16 TDs

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, Jan. 5, 1 p.m. ET

Analysis

Overall, 'Bama may have the best running-back class in the country. Derrick Henry has the potential to be a superstar. He has the size of an outside linebacker and the speed of an elite running back. He's the perfect combination of a power and speed back. I have a feeling he'll eventually be challenging T.J. Yeldon for playing time.

The depth in the backfield is going to be incredible. Tenpenny and Jones will be solid backups. The talent level won't drop much when they enter a game. Frankly, they would be starters for almost any other program.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Targets:

Josh McNeil: Former Alabama commitment, 4-star TE, 6'6'', 250 pounds. (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition for Commitment: LSU

Current Commitments:

O.J. Howard: 5-star TE, 6'5.5'', 221 pounds, 4.42 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 13 receptions, 464 yards, 5 TDs, 8 total TDs (maxpreps.com)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Robert Foster: 5-star WR, 6'2'', 185 pounds, 4.49 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 45 receptions, 756 yards, 14 TDs

All-Star Game: Under Armour - 4 REC, 55 YDS, 0 TD

Raheem Falkins: 4-star WR, 6'4,5'', 195 pounds (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 47 receptions, 1,058 yards, 14 TDs

Analysis:

O.J. Howard has the potential to be the best tight end in college football. He has elite speed and great size, so he's going to be a constant mismatch. Corners and safeties will have a hard covering him because of his size, and linebackers will have no chance to stick with him because of his speed. Howard is going to be a major playmaker for Alabama.

The same could be said for Foster. He's one of 'Bama's biggest commitments so far. He is big and fast enough to be a deep threat, and he'll be a more than solid No. 2 to Amari Cooper. He could also be used in the slot effectively because he's shifty and skilled enough to run after the catch. 

Offensive Line

Targets:

Laremy Tunsil: 5-star OT, 6'6'', 295 pounds, 5.12 40 (247Sports)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, Jan. 5, 1 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Georgia, Florida State

Already Committed:

Leon Brown: (Signed) 4-star JUCO OT, 6'6'', 310 pounds. (247Sports)

Brandon Hill: (Signed) 4-star JUCO OT, 6'6.5'', 390 pounds. (247Sports)

Grant Hill: 4-star OT/OG, 6'6'', 300 pounds. (247Sports)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, Jan. 5, 1 p.m. ET

Bradley Bozeman: 4-star OG, 6'4.5'', 305 pounds, 5.74 40 (247Sports)

Analysis:

Alabama's quarterbacks and running backs will be very happy that Saban was able to recruit this group of linemen. They all have great size and will fit nicely in 'Bama's offensive scheme. I expect this group to be the next wave of great blockers for Alabama.

If Saban can land Tunsil, this group will go from great to elite. Tunsil is the No. 1-ranked offensive tackle in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He has the size, strength and athleticism to be an elite player, especially at Alabama.

Defensive Line

Targets:

Robert Nkemdiche: 5-star SDE, 6'4'', 285 pounds, 4.65 40 (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition For Commitment: Ole Miss, LSU

Montravius Adams: 5-star DT, 6'4'', 310 pounds. (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition For Commitment: Georgia, Clemson, Florida, Auburn

Kendell Beckwith: 4-star WDE, 6'2.5'', 225 pounds, 4.83 40 (247Sports)

Update: Kendell Beckwith snubs Alabama for LSU. 1/4/13

2012 Stats: 91 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Jay-nard Bostwick: 4-star SDE, 6'4'', 280 pounds. (247Sports)

Biggest Competition For Commitment: Florida, Miami, Michigan

DeMarcus Walker: 5-star SDE/DT, 6'3'', 265 pounds, 4.60 40 (247Sports)

Already Committed:

Tim Williams: 4-star WDE, 6'3'', 225 pounds. (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Darius Paige: 4-star DT, 6'4'', 285 pounds. (247Sports)

Analysis:

There is still a lot of room for improvement here, and there are obviously several great recruits still on the board. So the potential for this group is incredible. DeMarcus Walker has what it takes to be a very good. He has good size, speed and can be a versatile defender for the Crimson Tide. 

Montravius Adams is 'Bama's must-have recruit. He can be utilized as a defensive end in the 3-4, and he has the size and speed to be dominant. He'll be able to play strong against the run, but his technique and quickness would make him a great pass-rusher, even as a 3-4 defensive end.  Alabama's main focus should be on recruiting Adams from here on out.

Robert Nkemdiche, the nation's No. 1 recruit, is an interesting option, of course. One has to wonder if Saban would move him to the "jack" linebacker position. That said, Ole Miss appears to be in the driver's seat for his commitment.

Linebackers

Targets:

Reuben Foster: Former Alabama and Auburn commitment, 5-star ILB, 6'1'', 240 pounds, 4.60 40 (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m.ET

Biggest Competition For Commitment: Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Washington

Already Committed:

Jonathan Allen: 5-star OLB/WDE, 6'3'', 260 pounds. (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 119 tackles, 8 sacks, 6 fumble recoveries

All-Star Game: U.S. Army, Jan. 5, 1 p.m. ET

Walker Jones: 4-star ILB, 6'3'', 238 pounds, 4.60 40. (247Sports)

Analysis:

Jonathan Allen is the premier recruit of this group and arguably the premier defensive recruit for Alabama. He has the potential to be a force on the edges of the 3-4 as an outside linebacker. That said, don't forget about Jones. He has tremendous speed for an inside linebacker and could end up being a very underrated commitment who plays a huge role for Alabama.

Reuben Foster is an interesting name to bring up. He's a former Alabama commit and the Crimson Tide are on his interest list, according to 247Sports. Realistically, though, Georgia seems to have the best chance to land his commitment. I also wouldn't count out Auburn, even though he recently backed out of his commitment to the Tigers.

Defensive Backs

Targets:

Tony Conner: 5-star S, 6'1.5'', 203 pounds. (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition For Commitment: Ole Miss

Vonn Bell: 5-star S, 5'11.5'', 190 pounds. 4.45 40. (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition For Commitment: Ohio State, Tennessee

Already Committed:

Maurice Smith: 4-star CB, 5'11.5'', 178 pounds. (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Jonathan Cook: 4-star CB, 6'0'', 183 pounds, 4.51 40. (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 81 tackles, 7 interceptions

Anthony Averett: 4-star DB, 6'1'', 180 pounds, 4.45 40. (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 70 tackles, 5 interceptions

Analysis:

Alabama has put together a very good class of cornerbacks, but landing one of those two safety recruits is going to be very important for this group.

Tony Conner is the big name, ranked as the No. 2 overall safety in the 2013 class, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. But Bell has a ton of potential as well. He's a little bit smaller, but he has great speed and athleticism.

The ideal situation would obviously be landing both and playing Bell as a free safety and Conner as the strong. Still, getting the commitment of just one of these two elite recruits would be huge for Alabama.

Special Teams

Targets: None

Already Committed:

Ardarius Stewart: 4-star ATH/KR/WR/CB, 6'1'', 190 pounds

2012 Stats: 1 punt-return TD, 1 kick-return TD, 1,932 rushing yards, 35 rushing TDs

Cole Mazza: 2-star long snapper, 6'2'', 241 pounds. (247Sports)

Analysis:

Ardarius Stewart is an extremely talented football player who can do a lot for Alabama, but I think his greatest impact will be as a kick returner. He's listed as being able to play quarterback, wideout and safety by 247Sports.

He could end up being an important and versatile player for Alabama. Mazza is the No. 2-ranked long-snapper in the 2013 class, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.