Alabama Football Recruiting: Why NFL Departures Won't Affect Crimson Tide

When it comes to recruiting, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide are similar to John Calipari and his Kentucky Wildcats basketball program.

If you don't understand that comparison, I'd advise you to google Calipari and his recruiting skills or pay more attention to college basketball. The main point here is that despite Alabama losing a handful of key players from this season's BCS National Championship team, the Crimson Tide will continue to excel.

Eddie Lacy, Dee Milliner, Barrett Jones, D.J. Fluker and Chance Warmack might all be leaving Alabama in favor of the 2013 NFL Draft, but Saban's incoming recruiting class should make up for those losses.

Aside from the fact that stud QB A.J. McCarron, shifty RB T.J. Yeldon and solid OLB C.J. Mosley will remain at Alabama, the Crimson Tide have the second-ranked 2013 recruiting class, according to ESPN.

Among that highly ranked class includes 5-star athlete Derrick Henry, two 4-star defensive ends in Jonathan Allen and Tim Williams as well as 4-star wideout Robert Foster.

Also adding to a dangerous group are running backs Tyren Jones and Altee Tenpenny, whom ESPN each rank in the top 150 of their 2013 RB recruiting rankings.

Not only are Saban's recruiting skills on point, but his talent and work ethic are what make the difference in turning these high school stars into potential NFL players.

If you think, moreover, that Saban and his program are satisfied with who they've already acquired, you're sorely mistaken.

Alabama is still targeting 5-star OT Laremy Tunsil and 4-star DT Dee Liner (who spurned Auburn, nonetheless), among other potential prospects.

If you're another college football program, especially in the SEC, you've got to be beside yourself at this point. 

Nick Saban is an absolute mastermind in player recruiting and development, and with another stellar recruiting class set to hit Alabama's campus in 2013, the Crimson Tide could be rolling towards their fourth BCS National Championship in five years.

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