Why Alabama Had the Best Recruiting Class on National Signing Day

On January 11, the University of Alabama declared itself as the national champion in a 45-40 victory over Clemson in the College Football Playoff.

Less than a month later, the Crimson Tide were at it again. This time, on national signing day.

This past Wednesday, high school seniors and junior college transfers committed their futures to a university to play football at the collegiate level. Since 2011, Alabama has not had a recruiting class rank lower than fourth and has had the top recruiting class in the nation for the second time in the past three years, according to Scout.com. 

The Crimson Tide closed Wednesday by signing 5-star linebacker Ben Davis, 5-star linebacker Mack Wilson and 4-star cornerbacks Jared Mayden and Shyheim Carter on national signing day to vault themselves to the top of the table.

Alabama was able to land seven top-100 players including three 5-star recruits, 16 4-star recruits and six 3-star recruits for a total of 25 signees.

Although it did finish No. 1 at the end of signing day, going into Wednesday, however, Alabama wasn’t the top-ranked class.

Or in the top five, for that matter.

Head coach Nick Saban’s team barely cracked the top 10, holding onto the No. 9 spot, according to ESPN, before Wednesday’s turnaround. Even though ESPN has Florida State as its No. 1-ranked recruiting class, Alabama signed more impact players who could one day carry on the tradition of winning national championships:

SIGNEES

Ben Davis LB, 5-star

Lyndell Wilson LB, 5-star

B.J. Emmons RB, 4-star

Nigel Knott CB, 4-star

Shyheim Carter CB, 4-star

Raekwon Davis DT, 4-star

Scott Lashley T, 4-star

Kendell Jones DT, 4-star

Trevon Diggs ATH, 4-star

Jared Mayden CB, 4-star

Quinnen Williams DT, 4-star

Deonte Brown G, 4-star

Terrell Hall DL, 4-star

Aaron Robinson CB, 3-star

Joshua Jacobs RB, 3-star

Jamar King DE, 3-star

Irvin Smith, TE, 3-star

EARLY ENROLLEES

Jonah Williams T, 5-star

Charles Baldwin T, 4-star

Jalen Hurts QB, 4-star

Chris Owens G, 4-star

Miller Forristall TE, 3-star

T.J. Simmons WR, 3-star

Shawn Jennings ATH, 3-star

Christian Bell, DE, 3-star (2015 grayshirt).

Getting Wilson's signature was one of Alabama's best commits in this class, and it didn't hurt that he had one of the best commitment videos either. 

Michigan signed the nation's top player and No. 1 defensive tackle Rashan Gary even with Alabama in the hunt for his signature, but the Crimson Tide were able to reinforce their defensive line with the likes of 4-star defensive end Terrell Hall, who will give Saban and his defense a solid backup behind Jonathan Allen. 

Coming off a national championship, the Crimson Tide didn't need much to show that they'll be around for the foreseeable future, and it just goes to show how Saban and his coaching staff continue to dominate on the field and off of it.