Alabama Football Recruiting 2018: Top Remaining 2018 Recruits, Class Predictions

By head coach Nick Saban's standards, Alabama's current recruiting class is a bit of a disappointment.

The Crimson Tide aren't going to finish atop the team rankings for the class of 2018, but a late surge could boost them as high as third.

Alabama has one top 30 recruit in defensive end Eyabi Anoma, but that could change if it lands a few of the big names set to commit on Wednesday.

The Crimson Tide will be in the hunt for a few defensive backs, and they could make a late run on wide receivers as well during national signing day.

Top Remaining Recruits

Patrick Surtain Jr., DB, American Heritage (Plantation, Florida)

Alabama is at a disadvantage when it comes to the top remaining recruit left unsigned.

Patrick Surtain Jr. is favored to go to LSU, but the Crimson Tide could make a late push and steal him away from the Tigers.

Although they can't compete with the personal ties Surtain has to Louisiana, the Crimson Tide can offer Surtain a decent amount of playing time with their whole secondary departing.

Whatever argument you can make for Alabama, you can also make in favor of LSU. Both programs have produced a wealth of NFL talent and can offer Surtain playing time in his freshman season.

When it comes down to the decision-making process on Wednesday, Surtain should pick LSU, but his choice won't leave Alabama in a hole.

Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Florida)

Alabama is on the outside looking in for the signature of the top unsigned offensive player.

Nicholas Petit-Frere, a Florida native, is trending toward Ohio State, but he has also received strong interest from new Florida head coach Dan Mullen.

Michigan and Notre Dame are also involved in the hunt for the nation's top high school lineman.

Unless something drastic changes between now and Petit-Frere's announcement, the Crimson Tide won't have a top 10 prospect in the class of 2018.

Tyson Campbell, DB, American Heritage (Plantation, Florida)

After losing out on Surtain, the Crimson Tide could fail to secure the commitment of his teammate Tyson Campbell.

Campbell, who is favored to head to Georgia entering Wednesday, would be a fantastic signing for the Crimson Tide, but it appears likely that he'll join former Saban assistant Kirby Smart.

Failing to bring in Campbell and Surtain would seem like a massive issue for the Crimson Tide, but they do have three corners already signed, and they still have a chance at a defensive back prospect from California later on Wednesday.

Olaijah Griffin, DB, Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, California)

There could be more bad news headed toward Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Wednesday if Olaijah Griffin opts to stay at home and attend USC.

Griffin, who is considering Tennessee along with Alabama and USC, made his official visit to Alabama on January 26, but it doesn't appear that he'll sign with the Crimson Tide as of now.

USC swooping up Griffin wouldn't hurt Alabama, but if the Volunteers add the son of rapper Warren G, it will be the first shot delivered by Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt at his former employer.

Like we mentioned above, losing out on defensive backs on Wednesday won't kill the Crimson Tide internally because of the numbers they have at the position in the class of 2018, but what would hurt Saban and Co. is if Griffin leaves home and ends up at a conference rival.

Justyn Ross, WR, Central (Phenix City, Alabama)

Alabama hasn't had a stranglehold on in-state recruits in the class of 2018, but it could receive a boost if the top player in Alabama chooses it on Wednesday.

Wide receiver Justyn Ross is considering the Crimson Tide, Auburn and Clemson in his decision-making process.

Ross' commitment would give Alabama the top two recruits in the state since it already received the commitment of defensive back Jalyn Armour-Davis, who is rated as the second-best high school player in Alabama.

The addition of Ross would give Alabama a pair of top-50 recruits with Anoma being the other.

However, that total could grow if Ross is joined by one of the defensive backs the Crimson Tide are interested in.

Prediction

Ross seems like the biggest lock of the top recruits interested in Alabama.

And while Wednesday may seem like a disappointment when it comes down to top prospects, the Crimson Tide will at least be able to secure the top two players in their home state.

Losing out on Surtain, Campbell and Griffin will hurt, but only if all three end up in the SEC. If that is the case, the Crimson Tide could be dealing with all three for the next three to four years.

At the end of the day, Alabama will still have one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, but it won't be as stacked as previous ones in the Saban era.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Recruiting information obtained from 247 Sports.