Alabama Football Recruiting: The Crimson Tide's Top Targets and Commitments

The Crimson Tide are a powerhouse program in college football and have seen themselves return to their glory days of old. Nick Saban, in my opinion, is the best coach in college football today, and one of the very best of all time, has the program routinely among the very elite in the country.

Coming off of a top 10 rated recruiting class in 2011, the Alabama is off to an outstanding start on the trail for their 2012 recruiting efforts. They have several fantastic recruits already committed and are in the hunt for just about every prime time recruit in the country.

Come inside and we'll update you on some the key commitments and top targets the Tide are going hard after. 

Alabama 2012 Recruiting Class Capsule

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Players from the Alabama Crimson Tide greet fans after winning the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The Tide have seen themselves become a recruiting juggernaut under Nick Saban. Saban's approach to recruiting is disciplined, smart and thorough. It's the same approach used at FSU, South Carolina, Florida and LSU.

For his 2012 class, Saban has 12 commits, with eight of those players having 4-star ratings or higher.

The headliners so far are Reggie Ragland, a 5-star, 6'4", 245-pound linebacker, and Eddie Williams, a 6'4", 205-pound ATH who likely will be a free safety.

Other 4-star standouts include OLB Tyler Hayes, RB Kenyan Drake, DT Dakota Ball, WR/QB/ATH Justin Thomas, LB Dillon Lee and OT Brandon Greene.

To Commitment: Reggie Ragland, LB

Ragland is a beast. I don't know how else to put it. He's a 6'4", 245-pound LB and ranked as the No. 1 middle linebacker prospect in the country.

Ragland is not only a big and physical specimen, he's extremely strong and plays huge at the point of attack. Ragland shows a quick read and react vs. the run, fills run alleys quickly, physically and recklessly and hits like a truck.

Rolando McClain. Dont'A Hightower. CJ Mosley. Next is Reggie Ragland for great Alabama ILBs.

Where Does Alabama Stand for Jameis Winston?

Winston is generally regarded as the No. 2 QB prospect in the nation and is the No. 1 dual threat QB. 6'4", 200 pounds, he can beat you with his arm or his legs and is one of the premier play makers in the 2012 recruiting class.

Winston is an Alabama native, so the Crimson Tide are a prime school in standing. He holds offers from just about every major FBS school, but the general consensus seems to be Alabama and Florida State are the hot three.

LSU and Ohio State are others to watch out for.

Eddie Goldman Seeing Crimson?

One of the elite DT prospects in the country, Goldman stands 6'4" and is over 305 pounds. He's brute strong, plays with great power and force and is excellent at the snap due to quickness.

Goldman holds offers from, well, everybody pretty much, but did take time out to unofficially visit Tuscaloosa earlier this spring.

Reports have said the visit went very well, and Goldman loved it at Alabama. Nick Saban told him he reminds him of a high school version of Marcell Dareus.

Key Commitment: Eddie Williams, DS

Williams, like Ragland, pledged to the Tide as a high school junior. He'll be on the top commitments of the 2012 recruiting class, no matter who else signs with Alabama.

6'4", 205 pounds, Williams is listed as an ATH by most publications, but I and many others feel he will be a free safety in college. He can play WR, FS, SS, QB and even OLB.

Williams show excellent athleticism, range and ball skills. Once he learns the Alabama defensive system, checks and calls, he has All-SEC potential as a ball-hawking free safety.

Where Will Alexander Fit in Alabama's Defense?

It's pretty interesting that the top MLB prospect and top OLB prospect are both from Alabama this year. Kwon Alexander is the top OLB prospect in the country; the 6'2", 210-pounder rightfully should have this honor.

He plays with excellent and amazing play speed and range, is very instinctive and has the athletic ability to factor as a great coverage LB on third downs as well. He has the makings of a top-caliber Will LB or even a Sam.

Yet Alabama runs a 3-4 defense, which is predicated on two thumpers as ILB to stuff the run, and pass rushers as rush LBs/stand up DE's. Alexander is great blitzer, not as a rusher, so the OLB spot is not a natural fit, and his is not a true point of attack, shed and thump type of ILB.

Yet the Tide are one of his top schools, and he has said Ragland is always in his ear.

The Tide Pulling Quay Evans?

Quay Evans is a 5-star, 6'2", 320-pound monster DT that is among the most intimidating and strongest players in America. Evans explodes off the ball, is extremely strong at the point of attack, can make a mess in the middle by anchoring or can walk a blocker back into the passer.

He's one of the heaviest recruited players in the South, and Alabama is among his leaders.

Mississippi State is his leader, but Alabama is close behind. Ole Miss, USC, LSU and Oregon are other schools in contention.

Shaq Roland Down to Final Four

One of the top WR recruits in the nation, Shaq Roland is a 6'1", 180-pound silky smooth and athletic pass catcher. He shows a quick release, separation quickness, great hands and has speed to get downfield.

Roland, a South Carolina native, is down to a final four and has said he is very close to deciding on a school.

The final four for Roland is, in no order, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Florida. While the Crimson Tide are thick in the hunt, I think Roland is South Carolina's to lose.

Ward Looking at Alabama

6'4", 240 pounds, Channing Ward is one the top DE recruits for 2012. He has great length, a quick first step, is very athletic and can close in the pocket.

Ward may even be able to stand up as a rush end in the 30 front defense. He has offers from many top programs, but would like to stay close to home around Mississippi, so the SEC has first dibs on his services.

Right now it looks like the top schools for Ward are Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama and Auburn.

Collins Has Bulked Up, Could "Land" in Tuscaloosa

Landon Collins is one of my favorite players for the 2012 recruiting class. He is a strong safety/OLB type that is just the goods on film.

6'0" tall, Collins has now bulked up to 210 pounds. That's not good—for ball carriers. Collins is a ferocious hitter and lays people out around the box. He's athletic, can factor as a zone defender and shows good ball skills.

He will make his decision at the Under Armour game and is down to a final five consisting of LSU, Florida, Alabama, Miami and Tennessee.