Alabama Football Recruiting 2012: Commitments, Targets and Predictions

Alabama, Alabama, Alabama.

What else can you say about the Crimson Tide program and how well they've recruited under Nick Saban? 

The Tide are in contention for the No.1 overall class come next February, and they already have 18 commitments so far. However, they remain in contention for some of the nation's best uncommitted players.

Who are their top remaining targets? How about some key commitments?

Let's see.

Key Commitment: Eddie Williams, DB

Williams is a 6'4", 205-pound athlete (he has not yet been assigned a position because he is skilled enough to do just about anything) whom I believe will play safety in Tuscaloosa. He's one of the best overall players in the country, and plays various positions for his high school team.

However, look for the five-star recruit to come in and spend a year learning the nuances of the defense before he actually plays.

Then, slowly watch him rise up the depth chart in year or two and become an All-SEC and perhaps All-American defensive back.

Inside the Top Two for Landon Collins

Interestingly enough, even though Alabama has a pledge from Eddie Williams, they sit entrenched in the top two schools competing for Landon Collins. 

Collins is a five-star strong safety / outside linebacker type who can lay the wood against the run and is athletic enough to play the pass in coverage. 

LSU is the only school that really stands in 'Bama's way of signing Collins, as he is a Louisiana native.

Part of Sanders' Core Four

Barry Sanders Jr. is a four-star running back prospect who now has a top-four of Alabama, Florida State, Stanford and Oklahoma State.

An electric runner, Sanders paid Tuscaloosa a visit early in the process, and by all accounts and measures he was shown a pretty good time.

Alabama will keep on him, as he is one of their top offensive targets.

Is It Alabama vs. Florida for Jenkins?

Jordan Jenkins has one of the highest ceilings of any player in this class, as the 6'3", 250-pounder is nicknamed "The Freak." He has offers from Georgia, Tennessee, Auburn and others.

Yet some say this race will come down to Florida vs. Alabama for him. Rumors circle daily about who leads, and even I say don't count out Georgia or Auburn.

Surely Alabama sees a future stand-up rushing end who could be an excellent JACK linebacker down the road.

Key Commitment: Reggie Ragland, LB

Rolando McClain. Dont'A Hightower. Nico Johnson. C.J. Mosely. Courtney Upshaw. I can go on and on about the linebacker play at Alabama recently.

Reggie Ragland is next.

At 6'4" and 245-pounds, I expect Ragland to join the club of great linebackers playing in Tuscaloosa and be a premier All-SEC defensive player before he leaves.

Where Would Kwon Alexander Fit?

Ragland is said to be trying very hard to get Kwon Alexander to join him at Alabama. Ragland is viewed as the No.1 middle/inside linebacker prospect in the country, while Alexander is looked at as the top outside linebacker prospect in the country.

The only thing is that Alexander may not be a prime fit in the 'Bama base 3-4 scheme. Per film study, he may be better suited for a 4-3 outside linebacker role than as either an inside linebacker in the 3-4 or a rushing end.

Alexander is a better blitzer than pass rusher. However, one would have to imagine that Nick Saban would find a way to exploit his talents should he sign up with the Tide.

In the Race for DGB

Of course, with the way the Tide have recruited over the years, they are in the race for the top overall recruit. This year, that happens to be Dorial Green-Beckham, a 6'6", 220-pound wide receiver from Missouri.

Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Ole Miss and rival Auburn are also in the race.

Green-Beckham could release a final five in the next few weeks, and Alabama could very well make the cut. The Tide will need a great trip and top notch recruiting efforts to land him.