Alabama Football Recruiting 2012: Latest News on the Tide's Biggest Targets

It's no shock that Alabama has a current top five recruiting class and is in serious running to land the No.1 class in February. The Tide are a juggernaut on the field and on the trail.

Nick Saban and Co. hold 20 commitments, and half the class is rated at least 4-stars or higher. After a stellar 2011 haul, can Alabama top that with an even better 2012 class.

Well, here's the latest news on some of their top targets, who undoubtedly would help that feat.

Same Ol, Same Ol for Collins

Things look to be the same for Landon Collins, the 5-star SS prospect from Louisiana. Collins has a top three of LSU, 'Bama and Texas. He told Scout.com that he will likely announce January 5.

Kiel Would Be Biggest QB Prospect to Sign with Tide in Saban Era

The QB play at 'Bama under Nick Saban hasn't been what I would call superstar-esque. So a signed from LOI from Gunner Kiel would be big time and prove that elite QBs do and can come to Tuscaloosa.

Notre Dame is hard after Kiel, but so is Michigan, Indiana and the Crimson Tide. Kiel likes Alabama some, and clearly would be the biggest QB Nick Saban has signed since he came to lead the Tide.

Georgia Back in the Thick for Jenkins

Jordan Jenkins, the top player in the Peach State this year, has had Alabama and Florida as his top schools for a few months now. But Georgia has changed things.

The Bulldogs hosted Jenkins for a visit just recently, and Jenkins had a great one. The thought of staying home and playing for UGA, in a scheme that accents his strength in front of friends and family, has appealed to him big time.

Bama has more work to do for him.

Working Hard for Evans

The same also still applies or 5-star DT Quay Evans, as the 6'2", 320-pounder has a top three of Mississippi State, Alabama and Ole Miss.

The Tide really likes Evans and his potential fit on the DL.

He has taken in a game in Tuscaloosa vs. Arkansas, and the crowd noise really did the trick for him. Stay tuned.

No Visit Needed by Washington

5-star DE Adolphus Washington is coming in for landing on his visit, and Alabama is among his top choices. Other schools include Ohio State, Michigan State and Cincinnati. 

The fascinating aspect to Washington and Alabama is the fact that he has not and will not take a visit to Tuscaloosa, but has 'Bama on his final list. 

A decision could come by the end of this month.

Armstead Took Unofficials to Both Los Angeles Schools Recently

Alabama is salivating at the mouth over what 6'8", 280-pound DE Arik Armstead could do in the 30-front base defensive scheme. Armstead was at the LSU game a few weeks ago at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Notre Dame, Michigan, Oklahoma, Cal, Texas and Oregon are schools in contention as well.

Along with USC and UCLA, Armstead took unofficial visits to the LA schools a few weeks ago and talked with each school's football and basketball coaches. Playing both sports in college seems to be a sticking point for Amrstead.

Young Enjoyed Trip to Tuscaloosa

Also on hand for the LSU was 5-star OT Avery Young. Young told Scout.com that he loved the atmosphere and the trip went very well.

Xzavier Dickson was his host, and he did have a nice talk with Nick Saban. Summing his experience, Young couldn't really put it in words, as it was that impressive to him.

Auburn, Georgia and Florida are the other schools that round out his top four.