{"id":11815,"date":"2017-12-30T11:00:06","date_gmt":"2017-12-30T16:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=11815"},"modified":"2017-12-30T14:07:38","modified_gmt":"2017-12-30T19:07:38","slug":"alabama-recruiting-class-ranked-5th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2017\/12\/30\/alabama-recruiting-class-ranked-5th\/","title":{"rendered":"2018 Alabama Recruiting Class Ranked 5th So Far"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alabama is the gold standard of recruiting. Over the last five years, the Tide finished with the #1 recruiting class in the nation according to 247Sports. With the success Alabama players have in college and the pros<\/a>, it’s easy to see why prospects decide to make Tuscaloosa their home.<\/p>\n

Although Alabama’s recruiting track record is unmatched, the introduction of the early signing period this year allows other schools to even the playing field. The Tide’s usual spot at the top of the rankings is now occupied by the Georgia Bulldogs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ranked #5<\/a>, with 15 signees, after the conclusion of the early signing period, Alabama has work to do if they want to end with an eighth consecutive #1 recruiting class.<\/p>\n

National Brand<\/h1>\n

Alabama is one of the most storied programs in college football. They’ve won 16 national championships and 30 SEC conference titles. They’ve also had\u00a0two Heisman Trophy winners, 69 consensus All-Americans, and eight Pro Football Hall of Famers.<\/p>\n

The Tide’s tradition along with Nick Saban’s recruiting prowess turned Alabama into a national recruiting force that attracts top prospects from across the country.<\/p>\n

In Alabama’s\u00a02018 recruiting class<\/a>, 12 states are represented. Leading the way is Florida with four signees followed by California with two. The remaining 10 states have one signee each.<\/p>\n

The newest members of the Tide include one five-star, 11 four-stars, and three three-stars.<\/p>\n

Among Alabama’s 15 signees, six are enrolling early.<\/p>\n

Alabama’s Top Signees<\/h1>\n

Saivion Smith – DB<\/h3>\n

The rich get richer.<\/p>\n

Smith<\/a> is the #1<\/a> junior college cornerback and #2<\/a> overall junior college player in the country according to 247Sports. The former five-star IMG Academy<\/a> product signed with LSU<\/a> in 2016 before electing to transfer<\/a> in May. In his lone season with the Tigers, he recorded four tackles and two pass deflections.<\/p>\n

The Florida native played at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College<\/a> this past season. He finished with 31 tackles, two interceptions, six pass deflections, a forced fumble, and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n

Smith chose<\/a> the Tide over Auburn, Mississippi State, and South Carolina among others.<\/p>\n

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Smith\u00a0is expected to be an immediate contributor as Alabama is projected to lose its entire secondary to the NFL.<\/p>\n

With the fall semester finished, Smith began practicing with the Tide on December 16. Coaches and players have already raved about him since his arrival on campus.<\/p>\n

“He’s doing good” said redshirt senior cornerback Anthony Averett to BamaOnline<\/a>. “He’s definitely fit in well. He looks like us. He definitely looks (flexes his muscles) just like us out there. I can tell already he’s ready. He just needs to learn the system, obviously, but he looks like he’s going to be a good player.”<\/p>\n

Nick Saban echoed the same sentiment.<\/p>\n

“We can see with our own eyes that he’s going to be a good player,” stated Saban.<\/p>\n