Alabama Football Recruiting 2023: Nick Saban's Top Commits Landed and Predictions

Nick Saban and Alabama are busy preparing for the College Football Playoff semifinal, but the start of the early signing period on Tuesday is also a big day for the program.

Recruiting is never a bad time for the Crimson Tide, but things look especially promising for the 2024 class. They entered the day with 22 verbal commitments, including three 5-star players.

Per 247Sports' composite rankings, Alabama currently has the No. 3 overall class. Georgia and Ohio State are the only programs ahead of the SEC champs.

Here's a look at the players Saban and his staff have already landed commitments from, as well as predictions for who they might land during the early signing period.

2024 Alabama Top Recruits

5-star wide receiver Ryan Williams (Saraland, AL)

5-star quarterback Julian Sayin (Carlsbad, CA)

5-star cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe (Pinson, AL)

4-star cornerback Zabien Brown (Santa Ana, CA)

4-star tight end Caleb Odom (Carrollton, GA)

4-star defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman (Birmingham, AL)

4-star athlete Amari Jefferson (Chattanooga, TN)

4-star interior offensive lineman Casey Poe (Lindale, TX)

4-star safety Peyton Woodyard (Bellflower, CA)

4-star wide receiver Jameer Grimsley (Tampa, FL)

4-star EDGE Sterling Dixon (Spanish Fort, AL)

4-star wide receiver Rico Scott (Harrisburg, PA)

A complete list of Alabama's 2024 class can be found at 247Sports.

Quarterback Julian Sayin, the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2024 class, is the crown jewel of Alabama's incoming freshman group. He could solve what has been arguably the biggest problem for the Crimson Tide this season.

Jalen Milroe has come on strong down the stretch after a slow start, but Saban might be looking for more stability at the position going into next year.

Greg Biggins of 247Sports pegged Sayin as a player with the talent and skill set to step in right away as a starter:

"Sayin has been one of the state's top quarterbacks since his sophomore year. He's a pure thrower and might be the most ready to step in and play early of all the signal callers in the '24 class. His football IQ is very high and he has an advanced feel for the position and understands how to throw with timing and anticipation. He has excellent pocket mobility and short area quickness. He can elude pressure and either buy time outside the pocket or take off and run when he needs to. He's very accurate to all three levels of the field, has a tight release and throws exceptionally well off-platform and with different arm angles."

Jalen Hurts remains the only true freshman to enter the season as Alabama's starting quarterback during the Saban era. Milroe's rise over the course of his sophomore year has probably been enough to secure him the starting job in 2024, but Sayin should see plenty of game reps early in his career.

The rest of the recruiting class is an example of why the Crimson Tide are one of the best teams in the country every year. They are adding elite players at the skill positions and in the trenches.

Wide receiver Ryan Williams could be an impact player right away. His skill set could also look very familiar to Alabama fans, as Gabe Brooks of 247Sports compared him to Calvin Ridley because of his "excellent top-end speed and make-you-miss elusiveness."

If there's a major storyline to watch during the early signing period, it's what will happen to Texas A&M's class in the wake of Jimbo Fisher's firing in November.

For all of the flaws Fisher had during his time with the Aggies, recruiting certainly wasn't among them. They routinely ranked among the top-10 teams in recruiting classes, including having the No. 1 overall group in 2022.

Offensive lineman Coen Echols, wide receiver Cam Coleman and edge defender Gabriel Reliford have all either flipped their commitment or decommitted from Texas A&M in recent weeks.

The top recruit who has remained committed to the Aggies is 5-star athlete Terry Bussey. He announced his commitment in September, picking Texas A&M over a group of finalists that included Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma and LSU.

ESPN's Tom VanHaaren recently predicted Bussey to flip his commitment, though he noted LSU is the program that has "been in contact and working" to get him to sign.

Brooks noted Bussey projects better on the defensive side of the ball in the secondary, but his elite athleticism gives him enormous upside to be successful at whatever position he winds up settling in at.

One player the Crimson Tide might have better luck getting to flip their commitment is Kevin Riley. The 4-star running back has been committed to Miami since June, but recently told Anna Snyder of the Tuscaloosa News last month he's been in contact with Alabama.

Alabama does have the advantage of being close to home for Riley. He is from Northport and attends Tuscaloosa County High School.

VanHaaren noted Riley has taken visits to Miami and Alabama, but a "final decision" might come closer to National Signing Day in February.

One player who seems like a lock to sign with 'Bama is tight end Caleb Odom. The 4-star prospect gave the Crimson Tide a verbal commitment in July, but that isn't stopping an SEC rival from trying to flip him.

Odom took two late-season visits to Mississippi, including one official visit for its Nov. 4 home game against Texas A&M. There are probably few things Lane Kiffin would enjoy more than taking a top recruit from Alabama.

It doesn't seem like that will happen, as VanHaaren pointed out Odom hasn't broken his commitment to the Crimson Tide despite the late push from Ole Miss.