Signing Day Preview: Alabama Crimson Tide Football

SI All-American takes a closer look at how Nick Saban and Alabama heads into the Early Signing Period.

Alabama is no stranger to the top of the college football recruiting rankings and heading into the Early Signing Period this year it stands behind only Clemson, per SI All-American. 

How may the Crimson Tide move up?

Well it may start with a change of heart, as recent intel suggests a commitment flip is in the works with a prominent running back prospect. Longtime Oklahoma verbal commitment Jase McClellan, of Aledo (Tex.), could end up being the third running back UA takes in the class of 2020. Pledged to Lincoln Riley and the Sooners since July 2017, he took an official visit to Tuscaloosa in November and has been a name to know for the SEC power ever since. 

But 'Bama isn't immune to poaching the other way around, either, as programs look to potentially impact the current commitment list and that No. 2 class could be in jeopardy through multiple angles. Tim Smith, the south Florida defensive lineman who put up a banner senior season, has spent a lot of time at the University of Florida this fall. A flip there would cement the Gators with a top five class and probably cost UA any shot at No. 1. A name on a similar path to some point was SI All-American linebacker Demouy Kennedy -- with LSU -- but those trends seem to have fizzled. 

Tyler Martin of Bama Central joined SI All-American on the eve of signing day to expand on the status of Alabama's class of 2020 (above).