Can Alabama add to No. 1 recruiting class? James Smith leads top remaining targets

As Nick Saban turns 71 next week, his 2023 recruiting class stands at No. GO DEEPER Inside recruiting in Alabama: Why Nick Saban is succeeding, Auburn is struggling James Smith, DL 6-foot-3, 310 pounds Five-star Overall ranking: 16, Position ranking: 2 Carver High School It’s a great year for in-state talent with 22 four- or five-star prospects. Alabama always wanted Smith, even as it pursued Thompson High School’s five-star defensive lineman Peter Woods. Arion Carter, LB 6-foot-1, 210 pounds Four-star Overall ranking: 316, Position ranking: 24 Smyrna He’s arguably the hottest name on the Crimson Tide’s recruiting board of late. Alabama 2023 verbal commitments Player Pos Stars Rank School Caleb Downs S 5 10 Mill Creek Jahlil Hurley CB 5 27 Florence Justice Haynes RB 5 31 Buford Richard Young RB 5 32 Lehigh Senior Tony Mitchell S 5 35 Thompson Jalen Hale WR 4 50 Longview Jordan Renaud DL 4 65 Tyler Legacy Eli Holstein QB 4 69 Zachary Wilkin Formby OT 4 71 Northridge Yhonzae Pierre Edge 4 75 Eufaula Dylan Lonergan QB 4 84 Brookwood Hunter Osborne DL 4 131 Hewitt-Trussville Ty Lockwood TE 4 156 Independence Malik Benson WR 4 1 Hutchinson CC Edric Hill DL 4 161 North Kansas City Olaus Alinen OT 4 176 Loomis Chaffee Miles McVay OT 4 193 East St. Louis Justin Jefferson LB 4 2 Pearl River CC Cole Adams WR 4 290 Owasso RyQueze McElderry OL 3 423 Anniston Brayson Hubbard ATH 3 427 Ocean Springs Raymond Pulido OL 3 440 Apple Valley Conor Talty K 3 1719 St. Rita