TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama has been down this road before.
In each of the last three years, the No. 1 player ranked in the ESPN 150 has been a defensive end, and in two of those three years, the Crimson Tide have been right there, among the finalists. Still, as close as they have come, they haven’t been able to land that top-ranked player.
In 2011, Alabama came up short as Jadeveon Clowney chose to stay close to home and committed to South Carolina. This year, Robert Nkemdiche has already committed to Clemson, but that doesn’t mean the Tide are out of it yet. There is a lot of time before signing day, and plenty of schools are still recruiting the Georgia native.
In each of the last three years, the No. 1 player ranked in the ESPN 150 has been a defensive end, and in two of those three years, the Crimson Tide have been right there, among the finalists. Still, as close as they have come, they haven’t been able to land that top-ranked player.
In 2011, Alabama came up short as Jadeveon Clowney chose to stay close to home and committed to South Carolina. This year, Robert Nkemdiche has already committed to Clemson, but that doesn’t mean the Tide are out of it yet. There is a lot of time before signing day, and plenty of schools are still recruiting the Georgia native.
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Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.