Alabama stocks up on defense, offensive playmakers

National champion Alabama restocked the nation’s top defense, scooped up a few highly recruited offensive playmakers and generally had what’s becoming a typical signing day for Nick Saban & Co. In other words, replacing departed stars with blue-chippers across the board on a program that has won two of the last three national championships. The Crimson Tide landed the consensus No. 1 class on Wednesday, punctuating the efforts by picking up defensive tackles Korren Kirven and Dalvin Tomlinson.

“I think we filled some needs with this class,” Saban said. “We started out with sort of a goal of explosive players on offense, running back, receiver, those kinds of guys. We felt good about the guys that we were able to attract from that standpoint.

“We’re obviously losing a lot of very, very good defensive players. Even though we have some good defensive players here, we felt that it was really important to have a really good year on the defensive side of the ball.”

Judging by the recruiting services, the Tide certainly did that. ESPN, Rivals.com and 247sports.com all pegged Alabama as the No. 1 class—the third year out of the past four that at least one has. Scout.com rated Texas ahead of the Tide.

“It’s the No. 1 class in the country probably across the board,” said JC Shurburtt, national recruiting director for 247sports. “It’s just a lot of talent heading to Tuscaloosa again.”