Tag: Wilkin Formby

8 underclassmen that can play key roles for Alabama Football next season

Alabama has a lot of underclassmen that were highly-regarded coming out of high school. Roll Tide Wire takes a look at 10 underclassmen that can be key contributors for the Crimson Tide next season.

Each year, Alabama signs some of the top recruits in the country. There is no questioning the fact that Alabama has established depth from a talent standpoint. While it has not been proven by some, others have already solidified their spot as a starter and key contributor.

With that being the case, it will be interesting to see which players on the roster take on an increased role heading into next season. Throughout the spring and summer, it will be interesting to keep an eye on which underclassmen take strides towards being contributors during the 2024 season.

Roll Tide Wire takes a look at eight underclassmen that could play key roles for Alabama Football next season.

2023 4-star OT Wilkin Formby officially signs with Alabama

2023 four-star offensive tackle Wilkin Formby signed his National Letter of Intent to Alabama on Wednesday. The Tuscaloosa native is a key addition to the offensive line class.

One Alabama signee doesn’t have to go far from home to play at the next level. That is 2023 four-star signee Wilkin Formby. The Tuscaloosa native has been committed to the Tide since June.

Formby is ranked as the No. 77 overall recruit in the country, according to 247Sports’ Composite Rankings. He is listed as 6-foot-7, 295 pounds. It is also worth noting that the massive lineman has early enrolled and joined the team for bowl practices ahead of the Sugar Bowl against Kansas State.

The Tide will sign five offensive linemen in this class and Formby is a key piece. He possesses a great frame and could play multiple positions along the offensive line at the next level. This is a great addition for Alabama offensive line coach Eric Wolford.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover Alabama football and the early signing period as more commits sign their national letters of intent.

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Alabama Football: Six early enrollees to join Tide on Friday for Sugar Bowl prep

Though these prospects will be ineligible to participate in the matchup with the Wildcats, the experience these young players will receive is invaluable. 

[autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide are set to begin practice on Friday in preparation for the Kansas State Wildcats and the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Joining the Crimson Tide on the practice field will be six new faces that are a part of Alabama’s top-ranked recruiting class for the 2023 cycle.

Though these prospects will be ineligible to participate in the matchup with the Wildcats, the experience these young players will receive is invaluable.

Currently, Alabama is set to have seven practices in Tuscaloosa before making the trip to New Orleans.

Below is a complete practice schedule and the list of prospects scheduled to join the team on Friday:

Where Alabama’s current 2023 commits rank according to each recruiting service

Even with just a few commitments, Alabama is off to a strong start for the class of 2023.

We all know that recruiting is the lifeblood of any college program and in the modern age of NIL, perhaps recruiting has undergone the most sizeable change.

One thing that hasn’t changed is that [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and Alabama continue to be dominant on the recruiting trail. Currently, Alabama has five commitments in the class of 2023 and all five are ranked within the top 200 according to both On3 Consensus and 247 Composite.

Speaking of rankings, I thought we could take a few minutes to look at where each of Alabama’s 2023 commits rank according to each of the major recruiting services.

Alabama received its first commitment in the class from four-star defensive back Elliot Washington II on Jan. 31. Just a few weeks later, five-star cornerback Jahlil Hurley announced his commitment to Alabama.

Alabama wouldn’t receive its next commitment until mid-April when four-star EDGE defender Yhonzae Pierre chose the Tide. Alabama has received one commitment in each of the last two months, first from four-star quarterback Eli Holstein in May, then four-star offensive tackle Wilkin Formby earlier this month.

Let’s take a look at where each of these prospects ranks according to each service.

Four-star Tuscaloosa native chooses Tide over Ole Miss, others

Alabama earns commitment from top-100 player in 2023!

The Alabama Crimson Tide made another massive splash in the 2023 recruiting trail by earning a commitment from top-100 OT Wilkin Formby. Formby chose the Tide over Oklahoma, Ole Miss Tennessee, and others.

Formby is the No. 10 overall tackle in his class and the No. 83 player overall, and he had a massive draw due to his frame. Coming in at 6’7 and just shy of 300-pounds, Formby has all of the tools to be the Tide’s next great lineman.

Best of all, Formby is a homegrown Tuscaloosa product from Northridge High School, so he will understand the system and the culture of [autotag]Coach Saban[/autotag] when it comes time to step foot on campus. Formby is a great land for Saban and company.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow along as the Crimson Tide continues to hit the recruiting trail.

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Alabama Morning Drive: Five-star OT sets official visit to Alabama

The latest news and notes involving the Alabama Crimson Tide on Tuesday morning.

Good Tuesday morning and welcome back to another edition of Alabama Morning Drive! Just in case there is someone new here, let me tell you a little about Morning Drive. Alabama Morning Drive is a piece we do each weekday morning that gives Tide fans a quick rundown of some of the latest news and notes involving the Crimson Tide.

Let’s dive right in!

On Monday, five-star offensive tackle [autotag]Samson Okunlola[/autotag] took to Twitter and announced that he will be in Tuscaloosa this next weekend for an official visit with the Tide.

According to On3’s RPM, Okunlola is currently leaning toward the Michigan State Spartans, but Alabama is a close second and could close the gap even more with a strong visit. [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and his staff in Tuscaloosa are sure to bring their A-game this next weekend when Okunlola arrives.

Let’s take a look at some other stories involving the Tide, shall we?

Alabama Morning Drive: Each official visitor set to arrive today in Tuscaloosa

Alabama has a massive recruiting weekend that starts today!

Good Friday morning, Alabama nation! Welcome back to another edition of Alabama Morning Drive where we do our best here at Roll Tide Wire to deliver the latest news and notes involving your beloved Crimson Tide each weekday morning.

We have a really fun installment this morning as we are going to take a quick look at which prospects are expected to be in Tuscaloosa today to start their official visits with the Tide.

This weekend is one of the most impressive lists of prospects that will be in town at one time as you will ever see. Seven of the top 100 players according to On3 are set to be on campus over the weekend, five of which are five-star prospects and national top 25 players.

Alabama head coach [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] has a chance to impress some of the nation’s best, and I expect this weekend to generate a lot of national buzz on the recruiting trail.

Let’s take a look at who is set to be on campus, shall we?

Social media reactions to big OU recruiting week with Brent Venables Camp and ChampU BBQ

Social media reacts to the Oklahoma Sooners’ big week on the recruiting front with Brent Venables camp and the ChampU BBQ.

It was a big week in Norman for the Oklahoma Sooners who spent time hosting players of all ages for multiple camps, with the high school camp already reaping the reward with the commitment of four-star wide receiver Keyon Brown.

The biggest event of the week came in the ChampU BBQ, where the Sooners football program hosted players from the 2023 class, many for official visits. 2023 takes center stage for the next eight months as the Oklahoma Sooners attempt to lock in commitments through 2023’s national signing day next February.

Though he still has several official visits to attend, top 10 offensive line prospect [autotag]Cayden Green[/autotag] was in Norman for his official visit with the Sooners. He’s received numerous projections to land with Oklahoma over the last couple of months.

As they look to “win Oklahoma,” the Sooners also had in four-star athlete [autotag]Jacobe Johnson[/autotag] out of Mustang. Johnson, the No. 2 player in the state according is projected to land with Oklahoma as well. Johnson and several other visitors shared thoughts on their time with Oklahoma with 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong.

[autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag], a four-star edge rusher, and top 20 player according to On3 Recruiting shared his thoughts with Chad Simmons on his time with the Sooners.

It was a great week for Oklahoma Football. They’ll have more official visits coming this week, but let’s take a look at some of the best social media reactions from recruits, parents, and coaches.

Oklahoma Sooners summer recruiting primer for the 2023 recruiting cycle

With the summer on the horizon, we took a look at the names to know as the Sooners look to make a push on the recruiting front for 2023.

Brent Venables and Co. are weeks removed from their first spring as a staff together. It was a successful one with no notable injuries and some standout performances across the board. All told, things went as well as they could’ve hoped considering the positive reviews from the media and recruits in attendance.

The spring game served as an eye-opener for recruits and gave the Oklahoma Sooners some significant momentum to ride as they head into the most crucial time of the year for recruiting. With spring ball done and the team going home to recharge before fall camp, the staff will be all in on recruiting. With that in mind, it’s time to map out the targets to watch as the 2023 class begins to materialize this summer.

ChampU BBQ: Who’s coming to Norman for the Oklahoma Sooners mega recruiting event?

The ChampU BBQ is right around the corner and with the Oklahoma Sooners hosting several top prospects, here’s a running list of who will be coming to Norman.

The ChampU BBQ has been extremely kind to the Oklahoma Sooners these last few years and it figures that as long as they keep hosting it, it will always remain that way. Generally, the Sooners’ have an absolutely elite collection of talent in Norman during the summer at a time when school is no longer a factor and prospects are focusing on recruiting.

Last year, the Sooners had flashy luxury cars and every notable Oklahoma player of the past that they could find in attendance. Adrian Peterson was there. Kyler Murray was there. CeeDee Lamb was in attendance. Sam Bradford and Lane Johnson were in the building. Roy Williams was there. Marquise Brown and Billy Sims joined the party. Kenneth Murray and Trent Williams were in attendance.

The event serves as the Sooners’ premier recruiting event of the calendar year and every year it seems to deliver as commitments follow shortly after.

Will this year under a new regime bring the same results? We don’t know but what we do know is who will be in attendance for this mega event.

We’ve taken the liberty of chronicling every confirmed ChampU BBQ visitor below.