Every recruit in the 2023 Alabama football class with highlights

From Arch Manning to name, image and likeness deals, the 2023 recruiting year was one of the craziest recruiting cycles in recent memory. Still, the familiar program sits at the top of the category list.

Nick Saban and Alabama football took the top spot in almost every recruiting service after finishing second last year. The Crimson Tide is still in the process of making a few new recruits, but most of the work was completed in the days leading up to the early signing period. On Wednesday, the prospects signed their letters of intent and officially became the future of the dynasty.

Here is the Alabama football class of 2023.

VIOLATION

Quarterbacks: That is Holstein

Zachary (La.), 4 stars

Well. 74 nationally per the 247Sports Composite, the No. 9 QB

The accurate and agile Holstein is part of a quartet of pitchers looking to replace Bryce Young next fall.

What Nick Saban Thinks About Alabamas 2 QBs In 2023 Class

Dylan Lonergan

Brookwood (Ga.), 4-star

140 nationally, No. 10 QB

Will Lonergan become a two-sport athlete for the Crimson Tide? Regardless, the strong-handed Lonergan offers upside in the upside.

Running backs: Judge Haynes

Buford (Ga.), 5-star

25 nationally, No. 3 RB

A legacy of the Georgia Bulldogs, Haynes has NFL-caliber vision. Give him the ball and watch him make people miss.

Richard Young

Lehigh (Fla.), 4-star

48 nationally, No. 4 RB

Young is a one-pronged threat who has worked his way up through the ranks with a stellar high school career. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder will make a carry claim on Day 1.

Passport hijackers: Malik Benson

Hutchinson (Kansas) CC, 4-star

No. 1 JUCO, No. 1 WR

Can Benson solve the Tides’ lack of a top threat? With an excellent route to ride, the Benson should be a good selling point for anyone starting from downtown.

Jalen Hale

Longview (Tx), 4 star

No. 40 general, No. 7 WR

A top athlete, Hale can continue the trend of first-year receivers earning playing time.

Years Hamilton

FW (Fla.) Bucholz, 4 star

285 nationally, No. 39 WR

A speedster, the 6-foot-1, 188-pound Hamilton can be a threat to score whenever he gets a touch.

Cole Adams

Owasso (Okla.), 4-star

304 nationally, No. 42 WR

Adams scored 13 touchdowns as a junior with over 1,000 all-purpose yards.

Ty Lockwood

Independence (Tenn.), 4-star

235 nationally, No. 13 TE

A big-bodied weapon in the passing game, Alabama has found another tight end it could use in multiple ways.

Offensive linemen: Lady Proctor

Southeast (Iowa) Polk, 5-star

Well. 12 nationally, No. 2 OT

The Tides’ Wednesday upset of Alabama secured a top-tier tackle that can anchor the offensive line for years.

Wilkin Formby

Northridge, 4 star

77 nationally, No. 8 OT

Geographically closest to Bryant-Denny Stadium, Formby is a 6-foot-7 Tide legacy.

Olaus Alinen

Loomis (Conn.) Chaffee, 4-star

191 nationally, No. 16 OT

Alinen, the lone international recruit, hails from Finland and is part of new offensive line coach Eric Wolford’s wave of acquisitions.

Miles McVay

East (Ill.) St. Louis, 4-star

200 nationally, No. 18 OT

At 6-foot-6, 358 pounds, McVay adds depth in the trenches.

Ryqueze Rock McElderry

Anniston, 4 stars

376 nationally, No. 23 IOL

The lone guard in the class at 6-foot-3, 340 pounds, McElderry was one of the first commits Alabama earned. He was originally committed to Georgia.

kickers: Conor Talty

St. Rita (Illi), 3 stars

No. 2 per kicking expert Chris Sailer

The era of Will Reichard is over. Enter Talty, a strong-footed 6-foot-1, 195-pounder.

DEFENSE

Secondary: Caleb Downs

Mill Creek (Ga.), 5-star

6 nationally, No. 1 S

Alabama pulled two of Georgia’s top recruits after losing the national title to Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs. Downs is a do-it-all safety and by far the most highly regarded recruit.

Tony Mitchell

Thompson, 4 stars

54 nationally, No. 5 S

Mitchells decision was speculated until his announcement. A skilled tackler, Tuscaloosa will get to see the next steps in Mitchells development.

Jahlil Hurley

Florence, 4 star

38 nationally, No. 4 CB

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound lockdown corner out of high school may transition to a STAR, or safety, as Saban indicated to most of the secondary recruits during the signing day press conference.

Saban cites one of the most difficult recruiting tasks

Brayson Hubbard

Ocean Springs (Miss.), 4 star

334 nationally, No. 15 in ATH

A dynamic athlete, Hubbard starred at quarterback at Mississippi. Hell, put his 6-foot-2, 190-pound safety at Alabama.

Defender: Justin Jefferson

Pearl River (Miss.) Community College, 4-star

No. 2 JUCO, No. 1 LB

The Tide signed one linebacker and he’s a 6-foot-1 blocker who led Pearl River with 55 tackles this season.

Edge climbers: Keon Keeley

Berkeley Prep (Fla.), 5-star

10 nationally, No. 1 EDGE

At 6-foot-2, 242 pounds, Keeley looks like what you’d imagine a prototypical pass rusher to look like. Keeley is one of the best recruits Alabama could have added this cycle, with multiple passing moves and strength in his lower body.

Quan Russaw

GW Carver-Montgomery, 5 stars

22 nationally, No. 3 EDGE

At every opportunity, Russaw has proven to be nearly impossible to block one-on-one. He has one of the highest ceilings among the signees.

Yhonzae Pierre

Eufaula, 4 star

59 nationally, No. 8 EDGE

One of the fastest rising prospects after a stellar senior year, Pierre projects as an addition to Holmon Wiggins’ defense.

Defense line: James Smith

GW Carver-Montgomery, 5 stars

18 nationally, No. 2 DL

The other side of Alabama’s signing day win, Smith has been considered one of the nation’s elite defensive linemen at either Carver or IMG (Fla.) Academy.

Jordan Renaud

Tyler Legacy (Texas), 4-star

62 nationally, No. 7 DL

At 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Renaud could be a three-technique in college.

Hunter Osborne

Hewitt-Trussville, 4 star

144 nationally, No. 17 DL

With strong hands, Osborne tore apart offensive lines in high school and looks to develop the same at the next level.

Edric Hill

North Kansas City (Mo.), 4-star

182 nationally, No. 24 DL

Hill can be a force in stopping the run if he can progress at 6-foot-3, 290 pounds as he develops in Tuscaloosa.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter@nick_a_alvarezor email him at[email protected].