Will the 2021 Offensive Line Class Be Saban’s Best?
Prior to the start of the pandemic many Alabama fans may have been concerned about the status of the Crimson Tide's recruiting efforts in the 2021 cycle. The Tide had just one commitment in the cycle, Deontae Lawson a linebacker from Mobile Alabama, netting Alabama a recruiting ranking in the 50s nationally. The Crimson Tide has improved dramatically in the last three months securing 11 commitments, good enough for a top-10 class according to 247Sports.
Alabama has landed one offensive lineman commitment, five-star tackle JC Latham. Latham, out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fl is rated as the top tackle in the nation according to 247Sports. He is the Crimson Tide's top recruit in the current cycle but he is just the tip of the iceberg on what could potentially be coach Nick Saban's best offensive line class in his tenure at Alabama.
Terrence Ferguson, offensive guard out of Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia will make his college commitment on Sunday. Many of the experts from 247Sports predict he will choose to join the Alabama Crimson Tide. Ferguson is a 6-foot-4, 300 pound, four-star guard and is currently ranked as the second overall guard in the nation according to the 247Sports composite. Securing his commitment would get the Tide two offensive linemen ranked in the top-50 prospects via the 247Sports Composite and surely shoot the Tide even higher in the overall rankings.
Amarius Mims is a five-star offensive tackle out of Bleckley County High School in Cochran, Georgia. The 6-foot-7, 315 pound tackle is considered the second ranked tackle according to the 247Sports Composite. He is considered a strong lean for the University of Georgia however he has called Alabama his top choice in April when revealing his Top-10. Today Mims joined with Rivals.com to announce his top-six schools.
Mims will make his college commitment on August 15. To add him into the 2021 class with Latham as tandem tackles could bookend the Tide offensive line for years to come.
It is impossible to talk 2021 offensive line prospect without mentioning the twins from Texas. Tommy and James Brockermeyer represent a five and four-star offensive lineman package that would be the prize of any class. Tommy is ranked as the number one tackle in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite. James is ranked as the top center in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. Should the Tide pull them both into Tuscaloosa along with Latham the offensive line would be one of the strongest units.
The Brockermeyer twins are Texas legacies and many recruiting experts believe it will ultimately come down to the Tide and Longhorns for their college commitments. They plan on making another trip to Tuscaloosa when the pandemic subsides and visits are allowed prior to making a decision.
Both bolster the line at All Saints Episcopal High School in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Tide already has one of the five linemen on this list which already bodes well for the Crimson Tide skill positions but completing a clean sweep would mean the highest rated offensive class at Alabama during Nick Saban's tenure.
The 2009 recruiting class included D.J. Fluker, James Carpenter and Chance Warmack; however only Fluker was given a five-star rating and Warmack was listed as a three-star recruit.
Top Recruits in the State of Alabama