Alabama begins the final push in the 2018 class with yet another national championship. The Crimson Tide had a good early signing period, picking up five-star pass-rusher Eyabi Anoma and ESPN 300 defensive tackle Christian Barmore. Alabama is now positioned for an 11th-straight top-three class.
To do that, the Tide will need to win a couple of battles to sign these players:
Tyson Campbell | CB, 6-foot-3, 184 pounds, Plantation, Florida/American Heritage, ESPN 300 No. 11
Prediction: Miami
Main competition: Alabama and Georgia
Others in the mix: Ohio State, Florida and Florida State
Campbell's recruitment could go a number of directions, with the official visit process beginning with a trip to Athens this weekend. The hometown Hurricanes are considered the front-runner, but both Georgia and Alabama have legitimate shots here. The five-star cornerback will follow his visit to Georgia with a trip to Alabama on Jan. 19, which will be a star-studded weekend in title town.
Patrick Surtain Jr. | CB, 6-2, 192, Plantation, Florida/American Heritage, ESPN 300 No. 6
Prediction: LSU
Main competition: Alabama
Others in the mix: Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, Miami
Surtain has favored LSU for more than a year, and this weekend the five-star cornerback will head to Baton Rouge for his official visit. The good news for LSU is that head coach Ed Orgeron and defensive backs coach Corey Raymond will be getting their top target on campus again, and they can continue to sell the opportunity to make an instant impact, with Kevin Toliver II leaving early for the NFL. The bad news for LSU is that Surtain is scheduled to visit Alabama the following weekend, which will be a huge weekend in Tuscaloosa.
Jacob Copeland | WR, 6-0, 192, Pensacola, Florida/Escambia, ESPN 300 No. 42
Prediction: Florida
Main competition: Alabama
Others in the mix: Tennessee and Texas A&M
The one-time Florida commit is headed toward an Alabama vs. Florida decision on signing day -- with Tennessee a realistic threat and Texas A&M looking to pull an upset. The playmaker already has visited Knoxville, and he will head to College Station on Jan. 20, Alabama on Jan. 26 and Florida on Feb. 2. While the Crimson Tide have the lead headed into the last three official visits, Florida gets the last shot and can sell the opportunity to Copeland to be a difference-maker in coach Dan Mullen's offense.
Justyn Ross | WR, 6-4, 197, Phenix City, Alabama/Central High, ESPN 300 No. 72
Prediction: Clemson
Main competition: Alabama and Auburn
Pulling a top talent out of the state of Alabama is not an easy task, to say the least. With Ross headed into official visits this month at Alabama and Auburn, Clemson sits in a very good position to reel in one of the state of Alabama's top prospects, as well as one of the best receivers in the class. While the Tigers hold a significant lead right now, there is little doubt Alabama and Auburn will make things difficult for Dabo Swinney. For the Crimson Tide, selling Ross that he can make an impact early could be a challenge, even though Calvin Ridley has declared for the NFL draft, because Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Devonta Smith are freshman receivers who will all command the ball the next two seasons. The flip side of the sell for Saban is that Tua Tagovailoa is a big-time passer, and Alabama could have a better passing game than at any other time in the Saban era.
Jaylen Waddle | WR, 5-10, 169, Houston/Episcopal, ESPN 300 No. 74
Prediction: Texas A&M
Main competition: Alabama
Others in the mix: TCU and Texas
Waddle has favored more than one school over the course of his recruitment, including Alabama, but the hiring of Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M and Christian Kirk exiting College Station for the NFL provide the offense and opportunity that could beat the Crimson Tide on signing day. TCU remains in the fight, and Texas continues to try, but this is Saban vs. Fisher, unless Tom Herman somehow pulls an upset. Waddle has used all of his official visits, but short drives to Texas A&M and Texas are expected this month.