With the 2022 Early Signing Period taking place this Wednesday-Friday, many of the top uncommitted prospects will be making their collegiate decisions in the coming days. With that in mind, we offer this list of leading recruits from Alabama to watch for.
James Smith (Carver-Montgomery)
The state’s two biggest recruiting decisions this week will be made at Carver-Montgomery, with one of those being Smith, the nation’s top uncommitted defensive lineman. A five-star prospect, Smith will be making his decision from a list of finalists that includes Alabama, Alabama State, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio State.
Qua Russaw (Carver-Montgomery)
The second of those top Alabama prospects expected to make his Early Signing Period decision is Russaw, who will pick from the same list of finalists as Smith: Alabama, Alabama State, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio State. Russaw is also a five-star prospect at Carver-Montgomery and is considered one of the nation’s top outside linebackers.
Karmello English (Central-Phenix City)
One of the nation’s top uncommitted wide receivers, English is coming off a senior season for Central-Phenix City that included 70 receptions for 850 yards and 11 touchdowns in 13 games. A four-star prospect, English is a former Auburn commit who released a final five on November 28 that included Alabama, Auburn, Jackson State, Kentucky, and Michigan.
Amare Thomas (Pinson Valley)
English is not the only prominent wide receiver in the 2023 class who remains uncommitted; Thomas is also in that conversation. A three-star prospect at Pinson Valley, Thomas is a former Virginia commit who decommitted from the Cavaliers in late November.
Josh Palmer (Montgomery Catholic)
Palmer, a three-star, is coming off a senior season in which he had 34 receptions for 712 yards and 10 touchdowns. Multiple schools, including UAB and Georgia State, are in the mix for one of Alabama’s top tight end prospects to commit to during the Early Signing Period.
JaQuize Buycks (Stanhope Elmore)
Aside from Smith, Buycks, a three-star prospect at Stanhope Elmore, might be the next biggest name to watch for along the defensive line. The senior compiled 30 tackles for the Mustangs this past season, and he has interest from multiple programs such as Memphis, USF, Indiana, Maryland, and Arizona State.
Keyon Cox (Central-Phenix City)
A three-star prospect from Central-Phenix City, Cox might be the biggest name statewide along the offensive line who is currently uncommitted. Cox has interest from multiple schools that include UCF, UAB, and Mississippi State.
LJ Green (Montgomery Catholic)
As the Early Signing Period draws near, the final name on this list of top Alabama prospects is Green, a former Georgia Tech commit who decommitted from the Yellow Jackets earlier this month. Green, a three-star cornerback, made 33 tackles for Montgomery Catholic in 12 games this season, and he has multiple schools in the mix such as Louisville, Alabama State, Troy, and UAB.
