When taking a look back at the last two decades in particular, a big reason why the Alabama Crimson Tide have had success on the football field is due to their results on the recruiting trail.
Under former head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide brought in numerous top-ranked recruiting classes, a trend that seems to be continuing with Kalen DeBoer now in charge at Alabama.
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When taking a deeper look at some of those classes as well, many of the same groups were headlined by a player-or-two who was among the nation’s best in that cycle. Some of those same names also went on to live up to the hype they garnered as high school recruits as well once in Tuscaloosa, going on to shine for the Crimson Tide.
Taking an overall look at the program’s storied history as well, who are some of the top high school prospects that the Crimson Tide have ever landed, and what did they then go on to do once at Alabama?
With every name mentioned rated as a five-star prospect when they came to Tuscaloosa, here are the 10 highest-rated recruits in Alabama football history, according to the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings.
10. Najee Harris, Running Back
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Najee Harris (22) runs the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Pete Werner (20) during the third quarter in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama’s 2017 recruiting class was the nation’s best that cycle, boasting a total of six five-star prospects that were headlined by the nation’s No. 2 overall player in running back Najee Harris out of Antioch High School in California. A class that also included the likes of Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy, and DeVonta Smith, among others, Harris ended his Alabama career with a combined 3,843 rushing yards and 57 total touchdowns from 2017-20, and won two national championships with the Crimson Tide in 2017 and 2020.
9. Brodie Croyle, Quarterback
Jan 1, 2006; Dallas, Texas USA; Alabama Crimson quarterback (12) Brodie Croyle throws a pass against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Texas. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright 2006 Tim Heitman
A member of Alabama’s 2001 recruiting class, quarterback Brodie Croyle is one of the top in-state recruits to end up playing in Tuscaloosa ever, joining the Crimson Tide as the nation’s No. 2 overall player that cycle out of Westbrook Christian School. Croyle went on to become a multi-year starter in Tuscaloosa from 2002-05 where he held a career 56.2 CMP% with 6,382 passing yards and a 41:22 TD:INT ratio.
8. Keon Keeley, Edge Rusher
Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; General view of Alabama Crimson Tide helmets during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
A current member of Alabama’s football roster entering the 2025 season, edge rusher Keon Keeley was the highest-rated of four five-star prospects in the Crimson Tide’s 2023 class alongside the likes of Kadyn Proctor and Caleb Downs, rated as the nation’s No. 2 overall player out of Berkeley Prep School in Florida. So far across two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Keeley has a combined three tackles.
7. Eyabi Okie-Anoma, Edge Rusher
Alabama linebacker Eyabi Anoma (9) during the second half in the Alabama A-Day spring football scrimmage game at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, April 13, 2019. Anoma01
Alabama’s 2018 recruiting class had a pair of five-star prospects who ranked within the Top 10 players nationally, the highest-rated of which was edge rusher Eyabi Okie-Anoma, over cornerback Patrick Surtain II, at No. 4 in the nation out of St. Frances Academy in Maryland. A player who concluded his collegiate career elsewhere, Okie-Anoma amassed a combined nine tackles and two TFL while at Alabama.
6. JC Latham, Offensive Tackle
Sep 30, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman JC Latham (65) celebrates with a cow bell in Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State University. Alabama defeated Mississippi State 40-17. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
The Crimson Tide’s 2021 recruiting class was certainly a memorable one boasting seven five-star prospects, with the highest-rated being offensive tackle JC Latham, the nation’s No. 3 overall player out of IMG Academy in Florida. Latham went on to become a multi-year starter along Alabama’s offensive line while in Tuscaloosa.
5. Julio Jones, Wide Receiver
Nov 26, 2010; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide receiver Julio Jones (8) avoids the tackle of Auburn Tiger safety Mike McNeil (26) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Julio Jones was the top name in Alabama’s 2008 recruiting class, joining the Crimson Tide as the nation’s No. 3 overall player out of in-state Foley High School, and also provided one of the most memorable recruiting moments in the program’s history. A one-time national champion in 2009, the wide receiver ended his Alabama career from 2008-10 with 2,653 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns.
4. Cyrus Kouandijo, Offensive Tackle
Jul 18, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; An Alabama Crimson Tide helmet is shown on the main stage during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama’s 2011 recruiting class was the nation’s best that cycle, with the headline name of that group being Cyrus Kouandijo, an offensive tackle who ranked as the No. 2 overall player nationally out of DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland. A two-time national champion in 2011 and 2012, Kouandijo was a multi-year starter along Alabama’s offensive line.
3. Andre Smith, Offensive Tackle
Nov 29, 2008; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Andre Smith (71) blocks Auburn Tigers defensive end Antoine Carter (45) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive tackle Andre Smith is the highest-rated in-state prospect to ever commit to Alabama, joining the Crimson Tide as the headline name in the program’s 2006 recruiting class out of Huffman High School where he was rated the nation’s No. 1 overall player. An instant starter in Tuscaloosa, Smith was an impactful member of the offensive line for Alabama from 2006-08.
2. Bryce Young, Quarterback
Sep 10, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to throw a pass against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
The two highest-rated recruits in Alabama football history are both quarterbacks, the first of which is Bryce Young, who, as a member of the Crimson Tide’s 2020 recruiting class, was the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect out of Mater Dei High School in California. A one-time national champion in 2020, Young ended his three-year Alabama career with a 65.8 CMP%, 8,356 passing yards, and an 80:12 TD:INT ratio, and is the lone Crimson Tide quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy, doing so in 2021.
1. Keelon Russell, Quarterback
Apr 12, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russel (12) throws prior to the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
A current member of Alabama’s 2025 roster, quarterback Keelon Russell is the highest-rated recruit in Crimson Tide program history, coming to Tuscaloosa as the headline name in the 2025 recruiting class, rated as the No. 2 overall player nationally out of Duncanville High School in Texas. Russell is the lone member of this group yet to appear in a collegiate game, as the quarterback is currently entering his true freshman season at Alabama in 2025.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Keelon Russell, Bryce Young top Alabama football all-time recruits
