Crazy finishes for the University of Alabama

What was the craziest signing day finish for the Crimson Tide? Some amazing closing days have certainly kept coaches and fans on the edge of their seats in the final three days prior to National Signing Day. Alabama has come out on top in many instances.

Keep in mind we are only looking at players who committed the week of National Signing Day.

2008: Julio Jones, Marcell Dareus, Mark Ingram, Jerrell Harris

The end of Alabama's 2008 recruiting cycle which closed as Nick Saban's first No.1 class in Tuscaloosa was very special. Julio Jones was a great jumpstart for the in-state players. The best receiver in the NFL will compete in the Super Bowl next Sunday.

Mark Ingram announced the day prior to signing day. Coach Saban coached his dad at Michigan State, and Alabama did a fantastic job late in the recruiting process.

There were rumors of Dareus leaning to North Carolina, but he also stayed home.

Most assumed Harris was announcing for Alabama. I attended the announcements for Dareus and Harris, and interviewed Julio on the phone after his announcement while driving to Gadsden.

There was one unfortunate miss for the Crimson Tide. Stud NFL defensive lineman Robert Quinn was thought to have been a long-time Alabama lean. He had brain surgery his senior year to remove a benign tumor. He decided to stay close to home and have a great career at North Carolina.

2009: Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick, Eddie Lacy, Kenny Bell, Tana Patrick, Brandon Moore, Kendall Kelly

A big day was projected for Alabama in 2009. A lot of different directions things could go. All were keeping an eye on Trent Richardson's announcement. He was committed to Alabama, but there was real concern of him flipping to LSU. Five-star DB Dre Kirkpatrick wanted some to believe he was signing with Texas. Alabama would keep him and teammate Kendall Kelly in the class. Eddie Lacy announced early in the day for Alabama. Kenny Bell is the infamous 'Recruit X'. Someone not on the radar was announcing for the Crimson Tide. Bell flipped from LSU. Tana Patrick and Brandon Moore also decided to stay in-state.

At least two other players had informed Alabama that week of their plans to sign with the Crimson Tide. Offensive lineman Bobby Massie and DB Greg Reid privately committed to Alabama. Massive signed with Ole Miss, and Reid signed with FSU.

It was a very tight battle between Alabama and LSU for five-star WR Reuben Randle. The Tigers did win out on signing day. LSU also landed in-state LB Barkevious Mingo. A trio of DBs who considered Alabama- Darren Myles, Marsalis Teague and Janzen Jackson- all signed with Tennessee.

2016: Mack Wilson, Ben Davis, Terrell Hall, Jared Mayden, Jamar King, Nigel Knott, Aaron Robinson, Joshua Jacobs, Shyheim Carter, Scott Lashley, Irvin Smith

Just how crazy was last year's National Signing Day extravaganza? Nigel Knott was the only player out of the group to not commit on Wednesday. Most assumed Ben Davis and Mack Wison were staying home. Shyheim Carter was torn between Alabama and Ole Miss. Terrell Hall strongly considered staying home (Maryland). Joshua Jacobs didn't receive a green light to commit until Tuesday night.

The amount of other players who were considering Alabama was also a little crazy in the closing days. Jeffrey Simmons had supposedly told Alabama (along with Ole Miss) he planned to sign with the Tide on signing day. It was a toss-up for AJ Brown between Alabama and Ole Miss. He decided to stay home. Tyler Simmons flipped his commitment on signing day from Alabama to Georgia.

Alabama was in strong contention for WR Ahmmon Richards who decided to sign with Miami. Devin Asiasi picked Michigan. Five-star DL Derrick Brown signed with Auburn. Michail Carter chose Georgia instead of Alabama. Riley Cole was asked to grayshirt and decided to sign with South Alabama. The same for Joshua Perry who decided to sign with Memphis. Five-star LB Mique Jaurez was rumored to favor Alabama, but signed with UCLA.

Alabama added only one player in 2010 the week of signing day. He is current Washington Redskins OL Arie Kounajdio. Alabama lost five-star wide receiver Keenan Allen, a long time Crimson Tide commitment, to Cal. Allen's half brother, Zach Maynard, transferred from Buffalo after Turner Gill left to become the head coach at Kansas. Allen's family hoped Maynard could get an offer from Alabama. Another one who went elsewhere: OL James Stone (Tennessee)

How about 2011 when Arie's brother, Cyrus, announced for Auburn on ESPN on signing day, decided to not fax his LOI and signed with Alabama a few days later.

Five-star RB Isaiah Crowell picked Georgia instead of Alabama. Four-star OL/TE Cam Clear picked Tennessee instead of Alabama. Jadeveon Clowney, the No.1 player the country, made all wait for two weeks before he picked South Carolina.

Not many fireworks in 2012. Alabama picked up commitments on signing day from defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, and added utility big man Korren Kirvin. Several will remember Darius Philon asked to grayshirt late in the process and decided to sign with Arkansas. A few others Alabama missed included five-star OL Avery Young who selected Auburn, and five-star DL Eddie Goldman who signed with FSU.

The 2013 class saw a little bit of a bang in the end with Reuben Foster, Auburn tattoo and all, announce for Alabama. A'Shawn Robinson flipped his commitment from Texas. Alabama also landed Alvin Kamara. A few rumors floated late of Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston making a surprise and stay in-state on NSD, but he signed with FSU.

Fireworks were set off in 2014 when five-star LB Rashaan Evans spurned his hometown (Auburn) to join Alabama's class on signing day. Alabama also landed JuCo tight end Ty Flournoy-Smth that week. Five-star OL Laremy Tunsil favored Alabama and Georgia for several months before a trip to Ole Miss in January changed everything. He signed with the Rebels.

Alabama missed on five-star DE Chad Thomas who decided to stay home and sign with Miami. Five-star DL Eddie Vanderdoes gave strong consideration to Alabama, but signed with UCLA. Five-star DL Montravious Adams also revealed he would have signed with Alabama if not for a final weekend visit to Auburn which sealed the deal in favor of the Tigers. Alabama would miss on elite safety Tony Conner who signed with Ole Miss.

Daylon Charlot was the only addition to Alabama's class on signing day in 2015. Very uneventful day. Alabama was still in contention for a few players who signed elsewhere including CeCe Jefferson (Florida), Terry Godwin (Georgia). Isaiah Prince backed away from his commitment in January and signed with Ohio State. There were rumors of a possible flip of Minkah Fitzpatrick to FSU, but he clearly remained with the Crimson Tide.