Dominance Series: Kings of Recruiting

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The BamaInsider.com staff has complied compelling stories this week focusing on the dominance of Alabama football. The dominance starts with recruiting, and the series ends on the Crimson Tide's historic run in the Rivals.com era.

There was a time when landing a Rivals100 commitment was monumental and not a very good chance of Alabama landing a prize recruit from South Florida, the West Coast or the northeast. Alabama pretty much stayed within a six-hour perimeter.

Mike Shula was a decent recruiter. The 2009 undefeated national championship team is filled with players recruited by Shula. However, the players were developed and taken to another level by Nick Saban. Five-stars started arriving in Tuscaloosa. Gone are the days of hoping for a top 10-15 class. The No. 1 class is expected; just like national championships.

It's kind of funny how things work sometimes. There was this sense Alabama would sign the No. 1 class in 2008. No one second guessed it. Give Nick Saban one full year to recruit players to Tuscaloosa and no doubt Alabama would have the top class in the country.

The 2008 unit had three five-stars, and Julio Jones has lived up to every expectation. The former No. 1 high school receiver is the No. 1 player at his position in the NFL. The other two five stars were Burton Scott and Tyler Love.

Mark Ingram became Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner. Marcell Dareus is one of the highest paid defensive linemen in the NFL. Who will ever forget his hit against Colt McCoy and the interception return for a touchdown in the national championship?

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Dont'a Hightower, Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw were alpha dogs on the Crimson Tide defense for years. Barrett Jones was an Outland Trophy and Remington Award winner. He was also a three-time All-American. Terrance Cody, aka Mt. Cody), was immovable on Alabama's front. He blocked two field goals against Tennessee to preserve a perfect season in 2009.

Alabama had talented players, but it also had a lot of leadership. The players bought into Nick Saban when he visited their homes as recruits. They bought into 'The Process' when they arrived on campus. The players mentioned above along with players like Robert Lester, Damion Square, Brad Smelley and Michael Williams were part of an unbelievable recruiting class. Alabama has signed many No. 1 classes under Coach Saban. You can argue 2009, 2013 or even 2017 as the best classes in the last decade, but 2008 is the flag bearer. It showed Alabama can bring in the best recruits in the country. The dominos started to fall in place, and classes for years to come were eager to jump on board.

Alabama has finished with the No. 1 recruiting class eight times since 2008. The only years Alabama did not finish with the top class in the country- 2010 (No. 5) and 2015 (No. 2). There has never been a run like this in college football recruiting and may not see it again. How does Nick Saban and his coaching staff continue to sell a program littered with elite players at every position?

Winning can help just about anything. Four national championships and five SEC crowns since 2009 isn't too bad. Ask Nick Saban about his success, and he may mention other years Alabama had the chance to win it all, but didn't. It's the expectation. The constant demand for perfection.

Recruits see it every year. They see Alabama win big games, compete for championships and play on national television every week. Other programs may tell recruits they will not see the field at Alabama or at least for a couple of years. Isn't that a slap in the face to the player? You are good enough to play for us, but not Alabama. Freshmen make major contributions in Tuscaloosa every year. Jalen Hurts, as a true freshman, was the SEC Player the Year.

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Alabama gradates its players with one of the highest graduation rates in the SEC. It's a strong selling tool. Alabama players are selected high in the NFL draft every year, and the Crimson Tide led the Pro Bowl last year with six selections. Think Alabama doesn't sell it?

A lot has to do with the coaches led by Saban. Their ability to recruit players coast-to-coast. Their ability to sell recruits and their families on the football program and university. Nick Saban is the ultimate closer when he steps foot on a high school campus or into the home of a top recruit. Alabama may lose a game during the season. They may lose a recruit to another school. It doesn't happen very often.

Alabama has started out a little slower on the recruiting front as compared to most other years when the Crimson Tide has finished with a No. 1 recruiting class. Some believe Alabama is in danger of not finishing with a top five class for the first time since 2007. Alabama has six commitments. More commitments are sure to come before the start of the season.

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Alabama has a tremendous opportunity during the course of the next few weeks to add several major commitments to the class. Alabama will conduct its final camp of the summer a week from Sunday. The Crimson Tide will also host the 'Champions Cook-Out' on July 21. The one day invite-only event welcomes Alabama's top targets (if available) to Tuscaloosa for a BBQ with the Crimson Tide coaching staff.

It is a slower start to the 2018 class, but Alabama should finish strong on National Signing Day. A lot of eyes are on Alabama this season after losing in the national championship in January against Clemson. A new offensive coordinator is at the helm in Brian Daboll. Offensive recruits are eager to see what he will accomplish. A lot of fresh faces will earn the spotlight on the defensive side of the ball. Who will step up to become the alpha dogs? The All-American leaders. The rising stars? A lot of big home games in Tuscaloosa this fall. A lot of elite recruits will return to Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide should continue business as usual and secure another sensational recruiting class in February.

6-6 - Defensive Excellence

6-5 - First Round Draft Picks

6-4 - Running Back U

6-3 - Kings of College Football

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