Stars aligning for Champions Cook-Out

The University of Alabama will host the 'Champions Cook-Out' on Friday afternoon in Tuscaloosa. The defending national champions have invited many of its top recruiting targets for the BBQ and fellowship. Below is a look at the key targets expected on campus.

The five-star offensive tackle returns to Tuscaloosa for the second time this summer. Alabama is on Wilson's short list of favorites.

Parks visited Alabama for Junior Day earlier this year. This is his first visit back to Tuscaloosa this summer. Alabama will know more about where it stands with the elite prospect after the visit.

Swift is one of the top running backs in the country. Many consider him a Georgia lean at this point. Will Alabama become a major threat to the Bulldogs?

The former LSU commitment visited Alabama last month and momentum is shifting in the Tide's direction.

Herring has visited Alabama several times including a stop in Tuscaloosa in June. Will the elite prospect leave the Peach State to play college football?

Johnson is one of Alabama's top defensive targets. The Tide's defensive coordinator, Jeremy Pruitt, has done a great job recruiting the Port City product.

This is possibly the final trip to Tuscaloosa before Ruggs announces his college decision. He is scheduled to announce on August 1.

Tennison visited Alabama in the spring. He recently decommitted from Texas sparking speculation he is about to flip. Will it happen this weekend?

The Tennessee commitment has continued to express interest in Alabama. He has the versatility to play defensive end or tight end at the next level.

Gibbs was heavily interested in Alabama this time a year ago. It seems the high interest has faded with other programs gaining steam. Alabama will work to earn an official visit in the future.

James is another impressive tight end the Tide coaching staff has attracted to campus. Alabama hopes to sign two tight ends in the 2017 class.

The highly-touted defensive back earned a scholarship offer from Alabama in June. Will he pull the trigger on this visit to Tuscaloosa?

McDonald is a major in-state riser after a dominant camp performance in Tuscaloosa last month. He is expected to announce before the start of the season.

Rice will continue to see his stock rise throughout the year. He is one of the Tide's top in-state prospects. Alabama has an outstanding linebacker class. Room to take another?

Mathis received a scholarship offer a few months ago from Nick Saban. He remains a heavily recruited target.

Brannon is the only prospect attending the Champions Cook-Out without a scholarship offer from Alabama. He was great at the Tide's camp in June. Keep a watchful eye in the future.

Mason is one of the top overall players in Alabama for the 2018 class. He received an offer from Alabama last year. He has the ability to play on either side of the ball. Alabama is the early favorite.

Williams proved this spring and summer he is one of the top in-state players for 2018. Alabama offered a scholarship in the spring. The Tide sits in a great position for the local star who should see four-stars next to his name in the near future.

Taylor-Stuart is one of the top 2018 prospects on the West Coast. He has an early offer from Alabama. He is expected to stay in Tuscaloosa until Sunday.

Thomas was a star at The Opening in Oregon. He is one of the quickest defensive ends in the 2018 class. Alabama and several other programs have offered a scholarship.