The Firecracker Five
July 4, 2017
It's July 4th and Alabama has just six commitments in the class of 2018. But over the past few weeks, the Tide has started to pick up steam, pulling in commitments from standout prospects like linebacker Quay Walker, punter Skyler DeLong, cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis and defensive lineman Stephon Wynn. And Alabama is in good position with several other elite prospects. When the dust settles, look for the Tide to have a top five class, maybe even higher.As is TI tradition on July 4th, we present our Firecracker Five. As of today, we think these five will likely end up picking Alabama.
DL Bobby Brown
6-4, 284, 5.0
Arlington, TX / Lamar HS
The recent commitment of Stephon Wynn was huge for a few reasons. First, Wynn is an excellent prospect. Second, he's at a position of major need in this class.
Wynn is the Tide's first DL commitment in the 2018 class, but more are on the way. None would be any bigger than Bobby Brown, an outstanding prospect from Arlington-Lamar, Texas. The 6-4, 284-pound Brown is very athletic. He had an excellent camp at Alabama last month. He's certainly a high priority.
Brown is a former prep teammate of UA redshirt feeshman OL Chris Owens. That might help Bama's chances.
Brown will announce his decision on November 2. He's also being pursued by Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M, among others.
LB J.J. Peterson
6-2, 210, 4.77
Moultrie, GA / Colquitt County HS
Alabama landed an elite quartet of linebackers in the 2017 class. It looks like Bama will pull a repeat in 2018. The Tide has a commitment from Quay Walker. UA is also expected to sign greyshirt Jarez Parks. Another one to keep an eye on is Moultrie-Colquitt County, GA, star J.J. Peterson. Peterson might be the best overall linebacker in the country.
Auburn and Georgia are among the schools hoping to sway Peterson. Right now, this one looks to be all Alabama.
LB/DE Eyabi Anoma
6-5, 235, 4.68
Baltimore, MD / St. Frances Academy
ESPN ranks Anoma as the nation's number two overall prospect, and for good reason. The 6-5, 235-pound LB/DE has the frame, the speed and the ability to be a true difference-maker in college. Last season he had an impressive 24 sacks.
Anoma made a recent visit to Alabama. We think the Tide is the overwhelming favorite right now. Several schools, including home state Maryland, remain in hot pursuit.
OL Penei Sewell
6-5, 348, 5.63
St. George, UT / Desert Hills HS
Sewell is one of the nation's elite OL prospects. He's his state's number one overall prospect.
Sewell made a visit to Alabama with his family last month. It was a blowout trip. He's expected to make a return visit later this month.
USC and Oklahoma have been considered the main competition. Bama recruiting ace Tosh Lupoi might be tough to beat here.
CB Joshua Jobe
6-0, 180, 4.5
Miami, FL / Columbus HS
Committed to Miami
The secondary is a high priority for Bama in 2018. One of the Tide's top targets is Miami cornerback Joshua Jobe.
Jobe is a longtime Miami Hurricane commit, but TI has felt for a while that Jobe is a prime candidate to flip to the Tide. Jobe is expected to visit Tuscaloosa later this month.
Jobe has played at Columbus HS in Miami. He is transferring for his senior year to Cheshire Academy in Connecticut.
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