Who's Still at Alabama from the 2018-21 Recruiting Classes: All Things CW

Initial team recruiting ranking: 5

Cornerback Patrick Surtain II and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle set the standard as both were top-10 picks in 2021 and are subsequently off to stellar careers in the NFL. Defensive lineman Christian Barmore was a second-round selection. He was joined by Cameron Latu this year, who was drafted in the third round as a tight end after a position change from linebacker.

Offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. is trying to make the league as a free agent, like cornerback Josh Jobe did last year, and we have to mention former offensive lineman Tommy Brown having a successful NIL season at Colorado in 2022 while doubling as an underwear model.

There's no one left from the Class of 2018 on Alabama's roster, but some players are still in college football.

Remember Ale Kaho? He's listed as a senior at UCLA. Eyabi Anoma, now known as Eyabi Okie, is at Charlotte after transferring from Michigan in January at age 23. Stephon Wynn recently transferred to Ole Miss from Nebraska. 

Initial team recruiting ranking: No. 1

So far there's been just one first-round draft pick, offensive tackle Evan Neal last year. Wide receiver John Metchie III was a second-around pick and is with the Houston Texans along with linebacker Christian Harris.

Safety Jordan Battle and defensive lineman Byron Young went in the 2023 NFL Draft, both in the third round, along with defensive back DeMarcco Hellams.

Defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe is still around, and appears poised to start after suffering a scary neck injury last season. The only other player from the recruiting class still on the roster is kicker Will Reichard.

Meanwhile, Antonio Alfano is with his fourth college, Scranton (Pa.), Lackawanna. Trey Sanders is at TCU. Pierce Quick is at Georgia Tech. Ishmael Sopsher recently transferred to USC where Shane Lee played last season. Taulia Tagovailoa is in what feels like his 40th year at Maryland. 

Initial team recruiting ranking: No. 2

Quarterback Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. went first and third, respectively, in the 2023 NFL Draft, and safety Brian Branch was a second-round selection. Former Alabama linebacker Drew Sanders was a third-round pick after playing last season at Arkansas.

Is there another first-round selection in the mix? It's hard to say, but the strongest contenders appear to be defensive lineman Tim Smith, outside linebacker Chris Braswell and maybe fellow linebacker Quandarrius Robinson. Safety Malachi Moore is obviously another player to watch.

The only other players from the Class of 2020 who are still on the roster are running backs Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams Jr., wide receiver Thaiu Jones-Bell, center Seth McLaughlin, defensive linemen Jah-Marien Latham and Jamil Burroughs and safety Kristian Story.

Javion Cohen, Damieon George, Jahquez Robinson and Traeshon Holden have all transferred

Initial team recruiting ranking: No. 1

It's called the Covid class as coaches couldn't do much, if any, recruiting in person during the initial year of the pandemic, and there had to be a lot of evaluating from afar. That goes away from Saban's preferred boots-on-the-gound philosophy that was so successful the NCAA put restrictions on when coaches can be on high school campuses in the spring.

The Class of 2021 will form a lot of Alabama's leadership this season, and features numerous players who are expected to step into much larger roles. Key names include offensive tackle JC Latham, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and edge-rusher Dallas Turner, who all appear to be in the mix to be first-round selections next year. But there's also wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks, defensive back Terrion Arnold and defensive lineman Damon Payne. 

Among those who have transferred out include Tommy Brockermeyer, Camar Wheaton, Agiye Hall, JoJo Earle and Christian Leary.