COMMIT: Alabama Makes an Early Grab at Tight End

Elijah Brown of Dayton, OH has become the third commitment to the Alabama Class of 2022. It is not often when a program can venture into Ohio State territory and grab a prospect such as Brown.

The 4-star plays at Wayne High School, the same school that produced Braxton Miller. Brown measures 6’5” and weighs in the 220-230 lbs range. He is rated the 13th best tight end and 11th best prospect out of Ohio according to the 247sports composite rankings. 247 alone sees him as the tenth best tight end and Rivals judges him as seventh best. Regardless of who you believe, it sounds like Bama is getting a good one.

Alabama got on Brown early, offering him last July. His first Tide recruiter was former tight ends coach Jeff Banks. However, it’s Nick Saban that sealed the deal. The Bama head coach had a Zoom call with Brown on National Signing Day. If the GOAT calls someone on NSD, you know he is sincere about getting him on the team.

All their tight ends are really good,” Brown told Rivals.com about the Tide’s position group of players. “They can block, and that’s a strong suit I added to my game and improved a lot this past year. They can also run routes and catch the ball, so that’s exactly how I play.”

Wayne HS finished with a 5-3 record this past season. Brown totaled 20 receptions for 278 yards and a touchdown in those eight games.

Brown had over 20 Power-5 offers including Notre Dame, LSU and Auburn but ultimately chose Alabama over Arizona State, Southern Cal and Virginia Tech. He is also a starter on his high school’s fifth ranked Ohio basketball team.

BAMA TIGHT END DEPTH CHART

If this early commitment is any indication, tight end is a high priority for Alabama in the Class of 2021. Unless the Crimson Tide acquires a quality transfer or two, they could have quite the dearth at tight end after the coming season reaches its conclusion.

• Jahleel Billingsley Jr. - 20 career receptions for 303 yards, 3 TDs; 18 catches last season for 287 yards and three scores (vs Aub, LSU, ND). Showed big play ability in 2020, but still made assignment mistakes and needs to improve on blocking; If he has a breakout year in 2021, he may turn pro.
• Major Tennison R-Sr. - Six career receptions for 55 yards, 1 TD (2019); One catch in 2020 for 4 yards (vs Florida); Better blocker than Billingsley; With his fifth season on campus approaching, he is likely gone after the 2021 season.
• Cameron Latu R-Jr. - 0 career receptions; Used more on special teams and as a blocking H-back.
• Caden Clark Fr. - True freshman.
• Robbie Ouzts Fr. - True freshman.

ANOTHER DEAD PERIOD EXTENSION?

With the dead period creeping up on its one year anniversary in March, there was much hope that it would not be extended again past the current date of April 15, 2021. However, the NCAA is recommending another push, this time to May 31.

This elongated period meant that in-person visits, camps, and the like were strictly verboten for any coach, administration, or athlete of the 2021 recruiting class. Several athletes signed with a school without stepping a foot on campus.

Wednesday, February 17 is the date that the final decision on the extension is expected to be made.

I don’t know if it is laziness, procrastination, or straight up paranoia. It is time to end this silliness.