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2016 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Recruiting Class: Ho hum. Another year, another epic recruiting class full of next-level talent for an Alabama program that keeps on rolling.

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Alabama Football Recruiting Class Overview

For all the pomp and circumstance about the big recruiting classes from Michigan, LSU, Ohio State, Florida, and other top programs, the No. 1 team in college football once again kept the machine rolling with, arguably, the No. 1 recruiting class. Getting linebackers Ben Davis and Lyndell Wilson on NSD was a big boost to the national ranking, but cranking up the secondary with signings from Jared Mayden and Shyheim Carter taking the class to a whole other level.

The Class Is Heavy On …

Defensive backs. So the one thing Alabama has been criticized for over the last few seasons – other than quarterback, at some points – was the play of the defensive backs. This might change all of that with a phenomenal haul of corners starting with Mayden and Carter along with Nigel Kroft and Aaron Robinson – two prospects who can move around where needed. Safety Shawndarius Jennings isn’t as big a recruit as the corners, but he could turn into the most important signing among the defensive backs.

The Star of the Class Is …

LB Ben Davis, 6-4, 235 – The Crimson Tide got a ready-made offensive tackle in JUCO transfer Charles Baldwin, and Lyndell Wilson might turn out to be the best linebacker in the class, but Davis was the key. He was the marquee name on Signing Day who had LSU, Auburn, and Georgia, and Notre Dame right there

The Team’s Biggest 2016 Depth Chart Hole Is …

Defensive line. There was such a terrific rotation on the defensive front last season that losing NFL starters A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed from the ends and Darren Reed on the nose shouldn’t matter, but combine taking away the starting front three with the loss of MLB Reggie Ragland and CB Cyrus Jones, and even for Alabama there’s some overhauling to do. It’s never a plus, either, to lose a Heisman-winning running back and a national-championship quarterback.

2016 Alabama Football Recruiting Class

Charles Baldwin OL 6-5 300 Jr. Windsor, Conn./Windsor/ASA College
Christian Bell LB 6-4 220 Fr. Hoover, Ala./Hoover
Deonte Brown OL 6-4 350 Fr. Decatur, Ala./Austin
Shyheim Carter DB 6-0 190 Fr. Kentwood, La./Kentwood
Ben Davis LB 6-4 240 Fr. Gordo, Ala./Gordo
Raekwon Davis DL 6-7 325 Fr. Meridian, Miss./Meridian
Trevon Diggs WR 6-2 185 Fr. Gaithersburg, Md./Avalon School
B.J. Emmons RB 6-0 220 Fr. Morganton, N.C./Freedom
Miller Forristall TE 6-5 220 Fr. Cartersville, Ga./Cartersville
Terrell Hall LB 6-5 245 Fr. Washington, D.C./St. John’s
Jalen Hurts QB 6-2 205 Fr. Channelview, Texas/Channelview
Joshua Jacobs RB 5-10 200 Fr. Tulsa, Okla./McLain
Shawn Jennings LB 6-1 220 Fr. Dadeville, Ala./Dadeville
Kendell Jones DL 6-5 350 Fr. Killeen, Texas/Shoemaker
Jamar King DL 6-4 290 Jr. Detroit, Mich./Denby/Mendocino C.C.
Nigel Knott DB 5-11 180 Fr. Madison, Miss./Germantown
Scott Lashley OL 6-7 325 Fr. West Point, Miss./West Point
Jared Mayden DB 6-0 198 Fr. Sachse, Texas/Sachse
Chris Owens OL 6-3 315 Fr. Arlington, Texas/Lamar
Aaron Robinson DB 6-1 185 Fr. Deerfield Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach
T.J. Simmons WR 6-2 195 Fr. Pinson, Ala./Clay-Chalkville
Irvin Smith TE 6-4 235 Fr. New Orleans, La./Brother Martin
Jonah Williams OL 6-5 290 Fr. Folsom, Calif./Folsom
Quinnen Williams DL 6-4 265 Fr. Birmingham, Ala./Wenonah
Lyndell “Mack” Wilson LB 6-2 240 Fr. Montgomery, Ala./Carver

MORE: Ranking No. 1 Recruiting Classes Since 2002