5-Star Recruits Alabama Needs to Target to Get Back to the Top of the SEC

On the back of some standout play from quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa and an army of top recruits, Nick Saban and Alabama have been able to coast through the SEC for the majority of the last decade. However, the rise of Joe Burrow and a Tagovailoa hip injury relegated Bama to the Citrus Bowl rather than the College Football Playoff this past campaign.

Alabama needs to clean up on the 2021 recruiting trail if they want any hope of wrestling the SEC away from the likes of LSU, Florida, and Georgia, and these four 5-stars could help further that end.

4. DT Damon Payne

Payne is a 300-pound interior pass rusher from Belleville, Mich. who is currently a complete wild card when it comes to his college choice. Alabama, however, is thought to be jostling with Ohio State and Kentucky for Payne's services. Given his rare pass-rushing ability and excellent burst inside, Payne is the kind of high ceiling prospect who could end up becoming a star in Saban's defense.

3. OLB Terrence Lewis

Lewis has named Alabama in his top six, even though Texas A&M and Penn State are thought to be the front-runners. Alabama needs to step up their pursuit of him, as Lewis is almost a spitting image of fast linebackers like Shaun Dion Hamilton and Reuben Foster. The two were dominant during their time in Tuscaloosa. If Saban is able to convince Lewis to come to Alabama and put on about 20 pounds, he could be a future All-American.

2. OT Tommy Brockermeyer

Bama appears to value size on the offensive line, given the recruitment of 360-pound lineman Evan Neal last year, but the 285-pound Brockermeyer is almost too tantalizing of a prospect to pass up. His movement skills and athleticism, especially for a player his age, are truly remarkable. Brockermeyer is currently viewed as a coin flip between Alabama and Texas, but Saban should commit a lot more resources towards making sure Brockermeyer ends up in Tuscaloosa and not Austin.

1. DT JT Tuimoloau

The No. 2 player in the country, Tuimoloau is such an athletic player that even at 277 pounds, the interior pass rusher has some impressive reps at TIGHT END. The Washington state native is expected to consider either Ohio State or Washington, but Bama hasn't totally left his recruiting picture just yet. Everyone is looking for defensive tackles that can rush the passer, but one with his speed, power, and quickness could become an All-American type of player as soon as he gets on the field.