Could it get any better for the Alabama football team? That’s not a rhetorical question. Alabama has seen a streak of success unlike any before seen – at least in recent memory. And yet, it seems every time I blink, the Tide just keeps getting better and better.
It’s not enough that Alabama should have head coach Nick Saban on its side – that in and of itself is almost like cheating. It’s not enough that it should have one of the most devout fan bases in the country, or that it’s nationally recognized by recruits as a direct pipeline to the NFL.
And apparently it’s not enough that Alabama is a two-time reigning champion, with three titles in the last four years. While we’re at it, I guess it’s fair to say it’s not enough that the Tide already had one of the more talented teams heading into next season, even after graduation and the NFL Draft.
And so, after the 2013 National Signing Day, I can only imagine how unfair some fans of the game think college football is. After all, Alabama just hauled in the No. 1-rated recruiting class according to ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports and probably anyone who has any interest in recruiting whatsoever.
Quite honestly, I don’t blame those rhetorical college football fans. I mean, how would you react if you heard a team had T.J. Yeldon, Kenyan Drake and Jalston Fowler, but then got players like Alvin Kamara, Altee Tenpenny, Tyren Jones and Derrick Henry to come play running back as well?
How would you react if you heard a team had an elite quarterback in A.J. McCarron, a ridiculously deep and talented wide receiving corps, and then had players like Robert Foster and O.J. Howard come in to give some extra targets to throw to?
How would you react if you heard a team had a pretty stout defense – one that was annually one of the best in the nation – but still got players like Jonathan Allen, Dee Liner and A’Shawn Robinson?
How about if I told you a team snatched away the No. 1 recruit in the state, literally from the home base of that team’s biggest rivals (ahem, Reuben Foster from Auburn, Ala.)? How would you react?
If I were one of those football fans that exist somewhere out in the ether, I’d say there’s some sort of conspiracy going on. I mean, to see that kind of success is astounding.
Pretty soon, people are going to have legitimate discussions about whether Alabama’s string of success is good for college football.
This recruiting class is only going to add fuel to that fire. After all, some of the most widely heralded and recognized recruits in the nation were just funneled into Tuscaloosa.
Sure, a couple managed to slip through the cracks, like Laremy Tunsil and Robert Nkemdiche to Ole Miss, but if you look at the big picture, Alabama has more than enough talent to afford losing those guys.
I guess that’s the way college football works sometimes. Teams rise to glorious new heights, while others fall into mediocrity and worse, but not so for Alabama.
Leading in today’s Crimson White:
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