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

When it comes to the gold standard of football recruiting classes, Alabama football hit it big in 2017.

Eight players who signed on to play with the Crimson Tide went to to be first-round selections in the National Football League draft, and while a couple of them have struggled at the next level and in their personal lives, Nick Saban's haul that year remains still incredibly impressive.

They include running back Najee Harris. offensive linemen Jedrick Wills Jr. and Alex Leatherwood, wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III, and quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones.

The group features a Heisman Trophy winner and two others who were finalists who are now starting NFL quarterbacks. All but two of the eight went in the top 15 of either the 2020 or 2021 draft, with Harris the lowest among them, 24th to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 when he was the last of six first-round selections from Alabama (tying an NFL record).

Safety Xavier McKinney ended up being a second-round selection. Other NFL players from that recruiting class include defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis and running back Brian Robinson Jr.

Alabama's initial team ranking among the recruiting services that year was obviously No. 1, and it might have been Saban's best (although that's a discussion for another time).

To expect the Crimson Tide, or any other program, to recreate another class like that simply isn't realistic, especially in lieu of the recent changes to college athletics with the transfer portal and NIL. Each year is like free agency, and players who don't quickly land starting jobs are often out the door before their junior years.

Here's what Alabama's done since then, and who's left from the subsequent recruiting classes on the 2023 Crimson Tide roster.

Class of 2018

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.

Class of 2019

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.

Class of 2020

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

Class of 2021

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.

Christopher Walsh's notes column All Things CW regularly appears on BamaCentral.