Jerell Rushin|Montgomery Advertiser
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Summer official visits are under way for class of 2023 high school football recruits as college programs learn where they standwith prospects.
Here are 10 recruits in a historically loaded in-state class, including a record seven five-stars, that Alabama football should target.
Kelby Collins, Gardendale
6-5,280, DL
Why:There are six in-state defensive linemen ranked in the top 15 at the position in the country. Collins is a four-star Alabama should fight hard to keep home. His game growsmore productive each season at the AHSAA 6A level, as doeshis frame.
Karmello English, Central-Phenix City
5-11,175, WR
Why:English, the No. 141 overall recruitaccording to the 247Sports Composite,has the largest recruitment of allin-state receivers because he's consistentlyopen and fights through tackles.
Alabama canlock up the1,000-yard,20-touchdown prospect if itcan stave off Auburn and Kentucky.
Wilkin Formby, Northridge
6-7, 300, OT
Why: The last Tuscaloosa native to sign with Alabama was Brian Robinson Jr. in 2017, butthe Crimson Tide would be wise keep Formby inits backyard. The nation's No. 82 recruitfinishesblocks and plays with an edgeat tackle.
He'sa lineman to watch, with Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Auburn,LSU and Tennessee in the hunt, too.
HISTORIC CLASS: Why Alabama's college football recruiting class for 2023 is the state's best ever
2023 RECRUITING:Meet the top Alabama high school football recruits in a loaded class of 2023
WILKIN FORMBY:How 6-foot-7 Wilkin Formby became a 4-star football recruit with Alabama, Auburn among finalists
ALABAMA FOOTBALL:Alabama football's Bryce Young narrowly defeats Suni Lee, others for AWSA amateur athlete of the year
Tony Mitchell, Thompson
6-2, 180, DB
Why:Mitchell, the No. 2 in-state recruit, has an SEC body and the defensive back technique to match. His top five schools are Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M and Oregon.
The nation's No. 2 cornerback enjoyed an unofficial visit to Florida, but Alabama has been recruiting him his entire high school career. He's the rare player that can play every position in the secondary.
DaKaari Nelson, Selma
6-3, 200, S
Why:Alabama saw its first and only safety commit, Elliot Washington of Florida, say he'll explore other schools but stoppedshy of announcing a decommitment. Nelson, one of the most well-roundedin-state defenders after playing at every level in his high school career, could be a replacement.
He doesn't have an offer from the Crimson Tidebut may earn one if he runs well while visiting campus. His final schools areAuburn, Clemson, Tennessee, Kentucky, Penn Stateand Oregon.
DAKAARI NELSON: Could Alabama football offer Selma's DaKaari Nelson, who says Auburn 'stands high in my recruitment'?
JAHLIL HURLEY:Alabama football lands five-star defensive back for 2023 class
Hunter Osborne, Hewitt-Trussville
6-3,250, DL
Why:Last season, Alabama missed on a Hewitt-Trussville defensive lineman, Texas signee Justice Finkley.Osborne, the No. 111recruit and astout run defender, could have a monster senior seasonwith improvement as a pass rusher after finishing with 10 tackles for loss as a junior.
Tomarrion Parker, Central-Phenix City
6-4, 255, DL
Why:Parker playsdefensive end and edge, finishingwith 15 sacks and 27 tackles for loss in 7A as a junior. The top-100 recruithas a top five of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee - but also has official visits set for Michigan State and Florida.
Jaquavious Russaw, Carver (Montgomery)
6-2, 230, Edge
Why:Alabama would love to have another five-star edge recruitto follow in the footsteps of Will Anderson Jr., who could head to the NFL Draft in 2023. Russaw has one of the best bursts in the country and is being recruited by Georgia and Clemson.
James Smith, Carver(Montgomery)
6-4, 310, DL
Why: Smith, the No. 1 in-state recruit,can be the centerpiece of Alabama's defensive line class. Hebrings rare athleticism at 310 pounds to move fromtackle to endand maintain the same effectiveness.
The five-star and No. 2 defensive lineman in the country would be a huge get.Smith and Russaw have taken several visits together, and the friends enjoy being teammates.
JAMES SMITH:Carver 5-star James Smith hungry for Alabama high school football after year at IMG Academy
Peter Woods, Thompson
6-4, 265, DL
Why:Woods was arguably the hardest junior to guard for offensive linemen last season. The No. 23 recruit and five-star has rare a blend of strength,size, burst and close out speed that makes him atop recruitin the country.
He can be the next player inthe Thompson-to-Alabama pipeline, following current Alabama freshman edge defender Jeremiah Alexander.
PETER WOODS: Thompson five-star recruit Peter Woods taking leadership to next level as seniors graduate
Jerell Rushin is a recruiting reporter for the Tuscaloosa News and the USA TODAY Network. Reach him atjrushin@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @JerellRushin_.
