[Bamabeachlivin]

No one could fault University of Alabama football fans if they felt like closing National Signing Day with a parade, or a fireworks display, or something.

The Crimson Tide succeeded beyond expectations Wednesday, signing a class of 32 players that most level-headed analysts rank as the best in the country. The conclusion to the bonanza received widespread positive publicity. There were eagerly anticipated announcements in the morning, at noon and in the afternoon, placed at the perfect intervals to keep the fans’ adrenaline pumping.

That’s appropriate. Recruiting involves a lot of elements. That includes hype and hoopla and a healthy dose of perception.

But it wasn’t all about that. It was great for Alabama fans that the Crimson Tide closed with a headline-grabbing flourish, but part of the true power of this class is that Wednesday’s announcements were merely the icing. The foundation had already been laid with solid pickups. Some of those players have been committed for months, players like John Michael Boswell and Undra Billingsley and Michael Williams.

Those are excellent players and future leaders. In some areas this week, certain individuals tried to make a distinction between signing “five-star prospects” and “quality-character players,” as if those two concepts are somehow mutually exclusive. It doesn’t always happen, but it is possible for a young man to be both.
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[Stoney]

Saban is a good judge of character and talent we are lucky to have him.