For the second summer in a row, a slow start on the recruiting trail may be turning into another Alabama tidal wave as the college football season nears.

Alabama currently has 10 commitments in the class of 2024. Three of those prospects are five-star talents, according to 247Sports’ Composite ratings. Five have four-star designations. Alabama’s group is ranked 25th overall and ninth in the Southeastern Conference. Georgia leads the nation with a whopping 24 verbal pledges.

It’s too early to decide who’ll finish with the best class on paper. Yet, July figures to be a busy month for Nick Saban and co. as they try to once again finish with the top spot. Multiple targets have included Alabama among their finalists and are set to announce in the coming weeks. Here’s who to watch:

Aeryn Hampton, 4-star WR

• Announcing: July 7 at 12 p.m., CST
• Finalists: Alabama and Texas

Hampton is one of the more exhilarating skill-position prospects available after a couple of standout seasons at Daingerfield (Texas) High. He’s predicted to stay in state with the Longhorns.

Zabien Brown, 4-star CB

• Announcing: July 9
• Finalists: Alabama, Ohio State, Southern California, Oregon

A track athlete in the offseason, Brown is a premier option in the secondary at 6-foot, 180-pounds. Brown recorded three interceptions for Mater (Calif.) Dei last season. He’s since attended the Tide’s junior day and took an official visit in June. The Ducks hosted Brown on July 1.

Casey Poe, 4-star IOL

• Announcing: July 12
• Finalists: Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Oklahoma, LSU, Auburn and Texas Tech

Listed at 6-foot-4.5, 290-pounds Poe has spent his offseason visiting his final schools. He’s made two trips to Tuscaloosa, most recently in late June. Poe is likely set to be a recruiting win for Eric Wolford.

Keylen Adams, 4-star WR

• Announcing: July 13
• Finalists: Alabama, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, Ohio State

Alabama has made a point of pursuing wideouts with different sets of skills in recent recruiting classes. Adams continues that trend as a bigger-bodied reciever at 6-foot-1. While it would be a surprise if the Virginia Beach native ends up with the Tide, it can’t be ruled out just yet.

Caleb Odom, 4-star TE

• Announcing: July 15
• Finalists: Alabama, Miami, Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M

Odom fits the mold of the modern tight end, meaning he could line up as a reciever and not look too different than a typical wideout, even with his 6-foot-5, 215-pound frame. The Georgia native averaged 80 yards a game in the fall and would be a cornerstone piece of the class.

Demarcus Riddick, 5-star LB

• Announcing: July 26
• Unofficial finalists: Georgia, Alabama, Auburn

Arguably the hottest summer recruiting battle is locked within the SEC. Riddick, from Chilton County, is the No. 29 overall in the country and has been committed to Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs since November. But in-state pushes, and a pair of official visits to the Plains and Tuscaloosa has Riddick’s future in question.

Charles Lester III, 5-star CB

• Announcing: July 28
• Finalists: Alabama, Florida State, Georgia

A do-it-all playmaker, it’s easy to see Lester following the long line of defensive backs to make a name for themselves under Saban. Yet, the top-40 prospect slotted the Tide early on in his visiting schedule and may be looking to stay in-state with the Seminoles.

KJ Bolden, 5-star S

• Announcing: Aug 5
• Finalists: Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State, Auburn

Bolden is a game-changer with a potential future in the secondary or as a wide receiver. 247Sports listed him as the sixth-best player in the country. It’s a toss-up for who Bolden will choose. Alabama has a connection with Bolden’s old teammate Justice Haynes now a freshman. Georgia has a Crystal Ball prediction in its favor. But Hugh Freeze and Auburn will get the final visit before Bolden picks a hat to wear.

Eddrick Houston, 5-star DL

• Announcing: August 22
• Unofficial finalists: Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia

A polished and elite-pass rusher, Houston is a highly-coveted player this cycle. The Crimson Tide earned his latest official visit on June 23, but the Buckeyes appear to be in poll position for the player who recorded 10 sacks for Georgia-powerhouse Buford as a junior.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected]