This Saturday against Texas A&M was one of Alabama’s most anticipated games heading into the fall. A rematch of last year’s Tide loss with an added dose of intrigue after Nick Saban’s NIL comments from the summer. And though the Aggies have faltered in 2022, the potential future of both these squads is still promising.

After the Aggies compiled the No. 1 recruiting class, the Tide finished second. In the current cycle, Alabama is running away with the top spot as Texas A&M currently sits at 17th. While the nation watches the prime-time battle at 7 p.m. CDT on CBS, a set of recruits will get an in-person view. Bryant-Denny Stadium will host prospects already committed to Alabama and targets in the 2023 and 2024 classes.

Here are the biggest names who’ll spend part of their weekend in Tuscaloosa.

2023 5-stars: Cormani McClain (CB), Keon Keeley (EDGE), Duce Robinson (TE), Derek Williams (S and Texas commit)

Multiple evaluators like Alabama’s chances on Keeley and Williams. By flipping either, Keeley was committed to Notre Dame until August, the Tide would have remarkable depth in the class at one of two key positions. Alabama needs to keep building momentum with both as their timelines should extend further into the fall. On Robinson and McClain, the top-rated players at each of their positions, per 247Sports, Alabama would love to jump into the mix with the presumed favorites. Robinson is predicted to Southern California, McClain to Florida.

2023 commits: Eli Holstein (QB), Dylan Lonergan (QB), Ty Lockwood (TE), Miles McVay (OL), Raymond Pulido (OL)

There are two benefits to a committed player coming to town. First, recruitment doesn’t stop once a player puts on a hat or releases an edited photo wearing a jersey. Coaches have to maintain relationships and this weekend should allow so premier players to check back in with Tuscaloosa, namely the quarterbacks. Secondly, committed players are an extension of the coaching staff. While Saban, Eric Wolford and others are guiding the Tide against the Aggies, other recruits can continue the pitch and help friends they’ve seen at other camps and events envision a future at Alabama.

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2023 targets committed elsewhere: Malik Muhammad (CB, Texas); Kelby Collins (DL, Florida), Tyree Adams (OT, LSU), Lawson Luckie (TE, Georgia)

Players take visits all the time once already locked into a school. Still, speculation comes when a program gets the small win of bringing a player into the facilities and can conduct an in-person evaluation. The players to watch here are Muhammad and Collins. The latter, a senior from Gardendale, was a surprise loss for Alabama. Collins seems locked in with the Gators, but Tide DL Freddie Roach hasn’t given up. For Muhammad, the fact that Alabama is in contact with multiple defensive backs, especially two currently set for Texas, shows Alabama may not be done adding to that position group.

2024 targets: KJ Bolden (ATH), Ellis Robinson (CB), Kylan Fox (TE), Jaylen Mbakwe (CB and Tide commit), Perry Thompson (CB and Tide commit)

Never too early to look ahead and Alabama seems to already be positioning itself for a strong year in the upcoming class. Bolden, from Buford (Ga.) High — the home of freshman Isaiah Bond and 2023-commit Justice Haynes —, is an elite playmaker at defensive back and at wideout. Robinson, from IMG (Fla.) Academy is one of the best players in the country.

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