Years of scouting and recruiting work will culminate on Wednesday, giving Alabama football and other programs a better look at their 2024 rosters.

The early signing period is open from Dec. 20-22. While not all of the Crimson Tide’s verbal commits are expected to make it official, the program will recognize most of their signings as they receive paperwork in Tuscaloosa. Head coach Nick Saban will hold his annual press conference to discuss the class and any mid-year enrollees who joined the team ahead of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

Alabama is ranked fourth per 247Sports Composite rankings, behind Georgia, Ohio State and Florida State. There are three five-star and 12 four-star prospects committed, along with six three-stars. The class is headlined by the nation’s second-ranked quarterback Julian Sayin and Jaylen Mbakwe, a five-star athlete from Clay-Chalkville who recently won a state title in Bryant-Denny Stadium as a quarterback and is expected to play in the secondary at the next level.

The biggest name not expected to sign his name this week is Ryan Williams. The Saraland wideout and five-star reclassified after his season ended and will finish up classes in the spring before graduating in May. There’s been speculation that Williams could change his mind – he attended an Auburn men’s basketball game this past weekend wearing an Alabama hoodie — but that would come closer to the Feb. 7, 2024 signing period.

Aside from Williams, Ramsay linebacker Quinton Reese was the last addition to the class on Sept. 16. The bulk of Alabama’s commitments came in July and August before high school seasons began. Two of the group’s initial pledges, Foley five-star Perry Thompson and Georgia three-star Martavious Collins, both flipped to Auburn. As is common, Tide coaches were able to snag some of their own like California safety Peyton Woodyard who had been a Georgia commit and Amari Jefferson, a pass-catcher who’d been linked to Tennessee baseball.

Amid a strong push from Freeze and the Tigers, Alabama has 10 in-state commits, including cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. from Gasdsen City, Nick Saban’s first legacy commit with the Tide, and the first Alabama signee in Brookwood High history, interior offensive lineman William Sanders. Saban and other coaches have made in-home visits with them and Central-Phenix City defensive lineman Isaia Faga.

Safety Rydarrius Morgan, Faga’s teammate and reigning state champion, has been committed to Alabama since August. Morgan took to social media last Monday with others speculating about his decision:

“False accusations,” he tweeted along with a crying emoji.

UA isn’t done finding talent for Saban’s 18th season. Alabama has welcomed in no less than 25 commits every year since 2018. Before finding any straggling high schoolers, junior college or transfer portal talent, that number currently stands at 21 new pieces for 2024.

On the final weekend before signing day, Alabama welcomed five-star defensive lineman and Ohio State commit Eddrick Houston to Tuscaloosa. The Tide has a trio of 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions expecting Alabama to land Texas four-star running back Daniel Hill (announcing during the All-American Bowl on Jan. 6), Missouri four-star tight end Jayshawn Ross and Georgia three-star offensive lineman Favour Edwin.

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