Which current Alabama high school football player has the highest ceiling in college?

Which recruit is ready to contribute immediately on the next level?

Who is the most underrated recruit?

RELATED: Counting down the top 25 recruits

In addition to listing the top 25 overall recruits in the state regardless of classification, several statewide media personalities gave their opinions on those three questions.

As one might imagine, there were a wide variety of answers.

Here are the responses from Ben Thomas and Nick Alvarez of AL.com, Randy Kennedy of AL.com and Sports Talk 99.5 FM radio in Mobile, Christian Clemente of 247Sports and Andrew Bone of On3.

HIGHEST CEILING

Randy Kennedy: James Smith, Sr., Carver-Montgomery (Defensive lineman)

It’s not easy to find great linebackers or running backs or wide receivers. But it’s almost impossible to find a defensive lineman who has all the tools to star at the college level and even the NFL. But James Smith has every asset needed to be a disruptive and even dominant defensive tackle for the next decade or more.

Andrew Bone: Ryan Williams, Soph., Saraland (Wide receiver)

Williams is only a sophomore, but his performance thus far has attracted the best programs in the country to Saraland. His stock will continue to climb. It will not be a surprise if he ranks as the No. 1 overall receiver in his class.

Nick Alvarez: Qua Russaw, Sr., Carver-Montgomery (EDGE)

I consider this an NFL question because all of these guys, in my opinion, are college-bound. Because of that, I need to go with a senior to limit the risk factor of the pick. The best senior, the best athlete and the best potential for another Montgomery-based NFL player is Qua Russaw. He’s shown the work ethic to match his athleticism at 6-foot-2, 230-pounds. He has the look to thrive in any system at the next level and the one thereafter.

Christian Clemente: Qua Russaw, Sr., Carver-Montgomery (EDGE)

I’m going with Qua Russaw here. I think as he continues to develop and add more pass rush moves, the sky is the limit for this kid, especially with how hard he works.

Ben Thomas: K.J. Lacey, Soph., Saraland (Quarterback)

Expect Lacey’s college offers to explode this spring and summer. Spartans’ coach Jeff Kelly, a one-time quarterback in college and in the NFL himself, is normally guarded on praise for his players, but that is not the case with Lacey, who has just scratched the surface of how good he will actually be at the position.

MOST READY TO CONTRIBUTE IN COLLEGE

Randy Kennedy: Jaylen Mbakwe, Jr., Clay-Chalkville (Wide receiver)

Jaylen Mbakwe is one of the fastest athletes in the state. But he’s not merely a track star who plays football. He is great at winning 50-50 balls, whether he’s playing receiver or cornerback. Although he’s still a junior, it’s easy to see him contributing at Alabama soon after arriving.

Andrew Bone: Yhonzae Pierre, Sr., Eufaula (EDGE)

Pierre was unblockable during his summer camp performance at Alabama’s football camp, and it has continued throughout his senior season. Pierre has that extra gear that many do not possess. He has a chance to fall in line as one of the next great pass rushers in Tuscaloosa.

Nick Alvarez: Jeremiah Cobb, Sr., Montgomery Catholic (Running back)

Pike Road alum Quinshon Judkins is showing this fall that a star rating or a commitment doesn’t just slot you somewhere low on the depth chart at the next level. Just watch any Ole Miss game. So, I’ll pick a similar player in Montgomery Catholic’s Jeremiah Cobb. He is explosive, he has vision and he’s been kept fresh while still settling records for the Knights. There should be an opportunity at Auburn for Cobb, expect him to take it.

Christian Clemente: Tony Mitchell, Sr., Thompson (Defensive back)

This is a tough one because I think James Smith, Tomarrion Parker, AJ Harris, Russaw and Tony Mitchell could all step into a program and contribute right now. I’ll lean towards Mitchell, with Harris right behind him. Just think it’s a little easier for a defensive back to step in and play right away.

Ben Thomas: Peter Woods, Sr., Thompson (Defensive line)

One coach in the Birmingham area told me three years ago that Woods was the best player on the Thompson team – and that squad included top 2022 recruit Jeremiah Alexander. Since he committed to Clemson, it seems like in-state folks are talking less about Woods, but he’ll fit in nicely with the Tigers and be a force quickly there.

MOST UNDERRATED

Randy Kennedy: Vysen Lang, Sr., Pike Road (Offensive line)

Vysen Lang has been a star for Pike Road since before he was old enough to drive. He’s nimble for such a big man, showing the ability to play tackle or guard. There’s still time for him to become a priority for nearby Auburn.

Andrew Bone: Karmello English, Sr., Central-Phenix City (Wide receiver)

English is very explosive athlete coming off the ball, and one of the best route runners I’ve seen in this class. He is quick, sudden and is very tough to defend. He will have a chance to make an early impact at the school of his choice.

Nick Alvarez: K.J. Jackson, Jr., St. James (Quarterback)

St. James quarterback KJ Jackson was one of the first players I saw in person in Alabama. A 6-foot-3 lefty that’s mobile with a cannon arm is more than worthy of his current rating as the No. 1 2024 quarterback in the state, per 247Sports. He’s already thrown for 3,153 yards and 46 touchdowns. A strong finish this year and a good camp season should catapult him up big boards by evaluators and scouts.

Christian Clemente: Mario Craver, Jr., Clay-Chalkville (Wide receiver)

I’ve got him down at No. 21 and his size limits how some view him, but I think Mario Craver is a fantastic player. Some of the other Clay-Chalkville studs steal the spotlight sometimes, but Craver is underrated in my eyes.

Ben Thomas: Will James, Sr., Theodore (Defensive back)/T.J. Metcalf, Sr., Pinson Valley (Defensive back)

Two guys jumped out at me, both defensive backs. I believe Will James would be in the Top 25 were it not for a collarbone injury in the first game of the season. The Southern Miss commit just returned to action last Friday, going head-to-head with Alabama WR commit Ryan Williams on every play. If Theodore can advance deep into the playoffs, he’s likely to get late offers. Metcalf is definitely one of the more underrated players in the Class of 2023. It’s sometimes hard to judge DBs because if they are really good, their stats are limited. Both of these guys are really good. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Metcalf, an Arkansas commit, finished the regular season with 0 TDs allowed in pass coverage.

FOLLOW

Nick Alvarez on Twitter at @nick_a_alvarez or read him on AL.com

Ben Thomas on Twitter at @benthomaspreps or read him on AL.com

Randy Kennedy on Twitter at @kennedy_randy or listen to him at Sports Talk 99.5 FM in Mobile or the free IHeart Radio App.

Christian Clemente on Twitter at @CClemente247 or read him on AuburnUndercover.com

Andrew Bone on Twitter at @AndrewJBone or ready him at BamaInsider.com.