Alabama football looks local for 2023 walk-ons
There wasn’t much for Alabama to do in the Class of 2023. A mid-summer hiatus gave way to an active fall and star-studded winter as the Crimson Tide finished with nine five-stars per 247Sports Composite and third-best class in recorded history. There were also no signatures to wait for, as all but four of the 24 commits have already moved to Tuscaloosa.
Still, Wednesday was signing day and the Tide made a few offers. Several in-state players announced their involvement with Dynasty as preferred walk-ons, or PWOs. These are not scholarship players but are technically on the list. As a historical example, Levi Wallace has made an NFL career after joining the team in 2016 as a sophomore.
Here’s a breakdown of the additions to Alabama’s Class No. 1.
Hoover’s Rashad Smith (73) blocks Hewitt-Trussville’s Braylon Chatman (3) for Hoover’s Lamarion Mccammon (3) during the second round of the AHSAA 7a football playoffs at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama, Friday, November 11, 2022. ( Marvin Gentry | [email protected])
Braylon Chatman, Hewitt-Trussville
Chatman, a 6-foot-tall, 215-pound linebacker, led the Huskies with 74 solo tackles.
Tuscaloosa County’s Sawyer Deerman attempts to get past Hoover’s Garian Denson during a game at the Met in Hoover, Alabama Friday, October 7, 2022. (Dennis Victory | [email protected])
Sawyer Deerman, American Christian
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Deerman is staying home as a three-star athlete. Deerman had offers from Michigan State, Ole Miss and others.
Gulf Shores running back JR Gardner IV tries to get past St. Michael defensemen Crane Guilian (44) and Parker Baas (60) in the first half of a preseason football game Thursday, August 18, 2022, in Fairhope, Ala. (Mike Kittrell | [email protected])
JR Gardner, Gulf Shores
At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, Gardner was a dynamic playmaker and will play with The Tide running back. He had 20 total touchdowns in his senior season.
Mountain Brook’s Reed Harradine shoots a field goal during the James Clemens high school football game at Mountain Brook on Friday, August 26, 2022 in Mountain Brook, Alabama. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha hunt
Reed Harradine, Bergbach
The No. 41 in the country according to Kohl’s Kicking, the 6-foot-4, 222-pound Harradine accepted an offer in December.
Brock O’Quinn, Texas
As a long snapper, O’Quinn was part of a 13-win team from Southlake (Texas) Carroll.
Kolby Peavy, Excel High
Peavy, an All-Coastal Region Team Honorable Mention, ran for the Panthers this fall, which had nine wins.
Billy Roby, Huntsville
Roby is the youngest in the family to come to Alabama. His grandfather, Billy Roby, played for Bear Bryant, and his older brother, Jackson Roby, was just finishing his stint as an offensive lineman with The Tide.
1/9/21 MFB Practice Practice Alabama Offense Lineman Evan Neal (73) Alabama Offense Lineman Jackson Roby (62) Photo by Kent Gidley 1/9/21 MFB Practice Practice Alabama Offense Lineman Evan Neal (73) Alabama Offense Lineman Jackson Roby ( 62) Photo by Kent GidleyCrimson Tide Photos/UA Athletics
Antonio Ross, Alexandria High
A 6-foot-2, 180-pound wide receiver, Ross held offers from Memphis and Jax State. He was previously signed to Hugh Freeze while managing Liberty.
Alexandria Antonio Ross (3) intercepts and returns a pass intended for corner Christopher Wideman (1) for a touchdown in the first half of a football game Saturday, September 17, 2021 in Corner, Alabama (Al.comPhoto/ butch dill)AL.COM
More Tide Recruitment: Nick Saban speculates on NIL’s future and details players’ $1.3M request
2024 5-star DB Ellis Robinson IV chooses Georgia over Tide, LSU and others
Nick Alvarez is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him [email protected].
