Alabama Loses Another 4-Star Recruit, Georgia SS Xavier McKinney Decommits

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

A team has to recruit as well as Alabama and back it up on the field the way the Crimson Tide does year in and year to even be in consideration for some of the top athletes across the nation. Alabama is on a run of signing the top recruiting classes with 2017 looking to be no different. The current class has seen the Tide has suffer their share of losses on the recruiting trail with wide receiver D.D. Bowie, quarterback Jake Fromm, running back Cam Akers, and offensive lineman Netori Johnson all already decommitting.

Another setback took place on Thursday when Georgia safety Xavier McKinney decommitted.

McKinney committed to Alabama in September becoming the then- seventh commitment to the 2017 class. The 6’1”, 192 pound, standout has seen his offer sheet grow to double-digits with teams like Auburn, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, and Clemson, among others, hoping to lure him away from Tuscaloosa. Two teams that might be in McKinney’s ear enough to bring about the decommitment is Georgia and Florida. McKinney has taken unofficial visits to both schools during the offseason.

247sports rates McKinney as the No. 11 safety in the nation, No. 108 overall regardless of position. McKinney earned his four-star ranking helping Roswell High School to a 14-1 mark in 2015 with a run to the 7A GHSA Football State Championship Game. The Hornets magical season fell short losing 30-13 to Colquitt County. Along the way, McKinney was second on the Hornets with 111 tackles while coming up with four tackles for a loss, two sacks, 13 pass deflections, and an amazing nine interceptions.

Bama fans can still rest easy, the 2017 class maybe void of any secondary players at this time but the class is still ranked No. 1 per Rivals.

Alabama Crimson Tide 2017 Verbal Commit List (14)

LB Markail Benton, 6-1.5, 237, Central HS, Phenix, City, AL

LB VanDarius Cowan, 6-4, 217, Palm Beach Gardens HS, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

LB Gary Johnson, 6-1, 225, Dodge City C.C., Dodge City, KS

DE Aaron Sterling, 6’1”, 270, Stephenson HS, Stone Mountain, GA

OL Alex Leatherwood, 6’5”, 298, Washington HS, Pensacola, FL

OT Elliot Baker, 6-7, 295, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

RB Najee Harris, 6’1.5”, 210, Antioch Senior, Antioch, CA

RB Brian Robinson, 6’1”, 215, Hillcrest HS, Tuscaloosa, AL

QB Mac Jones, 6-2, 180, Bolles HS, Jacksonville, FL

QB Tua Tagovailoa, 6-1, 210, St. Louis HS, Honolulu, HI

WR Tyrell Shavers, 6-6, 202, Lewisville HS, Lewisville, TX

ATH Thomas Fletcher, 6’1”, 215, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL

ATH Chadarius Townsend, 6’0”, 180 lbs, Tanner HS, Tanner, AL

K Brandon Ruiz, 5-10, 165, Williams Field HS, Gilbert, AZ

Photo credit: maxpreps.com; No. 15 Xavier McKinney gets a stop against Grayson High School.