Grading Alabama's 2018 recruiting class on offense

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Alabama adds seven players on offense

Alabama’s strategy, Nick Saban said, was to target defensive players.
Mission accomplished then.
Only seven of the Crimson Tide’s 20 signees this year play on offense.
None of them are quarterbacks.

AL.com takes a look at the group charged with scoring points, grading the Tide's recruiting haul on that side of the ball by position:

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Quarterback: Incomplete

Signees: N/A

For the first time in 13 years, Alabama didn’t sign a quarterback. The presence of rising junior Jalen Hurts and soon-to-be-sophomore Tua Tagovailoa may have dissuaded recruits at the position from coming to Tuscaloosa, knowing it was almost certain that they would have to sit at the dawn of their careers. The turnover within the offensive coaching staff also didn’t help Alabama’s efforts to attract a passer, as the Tide has new assistants overseeing the entire offense and quarterbacks, in particular. Nick Saban did hint that Alabama could still add a quarterback, and don’t be surprised if it is a graduate transfer.
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Running back: C

Signees: four-star Jerome Ford, three-star Slade Bolden

The latest crop of running backs to hit Tuscaloosa doesn’t measure up to the group already residing in Alabama’s backfield. Jerome Ford is a four-star recruit, ranked as the No. 370 overall prospect in the country. Slade Bolden is a three-star prospect and isn’t even expected to carry the ball for the Tide. Instead, he is expected be deployed as a slot receiver. 
Alabama fans shouldn’t fret though. The Tide is loaded at the position. Damien Harris, Najee Harris, Josh Jacobs and Brian Robinson will power Alabama’s ground attack in 2018. Ford and Bolden are just along for the ride.
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Wide receiver: B+

Signees: four-star Jaylen Waddle, four-star Xavier Williams

Jaylen Waddle was the last Alabama recruit to fax in his letter of intent Wednesday. But he was viewed as a priority by the Crimson Tide. Nick Saban said Waddle will likely be used in the slot, and he should complement the other talented members of a receiving corps that includes rising sophomores Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III.
Williams, meanwhile, adds depth to the group. Standing 6-foot-1, Williams figures to line up inside much in the same way that Waddle will. But he may be more hard-pressed than the other receiver in his class to get on the field.
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Tight end: C-

Signees: three-star Michael Parker

Before National Signing Day, it seemed Parker was destined to be designated as a blueshirt — meaning he wasn’t formally recruited and couldn’t have played as a freshman but would have held a scholarship. Yet after several of Alabama’s targeted prospects didn’t pick the Tide on Wednesday, Parker won a spot in the Tide’s class. 
Whether he’ll have a chance to contribute immediately remains uncertain. The Tide is well stocked at tight end with Hale Hentges, Irv Smith Jr., Miller Forristall, Major Tennison and Kedrick James on the roster.
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Offensive line: B

Signees: four-star Tommy Brown, four-star Emil Ekiyor Jr. 

Nick Saban would have welcomed another offensive lineman to the 2018 class. But alas, the Alabama coach will have to settle for two — Brown and Ekiyor. Brown looks like a prototypical tackle with a 6-foot-7, 313-pound frame. Ekiyor, who is stouter, is an interior lineman and could eventually become a candidate for the starting position at center. 
But for now both Ekiyor and Brown are expected to begin their careers as backups.
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