Alabama Lands Nation’s Top Recruit Da’Shawn Hand

Alabama's football program added to its top-ranked recruiting class on Thursday when it received a verbal commitment from defensive end Da'Shawn Hand, who recruiting services have tabbed as the class of 2014's number one player.

Despite having the nation's top class nearly every year under Nick Saban, Alabama had never landed the country's number one prospect until Hand committed.  The Crimson Tide made the very short lists of both DE Jadaveon Clowney and WR Dorial Green-Beckham, but both prospects chose their in-state school over Tuscaloosa. .

For a long time in Hand's recruitment process, it was clear that the in-state school Virginia Tech was his favorite, followed closely by Michigan and North Carolina. Alabama was an absolute long shot at the start, sitting at the bottom of his top eight. The day that he announced his top three schools, he shocked the college football nation with this list: Michigan, Alabama, and Florida.

The 6'4", 250 pound Hand made it clear that education was a top priority and his major in college would be based on what school he decided to attend. He plans on majoring in engineering at the University of Alabama after building a close relationship with the dean of engineering.

Hand is listed as a defensive end, but he could play as a jack linebacker also. According to coaches, his position will depend on his size and skills when he gets to Tuscaloosa. His situation is a lot like another defensive end on Alabama's roster from Virginia, Jonathan Allen. Allen was listed at 6'3" and 263 pounds in high school. He bulked up enough by the time he got to Alabama to be a true defensive end.

This was a huge grab for Alabama, the Crimson Tide has not had a real "play maker" at the defensive end position in a while. Hopefully, Hand can develop into that play busting type of true defensive end Alabama fans are all hoping for.