Alabama Picks Up 2019 OLB King Mwikuta

While Alabama’s standing as the #1 team in the 2018 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings is in doubt, they seem to be off to a pretty damn good start for next year’s class.

Nick Saban and his staff just picked up their 4th commitment of the 2019 cycle in 4-star outside linebacker, King Mwikuta. To this point, they don’t have a player in the Composite that’s ranked below 65th.

A LaGrange, GA resident, Mwikuta is a terrific find for the Tide at a time where Saban’s former assistant, Kirby Smart, is building a sizable perimeter around the state and rival Auburn is sitting right across the border.

Mwikuta held offers from UGA, Miami and Florida State, so procuring his commitment was not an easy feat for ‘Bama.

At the moment, Mwikuta’s commitment is a big deal considering ‘Bama has only one true linebacker commitment in its 2018 class. Yes, a couple of the 2018 defensive end products could easily project as outside linebackers in Saban’s adaptable 3-4 defense, but if Quay Walker ends up being the only linebacker of this current bunch, getting a guy like Mwikuta for 2019 sets up the Tide nicely going forward in that cycle.

Based on his size, Mwikuta is a perfect fit for the “Jack” hybrid OLB/DE in Saban’s system that has produced such standouts as Courtney Upshaw, Tim Williams and Anfernee Jennings.

There’s obviously plenty of time between now and Signing Day of 2019, but it looks like Mwikuta’s pledge could give Alabama the head start it needs in securing its spot as the perennial #1 team in the recruiting rankings.

Congratulations to Mwikuta and his family!