When Alabama was closing the deal on Calvin Ridley and Shawn Burgess-Becker in the 2015 class, Crimson Tide coaches were laying the ground work on another receiver they felt could be special.

That was Jerry Jeudy, who was getting ready to play his sophomore season at Monarch High School in south Florida behind Ridley and Burgess-Becker. He earned an offer before then and, a year after transferring to Deerfield Beach to play for coach Jevon Glenn, he committed to Alabama.

It was the final step of a three-step process for the 6-foot-1, 177-pound Jeudy this summer, Glenn said. The first was to dominate the summer and stake his claim as the top receiver in the country (he's sixth per the 247Sports composite), double down academically so he can graduate high school in December and make his commitment. Now, he can focus on his senior season and a possible state championship.

The skinny: Jeudy decided this month that he wanted to go to Alabama. Catching passes from quarterback commits Tua Tagovailoa at The Opening and Mac Jones at the Rivals Challenge and playing with other vocal commits like VanDarius Cowan only helped. But this started a long time ago. Jeudy had a final five, but Glenn said Florida did a great job closing and Miami came in nowhere, spearheaded by assistant Ron Dugans, and was a close third.

Florida's Friday Night Lights made a big impression, as did Mark Richt's Miami Paradise Camp. But Jeudy had been to Alabama many times with Ridley and Burgess-Becker (who has since transferred).

"In the end, it was too much to overcome with the family atmosphere Alabama provided since the ninth grade," Glenn said. "Alabama was out in front from the beginning (offering after ninth grade). History was too much to overcome."

What he brings: Jeudy caught 41 passes for 496 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. He's legitimately one of the best receivers in the country and will likely be a five-star composite recruit by the end of his senior season. His skill set, in my opinion, is comparable to Amari Cooper, though Cooper was a little bit thicker - not much - in high school. Jeudy has room to grow. Glenn praised the smoothness of his routes and his ability to get in and out of breaks.

"The great receivers are one-cut guys," Glenn said. "That's something that's special. He's an exceptional talent, a hard worker that's dedicated to his craft, a student of the game and his maturity level has gone up two or three notches the last year and a half. I'm proud to be his coach. His work ethic is stellar. He's a great kid, a dynamic talent, a once in a lifetime talent."

What it means: Jeudy is Alabama's second receiver commit, joining four-star Tyrell Shavers. Jeudy could play any receiver spot at his size. Alabama plans to sign at least four, and a third should come if Amite, La., receiver Devonta Smith picks the Crimson Tide on Aug. 15. This has Alabama second in the 247Sports composite team rankings as it's behind a stellar Ohio State class for the moment. Alabama now has 18 commitments. Alabama will again be deep next season at receiver, but Jeudy will likely be the receiver signee most ready to play in 2017.

Rankings

247Sports composite (combines all rankings): 4-star, No. 35 nationally, No. 6 WR, No. 9 in Florida

247Sports individual: 4-star, No. 28 nationally, No. 4 WR, No. 6 in Florida

Rivals: 4-star, No. 44 nationally, No. 4 WR

Scout: 4-star, No. 100 nationally, No. 11 WR

ESPN: 4-star, No. 26 overall, No. 4 WR

Here are Jeudy's highlights.