hunter brannon

Hunter Brannon committed to Alabama on July 23 (photo courtesy 247Sports)

One of the first big surprises for this Alabama recruiting class came when three-star recruit and Cullman offensive lineman Hunter Brannon pledged to the Crimson Tide on Saturday.

Make no mistake about it, though. Brannon can play. At 6-foot-4 and now 290 pounds, it's a surprise he didn't have more offers. The Class 6A second-team all-state performer, Brannon had just six offers per his 247Sports profile page, including Southern Miss, Troy, Appalachian State, Central Arkansas and FCS title runner-up Jacksonville State. That probably wasn't fully updated, as his ESPN profile also has UAB, Arkansas State, Minnesota, Tulane and Western Kentucky among others listed. It's also apparent that other SEC schools had Brannon on their radar.

The skinny: Brannon was invited to Alabama's Champions Cookout on Friday and performed very well in a line camp on Saturday. Obviously media wasn't there, but head coach Nick Saban liked what he saw. Brannon is one of those Alabama kids who grew up dreaming to play for the Crimson Tide, noting what his uncles did last decade while playing for Alabama. Wesley Britt was a four-year starter at left tackle, Justin Britt a multi-year starter at guard and Taylor Britt saw some action for the Crimson Tide at center.

What he brings: Alabama wanted an interior lineman in this group that's shaping up to have some elite offensive tackles. Brannon was undersized at 6-foot-2, 260 last summer but grew into size that can handle SEC defensive lineman. He already has what Saban believes is the skill level and will hone that in Class 6A, Region 7 play. Brannon's HUDL tapes are private and I haven't been to a Cullman game, but expect a guy here who fights and dominates through the whistle. Brannon says he's set to arrive in January and projected 2016 starter Ross Pierschbacher will be a junior in the fall of 2017, so there is time to get acclimated.

If his competitiveness is anything like the Britt brothers - and I suspect it is - then Brannon will be fine.

What it means: Alabama has commitments from five-star Alex Leatherwood at tackle and top junior college prospect Elliot Baker at tackle. With Brannon's commitment, Alabama is likely to sign two more players rated as tackles (honestly, every big offensive line prospect protects the quarterback's blind side in high school), but one or more will end up playing guard. Brannon is even rated as a tackle in the 247Sports rankings. Bob Jones' Kendall Randolph is a prime candidate to join the class when he announces on Aug. 2. Another commit could come from the group of four-stars Isaiah Wilson (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Jedrick Wills (Lexington, Ky.) and Trey Smith (Jackson, Tenn.). Wilson recently visited Alabama for its Champions Cookout. Wills has a recent string of 247Sports crystal ball picks to Alabama.

Rankings

247 composite: 3-star OT, No. 156 OT, No. 56 in Alabama, No. 1816 nationally (expect these to bump)

247 individual: 3-star offensive tackle

Scout: 2-star offensive guard

ESPN: 3-star offensive guard

Rivals: 3-star offensive guard

One onlooker at Alabama's recent OL/DL camp had this to share with AL.com about Brannon:

"I do believe he is better that he is rated by services currently at 3-star and 2-star by another service. He had a very competitive spirit about himself, unafraid of all comers. Coaches put all their best (defensive line) talent there, including (LaBryan) Ray, who plays DL from (James Clemens), who I think is No. 1 player in Alabama. It didn't matter to Brannon, he battled them all, and held them from the target, except one rep that a smaller DL slipped past him but was playing more defensive tackle than nose guard. Coaches hollered to do it again, and the next rep, Brannon closed lined him to the ground upsetting the opponent obviously. It might have been a penalty, but gives you the kind of tenacity Brannon demonstrated. Nobody lined up as a nose guard and defeated him. He showed great leverage from his backside, playing with good leg and back power, seldom backing up more than a step or two, not near the target. I commend Coach Saban for recognizing his talent, and competitiveness, offering a scholarship soon after their session was over, and rating did not affect him at all. It was great evaluation in my opinion. Brannon is a legitimate talent, especially at center position I believe. I do not believe it was a one-time occurrence either. I knew his uncles Wes Britt, and Justin Britt, and at the same age, Brannon is a more physically developed talent than either of them were, when I saw them right after their senior year. Look for other scout services to look at Brannon a lot closer, and the rating of him as a prospect to improve, not that it is necessary."