Eight of Alabama’s stellar 23-man recruiting class are from inside the state, including three linebackers who are as diverse as they are talented.

Jackson-Olin’s Quandarrius Robinson is a lean pass-rush specialist. Theodore’s Demouy Kennedy is a versatile and explosive 215-pound athlete who is still growing into his frame.

Then there’s Muscle Shoals’ Jackson Bratton. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder is a prototypical middle linebacker who grew up dreaming of playing for the Crimson Tide.

“I’m locked in with Bama,” said Jackson, a 4-star prospect. “I’m still planning to be an early enrollee, and I can’t wait to get there.”

Bratton is not the highest-ranked recruit in Alabama’s class, but he may be having the best senior season. The Trojans are 6-0 behind Bratton and Nebraska quarterback commit Logan Smothers.

Class 6A Muscle Shoals has yielded only 46 points this season season, an average of 7.66 points per game, against a schedule that has already featured victories over two 7A teams. In last week’s win over Florence, Bratton recorded 21 tackles, two quarterback hurries and two tackles for loss.

As a sophomore he had 25 tackles in a game against Spain Park.

Muscle Shoals coach Scott Basden has seen Bratton continue to get better in leading the Trojans to two shutouts this season.

“He’s having a great year,” Basden said. “He’s physical and he’s a great leader for our defense and on special teams. And I think he’ll start playing a little offense here before long.”

Bratton spent last weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska, watching the Cornhuskers host Ohio State in the 368th straight sellout at Memorial Stadium.

“I went with Logan and we had a great time,” Bratton said. “But I’ve been committed to Alabama for a year and a half and that’s where I’ve always wanted to play. I don’t have any trips planned to anywhere else. I’ll be back in Tuscaloosa for the next game (against Tennessee).”

Bratton is looking forward to playing some tight end, fullback or even tailback later this season. He will continue to play on all the special teams, where he returned a kickoff for a touchdown earlier this season. But he knows his future is as a classic inside linebacker.

“I’ve always been a middle linebacker,” said Bratton, who has added 20 pounds since last year. “I like being in the middle and making sure the whole defense is being run like it’s supposed to. I’m going to try to keep getting bigger and be ready to go when I get to Alabama in December.”