There’s been a lot of buzz this spring that Dabo Swinney and his staff were on track to sign 247Sports No. 1 recruiting class in 2020. Nick Saban and Alabama say not so fast.

There was talk Clemson could contend with the Florida 2010 class as the best one ever. Alabama is tracking that mark as well.

The Crimson Tide are gaining fast on the Tigers and history with the latest pledge coming from Quandarrius Robinson all but ensuring the SEC power will sign the country’s best linebacker haul this cycle. Robinson pulls the trigger two days after hard-hitting Demouy Kennedy joined the fold. Those two join elite Lone Star State standout Drew Sanders, making for three 247Sports Top100 Composite recruits that can run, strike and play several positions on the second level.

Currently sitting on 20 commits, the list of ballyhooed recruits considering a future in Tuscaloosa moving forward is extremely long as Saban and company chase their ninth top-ranked recruiting class in the last 10 years.

Who’s next? Another Top100 recruit in Hampton (Ga.) Dutchtown’s defensive end Will Anderson is trending heavily to the Tide following his recent visit to campus.

Beyond Anderson, the 247Sports Composite's top-ranked running back Zachary Evans is looking strongly at Alabama alongside Georgia and LSU. As of today the smart money seems to be on the Tide with Evans ultimately joining his Houston (Texas) North Shore teammate and another recent verbal in Damieon George.

Those two alone in Anderson and the five-star Evans would boost Alabama past Clemson in the 247Sports Rankings. Obviously the Tigers aren’t done with prospects like five-star Jordan Burch, Top247 receivers E.J. Williams and Xzavier Henderson still in play but Saban and his staff look to be in the thick of it for more high-profile talents than their College Football Playoff rival.

The nation’s No. 1 athlete Darnell Washington out of Las Vegas (Nev.) Desert Pines could certainly end up in this Alabama class. They’re in the thick of it for four more terrific linebackers in five-stars Justin Flowe and Sav'ell Smalls along with 247Sports Composite Top50 recruits Phillip Webb (also looking at Clemson) and Noah Sewell.

Others on the official visit list moving forward include five-star running back Kendall Milton, five-star tight end Arik Gilbert and the top-ranked offensive guard in the country Justin Rogers who is committed to Kentucky and could also play defensive line.

Top247 recruits in Jacobian Guillory, Reggie Grimes, Omari Thomas, Henderson and Top247 cornerback Ethan Pouncey are a few other very notable names that have Alabama at the top or near the top of their lists. We could reel off more names like defensive end Zykeivous Walker or offensive lineman Chris Morris. Then there’s top-ranked dual-threat quarterback Bryce Young who’s been committed to local USC since last July but maintains a relationship with the Tide.

The battle for No. 1 isn’t a forgone conclusion anymore as Saban is tracking perhaps his highest-rated recruiting class ever as well.