Evidence of just how much the recruiting calendar’s shifted was presented last Wednesday as Alabama completed its 2020 cycle. The buzzer hadn’t yet sounded, but Nick Saban and Co., had already moved on to 2021.

Saban said he called 22 recruits on National Signing Day, none from the current class. Each target answering the phone that day was a high school junior.

“In fact, by the end of the day today, I was stuttering on the phone and having a tough time speaking clearly,” Saban said. “So that’s how busy it was. It wasn’t busy in terms of how many guys we signed, but we had a lot to do.”

And that work only ramps up from here.

As of Tuesday evening, Alabama had three verbal commitments for the 2021 signing class. That’s good for the No. 17 ranking in 247Sports composite, and No. 14 by Rivals’ measure.

Ohio State has the early lead in both rankings with 10 players already pledged followed by Clemson’s nine and Florida’s 11.

Alabama’s class includes two top-100 players with a quarterback leading the way. Drake Maye of Charlotte is the No. 61 overall prospect and No. 8 pro-style quarterback having committed to the Tide last July.

The brother of former North Carolina All-American basketball player Luke Maye has received interest from college hoops coaches, The Charlotte Observer reported, but he’s sticking with football and Alabama. Drake Maye’s high school coach said Boston College, Clemson, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Virginia have attempted to recruit him unsuccessfully for basketball, according to the Observer.

The offseason commitment to Alabama didn’t diminish Maye’s high school production as he went 210-for-290 as a junior with 3,512 yards and 50 touchdowns. The 6-foot-5 passer’s completion percentage jumped to 72.4 from 64.6 as a sophomore while touchdowns increased by 14.

Alabama also has a commitment from Latrell McCutchin, the No. 73 overall recruit and No. 7 cornerback in the 247Sports composite.

Deontae Lawson of Mobile Christian, the No. 245 overall and No. 16 weakside defensive end, is the most recent addition after a Dec. 27 commitment.

Among the positions Alabama will need the most help come 2021, receiver figures to be near the top. DeVonta Smith will be a senior this fall while rising junior Jaylen Waddle is a candidate for an early NFL draft exit.

No. 1 receiver Agiye Hall has Alabama among his top seven, multiple recruiting outlets reported, with an expected March commitment date on the books. No. 2 receiver Troy Franklin also has the Tide in his top 11, 247Sports reported Tuesday. In terms of overall rankings, Hall is No. 22 and Franklin is No. 23 in the 247Sports composite.

The Tide also figures to be on the market for more help on the offensive line with three seniors set to start this fall in Alex Leatherwood, Deonte Brown and Landon Dickerson.

Cornerback could also be a need with Patrick Surtain a possible NFL early exit and JUCO transfer Ronald Williams stepping in with college experience this fall. Of the three corners signed out of high school this cycle, only Brian Branch is ranked among the top 200 prospects nationally.

Five-star cornerback Ga’Quincy McKinstry of Pinson Valley is among the top targets. The No. 27 overall recruit and third-ranked cornerback in the 247Sports composite also received an offer to by Nate Oats to play basketball for the Tide, 247Sports reported.

The state’s top-ranked player Dylan Brooks is another a name to watch with Alabama. The nation’s No. 20 overall prospect plays at Handley in Roanoke, the alma mater of Tide alum Bradley Bozeman.

Related:

-- Who's next? A look at the top Alabama 2021 recruits

-- Get to know Drake Maye, Alabama’s QB of the future

-- Alabama gets commit from 4-star QB with All-American bloodlines

-- Mobile Christian 4-star 2021 LB Deontae Lawson commits to Alabama

-- Could state’s No. 1 2021 football prospect pick another sport?