This is beginning to get old for Alabama.

When Nick Saban took over as the head coach in 2007, the Crimson Tide was in such rough shape that the No. 1 class Alabama reeled in for the 2008 season and the consensus top five groups it signed in the following years was big, big news.

Now? Not so much. Just the same old, same old for Alabama, which notched yet another high-ranked class heading into a 2011 season where the expectations are going to be just as high as they were entering what turned out to be a disappointing 2010.

With two big fish left in the water -- defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (Rock Hill, S.C.) and offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio (Hyattsville, Md.) -- Alabama's class ranked No. 1 by Rivals, No. 3 by ESPN and No. 7 by Scout.

"One of the goals in recruiting this year was to get more athletic up front on defense," Saban said. "(We wanted) more guys that could pass rush, more guys that could move and push the pocket in the middle and affect the quarterback. Jeoffrey Pagan can do that."

In typical Saban fashion, though, National Signing Day wasn't a cause for celebration. He had no problems poking holes in a class that seemingly only he had a problem with.

"We did not get a player in this class that can play left tackle long term and that can compete at that position," Saban said. "We're still trying to get some young guys to come in here."

Kouandjio could very well be that player, who, despite committing to Auburn on national TV, could still sign with the Crimson Tide.

TOP OF THE CLASS

DB Hasean Clinton-Dix (Orlando, Fla.) -- An early commitment to the Crimson Tide, Clinton-Dix is considered one of the best players in the nation. A consensus five-star, Clinton-Dix is the latest top DB to sign with Alabama, following in the footsteps of Dre Kirkpatrick, Mark Barron and DeMarcus Milliner.

RB Demetrius Hart (Orlando, Fla.) -- Following in quite the line of stud Alabama running backs, Hart is smaller than Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, but just as dangerous in the open field. Rivals.com considers Hart as the nation's best all-purpose running back.

LB Brent Calloway (Russelville, Ala.) -- Calloway had one of the wackier recruiting stories in recent memories, as he committed to Alabama nearly a year ago, changed his mind at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and said he was going to Auburn and then ultimately landed back with the Crimson Tide. Calloway would love to play running back at the college level but odds are he'll play linebacker, where he's expected to be one of the nation's best.

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