Saban lost one commitment just prior to signing day and failed to sign any of the three that had been mentioned as possible signees in the hours leading up to Wednesday. But the fourth-year head coach said his class addressed the major needs it faced heading into the recruiting season.

"Is there anybody ever in college football who didn't have a good recruiting class, that they didn't satisfy their needs, that they didn't get somebody who's going to make an impact on their team next year?" Saban asked. "I don't want you to think I'm being glib, but we are pleased with the kind of football players we were able to attract to our school this year."

After finishing No. 1 in the recruiting rankings the past two years, Alabama class slipped to fifth in the rankings assembled by Rivals.com and fourth by Scout while maintaining a third-place showing in the ESPN rankings. Saban sounded a bit defensive when he brought up the recruiting rankings, noting: "I don't really know where we're rated and don't much care where we're rated."

It was another stellar class compiled by the head coach, but this one didn't generate the same buzz, in part because only one standout recruit committed in the final week, which did little to offset the loss of Keenan Allen.

Allen, the No. 5 prospect in America according to Rivals, backed out of his commitment to Alabama to sign with California. Of the four potential recruits linked to Alabama in the days leading up to signing day, only Maryland's Arie Kouandjio signed on Wednesday.

In addition, the only five-star recruit in Alabama's class, Stanhope Elmore defensive back DeMarcus Milliner, committed last summer.

"This recruiting class is a great class," said Milliner, who enrolled in January and will participate in spring practice next month. "There are a whole lot of great players coming in. It was a great day. We got the players that we got and all the rest of the recruits that didn't come, we're just glad they chose somewhere to go and we'll be good with the class that we got."

Alabama built much of its class before the start of the 2009 season and added no surprise announcements since South Carolina cornerback John Fulton committed to the Tide on Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-American Game.

Since that time, much of the buzz around Alabama's recruiting class focused on losing, then regaining, star athlete Blake Sims, then losing Allen after his brother Zach Maynard withdrew from Buffalo, creating a package deal for the pair that was eventually accepted by California.

"We have a lot of respect for the family," Saban said. "Somewhere along the line, about 10 days ago, the circumstances changed relative to his brother Zach getting a release for a transfer and the two of them wanting to go to school. It was a matter of whether we could take both guys or not. I think the people who could obviously had a big advantage and we could not do that because we were full."

Shon Coleman, a solid commitment to Auburn, signed with Auburn.

Christian Jones, a Florida linebacker whose father and brother had played at Florida State, signed with the Seminoles. And James Stone, a four-star lineman from Nashville who was torn between Tennessee and Alabama, signed with the Volunteers.

While not unexpected, it tarnished the halo of a coach known for closing deals in recruiting. Instead of closing deals, he spent more time trying to hang on to the early commitments he already had.

"When a guy commits early to us, then we just become the target," Saban said. "Every other school keeps recruiting them and they know the kid wants to come to Alabama, so now they're bashing Alabama every day."

Alabama's recruiting rankings suffered a slight hit when the Tide was forced to sign both a place kicker and a punter in this year's class. The Tide added seven defensive backs, four offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, three receivers, two tight ends, two tailbacks and a quarterback to the roster as well.

"We put together some great talent at different positions," said quarterback Phillip Sims, another early enrollee. "I think we got into the trenches this year and got some talent everywhere. Special teams, D-linemen, offensive linemen, receivers, backs, linebackers, safeties, we did it all this year. It's a good class that we can be proud of."

The 29 players include a junior-college transfer (Brandon Lewis) that is already enrolled in school and three players from last year's recruiting class that could count against the 2009 total to help bring Alabama within the NCAA annual limit of 25 players. The 29 players will boost the roster total to approximately 95 players, 10 over the NCAA limit of 85. Saban will have until the first day of fall practice in August to bring that number down to 85.

Sims and Milliner are among seven true freshmen already enrolled who will participate in the first day of spring practice on March 12, along with Lewis and the three grayshirt players. Saban called the 11 early enrollees a "unique circumstance" that could help fill the void created by the departure of nine starters from last year's national championship squad.

"It's a little easier transition for them, I think, academically, socially and athletically," Saban said. "It is an advantage to their development because they'll be here in the summer and when they go through it in fall camp in August it's not the first time they go through it, it's the second time."

Enlarge By Mark J. Rebilas, US Presswire Nick Saban didn't have the top-rated recruiting class in the country, but he is happy about the players that signed with Alabama.