Alabama ranked No. 1 in recruiting

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala., Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Two top high school players from Florida said Wednesday they would attend Alabama and one recruiting service said that school had the best class in the nation.

Rivals.com rated Alabama No. 1 after the Crimson Tide received written commitments from 14 players. Wednesday was the first day a high school senior could officially sign a scholarship agreement with a university.

Among the Alabama signings were defensive back Hasean Clinton-Dix and running back Demetrius Hart, teammates at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Fla. They were both given five-star ratings by Rivals.com.

"The challenge for us as coaches is to help these players mature and develop into all they can be," Alabama Coach Nick Saban said. "I've commented on this before. Just because you pick the best puppy dog with the biggest feet that doesn't mean he's going to grow up to be the best hunting dog."

The University of Southern California was ranked second on the recruiting list, followed by Florida State, Texas and Georgia. Defending champion Auburn was ranked seventh-best.