TideFans.com - Home of the BamaNation! - 2004 Recruiting Wrapup

Email
PW
sign up!

You Are Here

GET BAMA GEAR!
+ TF Logo Store
+ S.N.A.S.S. GEAR
+ TideFanStore.com

SPORTS BOARDS
+ Football
+ Basketball
+ Recruiting
+ Women's Sports
+ Baseball
+ Pro Sports
+ HighSchoolSports

OTHER BOARDS
+ Non-Sports
+ The BookEnds
+ Game Videos
+ Ticket Swap
+ Site Troubleshoot
+ MDB Alumni
+ PrayerRequests
+ Job Network
+ Free Signup

OTHER FEATURES
+ Alabama Weekly
+ Affiliates
+ Fan Interaction
+ Fan Poll
+ Features
+ Foundations
+ Links
+ Online Store
+ Recruiting
+ Sports Headlines
+ UA Sports Info

ABOUT TIDEFANS

ADVERTISE HERE!

2004 RECRUITING WRAPUP:
BAMA FILLS MOST NEEDS
DEFENSIVE BACKS
by Jess Nicholas
February 9, 2004

Six months ago, when Alabama coaches were about to embark on their first recruiting season as a group, few Alabama fans believed the Tide’s final haul would resemble anything other than what its last two seasons had looked like – a lot of solid players surrounded by a host of lesser-known prospects who would need substantial coaching to reach their college potential.

Instead, Mike Shula delivered a class that ranks solidly within the nation’s top 15 recruiting classes, and fills most of the needs from which probation-riddled Alabama suffers. Grouping the signees by their positions, we take a look at how the Tide fared in the 2003-04 recruiting game.

Get Your Bama Gear Here!

Save This	Email This
	Discuss This
Aim This Story

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Defensive backs:
CB Travis Robinson
CB Simeon Castille
S Marcus Carter
S/LB Jake Wingo

Overall talent level: B+
Success in filling needs: B

The best news for Alabama here is that all four players are qualified. Alabama added to an already stocked supply of cornerbacks and also picked up a top safety prospect.

The name everyone will remember in this class is Tide legacy Simeon Castille, but it was Marcus Carter who drew the most attention due to his initial commitment to Auburn followed by his change of heart and subsequent signing with Alabama. Castille is a big cornerback, taller than six feet and with good muscle build. He could play safety if needed but will likely stay at cornerback, where he complements Charlie Peprah well.

Carter is a well-built safety prospect who can lay the wood when needed. With Alabama having a dearth of available safeties heading into the fall, Carter could play very early. Travis Robinson is a pure cover corner, smaller than Castille but quicker. He will likely redshirt this year unless he makes a strong impression as a kick returner in early practices.

Jake Wingo comes to Alabama via the Bryant Scholarship and likely won’t play for a couple of years. He can either maintain his current weight and play strong safety or bulk up and move to outside linebacker.

The overall impression here is that Alabama got good talent, but needed another safety or two.

RECRUITING ANALYSIS (CLICK LINKS)