Recruiting years begin to overlap

[Crimson Surfer]

The University of Alabama football program seems to be involved in two recruiting seasons at once, trying to get its 2005 class started while at the same time trying to stabilize its 2004 class.

There was good news on the 2005 front on Tuesday when Evan Cardwell, a 290-pound offensive lineman from Brooks, committed to the Crimson Tide. That’s just the sort of bulk that Alabama needs to add in wholesale numbers of the next two years, although the combination of NCAA probation and coaching changes have left UA working on a “need" basis at just about every position for the next couple of years.

Cardwell’s decision, though, was counterbalanced by the announcement that Nikita Stover won’t be part of the 2004 signing class. Stover, a wide receiver from Hartselle, was the top prospect in the state according to many recruiting analysts (The Tuscaloosa News’ Sweet 16 had him somewhat lower, precisely because of academic concerns). Stover plans to enroll at Itawamba Junior College in Fulton, Miss., and while that doesn’t preclude him from coming to Alabama (remember that Le’Ron McClain also signed with a junior college), Stover seems to have given up the fight to get eligible this year. Alabama may end up with as many as a half-dozen signees who won’t be eligible, or will be playing pro baseball instead of college football.

Recruiting years begin to overlap

 

[The Tide]

I hardly think getting Cardwell and losing Stover is a push. Stover's impact to the team would have been larger than Cardwell's. Not to lessen his contribution in any way, but Stover was the top in our class, and for most reason why our class was ranked #15, and was being counted on to make an immediate impact.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

I don't think he was saying that the good of a commitment from Cardwell (Arguably the best OL in Alabama next year) completely counterbalances the very bad news of Stover (Arguably Bama's top signee this year) moving on to JC and opening up his recruitment.

Cecil realized the importance of Stover this year. He said "It remains to be seen just how good Alabama’s incoming recruiting class will be. The loss of Stover will lower its “ranking," although rankings don’t really matter. The sting is in losing a player that was being counted on to contribute. Stover certainly fit that category athletically, although he was always a question mark on the academic side."