Here I am again, randomly speculating about recruiting. Bear with me, and, as always... no wagering.
A few disclaimers - 1) this list is not the best case scenario, it is my opinion (at this time) as to who we will sign; 2) this list assumes that the NCAA sanctions include some lost scholarships, but nothing that would cripple the program (if that happens, all bets are off); 3) it is still very, very early.
QB - Brandon Avalos (Hillcrest), [out of state QB]
I think that Coach Fran will sign two QBs this year. With Avalos likely to also play baseball, it is imperative that we don't get caught short (especially with Pennington also being a baseball player). Who will be the second QB? I have no idea.
RB - Kenneth Darby (Huntsville Butler)
Just one RB you ask? Well, remember that we will have Shaud Williams in 2002 and that Ray Hudson may end up here as well. FWIW, at this time, I am predicting that Jason Allen does end up at Georgia (I hope like heck I'm wrong).
Also remember that Tim Castille (Briarwood) is one of the top juniors in the country.
FB - none
Maybe Frank Willis (Navarre, FL), but I suspect that, if Marvin Brown qualifies (he's only a junior), and since we also have Donnie Lowe (Soph), the staff will focus on other positions.
WR - Benjamin Obomanu (Selma), Grant Brigham (Mt. Brook), Lance Hamilton (Washington Co.)
Obomanu will be a huge win, especially since he is looking hard at Florida and UT. I think that both Brigham and Hamilton are very solid pickups. I think we are in the running for Jemalle Cornelius, but that he ends up staying in Florida.
TE - Lawrence Lilly (Montevallo)
I'm not sure how high the staff is on Lilly. We might find out after today's (Friday's) one-day camp.
OL - Grant Dickey (Tyler, TX), James Newby (Athens), Kevin Thorton (Gadsden)
A lot of guesswork here, especially on the third OL. Perhaps another Texas OL will magically appear in T-Town (g). Also remember that Henry Smith may end up OL, though for now he is being recruited as a DL.
DL - Chris Harris (Tuscaloosa Central), Kyle Tatum (Prattville), Henry Smith (Aliceville), Jeremy Clark (Daphne), Ben Grubbs (Elmore Co.)
This is an outstanding group of DL. The fact that they are all in-state is just a bonus. All of them are being recruited by the top SEC schools. Tatum, Smith and eventually Clark and maybe Grubbs will solve our depth problem at DT. Another possibility is Raymond Chaney (Mobile Shaw).
One wild-card to throw in. We could very well sign a JUCO defensive tackle in 2002. No idea who, but the depth may be needed immediately (unless Derek Sanders or Gerard Clark steps up).
LB - Derrick Pope (Garden City CC, KS), Ernest Nance (Courtland), Darius Wilder (Aliceville)
Very difficult to leave off Nick Luke (Phenix City), Edmund Miles (Tallahassee Godby), Buster Davis (Daytona Beach) and Trevis O'Neal (Leeds).
DB - Roshawn Pope (Galvaston, TX), Jeffrey Temple (Montgomery), Ramsey Robinson (Huntsville Butler), Titus Ryan (Tuscaloosa Co.)
I would love to sign a top Texas DB like Vickeal Vaughn, Donald Burgs or Willie Andrews, but it is more likely they stay in Big Twelve country.
By my count, that is 22 signees, most of them from Alabama.
Obviously, if we start winning again, and we "only" lose 10-12 scholarships, then we stand a chance at some really good out of state recruits (per my earlier post). This is just a general idea of where I think we're headed.
I welcome any questions or comments. RTR!
A few disclaimers - 1) this list is not the best case scenario, it is my opinion (at this time) as to who we will sign; 2) this list assumes that the NCAA sanctions include some lost scholarships, but nothing that would cripple the program (if that happens, all bets are off); 3) it is still very, very early.
QB - Brandon Avalos (Hillcrest), [out of state QB]
I think that Coach Fran will sign two QBs this year. With Avalos likely to also play baseball, it is imperative that we don't get caught short (especially with Pennington also being a baseball player). Who will be the second QB? I have no idea.
RB - Kenneth Darby (Huntsville Butler)
Just one RB you ask? Well, remember that we will have Shaud Williams in 2002 and that Ray Hudson may end up here as well. FWIW, at this time, I am predicting that Jason Allen does end up at Georgia (I hope like heck I'm wrong).
Also remember that Tim Castille (Briarwood) is one of the top juniors in the country.
FB - none
Maybe Frank Willis (Navarre, FL), but I suspect that, if Marvin Brown qualifies (he's only a junior), and since we also have Donnie Lowe (Soph), the staff will focus on other positions.
WR - Benjamin Obomanu (Selma), Grant Brigham (Mt. Brook), Lance Hamilton (Washington Co.)
Obomanu will be a huge win, especially since he is looking hard at Florida and UT. I think that both Brigham and Hamilton are very solid pickups. I think we are in the running for Jemalle Cornelius, but that he ends up staying in Florida.
TE - Lawrence Lilly (Montevallo)
I'm not sure how high the staff is on Lilly. We might find out after today's (Friday's) one-day camp.
OL - Grant Dickey (Tyler, TX), James Newby (Athens), Kevin Thorton (Gadsden)
A lot of guesswork here, especially on the third OL. Perhaps another Texas OL will magically appear in T-Town (g). Also remember that Henry Smith may end up OL, though for now he is being recruited as a DL.
DL - Chris Harris (Tuscaloosa Central), Kyle Tatum (Prattville), Henry Smith (Aliceville), Jeremy Clark (Daphne), Ben Grubbs (Elmore Co.)
This is an outstanding group of DL. The fact that they are all in-state is just a bonus. All of them are being recruited by the top SEC schools. Tatum, Smith and eventually Clark and maybe Grubbs will solve our depth problem at DT. Another possibility is Raymond Chaney (Mobile Shaw).
One wild-card to throw in. We could very well sign a JUCO defensive tackle in 2002. No idea who, but the depth may be needed immediately (unless Derek Sanders or Gerard Clark steps up).
LB - Derrick Pope (Garden City CC, KS), Ernest Nance (Courtland), Darius Wilder (Aliceville)
Very difficult to leave off Nick Luke (Phenix City), Edmund Miles (Tallahassee Godby), Buster Davis (Daytona Beach) and Trevis O'Neal (Leeds).
DB - Roshawn Pope (Galvaston, TX), Jeffrey Temple (Montgomery), Ramsey Robinson (Huntsville Butler), Titus Ryan (Tuscaloosa Co.)
I would love to sign a top Texas DB like Vickeal Vaughn, Donald Burgs or Willie Andrews, but it is more likely they stay in Big Twelve country.
By my count, that is 22 signees, most of them from Alabama.
Obviously, if we start winning again, and we "only" lose 10-12 scholarships, then we stand a chance at some really good out of state recruits (per my earlier post). This is just a general idea of where I think we're headed.
I welcome any questions or comments. RTR!