Recruiting update: Alabama looks for strong finish

[JessN]

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Recruiting update: Alabama looks for strong finish
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans Editor-in-Chief
Dec. 9, 2007

Among the many things Nick Saban changed when he took the head coaching job at Alabama was the way Alabama would approach recruiting.

Beginning in 2001, when Dennis Franchione took over for Mike DuBose, the recruiting season had been, in a word, subdued. Alabama got its share of top-level talent – Brodie Croyle, D.J. Hall, Andre Smith and others – but the Crimson Tide also found itself taking on a significant number of players that could be considered projects. Due to frequent coaching changes and NCAA probation, with the exception of perhaps the 2003-2004 or 2004-2005 classes under Mike Shula, recruiting for Alabama fans became less of a spectacle.

Nick Saban changed all that.

For the full story, click here: http://tidefans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66918

[lynyrd skynyrd]

Jess, once again you have done yo homework, super post dude.

[CrimsonBleedRed]

Good work, JessN.

[Crimson Surfer]

Thanks Jess good read.

[drjohn432]

Having seen him shut down Julio, alonzo Lawrence seems to me to be the real deal and a kid we need.

[Crimson Surfer]

Jess, I have a few updates to your Recruting update. As usual things change very fast in recruiting, especially coming down the stretch to NSD. These updates are changes since your update in the situations to some of the commits, prospects and players.

Running backs
• Jimmy Johns - He has been moved to WLB and the position change looks to be permanent.
• Chris Jordan - He has committed to Alabama and he was told he will be a running back.
• Aundre Dean - He is no longer committed to UCLA and he is wide open. Dean has an Alabama offer and he is seriously considering Alabama. It looks like Bama will get an official visit from him.
• Mark Ingram - He has an Alabama offer and he will officially visit on Jan. 11th. He is a longshot with Michigan State in the lead.
• Eric Smith - He has an Alabama offer and he will officially visit on Jan. 18th. It looks like Alabama may be lookng at him as a fullback. His two favorites are Clemson and Auburn, but Alabama is now in the mix.
• Jerico Nelson - He could play both RB and S but he has said that he is being recruited by Alabama as a safety.
• Michael Abernathy - It appears he is no longer being pursued by Alabama.

Wide receivers
• DeVonta Bolton - He has been told by the staff that he will start out at slot receiver at Bama.
• Chris Jackson - He signed a LOI with Bama and he will be an early enrollee.
• Chris Tolliver - He committed to LSU.
• DeAndre Brown - He is still on my list of prospects but he is a very long shot unless something changes in a hurry. In a recent article he did not list Alabama among his favorites or the schools he plans on officially visiting.

Tight ends
• Michael Williams - He has been told by the Alabama staff that he will start out at TE.
• Lavar Edwards - He has said that he is being recruited by Alabama as a DE.

Defensive tackles
• Kerry Murphy - He is listed on my list as a commitment. I will remain optimistic about him unless I hear that he has not qualified or that he is no longer committed to Bama. Now whether or not he plays DT or OL at Bama is another story.
• Marcel Dareus - He is a strong possibilty even if he is a sign and place. It looks like Bama is going after him, especially with the news that his academic situation is improving. I expect it to be a Bama and Auburn battle for him.
• Alex Ford - He did not get a Bama offer and he has committed and signed with ULM as an early enrollee.
• Jomarcus Savage - He is no longer on my list of propects for several reasons. Alabama apparently is not pursuing him very hard, he does not have an Alabama offer, and he recently listed his favorites as Auburn, South Carolina and Tennessee. All of his favorites have offered him.
• Chris Martin - He is a mystery to me. I have not heard anything about him in a long while as far as his status with Bama or any other school. I don't count him among the DTs that have an offer.

Linebackers
• DeVonta Bolton - As I said above in the wide receivers section Bolton has been told by the staff that he will start out at slot receiver at Bama.
• Chris Jordan - As I said above in the running backs section Jordan has been told by the staff that he will start out at running back.
• Courtney Upshaw - I am listing Upshaw as a LB. He has been told by the staff that he will start out at the hybrid LB/DE position Jack. Even if Bama changes to the 4-3 it looks as if the Jack position will be one of the base formations in a multiple scheme.
• Jerrell Harris - I think Bama is in good position to get a signature from Harris. It will come down to a hard fought battle between Alabama, Auburn, and Southern Cal.
• Willie Bohannon - He did not get an Alabama offer and he committed to Kentucky.

Cornerbacks
• B.J. Scott - I look for him to play multiple positions on offense WR, slot WR, QB, etc. much like Tyrone Prothro. He would be a shut-down corner but I think there is more of a need for a playmaker on offense.
• Robby Green - He committed to Alabama and his commitment seems very solid.
• Alonzo Lawrence - His stock has skyrocketed with his late season and All-star game MVP performances. Early on he said Alabama was his favorite but now he says he does not have a leader and he is looking at Alabama, Miami, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. He has an official visit scheduled for Alabama on Jan. 11th. I look for Bama to go all out to sign him and for it to come down to either Bama or OM.
• T.J. Bryant - He is still a possibility but to me he does not look likely.

Safeties
• Jerico Nelson - As I said above in the running backs section he has said that he is being recruited by Alabama as a safety. I agree with Jess I think Bama is finished at saftey but if another one is signed I would think it would be Nelson.


2008 Alabama Commitments and Prospects List (Updated)

[BEATtutorsee]

Nice update Surf! I think you've summed it up pretty nicely.

[Crimson Surfer]

	Quote:	BEATtutorsee
	Nice update Surf! I think you've summed it up pretty nicely.

Thanks I tried to bring that fine Update back up to date with the latest info.

[RAM]

	Quote:	Crimson Surfer
	Thanks I tried to bring that fine Update back up to date with the latest info.

I second the above seconds, now time to go get some more seconds!
</IMG>

[BamaMan12]

QB Star Jackson what is your thoughts about him? Do you think he will out do John Wilson Parker? I have seen the Jackson Video's & Recent Army Video.

I think he will out do Parker. I think Parker will let his Confidence drive him down just as he did in the 3rd & 4th quarter in the Colorado game.

I think Nick Saban will put in Jackson in the very first game in the 4th Quarter to see what he really has in his Confidence.

I noticed Jacksons Short throws are off not pretty they wobble but his long throws are just awesome very nice spirals ...

I think Jackson will do very well now who does he remind you of? Think back....

[RunBamaRun]

	Quote:	theluckster
	QB Star Jackson what is your thoughts about him? Do you think he will out do John Wilson Parker? I have seen the Jackson Video's & Recent Army Video. I think he will out do Parker. I think Parker will let his Confidence drive him down just as he did in the 3rd & 4th quarter in the Colorado game. I think Nick Saban will put in Jackson in the very first game in the 4th Quarter to see what he really has in his Confidence. I noticed Jacksons Short throws are off not pretty they wobble but his long throws are just awesome very nice spirals ... I think Jackson will do very well now who does he remind you of? Think back....

Jackson is still considered a "project".....but a very good one!!!! He will likely redshirt but we have a couple other QB's that could give JPW some good competition and step in if needed.
Both the OL and running game will be better and that will help JPW tremendously. JMHO

[68wRTR]

Surf, what you think our chances with JJ are? and how would that what position some of these guys would end up playing?

[BEATtutorsee]

	Quote:	RunBamaRun
	Jackson is still considered a "project".....but a very good one!!!! He will likely redshirt but we have a couple other QB's that could give JPW some good competition and step in if needed. Both the OL and running game will be better and that will help JPW tremendously. JMHO

JMHO but, I believe he's starting to disspell that notion. A redshirt year would still probably do him more good (which is the case for most all freshmen QBs) but he's showing that he's one of the top QBs in the country right now.