Committs: 10
QB- Phillip Sims
Listed at 6'2", and between 210-225 lbs, Phillip is considered by many to be the top QB in the nation, and no lower than 5th best. A pocket passer by trade, Sims is mobile enough to run the offense we've seen from Bama this year, and big enough to deliver licks himself when plays break down. Sims has one of the tightest spirals and strongest arms in this class, and looks to battle it out with
AJ McCarron for QB of the future after McElroy graduates. The competition has the potential to be an epic one.
RB- Jalston Fowler
At 6', 240 lbs, many label Fowler as a fullback. However, Fowler has a rare combination of size and speed that very few possess coming out of high school. Comparable to Leron McClain out of high school, Fowler will look, instead, to stay at current weight while sitting out this football season due to being six days too old and join Alabama as a true running back this spring. Saban likes backs that can block, and Fowler does that well. Fowler will have talented backs in front of him when he arrives on campus, but his time will come.
RB/WR- Corey Grant
Recruited as a slot receiver, the 5'9" or 5'10", 185 lb Grant has the potential to just be an "offensive athlete" for the Tide. Grant may be the fastest athlete in the entire state, as he won the 6A state title in the 100m last year. The new wrinkles in the Tide offense have to be intriguing to Grant, and the Tide needs more players to make plays in space and off the edges.
WR- Keiwone Malone
Listed between 5'11" and 6'1", but at a light 165 lbs., Malone is one of Tennessee's most decorated prep WRs. Malone has a knack for getting open and is very impressive with the ball in his hands. He may be used similar to Maze and stretch the field. It would be nice to watch Kenny Bell on the field, first, as I see he and Malone being similar.
WR- Ron Carswell
Video of the 6', 180 lbs WR is very impressive. His offer list isn't among the best of the WRs in this class, but his speed definitely shows. Rarswell could be an excellent deep threat on the outside, and someone we could pair up with a speedster in the slot.
TE- Brian Vogler
You won't find many TEs with better measureables than Vogler. At roughly 6'7" and 250 lbs, Vogler will be the best looking TE in uniform when he arrives. Vogler has the potential to be the next true TE on campus, in that you can expect him to block and receive equally well.
H-back- Harrison Jones
Jones is the brother of current RS Freshman and starting RG Barrett Jones. I mention that because both brothers are intelligent and extremely hard working. Not many picked his brother to be the first of the OL class to nail down a starting job, and his brother might surprise as well in a role that his frame is perfect for.
OL- Chad Lindsay
With an offer list as impressive as Lindsay's, you have to question his 3 star rating. The 6'3", 300+ lb Lindsay is a prototype center or guard and plays and looks like a bulldog. An extremely good player from a good program, Lindsay has a lot of competition in front of him, but his potential is great.
OL- Austin Shepherd
The 6'4", 310+ lb Shepherd doesn't have the ranking or offer list of his teammate (and former Tide commit) Juwan James. However, as a guard Shepherd probably has more upside. Shepherd plays with a nasty streak and has learned to play with more than just his size (after dropping a good bit of weight).
K- Cade Foster
Foster plays LB for his school, as well as handles the kicking. The 6'1", 215 lb field goal and kickoff specialist will arrive on campus in January, and I would not count him out of handling both in 2010.
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2009 Greyshirt
OT Darius McKeller
McKeller needed a greyshirt to further develop physically after having an injury hamper him for the better part of a year. Many said he was a project, but the greyshirt makes that less of a case. His long frame is a huge plus, and he should be well above 280 by the time the pads come on.
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Who's Left?
Keenan Allen could possibly end up at WR for Bama, if he chooses to come on board. The Tide is in a battle with Oregon at the moment, and Allen doesn't appear to be in a hurry to decide. Another WR that bears watching is Vincent Sanders.
The offensive line list should grow by at least one more. Damien Robinson and James Stone highlight a list that could grow as the season goes along and the longer it takes those two to tip their hands.
Athletes and Defense to follow