Recruiting update: Alabama looks for strong finish

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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. Hired just before New Year’s Day 2007, Saban had roughly five weeks to recruit. He came to Alabama holding 17 commitments from the Shula staff, and kept 11 of them. He added 13 players in a month’s time and ended up signing 24 players. Of those 24, three are not currently with the team. JUCO safety Michael Ricks failed to qualify and will likely play his college ball elsewhere. Running back Jamar Taylor entered school early, worked his way up to second-team by the end of spring, but quit the team for personal reasons over the summer. DT Kerry Murphy failed to qualify and is currently in prep school.

As of Saturday, Dec. 8, Alabama has 22 commitments, 23 if one counts Murphy as a re-sign. Since Murphy’s status is still uncertain, using 22 commitments as a baseline means Alabama will take commitments from anywhere from six to eight more players, most likely.

Here’s a look at where Alabama is currently, and where Alabama may be going.

Quarterbacks
Committed: Star Jackson
Situation: With Zack Stoudt committing to Pittsburgh recently, Alabama would seem to be done as far as recruiting the quarterback position. However, it is possible the Tide could take a late look at a late bloomer. It is thought Alabama coaches are continuing to evaluate a couple of quarterbacks. At least one of them is thought to be Huntsville-J.O. Johnson’s David Isabelle, who shares many of the same traits as Star Jackson – mobile, good arm, hard worker. Alabama is playing this one very close to the vest.
Prediction: Jackson’s stock has risen during his senior year and with Mobile-St. Paul’s A.J. McCarron waiting in the wings as a junior, look for Alabama to address other positions of need instead of using one of its precious slots to take a second quarterback.

Running backs
Committed: Brad Smelley, Jermaine Preyear, Ivan Matchett
Situation: Alabama is currently stocked at running back (four scholarshipped tailbacks, plus Jonathan Lowe and possibly Jimmy Johns), and the commitments of Preyear and Matchett would seem to close the book on the position. But Alabama continues to pursue as many as five other tailbacks in this class. Nashville-Brentwood’s Chris Jordan appears to be the most likely of the five, but Jordan projects on many boards as a linebacker in college. The other four are Katy, Texas’ Aundre Dean, Chandler, Ariz.’s Covaughn Deboskie, Baton Rouge-Scotlandville’s Brandon Bolden and Destrehan, La.’s Jerico Nelson. Of the four, Deboskie is the most highly ranked by most analysts, but is also the least likely to appear on Alabama’s signing sheet. Nelson and Bolden are also long shots, with Nelson being the longer of the two. Dean is currently committed to UCLA, but with a coaching change there, is considering his options. He appears to be the one Alabama wants the most. A really wild card is Russellville’s Michael Abernathy, who at around 5’11” and 240 pounds would be the big, inside banger Alabama needs. Abernathy has grade issues, among other considerations, that have so far kept him off Alabama’s radar. If he gets his act straightened out, however, he could move into the picture. Brad Smelley is a fullback/H-back and Alabama is not recruiting anyone else there.
Prediction: Alabama seems determined to get one more running back in this class. Dean or Bolden look like the most likely options, but Abernathy could make his presence felt.

Tight ends
Committed: None
Situation: Unless Brad Smelley bulks up to play the position, or defensive end commitment Michael Williams starts out here, Alabama is still seeking its first tight end commitment. Tyler Edwards of Monroe, La., is the top target. At 6’5” and 240 pounds, he has the frame to get bigger and has good bloodlines. Edwards will be an Alabama-LSU fight with no other teams likely to get into the mix. Another possibility is Baton Rouge’s Lavar Edwards, but Lavar Edwards projects more as a defensive lineman. He’s also a longer shot than Tyler Edwards.
Prediction: Unless Alabama pulls Tyler Edwards away from LSU, don’t look for the Tide to sign anyone at this position.

Wide receivers
Committed: Melvin Ray, Destin Hood, B.J. Scott
Situation: It’s quite possible, when all is said and done, that none of these players end up playing receiver for Alabama – or playing for Alabama at all. Melvin Ray was a surprise early commitment to Alabama, but is a Tallahassee native and didn’t have a Florida State offer then. He does now, and he’s listening. Destin Hood is solidly in Alabama’s camp – unless Major League Baseball snares him with its amateur draft. Hood is on the verge of being an elite prospect for baseball, and could be in line for a million-dollar contract. If he gets it, he’s probably gone. B.J. Scott says he’ll start out on offense, but Scott will likely play all over the field – receiver, running back, possibly some quarterback. His best position of all may be cornerback. Of the uncommitted prospects, none is bigger than Foley’s Julio Jones, who is also considering Florida State and Oklahoma. Alabama is thought to be a solid leader, but Jones won’t announce until late in the process and things can change several times before then. Jones is probably the nation’s top prospect at any position. In addition to Jones, though, Alabama is in on two more players – Rayville, La.’s Chris Tolliver and McDonough, Ga.’s Chris Jackson – that would make a significant impact if either committed. Tolliver is a completely different player than Jones (Tolliver is smaller, but faster) but could be just as good in the long run. Jackson is a physical receiver who runs good routes and is shifty after the catch. He’s currently a Georgia Tech commitment but is considering switching after the Yellow Jackets fired Chan Gailey as head coach. Jackson would be a December enrollee.
Prediction: First of all, look for Hood to choose baseball. As for Ray, it’s a tossup prediction at the moment but it will be hard to pull him away from his hometown Seminoles if they push for him. However, Alabama should get a commitment from Julio Jones on Signing Day and either Tolliver (who has grade issues), Jackson or both. A wide receiver class of Scott, Jones, Jackson, Tolliver and Hood (at least on Signing Day) would probably be the best wide receiver class ever signed in Tuscaloosa, period, and if Ray sticks with the Tide, there may not be a precedent anywhere in history to compare it to. There’s also a chance current linebacker commitment DeVonta Bolton could play receiver. Whatever happens, Alabama is in fine shape.

Offensive linemen
Committed: John Michael Boswell, Tyler Love, Barrett Jones
Situation: Two months ago, it looked like offensive line and not wide receiver would be the strength of Alabama’s class. But coveted tackle Cordy Glenn chose home-state Georgia, and Alabama has not yet been able to turn in-state star Antoine McClain to Tuscaloosa just yet. But things are still looking up. For one, all three of Alabama’s current line commitments are solid to Alabama and project to qualify. All three are far enough along to be able to play as true freshmen, if needed. The flip side is that all three are primarily tackle commitments, and only Boswell looks like he has the flexibility to play guard. As for the ones still on the board, Alabama has some options. The most likely is Anniston’s McClain, who could play guard or tackle, but whose greatest obstacle may be his grade situation. McClain is an Alabama-Auburn battle, with Alabama thought to hold the slimmest of edges at the moment. Baton Rouge’s Dallas Thomas is probably the most highly ranked prospect still on Alabama’s board, but he is thought to be leaning elsewhere. Massive T.J. Barnes of Enterprise could be a possibility, although he would be a project in comparison to the players already committed. Murfreesboro, Tenn.’s David Spurlock and Daphne’s Teavis Durgin are less likely options. Spurlock, who could play guard, hasn’t been heavily pursued as of late and Durgin, who strongly favors Alabama, doesn’t have an offer. If he gets one, look for him to jump on it. Leroy Chevalier of Houston-Yates could be a possibility, but Alabama would have to pull him out of Texas and has some ground to make up. Alabama would very much like to turn current Georgia commitment Ben Jones, a center/guard prospect, but so far, no dice.
Prediction: Look for Alabama to add one more commitment, with McClain being the most likely. Barnes would be a fallback, and while Chevalier would be a nice fit, he’s the long shot here.

Defensive ends
Committed: Brandon Lewis, Michael Williams, Courtney Upshaw
Situation: Michael Williams may be a tight end before recruiting is said and done; regardless, this is a strong group. The star of the show might be Courtney Upshaw, who could start out at linebacker but projects as a pass-rushing end out of the Quentin Groves mold. Williams is on the other end of the defensive end spectrum. He’s bigger, with a larger frame, and would be a good candidate to take on double-teams as a strongside end and be a run plugger. Brandon Lewis committed early in the process and is a forgotten man of sorts, but he has a lot of fans among recruiting evaluators and is equally adept at run control and pass rushing. Alabama isn’t done recruiting this position, however. Chase Clement committed to LSU, but Alabama is still in on Griffin, Ga.’s Toby Jackson and McGill-Toolen’s Glenn Harbin. The top-rated uncommitted prospect on the board is probably North Charleston, S.C.’s Robert Quinn, who Saban covets. A couple of lesser-known players who might jump in the mix late include Birmingham-Huffman’s Demerius Dareus and Briarwood Christian’s Alex Davis, currently committed to Samford.
Prediction: Look for Alabama to sign a pair of players from this group. Harbin is the most likely of the bunch, while either Jackson or Quinn would be a welcome addition. Alabama would make room for either or both.

Defensive tackles
Committed: Undra Billingsley, Damion Square, Terrance Cody
Situation: One “rumor nugget” making the rounds is that Alabama plans to drop the 3-1-3 Jack alignment and go with a standard 4-3 alignment in the spring. It would make sense, given that Alabama has enough bodies already to run a 3-4 or 3-1-3 front, but has taken commitments from two high school seniors and one JUCO tackle already, and is pursuing at least one other JUCO player, Alex Ford of Pearl River Community College in Mississippi. In addition to Ford, Alabama has Omoregie Uzzi on its wish list, as well as Birmingham-Huffman’s Marcel Dareus. Ford would be a December graduate, making him the most wanted. Uzzi is likely headed to Georgia, while Dareus, thought to be a slight Alabama lean, has grade issues. Other prospects include Fort Walton Beach, Fla’s Chris Martin, as well as Huntsville-J.O. Johnson’s Jomarcus Savage. And then, there’s Kerry Murphy, currently enrolled at Hargrave Military Academy. Murphy’s prep school performance on the field so far hasn’t been what many expected, and there are questions whether Alabama will re-sign him in February. Of the committed players, 400-pound Terrance Cody is the attention-getter, but it’s Damion Square that has most observers licking their chops. Billingsley’s senior season has been uneven, but he’s been asked to play several positions and figures to get better in college when he can concentrate on just one.
Prediction: Look for Alabama to take at least two of these players. Dareus would certainly be taken, even if just to sign and place him in JUCO. Alex Ford, by virtue of being eligible for backcounting to the 2007 recruiting class, has real value. The third most-likely option is Murphy. The longshot, diamond-in-the-rough is Savage.

Linebackers
Committed: Dont’a Hightower, DeVonta Bolton
Situation: The situation is all about Jerrell Harris at the moment. The Gadsden City superstar looked like a lock for Alabama early on in the process, but now looks like a 50/50 proposition between Alabama and Auburn. The other uncommitted player of real note is Spain Park’s William Green, who could also be a prospect at rush end. Green is thought to be an Alabama-Florida battle, with the end result too close to call at the moment. Several other players could get in the mix, but likely only if Harris or Green balk at an Alabama offer. Mobile-Murphy’s Jacoby Thomas isn’t the biggest kid on the block by far, but he’s a productive player and very tough. Prichard-Blount’s Willie Bohannon is a good bit bigger than Thomas, but doesn’t have great speed. The fact Alabama isn’t in on many inside backers would seem to back up the notion that Alabama might be moving to a more traditional 4-3 look in the spring. Alabama’s two currently committed players, Dont’a Hightower and DeVonta Bolton, are quite different in styles. Hightower is the prototypical middle linebacker, while Bolton – who also projects at wide receiver – would be a playmaker off the corner. The wild card is Chris Jordan, also a running back recruit, who figures to fit in more on the defensive side of the ball.
Prediction: Alabama has firm offers out to Jordan, Green and Harris. All three will be taken if they choose to come. If none do, there is no guarantee that Alabama will go after anyone else on this list. If the Tide does, Bohannon might be the most likely pick.

Cornerbacks
Committed: None
Situation: B.J. Scott, listed as a wide receiver commitment on most boards, could be an option here. He’s fast, strong and instinctive. But if he goes to offense – which is what’s expected – Alabama could be in trouble. Alabama loses Simeon Castille and Eric Gray from its roster after the bowl game and was already short a few players at the position to begin with. Three names are left on the big board: Tallahassee-Lincoln’s T.J. Bryant, River Ridge, La.’s Robby Green and Lucedale, Miss.’s Alonzo Lawrence. Bryant would be the major catch from a rankings standpoint, but just as many evaluators prefer Green, and his style may be more compatible with what Saban likes to do on defense. Neither are Alabama leans, however. Alonzo Lawrence is, but he’s not considered on the same level as the other two. However, this is a need position.
Prediction: Alabama will sign one cornerback. Green is probably atop Alabama’s wish list with Bryant close behind, but both are as likely as not to go somewhere else. If it gets to Lawrence, who would appear to be third in the pecking order, it will go no further.

Safeties
Committed: Mark Barron, Robert Lester, Wesley Neighbors
Situation: Alabama is in good shape, as both Barron and Lester are considered difference-makers at the position. Barron, especially, has the look of a playmaker. His performance in the postseason this year makes him an odds-on favorite to play as a true freshman, perhaps even start at the open strong safety position. Lester is more blue-collar, but is a hard hitter, smart and works hard. Neighbors is behind the other two in physical makeup, but had a solid senior season and has a good chance to eventually find his way onto the field.
Prediction: Alabama already has its safeties committed. Don’t look for the Tide to add another down the stretch.

Kickers/punters
Committed: Corey Smith
Situation: Leigh Tiffin solidified the placekicking job down the stretch, but the punter’s job, currently in the hands of P.J. Fitzgerald, needs help. Alabama could also stand to find a kickoff man. Smith kicks, punts and kicks off, so he’s an option all three places. He’s probably a better kicker than punter, but his path to playing time is much easier at punter. Look for Smith to compete for both the punting and kickoff duties next year.
Prediction: Alabama will sign only Smith.

SUMMARY

According to the predictions in this article, Alabama stands to sign 13 more players. Given that a maximum of about 8 slots are available, it would seem Alabama has some shoehorning to do before Signing Day, or it won’t work.

The easiest way to open up a couple of slots is for some players to not qualify, or commit elsewhere. Alabama stands a good chance of getting Destin Hood’s slot back once the MLB Draft rolls around. If Melvin Ray switches to Florida State, that opens another. A couple of other players, notably RB Jermaine Preyear, have work to do in the classroom.

In the end, look for Alabama to sign around 30 players on Signing Day. This promises to be one of the most star-studded, exciting recruiting classes in school history.