Blog: Recruiting: More to come, but what's already in the bag is astounding

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Recruiting: More to come, but what's already in the bag is astounding
December 4th, 2008 01:41 AM

It might be a bad time to talk about recruiting, with the season not over and so many other teams in a state of coaching flux (and, by definition, recruiting flux as well) -- but in Alabama, there's never really a "bad" time to talk recruiting.

First out of the gate is this discussion, which I'm going to limit to the players Alabama already has committed. As the next few weeks go by, we'll continue to look at other uncommitted athletes, but to start with I want to give a basic rundown of how I see this all shaking out.

The big question everyone is asking is, "How many will Alabama take?" The answer varies. Alabama will probably bring in at least 21 players after signing anywhere from 24-32. How that will work out, I don't know. Alabama has roughly 9 seniors on scholarship (I say "roughly" because the public often isn't aware of who is or isn't on scholarship; the fact they signed on Signing Day in the past is no guarantee) and a couple of juniors (Andre Smith, Terrence Cody) who could be leaving school early. There are probably a couple of grants-in-aid (GIAs) unfilled from the last class. It's possible that a Mike Johnson or a Javier Arenas could opt to leave early, but I doubt it. The rest of that magic number of 21 -- and it could be as high as 25 -- will have to come from attrition.

Also, keep in mind that Alabama plans to bring in Kerry Murphy and Jermaine Preyear in January, and both those guys figure to be on scholarship.

Here's the 2008-2009 recruiting class so far, broken down by position.

QBs (1): A.J. McCarron, Mobile/St. Paul's
McCarron isn't what I'd call a great athlete at the QB position a la Star Jackson or even Tyler Watts, but he can move well enough that once you see what he can do with the football throwing it, you realize why the UA staff is so high on him. Sources say the staff is in love with his abilities and the way he manages and leads a team. I say I wouldn't be surprised to see him play as a true freshman, particularly if Jackson, Greg McElroy and Thomas Darrah struggle big-time in the spring. Arm strength won't be an issue.

RBs (1): Trent Richardson, Pensacola, Fla./Escambia
Richardson has played coy with the media all year; he's a commitment, he's looking around, he's committed, he's considering LSU...etc., etc. Smart money says he sticks with Alabama, particularly with the way LSU imploded down the stretch. Over the years, I've found highlight film on running backs is among the most misleading -- they all can be made to look like Bobby Humphrey or Walter Payton with the right film editor -- but Richardson has been quite impressive. He's the kind of back Alabama doesn't have at the moment -- bigger than Glen Coffee, as fast or faster than Mark Ingram. If he sticks with Alabama, I predict he'll play next year and play a lot, probably to the detriment of guys like Jeramie Griffin or even Roy Upchurch, unless Upchurch supplants Baron Huber at fullback. Best RB I've seen on film in about three years.

WR (1): Michael Bowman, Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland
Here's a position group that's definitely going to grow by February. The only commitment right now is Bowman, and some feel he'll eventually end up on defense, a la DeVonta Bolton from last year's class. If he stays on offense, Bowman is of similar build and specs to Earl Alexander or Julio Jones -- although obviously, he's not of Jones' caliber as a natural WR, or there would be no talk of defense at all. Still, with Alabama lacking a playmaker opposite Jones, Bowman will probably get his first look on offense.

OL (6): D.J. Fluker, Foley/Foley; Kellen Williams, Snellville, Ga./Brookwood; Darius McKellar, Jonesboro, Ga./Jonesboro; Chance Warmack, Atlanta, Ga./Westlake; Anthony Steen, Clarksdale, Miss./Lee Academy; James Carpenter (JUCO), Augusta, Ga./Coffeyville JC

There are already as many as six prospects here with as many as three more to come, which should tell UA fans what Nick Saban thinks about the current second OL. I say "as many as six" because D.J. Fluker might go to defensive tackle, or even defensive end at 6'7", 320.

Fluker is the biggest name committed so far, a true top-level athlete who projects at several different positions. If he stays on offense, he projects as a left tackle.

Carpenter, a junior college player, is being signed to start right away. He's telling people that he'll go to right tackle first unless Andre Smith comes out early. The word "unless" is like saying the bank will take back your house "unless" you pay your mortgage. In other words, Smith is going pro and say hello to UA's new left tackle.

Williams and McKellar are reasons coaches evaluate prospects, not journalists. Neither was a real front-line prospect -- until 2008. Both have had excellent senior seasons. Williams looks like a Mike Johnson redux; McKellar is a tackle prospect who needs some seasoning yet (and a lot of time on the weights), but should be a good player 2-3 years down the road.

Warmack and Steen are two of the players with the biggest upside in this class. Warmack will be in Tuscaloosa for spring practice, and it's not out of the realm of possibility to believe that he could grab the right guard spot that Marlon Davis will be vacating. As for Steen, UA coaches are extraordinarily high on him, and he reportedly has a mean streak that makes him perfect for his position.

DE (3): Chris Bonds, Columbia, S.C., Richland Northeast; Anthony Orr, Harvest/Sparkman; William Ming, Athens/Athens
The big name here is Bonds, who if he's healthy, could be another Eric Curry. The problem is, if he's healthy. He's had problems with both knees and has missed large chunks of playing time. But he's also a big defensive end already the size of Brandon Deaderick, and if those knees hold up he could be a terror at strongside end.

William Ming projects at either end slot. His high-motor play is reminiscent of Jarrett Johnson, but he has the frame to play bigger. Anthony Orr needs to develop some consistency to his game, but he passes the athlete test. There would seem to be room for one guy, at least, to play as a true freshman.

DT (3): D.J. Fluker, Foley/Foley; Quinton Dial, Pinson/Clay-Chalkville; Darrington Sentimore, Destrehan, La./Destrehan
If Fluker goes to defense, he could play in or out, but the most likely scenario would be noseguard. Several observers see another John Henderson in him.

Dial is the prototypical big tackle. Some believe he has a future at offensive tackle, but with Alabama signing as many as eight or nine pure OL, there would be no sense in adding Dial to that mix. Dial checks in somewhere between Luther Davis and Josh Chapman in terms of style of play, but he's bigger than both.

Sentimore is a "small" tackle who could also play strongside end. At his current size, he's about on par with Damion Square. He makes a good candidate to go in at tackle alongside a bigger tackle when Alabama shifts to its 4-2-5 nickel look. LSU used a handful of players built like this, most notably Chad Lavalais, to run over opposing offenses for years.

LB (2): Nico Johnson, Andalusia/Andalusia; Mike Marrow, Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic
Assuming Marrow doesn't play fullback, he'll end up behind Dont'a Hightower at inside linebacker. If he goes to fullback, Alabama would have to switch up its base offensive set somewhat to accommodate him, as Alabama has moved more towards an Ace look for its base this year. It's nice to have options.

Nico Johnson can play inside or outside, but with his size (6'2", 235), he looks to give Alabama the "big" option it currently lacks at outside linebacker, Cory Reamer's current position. Given his versatility, he's one of the most anticipated defensive signees in this class.

CB (1): Gerald West, Mobile/Faith Academy
West is a pure cover corner, and reminds a lot of people of former Alabama great Ramzee Robinson in build and speed. West waffled a bit on his commitment in the early going, but with Sylvester Croom out at Mississippi State, he seems to have solidified his pledge to Alabama. There won't be a rush to play him early next year, so West will be able to grow into the position.

S (1): Rod Woodson, Olive Branch, Miss./Olive Branch
This is our sleeper star of the class so far. Woodson is considered a stellar prospect anyway, but I believe we could be looking at a future dominator in the middle of the Alabama defense. If Woodson can put behind some issues with an ankle, he could very well compete for a starting job in fall 2009. And considering his competition for the job will be Mark Barron, that's saying something.

Check back next week when we take a look at some of Alabama's targets at the offensive skill positions.


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