News Article: Recruiting: Alabama tops recruiting lists with repeat performance

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Recruiting: Alabama tops recruiting lists with repeat performance
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 7, 2009

When Alabama finished No. 1 in the country in 2008 in recruiting, most Alabama fans were not only elated, but probably couldn’t fathom finishing at the top two years in a row, especially with talent-rich Florida and modern-day recruiting juggernaut Southern Cal in the picture.

Someone forgot to tell Nick Saban.

Alabama again finished atop Rivals.com’s recruiting rankings, and for the second straight year also topped the TideFans/NARCAS list, narrowly edging out No. 2 LSU. Ohio State, Southern Cal and Georgia rounded out our top five.

For the second year in a row, Alabama signed 10 players ranked a perfect 10.0 on the NARCAS evaluation scale, and the class carried a total average rating of 9.82 – even higher than last year’s phenomenal 9.76. And also for the second year in a row, the numbers reflect the complete domination of in-state rival Auburn and also a solid bettering of Alabama’s No. 2 rival, Tennessee.

Here’s a look at Alabama’s recruiting class for the 2008-2009 season:

NAME POS Ht Wt 40time Rating Hometown/school

1. D.J. Fluker OL 6-7 320 5.0 10.0 Foley/Foley
For the second straight year, Alabama got the state’s top high school football player, and he came from Foley (as did WR Julio Jones last season). Fluker is such an athlete that only recently have Alabama coaches made the decision to start him out as an offensive tackle. Previously, there was much question whether Fluker would start at defensive tackle or perhaps even defensive end. He has the footspeed of a defensive end and the strength and reach of a left tackle. He isn’t as polished a lineman as Andre Smith was when Smith came out of high school, and Fluker’s path to an immediate starting job will have to go through a fifth-year senior on one side and a junior college transfer on the other. But if Fluker does start out second-team, he won’t stay there for long. He’s one of the most dominating linemen to come out of an Alabama high school in the last 30 years. He is expected to qualify.


2. Trent Richardson RB 5-11 225 4.5 10.0 Pensacola, Fla./Escambia
If Richardson is as good as advertised, he might just be a better prospect than Fluker. Richardson is the top running back in the country with sufficient grades for enrollment, and is probably the best mix of power, speed and natural ability signed at Alabama since at least Shaun Alexander. It could be argued that Alabama hasn’t had a true power back like Richardson since the short career of Junior Sewell in the early 1990s, and Richardson has much greater headroom than Sewell ever did. Richardson should make an impression immediately on the depth chart and has a good chance to start with the defection of Glen Coffee to the NFL Draft. He is expected to qualify.

3. Nico Johnson LB 6-3 235 4.7 10.0 Andalusia/Andalusia
Lost in the hype surrounding Fluker and Richardson is the fact Alabama signed a linebacker class unparalleled anywhere. Heading up that group is Nico Johnson, who is good enough that early indications are Alabama might move Dont’a Hightower to Jack linebacker in order to accommodate him. Johnson can play either outside or inside, but it’s his skill as an inside backer that gets the most attention. Powerful and fast, Johnson is also instinctive and in most years, would easily have been the state’s top prospect. He is expected to qualify.

4. Dre Kirkpatrick CB 6-2 185 4.5 10.0 Gadsden/Gadsden
Kirkpatrick gives Alabama, finally, a big cornerback with enough speed to match up with smaller receivers. He is physical, and some think he’ll eventually end up at free safety. But for now, the plan is to upgrade Alabama’s cornerback position with physical, fast talent who can cover tightly one-on-one. Kirkpatrick fits that bill. He is expected to qualify.

5. Tana Patrick LB 6-3 235 4.5 10.0 Stevenson/North Jackson
If Nico Johnson projects as Mr. Inside, Tana Patrick is Mr. Outside. Patrick, signed primarily because of his potential to grow into the Jack linebacker role, has tremendous downhill speed and already enough size to contribute. He’s very close to ideal Jack size now, but could also play strongside outside linebacker if need be. Alabama held off furious charges from both Tennessee and Auburn late in the process to land Patrick. He is expected to qualify.

6. Rod Woodson SS 5-11 210 4.5 10.0 Olive Branch, Miss./Olive Branch
Potentially one of the most physical, natural strong safeties Alabama has signed in decades, Woodson brings a history of hard-hitting play and good speed to the table. An ankle injury has caused some concern, however, and Woodson may need to redshirt to completely recover. Some analysts project him eventually at outside linebacker, where he would be an effective rover-style linebacker. But his strength and instincts will likely keep him in the Alabama secondary, provided there are no health issues. He is expected to qualify.

7. James Carpenter OL 6-5 310 5.2 10.0 Augusta, Ga./Coffeyville CC
Carpenter, Alabama’s lone JUCO signee, is not only a tough lineman and capable blocker, he also has incredible versatility. While Carpenter figures to start out in Andre Smith’s vacated left tackle position, he could eventually end up at either center or right guard. He should be an instant starter wherever he lands. Carpenter has already qualified and enrolled at Alabama and will go through spring practice with the team.

8. Kerry Murphy DL 6-4 315 4.9 10.0 Hoover/Hargrave Military Acad.
The third time was the charm for Murphy, who finally qualified after two previous post-Signing Day attempts. Murphy could play either defensive tackle or offensive tackle, but it is thought he will start out at the weakside defensive end/tackle combo position vacated by Bobby Greenwood. Once he shakes off the rust, he has the natural talent sufficient to be a dominator on either side of the line. Murphy is enrolled at Alabama and will go through spring practice with the team.

9. A.J. McCarron QB 6-4 185 4.9 10.0 Mobile/St. Paul’s
McCarron was the top quarterback in the state and has been coveted by the Nick Saban staff ever since they arrived in Tuscaloosa. McCarron is not a dual-threat quarterback but can make plays outside the pocket, much like John Parker Wilson. His arm is stronger than Wilson’s and McCarron has consistently displayed the kind of moxie all successful quarterbacks have. Probably the best comparison for McCarron would be Tyler Watts with better arm strength. McCarron was also a prized asset on the recruiting trail, helping secure the signatures of Richardson and others. He is expected to qualify and could compete for playing time as a true freshman, depending on what happens with returning players in the spring.

10. Chance Warmack OL 6-3 330 5.5 10.0 Athens, Ga./Westlake
The most underrated player in Alabama’s recruiting class, Warmack is a road grader who could step in at right guard very early in his career, possibly even as a true freshman. He was one of Alabama’s earliest commitments and got lost in the shuffle as recruiting wound down, but could be the best pure guard prospect Alabama has signed in years. He has already qualified and enrolled at Alabama, and will go through spring practice with the team.

11. Ed Stinson DE 6-4 230 4.7 9.9 Homestead, Fla./South Dade Senior
Alabama needed a top-shelf pass rusher for its Jack linebacker and defensive end slots, and more than secured those needs with the pickup of Ed Stinson. Stinson was considered one of the best pass-rushing ends available in this class and Alabama got him late, prying him away from LSU and Florida State. Because of the lack of pass rush demonstrated last year by the players who will return at end and Jack in 2009, Stinson has a very workable path to playing time. Qualifying may be close, but Stinson is expected to make it.

12. Kenny Bell WR 6-1 170 4.4 9.9 Rayville, La./Rayville
Alabama needed a slot receiver as well as an infusion of pure speed into its receiver corps, and Bell gives the Crimson Tide both things. Without Bell, Alabama’s wide receiver class would have barely been adequate; with him, the Tide signed one of the most solid groups in the Southeast. Bell should easily be able to compete for playing time as a freshman. The only concern is whether he’ll need time to pack some weight onto his slight frame. He is expected to qualify.

13. Quinton Dial DL 6-3 310 5.2 9.9 Pinson/Clay-Chalkville
Dial was one of Alabama’s earliest commitments, which took him out of the limelight. What was missed was just how bad Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee wanted him. He is the consummate interior tackle prospect, a hard worker and huge. He also could feasibly play offensive guard or tackle if needed. Dial secured his elite status with one of the best senior seasons of any Alabama prospect. He is expected to qualify.

14. Chris Bonds DE 6-4 270 4.7 9.9 Columbia, S.C./Richland NE
If Bonds could ever have stayed healthy for a long period of time in high school, there’s no telling how high his stock might have gone. He has elite speed for a man his size, and can play either end or tackle depending on the scheme. Bonds is just now getting back to health, and a redshirt year at Alabama would probably do him good while his eventual position is determined. If he can ever get 100 percent healthy, he might prove to be the best player signed in this class, regardless of position. He is one of those rare bigger linemen adept at rushing the passer, and has drawn more than a few comparisons to Eric Curry. But in high school, he bordered on the truly fragile. He is expected to qualify.

15. Michael Bowman WR 6-4 215 4.6 9.9 Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland
Bowman is conservatively estimated at 6’4”, 215 and could top out over 6’6” and 230 pounds. The biggest question is whether he can avoid being made into a tight end. He has a similar build and game to current Tiders Julio Jones and Earl Alexander, and is probably in between those two in terms of polish. When Alabama struck out on Reuben Randle, it all but assured Bowman of being able to insert himself into the mix at flanker and split end this fall to give Alabama a big playmaker opposite Jones. Qualifying will be close.

16. William Ming DE 6-5 260 4.7 9.9 Athens/Athens
Alabama needed a weakside defensive end to replace Bobby Greenwood. Central casting sent down William Ming. Ming could start out his career even at the Jack position, but he’s eventually expected to play with his hand down after his frame fills out. He is expected to qualify.

17. Kevin Norwood WR 6-2 185 4.5 9.9 Yazoo City, Miss./D’Iberville
With all the distractions provided by names such as Bell, Randle and Patterson, Kevin Norwood flew under the radar after his mid-cycle commitment to Alabama. Norwood is considered a better pure athlete than Patterson, and he has enough size to play on the end and against jam coverage. He is also considered a potential prospect at free safety, but will almost certainly begin his career competing for playing time at flanker and split end. He is expected to qualify.

18. Eddie Lacy RB 6-0 210 4.4 9.8 Geismar, La./Dutchtown
If Trent Richardson wasn’t a part of this class, Alabama fans arguably would be just as excited to have landed Lacy late in the process. Lacy is built almost exactly like former UA running back Glen Coffee, but has more speed and is better at getting free in traffic when holes don’t immediately open up in front of him. The big question with Lacy is what his grades will eventually be. Qualifying will be very close, and Lacy needs a strong final semester to get eligible. If he does, he and Richardson are hands-down the best 1-2 punch signed by any Division-I school in 2009.


19. Brandon Moore DL 6-5 315 5.2 9.8 Montgomery/G.W. Carver
Moore was a wallflower for much of the recruiting process, his schedule changing frequently and never giving much of a hint where he was leaning. But Alabama fans thought they had him in the bag from the start, and Moore proved they were right when he committed late in the process. He and Quinton Dial were the state of Alabama’s top two defensive tackles by a long shot, and Alabama got both. Like Dial, Moore could also play on the offensive line if needed. But his first look will come in the interior defense, especially at nose tackle. Florida coveted Moore’s signature greatly. He is expected to qualify.

20. Darrington Sentimore DL 6-3 275 4.8 9.7 Destrehan, La./Destrehan
The sky’s the limit for Sentimore, who in many years would have topped Alabama’s defensive line class. He can play either end position in a 3-4 alignment or slide inside on a four-man front. Built like a small tackle, he possesses the pass-rushing ability of a defensive end. Sentimore needs to increase his play-to-play consistency somewhat but he also has probably the best upside of any of the interior defensive players signed in this class. Qualifying will be very close.

21. Jonathan Atchison LB 6-3 210 4.6 9.7 Atlanta, Ga./Douglass
Atchison was thought to be a shoe-in for Auburn until Alabama turned him in the second half of the recruiting season. He’s a prototypical outside linebacker who will compete with current player Jerrell Harris for playing time now and especially once Cory Reamer graduates. Atchison isn’t as athletic as Harris but has a better frame for adding weight, and his productivity in high school was far above average. He is expected to qualify.

22. Anthony Steen OL 6-2 295 5.2 9.7 Clarksdale, Miss/Lee Academy
Opinions were widely split on Steen as a prospect, but word is the Alabama coaches believe he could be the best interior offensive lineman the Tide signed. He is a stocky player with a low center of gravity and looks custom-built for right guard at some point. His best attribute is his on-field attitude, which could best be described as several degrees beyond nasty and determined. Steen will probably redshirt to get accustomed to college conditioning, but the big issue for him is qualifying. It will be close.

23. Kendall Kelly WR 6-4 210 4.5 9.7 Gadsden/Gadsden
This time last year, many were wondering if Kelly would top the hype of Julio Jones by the time he was ready to sign. Injuries and an average year all around muted that discussion greatly, and it wasn’t a given that Alabama would push for his signature until late in the process. In the end, Kelly and Alabama still found each other, and Kelly could very well blossom under a college conditioning program. Kelly’s health situation is up in the air at the moment, which could force a redshirt in 2009. He is expected to qualify.

24. Mike Marrow FB 6-1 240 4.7 9.7 Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic
Many believe Marrow was actually signed for defense, but there’s a better chance that he was signed to give Alabama a true athlete at the fullback position. Alabama’s Ace-based offense didn’t use a fullback very much in 2008 but that might be partly to blame because coaches didn’t think they had an offensive threat at the position. Marrow would certainly be considered a threat. Marrow is still growing, however, and if he ends up adding another couple of inches and another 20 pounds, could be looking at a career at middle linebacker or defensive end. He is expected to qualify.

25. Petey Smith LB 6-0 250 4.7 9.6 Seffner, Fla./Armwood
Smith, like Atchison, was thought to be an Auburn lock for much of the process. But Smith never did commit to the Tigers and instead decided to cast his lot with Alabama. In Smith, Alabama gets a middle linebacker built in the mold of Marvin Constant and Prince Hall. Smith plays downhill on every play, and is noted for a tough, hardheaded attitude. Due to the logjam of players ahead of him, he’ll probably redshirt in 2009, but plays as physically developed as he is at this point in their careers can sometimes make waves far ahead of when logic dictates they should. He is expected to qualify.

26. Jermaine Preyear RB 5-11 200 4.5 9.6 Mobile/Davidson
Preyear, like Murphy, was also part of the 2008 signing class. A tough runner with good speed who might grow into the role of a fullback, Preyear needs to stand out early in order to separate himself in a crowded field. Like Murphy, he is already qualified and enrolled at Alabama, and will go through spring drills with the team. Some consider Preyear to have been the best back Alabama signed in 2008 – and if he proves to be better than Mark Ingram, Alabama will have an embarrassment of riches at running back in 2009.


27. Kellen Williams OL 6-4 295 5.3 9.5 Snellville, Ga./Brookwood
When Williams committed to Alabama early in the process, he was thought to be an offensive tackle. Now, Williams is being looked at as the next Mike Johnson, a tackle in high school who could become a devastating left guard at the college level. Williams personifies the prototypical blue-collar lineman, and will need to work on his pass-blocking skills before getting playing time. He is expected to qualify.

28. Anthony Orr DE 6-4 260 4.9 9.4 Harvest/Sparkman
Orr is a classic tweener at defensive end, and his high school career was marked by inconsistency. But Alabama offered him a scholarship early on in the process despite great demand. If Orr can put everything together at Alabama, he has a shot to be a difference-maker at strongside end. But a redshirt year is likely. He is expected to qualify.

29. Darius McKeller OL 6-6 280 5.3 9.2 Jonesboro, Ga./Jonesboro
When Alabama took a commitment early on in the process from Darius McKeller, many questioned why Alabama would take such a raw prospect early on. But then McKeller put together a solid senior year and begin to grow into his frame, and the mystery was solved. McKeller eventually projects as a right tackle. His long arms and athletic frame could make him one of the hidden gems among the Class of 2009, at any school. He is expected to qualify.