Alabama is #1 in Team Recruiting Rankings on both Rivals and Scout

[Crimson Surfer]

High Tide; It's 'Bama No. 1

Alabama closed like a sledge hammer to pass Notre Dame and finish with the nation's top recruiting class, according to Scout.com.

What a day for this storied program in Tuscaloosa, as Alabama closed with the nation's top receiver in Julio Jones, as well as one of the premier defensive tackles in the nation in Marcel Dareus.

They wanted an athletic quarterback and got Star Jackson. They needed big-time playmakers at wide receiver and in addition to Jones they landed Melvin Ray, Chris Jackson and Destin Hood.

Versatility is a key component of the Crimson Tide class as several of Alabama's best signees are two-way stars.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Bama class ranks among nation's best

On this particular Wednesday he could have done a few cartwheels, dished out high fives or, at the very least, cracked a smile.

But instead, dressed in a gray suit and deep crimson tie, Alabama coach Nick Saban did what he usually does. He acted like he'd been here before.

"Recruiting is kind of the lifeline of all of us in this profession in terms of our success," Saban said. "If you have good players who can make plays, who are quality people, who are great competitors, things just seem to work out a little better sometimes."

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Even Max says Alabama has the best class.

Max Emfinger's National Recruiting Championship

Finebaum Interview (02/06) - Max Emfinger recruiting analyst talks about NSD and Alabama's 2008 Signing Class (Audio)

 

[Crimson Surfer]

The Alabama signing class is graded by position.

ALABAMA'S CLASS

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Crimson Tide tries to develop depth

It's always difficult to look at a college football signing class and evaluate how those players will contribute to a program three or four years down the road.

But when you look at Alabama's signing class, there's plenty of players that seem like can't-miss prospects.

That's why virtually every recruiting service in America called it the top recruiting class of 2008.

 

[Leeroy]

That's right honey, number 1 recruiting class in America. Ears over there was eating my dust all day.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

That's right honey, number 1 recruiting class in America. Ears over there was eating my dust all day.

Is that Terry Bowden on the left? :biggrin2:

 

[dvldog]

Is that Terry Bowden on the left? :biggrin2:

No, thats him in th middle.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Running back Darius Barksdale from Batesville South Panola ended up not signing with Ole Miss. He signed with Missouri instead pushing them into the Rivals top 25. I guess OM signing RB Enrique Davis must have caused him to go elsewhere.

Missouri cracks top 25 in team rankings

There is still one big fish left in the 2008 class.

Terrelle Pryor's yet-to-be-made decision will cause more movement in the final team recruiting rankings, but there have been a couple of developments that have resulted in some movement in the top 25.

1. Alabama
The Crimson Tide are No. 1 and even with other schools adding players after Signing Day nothing will change that the Tide are Rivals.com's recruiting national champions.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Alabama big winner in unusual year for recruiting

Here are [Scout.com's Jamie] Newberg's assessments of the SEC schools, with each team's Scout ranking in parentheses:

Alabama (1) - "The clearcut No. 1 class. I've never in 16 seasons seen the kind of class Nick Saban reeled into Tuscaloosa last Wednesday. They signed 18 of the top players in the state while Auburn signed four. I don't think Alabama will finish No. 1 every year, but they're a team to reckoned with in the years to come.''

:biggrin2:

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Alabama is No. 1, but Miami grabs some of the spotlight

Alabama's haul included five Parade All-Americans: Linebacker Jerrell Harris, offensive lineman Tyler Love, Defensive back Alonzo Lawrence, defensive lineman Kerry Murphy ([re-sign from the 2007] class) and wide receiver Julio Jones, widely regarded as the top wide receiver in the country and one of the top two players.

Alabama also got a nice addition from the state of Michigan when running back Mark Ingram (Jr.) chose to come to Alabama. His father was longtime NFL receiver Mark Ingram, who won a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants.

"A lot goes in to putting together a successful recruiting class," Saban said in his press conference at the end of the day. "Our administration here has been fantastic and supporting our recruiting efforts, in terms of the contributions that they make, weekly speaking, speaking at junior day, and we really appreciate their efforts and help.

 

[CrimsonBleedRed]

Clemson, despite not being ranked in the top five by four of the five services, had a good closing day with a class that features defensive lineman DaQuan Bowers, Spencer Adams and Antoine McClain, who Tommy Bowden snatched right out of Anniston, Ala. from under Saban and Tommy Tuberville.

Why do people continue to insist on saying that Alabama "lost" Antoine McClain? That is not the case. If Bowden "snatched" McClain from anybody in the state of Alabama, it was from Tuberville.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

I agree. McClain was Bama's to lose, & we chose to go another direction. BTW, T Bowden seems to be building momentum at Clemson. I am impressed with his recruiting this year. In a way it's sorta reminiscent of the way Bowden Sr. started off at FSU.

 

[M2J]

I agree. McClain was Bama's to lose, & we chose to go another direction. BTW, T Bowden seems to be building momentum at Clemson. I am impressed with his recruiting this year. In a way it's sorta reminiscent of the way Bowden Sr. started off at FSU.

I bet he comes no where near matching it next year

 

[M2J]

Alabama big winner in unusual year for recruiting
:biggrin2:

That's some truly high praise. Best class he's seen? I agree:biggrin:

This class is going to be a beast in a couple of years, and hopefully the ones that play this year show the SEC what they're in for.

I can't wait to see how next year's class plays out. RAYS FOR TOP 3:

 

[IMALOYAL1]

Each class has always got 1 or 2 disappointments, more than that sometimes but I like our chances with this class.

RTR

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Sabanation - Nick Saban rules again. The Alabama head coach, who is entering his second year Tuscaloosa, brought in the nation's top recruiting class following Signing Day and Tom Lemming breaks down the talent we can expect to see from the Crimson Tide and the nation's other top teams.

CSTV Tom Lemming's 2008 National Top 25

1. 3. Julio Jones WR Foley, Ala. No. 1 in Year of the WRs
26. Alonzo Lawrence DB Lucedale, Miss. Top rankings riser in class
54. Burton Scott WR Prichard, Ala. Size, speed & confidence
69. Jerrell Harris LB Gadsden City, Ala. Hammers ball carriers

COMPLETE CLASS
The new No. 1 after taking over Notre Dame for the top spot. With the Signing Day additions of No. 3 ranked Julio Jones and No. 69 Jerrell Harris, Nick Saban and staff will be back in the National Championship hunt in no time.