RECRUITING: Commitment/Prospect List, Comments, and Discussion (Part VI)

[Crimson Surfer]

Nation's Top Lineman Andre SmithTalks Recruiting

The five-star offensive lineman went in-depth with his thoughts about Alabama and Auburn as well.

"Alabama has the tradition," Smith said. "Twelve national championships and top NFL lineman. Chris Samuels is one of the top five in the NFL."

"Auburn has Marcus McNeil. He's one of the top lineman," Smith added.

Smith remains with his top 12 schools and stays tight-lipped about his decision and stated, "Everyone is on equal footing."

 

[runtheoption22]

Basically said it went great! He got to meet Coach Don Shula. Might make another official to Bama vs LSU! And working somethings out to go to the Florida State vs UF game too! I hope Bama gets this kid!

he can't take two officials to the same school, it would be an unofficial if he came back to it.

He is looking at taking an official TO LSU the week before we play them.

 

[LCN]

Tebow's visit

To me, the best quote was "WE (TT, mom, and dad ) had a great time". Tebow then stated that "WE look forward to another visit for l.s.u." . Tebow has agreed to announce 12/14 on ESPN . Just a strong hunch but i believe he has already made his "announcement" in private . Like i say just a hunch but , we still haven't offered Chris Smelley .

 

[BamaHollywood]

My cousin is a prep QB at Arnold High School in Panama City, Florida. He's been to several QB camps with Tim and holds him in very high regard. I wouldn't go so far as to say that they're good friends, but they keep in touch about college choices and news, etc. He says Tim loves our tradition and coaching staff. The impression I keep getting is that Tim is ours to lose.

 

[drsmithofga]

A little FYI I picked up at an Ole Miss site: Derrick Odom currently has a 2.7 GPA with a 17 on the ACT test. Just took it again past weekend, doesn't know the score yet. Has an official visit with Bama Dec. 9th. Mentioned Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, LSU and Auburn as his top six. Said early playing time is his biggest consideration, is studying depth charts, and thinks Bama, USM, and Ole Miss need the most help at LB.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Here are two good recruiting articles from today's Bama Team News at Tide Sports in Andrew Bone's Recruiting section.

Elite prospects taking notice of rising Tide

“The visit went great," he said. “I really had a good time. Alabama played with a lot of heart. They found a way to win the ballgame. It’s a very good win for the Alabama program."

Tebow’s player host for the weekend was his former teammate and current Alabama wide receiver Will Oakley.

“I like the tradition. Everything about Alabama is focused on the football team," Tebow said. “I have a lot of respect for Coach [Mike] Shula, Coach [Dave] Rader and Coach [Buddy] Wyatt. I really respect what they have done with the program and what they are still trying to do. I have so much respect for them."

Tim Hawthorne

"It looks like Alabama is shaping up to have a great recruiting class. I wouldn't mind at all being a part of that."

"What's really sticking out to me about Alabama right now is that when I talk to Coach Cheese[Charlie Harbison] he lets me know I will get a lot of touches my first year," said Hawthorne. "It looks like Alabama is shaping up to have a great recruiting class. I wouldn't mind at all being a part of that."

 

[BAMARICH]

When you add Bone's article on Hawthorne into the mix with what we've heard from Fayson as well as the fact that he will probably be in Tuscaloosa for the third time vs. LSU, I believe we hold the top cards for TT right now. I won't go as far to say he is ours, but I believe he will end up committing and doing a bang-up job helping bring other blue-chippers our way. Also, the longer we do not offer Smelley, the more it seems this would be the case. I have to believe that the staff would offer him sometime during the season unless there is some info that is being kept private... he is too good of a QB to let get away unless you are pretty sure a higher rated player is going to commit.

 

[runtheoption22]

A little FYI I picked up at an Ole Miss site: Derrick Odom currently has a 2.7 GPA with a 17 on the ACT test. Just took it again past weekend, doesn't know the score yet. Has an official visit with Bama Dec. 9th. Mentioned Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, LSU and Auburn as his top six. Said early playing time is his biggest consideration, is studying depth charts, and thinks Bama, USM, and Ole Miss need the most help at LB.

And as a result of that, I think you could put those three as Odom's top 3.
We really need to get either him or AJ Jones.

 

[runtheoption22]

if we get Tebow, this is how I see the class finishing out, as of today:

Tebow
Fayson
Hawthorne
A. Smith
J. Ricks
T. Smith
D. Odom/AJ Jones
E. Alexander
Whitehead/Marshall/Chinasa

 

[Love the Ping]

Think we'll bring in 26? We've got to fill 24 spots as of now, correct? If Dawson comes back, that's 23. Christensen should get a scholly if he doesn't already have one. He'll be here two more years and deserves it if for nothing else than us having wins our last two weeks. I hope we have just two or three non-qualifiers. I think we might sign one or two more, also how is the Holifield situation looking? What about Goggans, I was feeling pretty good about swaying him.

 

[runtheoption22]

Think we'll bring in 26? We've got to fill 24 spots as of now, correct? If Dawson comes back, that's 23. Christensen should get a scholly if he doesn't already have one. He'll be here two more years and deserves it if for nothing else than us having wins our last two weeks. I hope we have just two or three non-qualifiers. I think we might sign one or two more, also how is the Holifield situation looking? What about Goggans, I was feeling pretty good about swaying him.

Right now, my gut says Holifield isn't gonna have the grades. That's why I think we'd bring in 9 more. It could just be 8, but I am guessing that we bring in 25 or 26.

Hutchins and Holifield are the only two with grade concerns, that I know of at the moment. I haven't heard any greyshirt names mentioned either. I have been told the staff is going to cool on that a little and should be very selective with the last spots.

Goggans is still riding high on the fact UcheaT gave him so much love so early. Last interview I read, he said he'd likely stay with them.

Not sure as how they will handle the Dawson or Christensen situations.

 

[Vertical]

The Bone article makes mention of C.J. Spiller, a name I haven't really heard too much of around here, despite the fact that he is a 5-star RB prospect. I know we have Ford coming in (who has earned himself a 5-star ranking as well, I believe), but would we pass on Spiller if he is truly interested in Bama? Would we have room for him?

 

[Love the Ping]

if we get Tebow, this is how I see the class finishing out, as of today:

Tebow
Fayson
Hawthorne
A. Smith
J. Ricks
T. Smith
D. Odom/AJ Jones
E. Alexander
Whitehead/Marshall/Chinasa

I kind of got caught up in numbers in my last post, but can you imagine this class? WOW! :eek2: That is five guys in the top 100 prospects in the nation, and every single one of those guys are studs. If we finish like that, this will easily be a top 5 class.

 

[runtheoption22]

The only thing that intrigues me is that would give us 4 WRs this class (Stover, Hawthorne, Fayson, Alexander). I think the number was 3, but with that talent, I don't think we could say no.

 

[drsmithofga]

Regarding greyshirting, I for one would like to see it begin to scale back. However, with the somewhat sudden resurgence of the program this year (on the national scene) and the corresponding increase in interest from quality athletes (and new names will probably continue to be added to the list), I would imagine that the staff will have a hard time saying no this year. My guess is that after this year, except for the DT position, offers at each position could be handled similar to the way the QB position is being handled this year. Extremely selective because they can be. Can you imagine if it came down to accepting commitments from AJ Jones or Jamar Hornsby? No way you can turn one of these guys down, at least not this year.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

The Bone article makes mention of C.J. Spiller, a name I haven't really heard too much of around here, despite the fact that he is a 5-star RB prospect. I know we have Ford coming in (who has earned himself a 5-star ranking as well, I believe), but would we pass on Spiller if he is truly interested in Bama? Would we have room for him?

I think Bama will only sign another RB besides Mike Ford if it is a top RB or a top FB.

If C.J. Spiller chooses Bama I am positive that room would be found for him. He ran two consecutive 4.28 times at the Scout.com Combine in Jacksonville last spring on grass. He has been quoted as saying that it would be hard for him to leave Florida. He grew up a Florida State fan and he is considering Alabama, FSU, Florida, Miami, and Southern Cal which are his top 5.

South's #1 Running Back is Army All-American

C.J. Spiller was named to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl yesterday as the #1 ranked running back in the south. ScoutTV caught up with him for an exclusive interview after the selection was made.

C.J. Spiller is the #1 ranked running back in the south. He combines excellent speed with power. He isn't afraid to run up the middle, and he plays the game unselfishly, sometimes acting as the lead blocker for Union County's rushing attack.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

The only thing that intrigues me is that would give us 4 WRs this class (Stover, Hawthorne, Fayson, Alexander). I think the number was 3, but with that talent, I don't think we could say no.

I agree those 4 would be too good to turn down. It astounds me that Bama actually has a firm commitment from Stover and is strongly in the running for Alexander, Hawthorne and maybe even Fayson if Tebow commits.

Can you imagine those 4 WRs along with Tebow and Andre Smith blocking with the other OL commitments Bama has already? That would be truely amazing.

 

[runtheoption22]

Regarding greyshirting, I for one would like to see it begin to scale back. However, with the somewhat sudden resurgence of the program this year (on the national scene) and the corresponding increase in interest from quality athletes (and new names will probably continue to be added to the list), I would imagine that the staff will have a hard time saying no this year. My guess is that after this year, except for the DT position, offers at each position could be handled similar to the way the QB position is being handled this year. Extremely selective because they can be. Can you imagine if it came down to accepting commitments from AJ Jones or Jamar Hornsby? No way you can turn one of these guys down, at least not this year.

like I said earlier, I've been told greyshirting will begin to be scaled back and the staff will be more selective.

I've been told Hornsby has Michigan and Florida out front. He's not quite as close as Fayson in regards to playing together with Tebow.

I wouldn't be surprised if the staff HAS TO OUT OF NECESSITY turn down a couple b/c we are getting full or will be full.

 

[runtheoption22]

I agree those 4 would be too good to turn down. It astounds me that Bama actually has a firm commitment from Stover and is strongly in the running for Alexander, Hawthorne and maybe even Fayson if Tebow commits.

Can you imagine those 4 WRs along with Tebow and Andre Smith blocking with the other OL commitments Bama has already? That would be truely amazing.

that's what were hoping for.....that'd be a cure for any offense.
I can just see it now on the Jumbotron before games:
*theme music playing*

OT- Alex Stadler
OG- Andre Smith
C- Antoine Caldwell
OG- David Ross
OT- Taylor Pharr

WR- Tim Hawthorne
WR- Jarrod Fayson
WR- Nikita Stover
WR- Earl Alexander

RB- Mike Ford

QB- Tim Tebow

*end daydream* :biggrin:

 

[derek4tide]

The Bone article makes mention of C.J. Spiller, a name I haven't really heard too much of around here, despite the fact that he is a 5-star RB prospect.

This guy is the real deal, my friend. Scary speed and great size. My best friend has seen this kid 2 times (he's a back judge for HS) and said he is as advertised....the best.