Jess, I have a few updates to your Recruting update. As usual things change very fast in recruiting, especially coming down the stretch to NSD. These updates are changes since your update in the situations to some of the commits, prospects and players.
Running backs
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Jimmy Johns - He has been moved to WLB and the position change looks to be permanent.
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Chris Jordan - He has committed to Alabama and he was told he will be a running back.
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Aundre Dean - He is no longer committed to UCLA and he is wide open. Dean has an Alabama offer and he is seriously considering Alabama. It looks like Bama will get an official visit from him.
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Mark Ingram - He has an Alabama offer and he will officially visit on Jan. 11th. He is a longshot with Michigan State in the lead.
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Eric Smith - He has an Alabama offer and he will officially visit on Jan. 18th. It looks like Alabama may be lookng at him as a fullback. His two favorites are Clemson and Auburn, but Alabama is now in the mix.
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Jerico Nelson - He could play both RB and S but he has said that he is being recruited by Alabama as a safety.
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Michael Abernathy - It appears he is no longer being pursued by Alabama.
Wide receivers
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DeVonta Bolton - He has been told by the staff that he will start out at slot receiver at Bama.
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Chris Jackson - He signed a LOI with Bama and he will be an early enrollee.
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Chris Tolliver - He committed to LSU.
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DeAndre Brown - He is still on my list of prospects but he is a very long shot unless something changes in a hurry. In a recent article he did not list Alabama among his favorites or the schools he plans on officially visiting.
Tight ends
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Michael Williams - He has been told by the Alabama staff that he will start out at TE.
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Lavar Edwards - He has said that he is being recruited by Alabama as a DE.
Defensive tackles
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Kerry Murphy - He is listed on my list as a commitment. I will remain optimistic about him unless I hear that he has not qualified or that he is no longer committed to Bama. Now whether or not he plays DT or OL at Bama is another story.
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Marcel Dareus - He is a strong possibilty even if he is a sign and place. It looks like Bama is going after him, especially with the news that his academic situation is improving. I expect it to be a Bama and Auburn battle for him.
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Alex Ford - He did not get a Bama offer and he has committed and signed with ULM as an early enrollee.
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Jomarcus Savage - He is no longer on my list of propects for several reasons. Alabama apparently is not pursuing him very hard, he does not have an Alabama offer, and he recently listed his favorites as Auburn, South Carolina and Tennessee. All of his favorites have offered him.
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Chris Martin - He is a mystery to me. I have not heard anything about him in a long while as far as his status with Bama or any other school. I don't count him among the DTs that have an offer.
Linebackers
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DeVonta Bolton - As I said above in the wide receivers section Bolton has been told by the staff that he will start out at slot receiver at Bama.
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Chris Jordan - As I said above in the running backs section Jordan has been told by the staff that he will start out at running back.
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Courtney Upshaw - I am listing Upshaw as a LB. He has been told by the staff that he will start out at the hybrid LB/DE position Jack. Even if Bama changes to the 4-3 it looks as if the Jack position will be one of the base formations in a multiple scheme.
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Jerrell Harris - I think Bama is in good position to get a signature from Harris. It will come down to a hard fought battle between Alabama, Auburn, and Southern Cal.
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Willie Bohannon - He did not get an Alabama offer and he committed to Kentucky.
Cornerbacks
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B.J. Scott - I look for him to play multiple positions on offense WR, slot WR, QB, etc. much like Tyrone Prothro. He would be a shut-down corner but I think there is more of a need for a playmaker on offense.
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Robby Green - He committed to Alabama and his commitment seems very solid.
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Alonzo Lawrence - His stock has skyrocketed with his late season and All-star game MVP performances. Early on he said Alabama was his favorite but now he says he does not have a leader and he is looking at Alabama, Miami, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. He has an official visit scheduled for Alabama on Jan. 11th. I look for Bama to go all out to sign him and for it to come down to either Bama or OM.
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T.J. Bryant - He is still a possibility but to me he does not look likely.
Safeties
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Jerico Nelson - As I said above in the running backs section he has said that he is being recruited by Alabama as a safety. I agree with Jess I think Bama is finished at saftey but if another one is signed I would think it would be Nelson.
2008 Alabama Commitments and Prospects List (Updated)
