2/7 Signing Day
I have to be honest; I couldn’t wait to write this blog. Yesterday, Wednesday February 6, was national signing day, which to college football fanatics is like Christmas morning. And this particular national signing day was like a Christmas morning when you look under the tree and see a PS3, a Gibson Les Paul guitar, a 60” Plasma HDTV, and a brand new BMW. Nick Saban and The University of Alabama, in Saban’s first full year as head coach, landed the nation’s top recruiting class, and in my opinion the best class ever at the Capstone. We filled needs everywhere. We needed WRs, so we signed the nation’s top WR. We needed offensive lineman, so we landed the nation’s top tackle and center prospects. We needed defensive backs, so we landed the nation’s Number 2 cornerback. In short, there’s not a position on the field (except Tight End) where we’re not significantly better than we were before yesterday.
I don’t want to discuss every recruit in depth (actually, I do, but it would make this blog unbearably long), so I decided to list my Top Ten signees. Keep in mind that this is strictly my opinion, and will probably differ significantly from similar lists from the recruiting experts. Here we go.
10. Don’ta Hightower (DE/LB) – This guy won’t make many Top Tens in this recruiting class, but I think he’s terribly underrated. He’ll play linebacker, and I’m telling you, this guy’s a monster. He has the speed to play the outside, but the size to move to the inside. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him paired with Rolando McClain next year, making life miserable for anyone who chooses to run to the inside, and being a holy terror to any receivers that dare run across the middle.
9. Devonta Bolton (LB) – A steal from the State of Georgia, this guy can play multiple positions. I expect him to play outside linebacker, where his size and speed fit perfectly into Saban’s defensive scheme. Bolton can cover, he can blitz from the outside, or he can string out the outside rushes. Bolton committed early, so he doesn’t get as much attention as some other guys, but he should, and he will.
8. Marcel Dareus (DT) – Dareus was a signing day surprise. He is rated as the nation’s Number 5 defensive tackle by Scout, and some insiders actually think he’s the best player in the state. I’ve seen films, and this guy is absolutely amazing. He has some academic issues, so it’s possible he won’t qualify. Without those issues, I’d have him much higher in this list. If he makes it, he’ll be on the field next year, guaranteed.
7. Alonzo Lawrence (CB) – Lawrence’s recruitment was without a doubt the oddest I’ve seen. He started the year as a nobody, but somehow Saban found him and made him an offer. As the season progressed, scouts began to take notice of him. By the end of the year, after shutting down the nation’s top rated WRs in the All-Star games, Lawrence was ranked as the nation’s second rated cornerback. He’s big, physical, and fast, and Rivals says he has the best cover skills of any cornerback in the nation. If he qualifies, I think he’ll not only play, but I think he’ll start next year.
6. Barrett Jones (OL) – I can’t believe that Jones is only Number 6 on my list, but that’s a testament to the quality of this class. Jones was the top player from the state of Tennessee (take that Vols!), and I think he’ll make a huge impact on our offensive line. Rivals lists him as the nation’s top center prospect, but I expect him to play tackle. I wouldn’t be shocked if he got significant playing time next year.
5. Tyler Love (OL) – Love is one of our consensus Five-Star recruits. He’s a pure offensive tackle, and I’m as impressed with him as I have ever been with a high school offensive lineman. ESPN lists him as the nation’s top offensive tackle prospect, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start at RT from Day One.
4. Mark Barron (Ath) – This guy’s the real deal. He’s extremely versatile, and he could excel at several positions. Scout lists him as the nation’s top outside linebacker prospect, but I have a feeling that other signees at that position will free up Barron to play elsewhere. Personally, I think (and hope) that Barron will wind up at safety, where his unbelievable combination of size, speed, and ball skills will dramatically improve our defense the second he steps onto the field. Remember this guy’s name.
3. Jerrell Harris (LB) – In my opinion, Jerrell Harris is the most talented LB recruit we’ve had at Bama since Dwayne Rudd, and I think he has even more upside. He has no weakness, and if he has the drive and work ethic that Saban demands, he’ll be remembered along the same lines as Lee Roy Jordan, Cornelius Bennett, DeMeco Ryans, and Derrick Thomas. I expect him to get significant playing time next year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he started from Day One.
2. Burton “BJ” Scott (Ath) – I almost put Scott at Number 1. He’s another extremely versatile athlete, but he can play any of the speed positions. He can be an All-American at CB, but I’m hoping that Lawrence qualifies, which could free up Scott to play offense. And if he plays offense, watch out! He can play anywhere, WR, RB, even QB. As a matter of fact, we had another player at Alabama with similar skills; I think he wore Number 2. I would expect him to get immediate playing time at WR, with packages for him at QB. Whenever he’s on the field, the defense will have to adjust for him, because he’s that dangerous. Rumor is that he’ll wear Number 1, so expect to hear “Uno” chants when he hits the field.
1. Julio Jones (WR) – Considered by some services to be the nation’s top prospect at any position, Julio Jones is the most talented wide receiver that I’ve seen since Randy Moss. He’s huge, he’s fast, and he has unbelievable hands. He’s one of those receivers that always seems to be open, and when he is covered, he positions his body so that he shields the defender from the ball. Notice that with the other guys I’ve been saying that I wouldn’t be shocked if they start, but in Jones’s case, I will be completely shocked if he doesn’t start from Day One. I expect him to be our Number One receiver immediately. The thought of Julio Jones and BJ Scott being on the field at the same time makes me giddy, and I’m sure it will cause lots of sleepless nights for defensive coordinators throughout the SEC.
I know I’m leaving out some outstanding players. To Star Jackson, Chris Jordan, Michael Williams, Courtney Upshaw, Kerry Murphy, Robby Green, Melvin Ray, Mark Ingram, Damian Square, and the rest of you, I’m sorry. I’m thrilled to have all of you at the Capstone, and I can’t wait to see what you can do on the field.
I hope you enjoyed reading this little summary of our unbelievable recruiting class. I’ll try to post again soon where I discuss recruiting around the SEC and other schools of interest. I will particularly enjoy discussing Tennessee’s class!
As always, feel free to send me any questions or comments. Until next time, Roll Tide!
Kenny
|
|