THE HUNT FOR TOP PROSPECTS // RECRUITING HEATING UP AGAIN

THE HUNT FOR TOP PROSPECTS // RECRUITING HEATING UP AGAIN

Alabama currently has 21 commitments (though some of those spots could possibly come open). Let’s take a glance at where the class stands and look at a few prospects the Tide is still pursuing.

QUARTERBACK
This all iamportant spot has been set since the commitment of Corona-Santiago, CA sensation Blake Barnett (6-4, 205) back in the summer. Barnett was the MVP at the prestigious Elite 11 QB camp in July. After a bit of a slow start this season, Barnett has rounded into form in recent weeks. He’s thrown for 2,446 yards, 19 touchdowns and just five picks in eight games. He’s also rushed for 402 yards and six touchdowns on 67 carries.

RUNNING BACK
Will Alabama sign a top running back? That’s a question some Tide fans have been asking for a while. With Tuscaloosa native Bo Scarborough, who didn’t qualify in 2014 but is expected to enroll in January, the Tide might have the best all-around back in America. The 6-2, 235-pound Scarborough is a blend of speed, power and hands. He’s versatile enough to play wide receiver and he has legitimate breakaway speed.
DeSherrius Flowers (6-1, 215) of Prichard-Vigor, AL is also committed. As for other possibilities, Jacques Patrick of Orlando-Timber Creek, FL is perhaps the top 2015 target. The 6-1, 230-pound Patrick is committed to FSU, but the Tide continues to recruit him. Another highly-rated target, Damien Harris of Berea, KY, appears ticketed for Ohio State or Kentucky, but UA is still pursuing him.

OFFENSIVE LINE
The Tide has again rounded up an excellent group of OL commits, including Richie Petitbon (6-4, 315) of Washington DC-Gonzaga, Lester Cotton (6-4, 325) Tuscaloosa-Central, Brandon Kennedy (6-3, 300) of Wetumpka, AL and Dallas Warmack (6-2, 306) of Atlanta-Mays, GA. In terms of versatility and leadership, Petitbon has drawn comparisons to Barrett Jones. Cotton, who expects to start his career at right tackle, joins Petitbon as one of the nation’s elite OLs. Kennedy has great upside as an interior player. Warmack is another strong interior prospect.
Another tackle to watch is Matt Womack (6-7, 335) of Senatobia-Magnolia Heights, MS. Womack, who picked up a UA offer earlier this fall, is committed to LSU, but Alabama and Ole Miss are lurking. The Tide feels it has a good chance to sway Womack. Jalen Merrick (6-4, 315) of New Smyrna Beach, FL is another possibility the staff has a close eye on.
Alabama continues to recruit other guys, such as Martez Ivey (6-6, 280) of Apopka, FL. A prospect can change his mind in the blink of an eye. That’s one reason the Tide never gives up on a top one. But it appears that Ivey will likely end up elsewhere, possibly at Florida or maybe Auburn.

TIGHT END
The Tide landed a big commitment back in the summer from H-back type Hale Hentges (6-5, 235) of Jefferson City-Helias, MO. But UA really needs a big, strong traditional tight end. Could Dadeville star/Tide commit Anfernee Jennings fill that spot? The 6-3, 260-pound Jennings, who was a standout defensive end at the Alabama summer camp, has the versatility to play several spots, including tight end. Could he become the next Travis McCall? We’ll see.
DeAndre McNeal (6-3, 230) Mesquite-Poteet, TX was another standout at UA’s camp in the summer. McNeal could play H-back or linebacker on the next level. Alabama is one of several schools he continues to consider.

WIDE RECEIVER
Calvin Ridley (6-1, 175) of Coconut Creek-Monarch, FL ranks as one of Alabama’s top commitments in the class of 2015. Ridley stole the show at The Opening back in July. While FSU continues to pursue him hard, it appears that Ridley’s commitment to UA is still solid. He will enroll in January. And even though LSU keeps knocking, Daylon Charlot (6-0, 180) of Patterson, LA also seems solid in his commitment to UA.
Alabama would like to add another top receiver to the class. Can the Tide sway Terry Godwin (6-0, 170) of Hogansville-Callaway, GA from his commitment to Georgia? Godwin and his family have been to Tuscaloosa this fall. His parents and his sister (who plays basketball at UGA) thoroughly loved the visit. Right now, the guess would be that Godwin sticks with Georgia. But UA continues to pursue him hard. We’ll see what happens.
A sleeper in the mix might be the versatile Keith Mixon (5-9, 170) of Irondale-Shades Valley, AL. Mixon, who is also a dangerous kick return man, is committed to Mississippi State. But an offer from Alabama would be hard to turn down.

DEFENSIVE LINE
The Tide has four spots open on the defensive line. TD Moton (6-4, 320) of Shreveport-Woodlawn, LA snagged one of those spots back in the summer. As noted earlier, Tide commit Anfernee Jennings had an impressive showing at camp this summer and could be a stellar DE.
The state’s number one player accordingly to some, Daron Payne (6-3, 335) of Irondale-Shades Valley, has long been considered a strong Alabama lean over Auburn and Mississippi State. Alabama defensive line coach Bo Davis is keeping a close eye on Payne.
JUCO star DJ Jones (6-2, 310) of East Mississippi CC is committed to FSU. But we’re not sure this one is over just yet. Several schools, including Alabama and Auburn, are still lurking. Jones remains very interested in Alabama. If the Tide turns up the heat, it could get interesting between now and mid-December when Jones signs.
The nation’s top prospect, Byron Cowart (6-3, 265) of Seffner-Armwood, FL, had a great official visit to Alabama for the Texas A&M game. Cowart left very high on Alabama. He said that he hoped to return to Tuscaloosa for the Mississippi State and Auburn games. Some think UA now has the inside track, but there’s a long way to go for Cowart, who was considered a strong Florida lean for several months. Again, this is one that we’ll have to wait to see how it turns out.

LINEBACKER
Alabama has four linebacker types committed. They are Christian Bell (6-4, 225) of Hoover, AL, Mekhi Brown (6-5, 225) of Columbus-Carver, GA, Josh McMillon (6-3, 250) of Memphis-Whitehaven, TN and Keaton Anderson (6-1, 215) of Florence, AL.
Another LB to keep an eye on is Adonis Thomas (6-4, 220) of Lawrenceville-Central Gwinnett, GA. Recently Thomas officially backed off of his commitment to Florida. Central Gwinnett head coach Todd Wofford told Tider Insider that he felt Alabama was now leading LSU, with Florida still in the mix.

CORNERBACK
Alabama has done very well at this spot. The nation’s top corner, Minkah Fitzpatrick (6-1, 195) of Jersey City-St. Peter’s Prep, NJ, has been committed since A-Day. Fitzpatrick is a big, physical corner with the speed and versatility to play safety. Montrell Custis (6-0, 175) of Hampton-Lovejoy, GA is also committed.
Rumors persist that Rico McGraw (5-11, 195) of Nashville-Ensworth, TN might flip back to Georgia. But McGraw remains committed to Alabama. He could play corner, safety or nickelback.
Alabama is still in hot pursuit of speedy Kendall Sheffield (5-11, 180) Missouri City-Ft. Bend Marshall, TX. Sheffield is not the slam dunk for Texas A&M that everyone thought. Alabama remains a solid contender. The Tide expects to make it’s major move when Sheffield comes on his official visit on December 12.

SAFETY
The Tide seems to have shored up this spot with big-time commitments from Ronnie Harrison (6-2, 205) Tallahassee-University, FL, Shawn Burgess-Becker (6-0, 202) of Coconut Creek-Monarch, FL and Deionte Thompson (6-2, 175) of Orange-West Orange Stark, TX.