Fall Recruiting News: Defense
November 4, 2009
Defensive Line
This position has probably been recruited the hardest since Saban took the Alabama head coaching job in 2007. This position is recruited differently than most positions for Alabama, and it shows when looking at the depth chart. Across the board this year, Alabama has 4 prospects recruited as defensive ends, who are currently at other positions on the depth chart. The main reason for that is the type of athlete Alabama recruits for this position. Saban likes extremely athletic prospects who can get a strong pass rush from a 3 point stance, and on the next play, can drop back into coverage from a standing position.
That is known as the Jack position, and Alabama currently has a verbal from a North Carolina prospect named Alphy Hill, who perfectly fits the bill. Standing 6′4 and weighing well over 230 lbs, Hill will have a chance to make an immediate impact for Alabama next fall.
Alabama also has a verbal from a traditional End, in Wilson Love. Love, the brother of current Tide player Tyler Love, will likely need a redshirt year to put on some weight, as Saban likes his true Ends to play around the 270 lb mark. Wilson recently broke his ankle, but is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for fall practice next year.
Bama is also looking to re-sign a prospect from the 2008 class in JUCO star Brandon Lewis. Lewis once fit the bill as a jack prospect, but has since gained up to around 280 pounds, and looks to compete immediately for one of the End positions vacated by Lorenzo Washington and Brandon Deaderick.
Linebacker
Yet another position hit hard by Saban’s staff on the recruiting trail in the last 2 years, Alabama is seemingly cherry-picking this position as well for the 2010 class. As of right now, only JUCO standout Devonta Bolton, also a re-sign from the 2008 class has given a verbal to Bama. WIth the possibility of one or two more prospects still on the board, I don’t expect Alabama to sign many more linebackers in this class.
Defensive Back
Probably coach Saban’s favorite position on the football field, this position has also been recruited heavily in the last few years. After signing 7 defensive back prospects in the last two years, look for that trend to continue as Alabama will lose 6 defensive backs with game experience including 2 starters in Javier Arenas and Justin Woodall after this season.
To replace those players, Alabama has already secured verbal commitments from 4 prospects, including the highest rated player in the state and number 2 rated cornerback in the nation, DeMarcus Milliner. After signing Dre Kirkpatrick last year, and BJ Scott in 2008, Milliner’s addition will be the 3rd five star cornerback to sign with Alabama in 3 years. Milliner, along with Kirkpatrick and Scott we be relied upon heavily next year. Bama also has a verbal from another speedster in Deion Belue, who will not only be competing for Arenas’ vacated cornerback spot, he’ll likely get a chance at kick return duties as well.
Saban is also pulling in yet another very good group of safeties in Rivals 100 prospect, Jarrick Williams and a 4 star Prattville star, Nick Perry. With the addition of these 4 DBs, next year will likely be the deepest, most talented group of defensive backs Alabama fans have seen in a very long time.
Special Teams
With the loss of kicker Leigh Tiffin and punter P.J. Fitzgerald, this will likely be the most talked about position next fall. Alabama has offered two scholarships to Cade Foster and Jay Williams, and will need badly for both of those guys to come in and make an immediate impact on this team. How those two players can adjust to the college game will have a major impact on Alabama’s season next year. It should be noted that only a freshman walk-on, Jeremy Shelly, will enter the spring as a kicker/punter. We can probably expect to see more walk-ons try out for the position while awaiting the arrival of Foster and Williams.
Athlete
Alabama has a verbal from one commitment so far with the ability to play a number of positions. That commitment is a standout player from Gainesville, Georgia, Blake Sims. Sims is the quarterback on his high school team, and has put up some phenomenal numbers his senior year. While other teams have offered Blake a chance to play quarterback at the college level, he has decided to stay firm with Alabama so far. The Bama coaching staff likes Sims at wide receiver, which is where he will likely start his career at Alabama. With his athletic ability, don’t expect Sims to be a tradition route running receiver though. Sims has been told by the Tide staff that they want to use him in a number of ways, including running plays from the wildcat. Sims is a play maker and expects to make an immediate impact on the field next fall.
Nick Saban has yet to disappoint regarding recruiting surprises. Should Alabama fans be expecting any more surprises in this year’s class?? Check the blog tomorrow for the latest news on remaining prospects!!
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