Good stuff, Sleffie...thanks for passing it along to the list.
Roll Tide! rick
Jeff Todd wrote:
From www.tiderinsider.com
Bama appears headed for strong finish December 16, 2004
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As a follower of Alabama recruiting for 30 years, I can't remember a year since the SEC letter-of-intent was abolished in the early 1980s in which the Crimson Tide had as many frontline prospects committed before Christmas as it does this year. And the Tide still has several top uncommitted prospects that might jump on board by early New Year.
Alabama currently has 22 commitments. Given that at least two or three of those will greyshirt next fall, it's likely that Alabama will sign 28 or 29 in this class. That would leave six or seven scholarship slots open. And in the event the class fills up, the Tide staff has a plan to accommodate a top prospect or two who might decide for Bama late in the process.
Ideally, Bama would like to finish with another running back, a tight end, two defensive linemen, a safety/linebacker and a defensive back. There are several prospects that could fill those spots.
Based on the information available now, let's take a look at those prospects most likely to complete the 2005 signing class.
Running back At running back, there is little doubt about who is at the top of Bama's board. With an outstanding senior year, Tallahassee-Godby star Roy Upchurch (6-0, 193, 4.4) bolted to front of the wish list. Upchurch scored 27 touchdowns and finished second in the state of Florida with over 2,500 yards rushing.
Alabama has been high on the list of such talented backs as Mikell Simpson of Harrisburg, PA and Mike Davis of Columbia, SC. But what separates Upchurch from the others is that he's probably the better all around back. He does everything the Tide staff wants in a back -- he runs with speed, elusiveness and power, he blocks and catches, and he returns kicks.
As TI has reported for months, Upchurch's mother is a close friend to the mother of former Tide running back Ray Hudson. That might help.
Another thing working in Bama's favor is its offense. Upchurch likes the way the Tide features its tailback.
For several weeks, sources close to the Godby program have indicated that Upchurch would pick Alabama over FSU. According to sources, Upchurch will make an unofficial visit to FSU on January 28. His decision might be made before that visit takes place. Unless something changes, look for Bama to get its man.
The Crystal Ball says: Roy Upchurch
Wide receiver/tight end Besides running back, Bama's other priorities on offense down the stretch are a top tight end and a top wide receiver.
The Tide is still in the mix for Montgomery-Trinity Presbyterian tight end Tommy Trott (6-5, 240). While Trott says Auburn is his current leader, Trott told TI on Wednesday night that he was still torn between Alabama and Auburn.
Bama is also looking at other tight end prospects, including Collin Peek (6-6, 250) of Jacksonville-Bolles, FL.
Bama has a great shot at landing Milledgeville-Baldwin, GA star receiver Nick Kyles. Over the past two seasons the 6-2½, 189-pound Kyles caught over 100 passes for more than 2,000 yards. He favors Alabama over offers from Auburn, Georgia, Florida and Clemson. While Bama is still in the running for Tallahassee-Lincoln blue chipper Fred Rouse, chances are much more likely that the Tide would end up with Kyles.
The Crystal Ball says: Nick Kyles
Defensive line On the defensive side, Bama is still in good shape with at least four line prospects.
Prattville's Bobby Greenwood (6-6, 240) will probably choose Alabama or FSU. At the moment, TI believes Alabama will win out for Greenwood.
As of Wednesday night, Athens star Wes Brown was clearly struggling with his decision between Alabama and Tennessee. Back in the summer, Brown committed to Tennessee. But since that time he's had second thoughts. He has visited Alabama and Tennessee. Although he comes from a family of Tennessee fans, he apparently favors Alabama. Sources close to the matter tell TI that Brown would like to make a decision before Christmas.
As TI has reported for several months, Bama is a legitimate contender for Mesquite, TX star defensive end Cordero Moore (6-4, 265). Moore has narrowed his list to Alabama, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Arkansas. Moore's father, Rod Moore, told TI that he and his wife favored Alabama as the school for their son. Moore will make his official visit to Bama on January 7.
Another top out-of-state defensive lineman on Bama's list is Brandon Deaderick (6-4, 235) of Elizabethtown, KY. Deaderick has listed Bama among his top three, along with Louisville and Auburn. Michigan State is also making a late push.
Given that Wes Brown appears to favor Alabama and that Cordero Moore wants to take all of his visits before he makes a decision, it would be safer to predict that of the two, Brown is more likely to land in Tuscaloosa. But.
The Crystal Ball says: Bobby Greenwood and Cordero Moore
Linebacker/safety One source tells TI that blue chip safety Chris Keys of North Jackson is reminiscent of a young Derrick Thomas. Back in the summer, the 6-2, 210-pound Keys, who transferred before the season from Port Barre, LA to North Jackson, made an early commitment to LSU. But this fall, Keys, who lives with Bama commitment Ali Sharrief, became interested in the Crimson Tide. Keys remains committed to the Tigers, but he'll make an official visit to Alabama in January.
The Crystal Ball says: Chris Keys
Defensive back The Tide is still in on a few top defensive backs. In the end, it'll probably come down to the Tide's deciding on which defensive back to take with its final scholarship for the secondary.
Throughout the fall it appeared that it was only a matter of time before Decatur star cornerback Jerraud Powers (5-9, 170) would commit to Alabama. Although Powers is still a possibility, it's becoming clear that the Tide is very interested in landing Lakeland-Evangel Christian star cornerback/safety Chris Rogers (6-1, 178, 4.5).
As of now, Rogers is still committed to Maryland, but it would not be a surprise for Rogers to switch to the Tide during his official visit to Alabama on January 7.
It's very possible that Powers will end up on the Tide's signing day list, but for now.
The Crystal Ball says: Chris Rogers
Note: While TI's current prediction is that Roy Upchurch, Nick Kyles, Bobby Greenwood, Cordero Moore, Chris Keys and Chris Rogers will fill out this class, it's also possible that Jerraud Powers, Brandon Deaderick, Wes Brown, Collin Peek, Mike Davis or Mikell Simpson could be a part of the class. And Bama expects visits from other top prospects, including DE Antonio Coleman of Mobile-Williamson and RB James Davis of Atlanta-Douglass. The bottom line is that no matter which prospects fill out the remaining spots, the Tide appears headed for a strong finish.
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