[Tuck4Bama]

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Alabama class a jewel


Thursday, February 08, 2007 By PAUL GATTIS
Times Sports Staff paul.gattis@htimes.com

Late signings push Saban's recruits into nation's top 10

TUSCALOOSA - A last-minute flurry of highly rated recruits vaulted Alabama coach Nick Saban's first recruiting class into the Top 10 nationally.
The Crimson Tide landed four new recruits on signing day, including Brandon Gibson of Mobile - the top-rated receiver in the state. So 34 days after he was introduced as the replacement for former coach Mike Shula, Saban produced the Tide's highest-ranked recruiting class in almost a decade.
Rivals.com ranked Alabama with the No. 10 class in the nation.
"We're very pleased with the players we were able to attract in a short period of time," Saban said at a Wednesday news conference. "Thirty days (on the recruiting calendar) and 18 days on the road speaks volumes for what our staff did here and what the people at the university did here - from (school president Robert) Witt to (athletic director) Mal Moore to the staff that works here and the academic staff.
"Everybody contributed mightily to a very condensed version of the kind of effort we would like to have in recruiting in the future."
On national signing day Wednesday, Alabama signed 24 players to binding letters-of-intent. Among the signees were Rolando McClain of Decatur and Alfred McCullough of Athens.
Gibson headlined a late-committing group that also included Jeramie Griffin of Batesville, Miss., former signee Michael Ricks of Courtland and Marquis Maze of Tarrant. Gibson, Griffin and Ricks were each four-star prospects, according to Rivals.com.
Another major recruiting service, Scout.com, listed Alabama's class as 19th in the country but jumped it 15 spots from 34th with the addition of the last-day foursome.

Despite the high ranking, though, six other SEC schools were ranked higher by Rivals.com. And accolades on signing day mean nothing on autumn Saturdays.
"When you buy a puppy dog," Saban said, "you don't know if it's going to grow up to be the best hunting dog. That's what recruiting is."
Of the 24 newcomers, 14 committed to Alabama after Saban was hired.

http://ads2.udc.advance.net/RealMedi...30?_RM_EMPTY_&
http://ads.al.com/RealMedia/ads/adst...rec/@StoryAd?xThe emphasis was clearly on defensive linemen - a thin spot with the top three tackles from last year all seniors. The Tide signed six defensive linemen - led by the Hoover's Kerry Murphy, the second-highest rated player in the state by Rivals.com. McCullough is also in that group.
Alabama also signed four linebackers, including McClain.
"This class obviously satisfies some needs," Saban said. "We got some size up front on defense. There are 10 players in the front seven in this class, which is one of the areas we targeted as an area of need for us. And we were able to attract some other pretty good football players."
Gibson is fifth on The Times Elite 11 compiled in the preseason. He is rated the 13th-best receiver in the nation and the fifth-best player in the state by Rivals.com. He caught 52 passes for 793 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior at UMS-Wright in Mobile.
Griffin is rated the fourth-best fullback in the nation by Rivals.com and was a finalist for Mr. Football in Mississippi. Griffin never lost a game at South Panola High, winning four straight state titles. He ran for 1,288 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior.
Ricks, a defensive back, signed with Alabama two years ago but was academically ineligible. He played the past two seasons at Northeast Mississippi Community College and was rated the fourth-best junior college prospect by Rivals.com.
Maze played tailback, quarterback and receiver at Tarrant and is ranked the ninth-best prospect in the state by Rivals.com.
The issue now for Saban is squeezing 24 players into what appears to be 14 scholarship vacancies. Two signees are projected as grayshirts, meaning they will won't go on scholarship until January 2008.
There will also likely be academic casualties among some of the signees and possibly among the 71 believed to be on scholarship at this point.

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by Tuck4Bama

More From The Huntsville Times

Thursday, February 08, 2007 By PAUL GATTIS
Times Sports Staff paul.gattis@htimes.com

Late signings push Saban's recruits into nation's top 10

TUSCALOOSA - A last-minute flurry of highly rated recruits vaulted Alabama coach Nick Saban's first recruiting class into the Top 10 nationally.
The Crimson Tide landed four new recruits on signing day, including Brandon Gibson of Mobile - the top-rated receiver in the state. So 34 days after he was introduced as the replacement for former coach Mike Shula, Saban produced the Tide's highest-ranked recruiting class in almost a decade.
Rivals.com ranked Alabama with the No. 10 class in the nation.
"We're very pleased with the players we were able to attract in a short period of time," Saban said at a Wednesday news conference. "Thirty days (on the recruiting calendar) and 18 days on the road speaks volumes for what our staff did here and what the people at the university did here - from (school president Robert) Witt to (athletic director) Mal Moore to the staff that works here and the academic staff.
"Everybody contributed mightily to a very condensed version of the kind of effort we would like to have in recruiting in the future."
On national signing day Wednesday, Alabama signed 24 players to binding letters-of-intent. Among the signees were Rolando McClain of Decatur and Alfred McCullough of Athens.
Gibson headlined a late-committing group that also included Jeramie Griffin of Batesville, Miss., former signee Michael Ricks of Courtland and Marquis Maze of Tarrant. Gibson, Griffin and Ricks were each four-star prospects, according to Rivals.com.
Another major recruiting service, Scout.com, listed Alabama's class as 19th in the country but jumped it 15 spots from 34th with the addition of the last-day foursome.

Despite the high ranking, though, six other SEC schools were ranked higher by Rivals.com. And accolades on signing day mean nothing on autumn Saturdays.
"When you buy a puppy dog," Saban said, "you don't know if it's going to grow up to be the best hunting dog. That's what recruiting is."
Of the 24 newcomers, 14 committed to Alabama after Saban was hired.

http://ads2.udc.advance.net/RealMedi...30?_RM_EMPTY_&
http://ads.al.com/RealMedia/ads/adst...rec/@StoryAd?xThe emphasis was clearly on defensive linemen - a thin spot with the top three tackles from last year all seniors. The Tide signed six defensive linemen - led by the Hoover's Kerry Murphy, the second-highest rated player in the state by Rivals.com. McCullough is also in that group.
Alabama also signed four linebackers, including McClain.
"This class obviously satisfies some needs," Saban said. "We got some size up front on defense. There are 10 players in the front seven in this class, which is one of the areas we targeted as an area of need for us. And we were able to attract some other pretty good football players."
Gibson is fifth on The Times Elite 11 compiled in the preseason. He is rated the 13th-best receiver in the nation and the fifth-best player in the state by Rivals.com. He caught 52 passes for 793 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior at UMS-Wright in Mobile.
Griffin is rated the fourth-best fullback in the nation by Rivals.com and was a finalist for Mr. Football in Mississippi. Griffin never lost a game at South Panola High, winning four straight state titles. He ran for 1,288 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior.
Ricks, a defensive back, signed with Alabama two years ago but was academically ineligible. He played the past two seasons at Northeast Mississippi Community College and was rated the fourth-best junior college prospect by Rivals.com.
Maze played tailback, quarterback and receiver at Tarrant and is ranked the ninth-best prospect in the state by Rivals.com.
The issue now for Saban is squeezing 24 players into what appears to be 14 scholarship vacancies. Two signees are projected as grayshirts, meaning they will won't go on scholarship until January 2008.
There will also likely be academic casualties among some of the signees and possibly among the 71 believed to be on scholarship at this point.

Top ten recruiting class is good enough to put us in a BSC.

[Tuck4Bama]

The recruiting done by Nick Saban Is miles ahead of what Shula had but you have to consider that Shula had ony one or was it two years with a full complement of scholarships to offer?

[Stoney]

Saban brought leadership not comradeship he isn't the players buddy.

[Tuck4Bama]

Who will play: Offense

Who will play: Offense
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By Matt Scalici and Travis Reier, BamaOnLine.com Staff – Rivals.com

With Summer classes and voluntary team workouts well underway, the Crimson Tide football team has already welcomed in most of the members of the incoming freshman class who arrived to school early for summer classes. These highly-touted newcomers represent the first class of Alabama signees that will spend (hopefully) their entire collegiate careers under head coach Nick Saban.
While each of these newcomers will be spending the fall developing under the tutelage of their new coaching staff, only a select few are likely to see actual playing time on the field during their freshman year. BamaOnline decided to ask the members of The Round Table, the internet's largest community of Tide fans, their thoughts on which of these highly-touted signees will see the field first.
This week's poll focused on the offensive side of the football where competition for playing time will be stiff with 9 of 11 starters returning from last season. Round Table voters were split between three main candidates with a versatile, multi-talented athlete ultimately winning out.
Check out how what the Round Table thought of each signee's chances to see the field this fall along with BamaOnline Senior Writer Travis Reier's thoughts on each player.
Patrick Crump - Offensive guard
TR's Take: "There's been talk of Crump, one of two grayshirt offensive line signees in the 2007 recruiting class, reporting for fall camp with the rest of the incoming freshmen. Grayshirt or redshirt, given the depth UA has accumulated at the interior spots, Crump's first chance for game action won't come until 2008."
Round Table's Vote: Crump received less than 1 percent of the votes in the Round Table poll.
Nick Fanuzzi - Quarterback
TR's Take: "Jimmy Barnes' departure means Fanuzzi will be the No. 3 quarterback when fall camp gets underway in August. Ideally, Fanuzzi will dress for every game and travel on road trips -- while redshirting."
Round Table's Vote: Fanuzzi received less than 1 percent of the votes in the Round Table poll.
1tide: Fanuzzi looks like more of an obvious choice after Barnes leaving the team. I know they'll want to redshirt him, and hopefully they'll get to. He's one injury away from being the No. 2 qb in 07.
Brandon Gibson - Wide receiver
TR's Take: "With three seniors and two juniors at the top of the wide receiver rotation, it's going to be difficult for a true freshman to get on the field. Gibson has the tools needed to play early, but can he separate himself from guys like Nikita Stover, Will Oakley, Matt Caddell, Mike McCoy and Earl Alexander in a month's worth of preseason practices? Not likely."
Round Table's Vote: Gibson finished fourth in the poll receiving 7 percent of the votes from the Round Table.
Freaky Ty: "Had to go with Gibson since Hall and Brown are gone after this year. And we're going to need Gibson with a few games under his belt."
Demetrius Goode - Running back
TR's Take: "Another guy fighting for snaps at a spot backlogged with promising candidates. After spending a post-grad year at Hargrave Military Academy, Goode appears to be physically capable of playing as a true freshman. How quickly he picks up all aspects of running back play at the SEC level will determine whether he sees the field in 2007. Well, that and the injury bug, which has bitten several Tide runners in the past few years."
Round Table's Vote: Goode finished fifth in the poll with nearly 6 percent in the Round Table poll.
crimsontide4572: "Demetrius is a stud at RB, no two ways about it. He has excellent vision and great hands. He has the ability to run over, or make just enough of a shifty move to avoid being tackled. He also has above average blocking skills. He is the complete package when it comes to being a RB, and most scouts, experts, and coaches who have seen him play will tell you the same."
Jeramie Griffin - Fullback
TR's Take: "Seeing as how UA has just one scholarship player at the position, it's hard to imagine Griffin not making an impact at fullback. Before Griffin can challenge for a job, though, there's that small qualifying hurdle that must be cleared first."
Round Table's Vote: Griffin finished a narrow second place in the Round Table poll with over 27 percent of the votes from BOL members.
scottchap: "I voted for Jeremie Griffin because we need FB help. He may not be the best player of the bunch but he is a position that doesn't have any depth."
Darius Hanks - Wide receiver
TR's Take: "Nothing flashy about this guy; just a solid all-around football player who will eventually find his way onto the field. Look for both Hanks and Gibson to push for top spots in the wide receiver rotation as redshirt freshmen in 2008."
Round Table's Vote: Hanks received just over 1 percent of the votes in the Round Table poll.
thecrisp: "As talented as Hanks and Gibson may be, there are just so many players in front of them."
Marquis Maze - Wide receiver/athlete
TR's Take: "Maze brings an all-purpose presence to the offense and (another) big-play threat to the kick return game. Still, the best play for all concerned would be to look first to MSU transfer Jonathan Lowe to handle those roles in 2007 before making a final call on a redshirt for Maze."
Round Table's Vote: Maze was the winner of the Round Table poll receiving nearly 29 percent of the vote from BamaOnline voters.
Bamajoe34: "I chose maze because of his speed. I heard somewhere that his coaches have clocked him at sub 4.3 in the 40. I know he is listed at 4.4 but if he is sub 4.3 how do you keep him off the field?"
Jamar Taylor - Running back
TR's Take: "Just six months into his collegiate career, talk of Taylor leaving the program has lit-up the web. Saban's recent comments on the matter didn't provide closure to the situation either way. Assuming Taylor hangs around, he would seem destined for a redshirt year. However, the gap between the top tailback on the depth chart and the fifth guy is razor thin, so it wouldn't be wise to write-off any of the candidates at this point."
Round Table's Vote: Taylor finished third in the Round Table poll garnering just over 26 percent of the votes.
Cosmo3: "Taylor looks like he's ready to step in and play now, going by what he did in spring game. I hope everything works out for him, he's very impressive"
Chris Underwood - Tight end
TR's Take: "Underwood plays a position known for piling up injuries -- and it'll probably require a few for him to see playing time during the upcoming season. One of five scholarship tight ends expected to report for fall camp, a redshirt year will allow Underwood to add some needed bulk."
Round Table's Vote: Underwood received less than 1 percent of the votes in the Round Table poll.
William Vlachos - Center
TR's Take: "Like Crump, Vlachos could find himself on the practice field a semester early if there's room for a grayshirt signee or two come August. Interior mauler who will battle for snaps on the two-deep when spring practice rolls around."
Round Table's Vote: Vlachos received less than 1 percent of the votes from the Round Table voters.
Stay tuned to BamaOnline next week as our Who Will Play? series continues when we poll the Round Table on which 2007 signees will see the field this fall on the defensive side of the ball.

Updated on Friday, Jun 22, 2007 10:06 am EDT

[Stoney]

Alabama is ready to showcase thier talent ....

[Tuck4Bama]

Jeramie Griffin may not be able to work out with his fellow incoming signees, but the Batesville (Miss.) South Panola standout told BOL his physical condition won't be an issue when he reports to Alabama next month.

Griffin awaits late arrival - NCAA Football - Yahoo! Sports

[Stoney]

I hope he has been eating his wheaties.

[Tuck4Bama]

Alabama signee Jeramie Griffin knew his grades were in order, he just wasn't sure the National Collegiate Athletic Association would agree.
Until now.


Clearinghouse notifies Griffin - NCAA Football - Yahoo! Sports

[Stoney]

Good deal for him!