[Bamabeachlivin]

The University of Alabama has received 19 commitments with five months remaining until National Signing Day, the first Wednesday in February. It has loaded up on the defensive front and have several offensive commitments as well.

We look at several of the top offensive targets remaining on the recruiting board and how many Alabama projects to take at each position.

Star Jackson, Scout.com four-star quarterback from Lake Worth, (Fla.), is a solid commitment for the class of 2008. He is the only quarterback expected to sign in this class. Terrelle Pryor, the nation’s top quarterback from Jeanette, (Pa.), eliminated the Tide from his list of favorites last week. Alabama will have plenty of talented quarterbacks to choose from in the class of 2009 including a scholarship offer already extended to A.J. McCarron (Mobile-St. Paul’s).

Alabama has two excellent in-state running back commitments who both committed in the spring. Ivan Matchett (Mobile-St. Paul’s) and Jermaine Preyear (Mobile-Davidson) are solid commitments and do not plan to visit any other schools.

Alabama remains in the mix for several out-of-state running backs. Chris Jordan, Scout.com four-star running back from Brentwood, (Tenn.), Academy, lists Alabama as his favorite.

He could see a position change to linebacker on the next level as well. He will take an official visit to Tuscaloosa December 7.

Dontavius Jackson, four-star running back from Franklin-Heard County, (Ga.), lists Alabama among his top five schools. Clemson, Georgia, LSU and Penn State are strong contenders as well.

Ken Davis, four-star running back from Tupelo, (Miss.), is currently committed to Ole Miss. Davis is expected to take an official visit to Alabama after the season.

Covaughn Deboski, four-star running back from Chandler-Hamilton, (Ariz.), is considering Alabama as well.

Alabama projects to sign at least one of the four running backs.

The wide receiver position is of high priority in the class of 2008 Coach Nick Saban has a few gems already committed including Melvin Ray, four-star from Tallahassee-North Florida Christian, (Fla.), Burton Scott, four-star (Pritchard-Vigor), Devonta Bolton, four-star from

Norcross, Mark Barron, four-star (Mobile-St. Paul’s), Destin Hood, three-star (Mobile-St. Paul’s) and Brad Smelley, two-star (Tuscaloosa-American Christian).

The only true wide receivers out of the committed group are Melvin Ray and Destin Hood. There is a chance Hood could opt to play professional baseball. Burton [B.J.] Scott could play anywhere on the field and is open to any position. Bolton, Barron and Smelley could play either side of the ball.

All eyes are on Julio Jones, the nation’s top receiver from Foley High School. Jones has visited Alabama twice this season and has been to Tuscaloosa several times during the last several months. He keeps a low profile, but his interest remains with Alabama as a strong option for his college choice along with Florida State.

Alabama is a player for the signature of Chris Tolliver, four-star receiver from Rayville, (La.), and DeAndre Brown, five-star receiver from Ocean Springs. (Miss.). However, the Tide is on the outside looking in as Florida and LSU are both the front-runners for the two prospects.

Marsellos Wilder, a wide receiver (Tuscaloosa-Central), is hoping to receive an offer from Alabama and is having a great senior season.

Expect Alabama to sign at least one, maybe two prospects out of the wide receiver group.

Two great offensive tackles have committed to Alabama in Tyler Love (Mountain Brook), National 100 lineman and John Michael Boswell, three-star offensive tackle (Northport-Tuscaloosa County).

Several uncommitted offensive lineman are high on Alabama including Antoine McClain, Barrett Jones, Omoregi Uzzi, Cordy Glenn and Marcel Dareus.

Antoine McClain (Anniston), National 100 offensive tackle is closing in on his college decision. Alabama appears as the team to beat.

Barrett Jones, four-star tackle from Cordova-Evangelical Christian, (Tenn.), would like to take all of his official visits before making his college decision. Alabama has been the team to beat since the beginning of his recruitment. He grew up an Alabama fan and his father, Rex Jones, played basketball for the Tide.

Cordy Glenn, four-star tackle from Riverdale, (Ga.), had a great unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa. He expects to decide after the season between Alabama and Georgia.

Omoregi Uzzi, three-star guard from Chamblee, (Ga.), recently visited Alabama as well. He is another prospect who could sign with Alabama.

Marcel Dareus, three-star guard from Birmingham-Huffman, has increased his stock and will likely take an official visit to Alabama. He holds scholarship offers from most of the SEC schools including Alabama.

The Tide projects to sign at least two prospects from this elite group of offensive lineman.

Alabama has shown in their game plan this season how much they plan to use tight ends in their offensive scheme. The Tide has a stable of big athletes, but need to continue to add depth with each recruiting class.

Tyler Edwards, four-star tight end from Monroe-Ouachita Parish, is a good possibility. Edwards is torn between Alabama and LSU, but the Tigers have received a commitment from the top tight end in Louisiana, Matt Branch. Edwards has a strong connection with coach Saban with Edwards’ brother on the national championship team of the former LSU head coach.

Another Louisiana tight end who could end up signing with Alabama is Lavar Edwards, three-star from Baton Rouge-Desire Street. Edwards could play defensive end as well. Alabama and LSU sit at the top for his signature.

Alabama projects to sign one or none of these two tight ends.

It’s possible Alabama will take at least four additional commitments on the offensive side of the ball. That would move the class to 23 commitments before we even take a look of the defensive players remaining on the board.

[Tuck4Bama]

That is a strong list of recruits. I hope we can get most of them.

[Stoney]

We need to play better on National TV. That will help our cause immensely.