[Bamabeachlivin]

The University of Alabama signed the No. 1 recruiting class in the country in 2008, and it was filled with several elite prospects on the defensive side of the ball. The Tide finished No. 1 on the defensive line, No. 2 at the linebacker position and No. 6 on its defensive back recruits in the national rankings.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban hopes to continue that success on defense with the class of 2009. The Tide has one defensive commitment, and several elite prospects have scholarship offers with Alabama high on their radar.

The 2008 defensive line class featured signees like Marcel Dareus, Terrence Cody, Damian Square, Kerry Murphy and Courtney Upshaw. All five were ranked by Scout.com as four-star prospects.

The top in-state defensive lineman for next year’s recruiting class is D.J. Fluker, Scout.com four-star defensive tackle from Foley High School and a Tide commitment. William Ming, a four-star defensive end from Athens High School, ranks second. Ming has more than 20 scholarship offers and expects to make a decision before his senior season. Alabama is considered the team to beat for his signature.

“I grew up an Alabama fan,” Ming said. “It has always been my dream to play there.”

Craig Drummond, Scout.com five-star defensive end from Morgan Park High School in Chicago, is a monster defender at 6-foot-5.5, 260-pounds. He sports scholarship offers from Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Ohio State, Tennessee, USC, Wisconsin and many more. Drummond has kept everything close to the vest and has not announced any favorites. Alabama was one of the first schools to offer, and a visit is expected to Tuscaloosa during the summer.

Another big fish is Chris Davenport, five-star defensive tackle from Mansfield High School in Louisiana. Davenport is ranked the No. 2 defensive tackle in the country by Scout.com with Alabama playing catch-up to LSU and USC. Davenport also plans to visit Tuscaloosa during the summer.
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[Stoney]

I have been telling everybody to watch out for the Tide!