Saban & Bama threads consolidated

Re: $aban is After Joe McKnight

Good article on the LSU vs. Saban recruiting:


"This year, I just think he will aggravate LSU fans," said regional recruiting expert Mike Scarborough of Rivals.com. "I don't see him making any impact on the class this year. But we'll have to wait and see what he does next year."

"He's trying to get a visit out of McKnight," Scarborough said.

McKnight (6-foot-1, 193) was scheduled to be at Ole Miss this weekend.

"It's between LSU and USC for McKnight," Scarborough said. "If LSU gets him, he will be the biggest tailback signing LSU has had since Kevin Faulk (out of Carencro in 1995). If he comes to LSU, he'll never leave the field. He can play tailback, receiver, slot back, kick returner. This kid is a difference maker."

Saban, who was just hired by Alabama from the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 3, is also after in LSU commitments Kentravis Aubrey, a defensive end from Bastrop High in Bastrop, and cornerback Phelon Jones, a cornerback from McGill-Toolen High in Mobile, Ala.

Alabama and LSU are also both recruiting West Monroe defensive tackle Will Blackwell, who has not committed yet. Blackwell is at LSU this weekend on his official visit along with defensive tackle Cameron Heyward of Peachtree Ridge High in Atlanta and center T-Bob Hebert of Greater Atlanta Christian School in Atlanta. Hebert is the son of former Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert.

"On paper, if LSU finishes out like it expects to, this class will be as good as the 2001, which is considered the best in the history of LSU football," Scarborough said. "LSU could finish as high as No. 1, 2 or 3, depending on what happens."

To get into that class of class, LSU needs to get McKnight and other top level prospects like wide receiver Terrance Toliver out of Hempstead High in Hempstead, Texas. Toliver is being recruited by national champion Florida, Oklahoma, USC and Tennessee.

Another is safety Chad Jones of Southern Lab in Baton Rouge. Auburn, Florida, Florida State, USC, Miami, Ole Miss and Clemson are after Jones.

"The loss of Jimbo could hurt LSU with Toliver," Scarborough said. "It depends on who LSU gets as offensive coordinator. Plus he's getting recruited by Florida, which just won the national championship."

LSU has 22 commitments and could sign as many as 27 on national signing day next month.


http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070114/SPORTS0202/701140304/1028