Saban’s first month in Tuscaloosa reeled in the signature of Brandon Gibson, a Scout.com four-star receiver from Mobile-UMS-Wright, for the 2007 recruiting class.
The class of 2008 is off to a fast start from Mobile area players with the commitments of running back Jermaine Preyear (Davidson), running back Ivan Matchett (St. Paul’s), athlete Burton Scott (Vigor) and wide receiver Destin Hood (St. Paul’s) who committed Monday morning.
“It’s a good place for me,” Hood said. “It’s just like St. Paul’s. There are a lot of people from here going there. The academics are great. It’s a good place to make myself better and become a better player.”
Julio Jones, (Foley/Mobile area) Scout.com’s top receiver, took several spring and summer unofficial visits to Tuscaloosa including attending summer camp. The Tide will battle schools from across the country for his signature with his signing day decision. Florida State appears as the biggest obstacle for Alabama.
“They have a nice coaching staff,” Jones said. “I like the facilities and the coaching staff. I feel like I will have a great opportunity to start as a freshman since they have seniors who will be leaving.”
Mark Barron, a Scout.com four-star receiver (St. Paul’s), is considered a lean to Alabama as well. He remains open with his college choices, but with several unofficial visits to Alabama and teammates Ivan Matchett and Destin Hood committed, look for this talented playmaker to pull the trigger sooner rather than later.
“The coaches are real hands on, and they help you get better,” Barron said of the Tide coaching staff. “I worked as a safety and receiver when I went to their camp. I really like everything about Alabama.”
Glenn Harbin, a Scout.com four-star defensive end (McGill-Toolen), grew up a big fan of Alabama and is considering the Tide, Auburn, LSU and Florida. Alabama is the team to beat for his signature.
“Alabama is a really competitive team, and I’ve always liked their tradition,” Harbin said. “They have great history, and I think the new staff is pretty good. I talked with coach Nick Saban, and he’s a cool, but intense guy. He really has high expectations and says it’s all about hard work.”
Alabama is the front-runner for Willie Bohannon (Pritchard-Blount), a Scout.com three-star defensive end and Jacoby Thomas, a Scout.com three-star linebacker (Murphy).
“I really like Alabama, a lot, but I’m gonna wait a little bit longer,” Willie Bohannon said. “They are definitely one of my favorites. It’s an in-state school that a lot of my friends know about and go to school at, and it’s close by.”
“I love the atmosphere there,” Jacoby Thomas stated. “I feel like it’s a place I could be. They have a good learning environment, and the whole nine yards. I just love it.”
Alabama is the early favorite for junior quarterback AJ McCarron (St. Paul’s). McCarron will rank as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation for the class of 2009. He holds early scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and LSU. McCarron plans to announce his college decision before his junior season.
“I like Alabama a lot,” McCarron said. “When I go up there it feels like home. I know a lot of people up there, and I love it up there. Plus, if you are a quarterback there they treat you real good.”
Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Georgia, Miami among many other schools in the country are heavily recruiting these committed and uncommitted prospects, but coach Nick Saban has made an early statement of securing Mobile, (Ala.). Let’s give coach Lance Thompson huge props as well for his designated recruiting territory. We’ll see how long it lasts, but the mometum is definitely in Alabama’s favor.
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