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2004 RECRUITING WRAPUP:
BAMA FILLS MOST NEEDS
OFFENSIVE BACKS
by Jess Nicholas
February 9, 2004

Six months ago, when Alabama coaches were about to embark on their first recruiting season as a group, few Alabama fans believed the Tide’s final haul would resemble anything other than what its last two seasons had looked like – a lot of solid players surrounded by a host of lesser-known prospects who would need substantial coaching to reach their college potential.

Instead, Mike Shula delivered a class that ranks solidly within the nation’s top 15 recruiting classes, and fills most of the needs from which probation-riddled Alabama suffers. Grouping the signees by their positions, we take a look at how the Tide fared in the 2003-04 recruiting game.

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OFFENSIVE BACKS

QB John Parker Wilson
RB Aaron Johns
FB/TE Travis McCall

Overall talent level: B+
Success in filling needs: B-

Alabama lost out on signing homegrown talent Markus Manson and out-of-state players Lavarus Giles and Darius Walker at running back, but many fans completely overlooked Aaron Johns when deciding whether Alabama had filled its needs or not. Since Johns was such an early commitment – he committed to Mike Price, not Mike Shula – he invariably slipped under the radar that only goes into full operation during the last few weeks of recruiting, when “closing well” becomes important to recruiting observers.

Johns has qualifying issues, but if he qualifies, he has the potential to be the next Sherman or Shaud Williams. Johns is a home run hitter with enough speed to get to the corner, and he is more elusive than Manson. He also plays tougher.

Travis McCall could play any number of positions, from fullback to tight end to middle linebacker to defensive end. Reminiscent of other Bama players like Derrick Slaughter and Greg McLain, it may take McCall a season or two to find his ultimate niche. With depth at fullback questionable – Alabama returns only Le’Ron McClain at the position, unless Josh Smith opts to come back for a fifth year – McCall could find himself playing quickly.

John Parker Wilson will likely wait until January to enter Alabama as a “grayshirt,” if the lure of Major League Baseball doesn’t prove too strong. Wilson was an overachiever in high school and his success probably had much to do with the high school coaching he received and the system in which he played, but he has the tools and was recruited by other top SEC schools. The question will be whether Wilson can continue to develop.

The overall impression here is that Alabama signed three very good players, but perhaps not quite enough of them.

MORE RECRUITING ANALYSIS (CLICK LINKS)