With the 2004 class taking shape, for the most part everyone has a good idea what positions will be targeted. Enclosed is my opinion of what positions will get the most attention with the class of 2005.
Finally! Alabama gets to sign 25 recruits, which will bring the total scholarship number, barring early defections and casualties, up to around 85.
Offense: We lose 7 seniors, of whom 5 are starters.
QB: (1-2 Recruits) If Wilson doesn't follow the allure to pro baseball then he will make 1 and I believe another will be sought after to bring in two this year. Wilson will be able to come in December. That would give us 2 seniors, 1 junior and 2 true freshmen in 2005. The way it should play out is Brodie graduates and Guillon helms the team in 2006 and then in 2007 Wilson or QB#2 takes over as true junior or RS sophomore. Potential QB’s for the 2005 class include JP Wilson, Jimmy Barnes (CA), Chad Kilgore (AL), Tyler Horne (GA), and Tray Rutland (GA). Not really counting on winning the sweepstakes with Perrilloux.
* If Wilson goes pro then I see us signing Barnes and either Kilgore or Horne.
RB: (2-3 Recruits) How many RB's depended on if Johns qualified or not. Since he has qualified Bama may just sign 2 RB’s. That gives us 1 senior, 2 sophomores (Castille counted), and 1 freshmen. In 2005 we would have 2 juniors, 1 sophomore and 2 true freshmen. A possible 4 back rotation or if everyone stays healthy then redshirt the 2 freshmen. Potential RB’s for the 2005 class include James Davis (GA), LaMarcus Coker (TN-commit), Mike Davis (SC), Glen Coffee (FL), Connell Davis (TX), Mickey Dean (AR), Clifford Harris (LA), and Ali Sharieff (AL) – who could play DB as well.
* These 2 slots are still up in the air as we are just in the beginning phase of offers, but would like to see either Coker or James Davis as #1 RB and maybe a second with Mike Davis (SC). Still too early to be close. I can't see why Bama could not get back to signing top RB's now.
FB: (0-1 Recruits) As long as McClain progresses in this position and allows Castille to play RB, where he wants to be, then depth could be a concern. With McClain taking over we will need another backup. There is a possibility we forgo signing a FB this season. McClain’s progress and health dictates where the staff goes with this slot.
TE: (2-3 recruits) Obviously Shula wants a receiving type TE for his offense, ala Shockey and Winslow. The injury bug has spent its time at this position, which resulted in the top 3 TE's missing a lot of spring practice. I see the staff signing 3 TE's with the potential of one of them moving to FB or DE. If the injury bug stays away we go into the 2004 season with 1 Sr, 2 Jr's (if McLain doesn't RS), and 2 true freshmen. Davidson is more of a tackle in the making and a punishing blocker while Walker is the receiver Shula wants. I can see both playing this season. Potential TE’s for the 2005 class include Trott (AL), Bonner (AL), Hoke (AL), and McKenzie (AL).
* I see Bama getting at least Bonner and Trott and maybe Hoke. This seems to be the position for the state of Alabama.
WR: (2-3 Recruits) Bama signed 6 WR's this last class, but when they get on campus and where they end up is still up in the air. Stover, one of the coveted recruits this year, failed to qualify as well did Knight. With those two missing we may see Brown, Hall, and Oakley play their freshmen year. Stamps could also contribute if one of these guys don’t step up. That gives Bama 4 (Prothro, Caddell, Hall, Brown) strong WR's going into the 2005 season plus others redshirted. I see the staff signing 2-3 WR's next year. They will take their time and pick the best. They have the opportunity to be selective. Expect the same this year, 6-3 190 and fast. Potential WR’s the staff might be looking at are Black (AL), Billings (AL), Smith (AL) – could play Safety, Heyward-Bey (MD), Smith (GA), Turner (TN), and possibly some JC WR as well. Tennessee is having a banner year in talent. It would be a huge coup to get Turner out of Nashville.
*Black is ours if we offer. That may come in time. Add another top WR and maybe a JC receiver as well. It is still too early to see.
OL (5 Recruits) Bama loses 3 seniors after this season who will be replaced by 4 juniors. The rest are freshmen, except for Tatum. The transition for these freshmen to starters should be easier than the transition for Britt, Smiley, and Mathis. I expect some freshmen to play and provide depth and then play significant roles the following year and then start as either true juniors or RS sophomores. Tatum is the future at RT. Injuries will be key at this position for the next 2 years. I see the staff loading up from here on out with 5 recruits this year and maybe more the next. We had a good core class last year and this year we need to build on that. Getting the commitment from Cardwell helps tremendously to get the ball rolling. Also, Drew Davis will be coming in January. Potential other OL that the staff is looking at are Robinson (GA), Zirbel (KY), Davis (GA), Lacey (MS), Roark (OK), and Smith (GA).
* With Cardwell and Davis, that leaves 3 more OL to get. Summer camp will give us a better idea of who the other targets might be.
You might see a few commits when the 19th hits as some recruits will be offered and some may sure up their decision. Hopefully we can secure 1-2 on that weekend.
Look for the defensive part in a week.
Finally! Alabama gets to sign 25 recruits, which will bring the total scholarship number, barring early defections and casualties, up to around 85.
Offense: We lose 7 seniors, of whom 5 are starters.
QB: (1-2 Recruits) If Wilson doesn't follow the allure to pro baseball then he will make 1 and I believe another will be sought after to bring in two this year. Wilson will be able to come in December. That would give us 2 seniors, 1 junior and 2 true freshmen in 2005. The way it should play out is Brodie graduates and Guillon helms the team in 2006 and then in 2007 Wilson or QB#2 takes over as true junior or RS sophomore. Potential QB’s for the 2005 class include JP Wilson, Jimmy Barnes (CA), Chad Kilgore (AL), Tyler Horne (GA), and Tray Rutland (GA). Not really counting on winning the sweepstakes with Perrilloux.
* If Wilson goes pro then I see us signing Barnes and either Kilgore or Horne.
RB: (2-3 Recruits) How many RB's depended on if Johns qualified or not. Since he has qualified Bama may just sign 2 RB’s. That gives us 1 senior, 2 sophomores (Castille counted), and 1 freshmen. In 2005 we would have 2 juniors, 1 sophomore and 2 true freshmen. A possible 4 back rotation or if everyone stays healthy then redshirt the 2 freshmen. Potential RB’s for the 2005 class include James Davis (GA), LaMarcus Coker (TN-commit), Mike Davis (SC), Glen Coffee (FL), Connell Davis (TX), Mickey Dean (AR), Clifford Harris (LA), and Ali Sharieff (AL) – who could play DB as well.
* These 2 slots are still up in the air as we are just in the beginning phase of offers, but would like to see either Coker or James Davis as #1 RB and maybe a second with Mike Davis (SC). Still too early to be close. I can't see why Bama could not get back to signing top RB's now.
FB: (0-1 Recruits) As long as McClain progresses in this position and allows Castille to play RB, where he wants to be, then depth could be a concern. With McClain taking over we will need another backup. There is a possibility we forgo signing a FB this season. McClain’s progress and health dictates where the staff goes with this slot.
TE: (2-3 recruits) Obviously Shula wants a receiving type TE for his offense, ala Shockey and Winslow. The injury bug has spent its time at this position, which resulted in the top 3 TE's missing a lot of spring practice. I see the staff signing 3 TE's with the potential of one of them moving to FB or DE. If the injury bug stays away we go into the 2004 season with 1 Sr, 2 Jr's (if McLain doesn't RS), and 2 true freshmen. Davidson is more of a tackle in the making and a punishing blocker while Walker is the receiver Shula wants. I can see both playing this season. Potential TE’s for the 2005 class include Trott (AL), Bonner (AL), Hoke (AL), and McKenzie (AL).
* I see Bama getting at least Bonner and Trott and maybe Hoke. This seems to be the position for the state of Alabama.
WR: (2-3 Recruits) Bama signed 6 WR's this last class, but when they get on campus and where they end up is still up in the air. Stover, one of the coveted recruits this year, failed to qualify as well did Knight. With those two missing we may see Brown, Hall, and Oakley play their freshmen year. Stamps could also contribute if one of these guys don’t step up. That gives Bama 4 (Prothro, Caddell, Hall, Brown) strong WR's going into the 2005 season plus others redshirted. I see the staff signing 2-3 WR's next year. They will take their time and pick the best. They have the opportunity to be selective. Expect the same this year, 6-3 190 and fast. Potential WR’s the staff might be looking at are Black (AL), Billings (AL), Smith (AL) – could play Safety, Heyward-Bey (MD), Smith (GA), Turner (TN), and possibly some JC WR as well. Tennessee is having a banner year in talent. It would be a huge coup to get Turner out of Nashville.
*Black is ours if we offer. That may come in time. Add another top WR and maybe a JC receiver as well. It is still too early to see.
OL (5 Recruits) Bama loses 3 seniors after this season who will be replaced by 4 juniors. The rest are freshmen, except for Tatum. The transition for these freshmen to starters should be easier than the transition for Britt, Smiley, and Mathis. I expect some freshmen to play and provide depth and then play significant roles the following year and then start as either true juniors or RS sophomores. Tatum is the future at RT. Injuries will be key at this position for the next 2 years. I see the staff loading up from here on out with 5 recruits this year and maybe more the next. We had a good core class last year and this year we need to build on that. Getting the commitment from Cardwell helps tremendously to get the ball rolling. Also, Drew Davis will be coming in January. Potential other OL that the staff is looking at are Robinson (GA), Zirbel (KY), Davis (GA), Lacey (MS), Roark (OK), and Smith (GA).
* With Cardwell and Davis, that leaves 3 more OL to get. Summer camp will give us a better idea of who the other targets might be.
You might see a few commits when the 19th hits as some recruits will be offered and some may sure up their decision. Hopefully we can secure 1-2 on that weekend.
Look for the defensive part in a week.
