A couple of questions about this years class...

[Selma-Bama-Fan]

I havent been able to keep up with recruiting as much as I used to. I just check here for updates as much as I can. I used to be a recruiting junky, and was a member to various pay sites to get my info.

However these days I dont have the time to keep up with it all, and with the recruiting success we are having lately it really eats at my craw.

So if you good people would indulge me a bit, I'd like to ask some questions and maybe have a good discussion on this years class.

1) It appears this class is going to stack up with last year's, but with less numbers. What do you see as the strength of this class so far? What do you think it will be ranked once it's all said and done?

2) Who will be our cant miss 'Julio Jones' type of recruits for this year?

3) Will this recruiting class have the same effect on the field next season as this past one? As in will a lot see playing time? Will the guys already here become better due to that extra competition?

4) Which side of the ball will get the most out of this class? It appears at a glance that our Defense will really get at minimum quality depth because of this class.

5) Last, but not least, who is your favorite recruit (or potential recruit) from this class? I know its all opinion, but I really like to read what you guys think. A lot of you here know your stuff, so your opinion counts... atleast with me.

Thanks in advance and ROLL TIDE!

 

[BigEasyTider]

A few quick replies:

(1) This class, obviously, has a ton of strengths, but honestly the strength probably has to be considered the lines. We've really compiled a great line class on both sides of the ball, and it shows. I figure we end up in the top five when all is said and done, but we won't take enough players to get the number one spot.

(2) Several players could be legitimately considered here, but the consensus would probably be on either Dre Kirkpatrick or Trent Richardson.

(3) It will have an impact, but probably a bit smaller one. We're a much better team now, and we won't have as many openings right away for true freshmen.

(4) Hard to say really, both will benefit immensely.

(5) In terms of pure potential, I'd honestly say D.J. Fluker at left tackle. The more I see of that kid, and the more I see the "limit" for him at left tackle residing in Canton, Ohio.

 

[bamapuppy]

I'll agree with Fluker. I keep hearing that he is a beast. And I like big tough linemen. I am a Cody / Smith fan.

 

[TiderinArkansas]

I haven't been keeping up as much as I usually do either. It looks good, I just would like to see us get a speed rusher at the jack position and from what I've heard it seems like if we do get one it will be somebody we had to turn from another school. I just want some good news there, seems like we've got most everything else covered.

 

[BEATtutorsee]

1) Like BET said the offensive and defensive lines are getting plenty of attention in this class. As for ranking, I don't see us any lower than 5th, but it's not out of the question for us to make a run at #1 (probably will come up just short though).

2) Trent Richardson or Reuben Randle (if we landed him). Honorable mention to Dre Kirkpatrick.

3) There probably won't be as many seeing action because our depth is getting better and better, but these guys will certainly make the guys already on the team just that much better.

4) At first glance I'd say the defense.

5) Trent Richardson. He is the total package at RB. He is going to be extremely fun to watch over the coming years.

 

[bamabryan]

I think this class will not get quite the hype that last years class got just because we are signing a lot of linemen. You win and lose games in the line of scrimmage, but for whatever reason signing linemen just does not seem to be quite as sexy as the skill position players. I don't know why this is. It's a little unfair to the linemen because it all starts in the line of scrimmage. If you don't have the linemen, you are not going to win many games.

Even though I don't think this class will get quite the hype that last years class got, I still think it will be a top 5 class. I think we'll finish around #4 or #5 nationally.

Personally I think the offensive linemen as a group that are committed are underrated overall. I think this is an outstanding group as a whole.

I'm most excited about Trent Richardson, Rod Woodson and DJ Fluker. You can include Dre and Massie in that group when it's official and they sign with Alabama.

 

[resmith]

Right now I am most impressed with Trent Richardson. While we currently have a stable of very capable running backs, this guy has an unlimited potential.
I can remember sitting at the Alabama/Minnesota Music City Bowl game a few years ago and thinking how did we ever get to the point where we were having to start Aaron Johns at running back. In my mind you cannot have too many quality running backs in the SEC.

 

[Bama-fo-life]

Right now I am most impressed with Trent Richardson. While we currently have a stable of very capable running backs, this guy has an unlimited potential.
I can remember sitting at the Alabama/Minnesota Music City Bowl game a few years ago and thinking how did we ever get to the point where we were having to start Aaron Johns at running back. In my mind you cannot have too many quality running backs in the SEC.

Aaron Johns....typical shula recruiting. How did we ever say this guy could recruit?

 

[BigEasyTider]

Aaron Johns....typical shula recruiting. How did we ever say this guy could recruit?

In all fairness to Shula, Johns was actually the one and only Price commitment. He committed to Price about a month before the whole Destiny saga erupted, and Shula was just honoring his commitment.

Johns wasn't an SEC caliber player, bottom line, but honestly the same could be said for many other players we signed then too. That was during the darkest days of probation and everything else, and at that time we were losing recruits to everyone. We were literally having to just pick up guys who would have otherwise gone to JUCO, Arkansas State, etc.

 

[P. C. Pachyderm]

Aaron Johns ... there was a poster on here back in the day who promised us Johns was going to be Bama's first Heisman winner. That didn't quite work out ... but I'm sure Aaron is a fine young man. For those who may not know, Johns is playing RB for UAB this year. He was their starter at the beginning of the year, but had some injury issues, so I'm not sure if he still is.

 

[RAM]

Top players to watch being break out players
Dre is the most hyped, I just hope it turns out good. I think he is like in the top five in most areas for DB/Cover skills. He is going to be the real deal, at least from what I have been reading.

Others to keep an eye on are Trent R. and D.J. Fluker, like someone else stated you can never have enough RBs and our line needs depth. Give D.J. a year to work on things, we are building great depth. Depth, wow, just had to say it again.

 

[BAMA NUT]

1.I think this class is going to be a little bigger than first thought. So with that in mind I think we end up around number 2 or 3.

2.Everyone has named the top players in this class already but the one
named I have not seen so far and I think will be a good one is Nico Johnson.

3.Of course some of these will get playing time next year but not as many
as this year. The place that that will get some playing time I think will be wr.

4.Agree with you on the defense, good players comming in at all spots.

5.Boy this one is tough. There is so many good ones I can not pick just one. Most all of them have already been named so I will not pick here.

 

[Alasippi]

I'll agree with Fluker. I keep hearing that he is a beast. And I like big tough linemen. I am a Cody / Smith fan.

I saw Fluker a few times when he played for Biloxi High school before transferring to Foley. "Potential" is the key word. He indeed has a ton, but he needs mechanics work in a big way. Of course, I'm sure he'll get the proper training once he get's to UA and will indeed become a force.

In terms of immediate impact I hope we get Kendall Kelly because, to me, he is right up there with Julio in terms of sheer talent. He actually looks faster than Julio to me, meaning that he is a total burner where as Julio is merely faster than 99% of mortal humans...lol..so that observation is in no way a slight against Julio, who should be SEC Freshman of the Year hands down. Just wanted to clear that up.

Nico Johnson could also contribute quickly.

If Richardson sticks with his commit then he'll certainly have a chance to break into the rotation but he's got some mighty stiff competition.

Dre Kirkpatrick will certainly get a look at corner.

All in all though I look for a large majority of this class to be redshirted if it's at all possible. That's not a bad thing. That's a good thing.

 

[RunBamaRun]

It is really nice to see Bama once again attractive to the top recruits, coaches not withstanding. Recruits are no longer shying away from Bama due to no real promise for the future or chances for post season play or championships.

Don't see a "marginal" recruit on our commit list but, just to name a couple, Richardson and Fluker are future stars at this level and the next.

 

[HKSpwrdZ]

Hello guys, I am new to the forums here.

Anyway I am from Gadsden, and Dre Kirkpatrick is one heck of a football player. I have watched him play for a couple of years. Good closing speed, tall, strong. One of the best CBs I have ever seen coming out of HS.

 

[BEATtutorsee]

Hello guys, I am new to the forums here.

Anyway I am from Gadsden, and Dre Kirkpatrick is one heck of a football player. I have watched him play for a couple of years. Good closing speed, tall, strong. One of the best CBs I have ever seen coming out of HS.

Welcome aboard! Dre is indeed a good one, he'll look very good in Crimson next year!

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Hello guys, I am new to the forums here.

Anyway I am from Gadsden, and Dre Kirkpatrick is one heck of a football player. I have watched him play for a couple of years. Good closing speed, tall, strong. One of the best CBs I have ever seen coming out of HS.

Welcome to Tide Fans.