By:VaBeachBama08
On Wednesday, the 2008 recruiting season came to an end. With 32 teenagers signing to play football at Alabama, the Crimson Tide claimed the top recruiting class in the nation. Both Julio Jones and Jerrell Harris committed and signed with Alabama yesterday, and now they look to make some noise at Alabama in the near future. Here is the final list of commitments and signings :
|
Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown |
|
Mark Barron |
ATH |
6-2 |
202 |
Mobile, AL |
|
Undra Billingsley |
DE |
6-4 |
260 |
Birmingham, AL |
|
Devonta Bolton |
ATH |
6-4 |
220 |
Norcross, GA |
|
John Michael Boswell |
OL |
6-6 |
290 |
Northport, AL |
|
Terrence Cody |
DT |
6-5 |
395 |
Perkinston, MS |
|
Marcel Dareus |
DT |
6-4 |
277 |
Birmingham, AL |
|
Robby Green |
DB |
6-0 |
175 |
River Ridge, LA |
|
Glenn Harbin |
DE |
6-6 |
250 |
Mobile, AL |
|
Jerrell Harris |
LB |
6-2 |
220 |
Gadsden, AL |
|
Don’ta Hightower |
LB |
6-3 |
248 |
Lewisburg, TN |
|
Destin Hood |
WR |
6-3 |
190 |
Mobile, AL |
|
Mark Ingram |
RB |
5-10 |
195 |
Flint, MI |
|
Chris Jackson |
WR |
6-0 |
187 |
McDonough, GA |
|
Star Jackson |
QB |
6-3 |
182 |
Lake Worth, FL |
|
Barrett Jones |
OL |
6-5 |
271 |
Memphis, TN |
|
Julio Jones |
WR |
6-4 |
215 |
Foley, AL |
|
Chris Jordan |
ATH |
6-2 |
201 |
Brentwood, TN |
|
Alonzo Lawrence |
DB |
6-1 |
187 |
Lucedale, MS |
|
Robert Lester |
DB |
6-2 |
205 |
Foley, AL |
|
Brandon Lewis |
DE |
6-3 |
260 |
Pleasant Grove, AL |
|
Tyler Love |
OL |
6-7 |
285 |
Mountain Brook, AL |
|
Ivan Matchett |
RB |
5-10 |
206 |
Mobile, AL |
|
Kerry Murphy |
DT |
6-5 |
325 |
Chatham, VA |
|
Wesley Neighbors |
DB |
6-1 |
190 |
Huntsville, AL |
|
Jermaine Preyear |
RB |
5-11 |
205 |
Mobile, AL |
|
Melvin Ray |
WR |
6-2 |
185 |
Tallahassee, FL |
|
Burton Scott |
ATH |
5-11 |
194 |
Prichard, AL |
|
Brad Smelley |
ATH |
6-3 |
220 |
Tuscaloosa, AL |
|
Corey Smith |
K |
6-1 |
208 |
Bunker Hill, WV |
|
Damion Square |
DT |
6-3 |
270 |
Houston, TX |
|
Courtney Upshaw |
DE |
6-2 |
220 |
Eufaula, AL |
|
Michael Williams |
DE |
6-6 |
240 |
Reform, AL |
The significance of this class is unmistakable. Alabama is building for the future, building for success, and building ultimately for a national championship. Quarterback Star Jackson even went as far as to guarantee a championship. Likewise, Jerrell Harris said, “The recruits Coach Saban has coming to Tuscaloosa are on a mission. We are going to win a national championship. You can bet on that.”
The mindset is already in place for these players, and now comes the hard work. Starting in the fall for most of these players, the hard work and dedication will become a focal point in the success of Alabama in 2008. Many of these players will have the chance to come in and compete for playing time. Likewise, there are a few players who may even start as true freshmen.
With all the success also comes expectations. Coach Saban was quick to address this issue yesterday in his press conference. “I didn’t have any expectations. We got the players that we got and I’m pleased and happy to have them. They are the cornerstone of what we’re building for the future. But you guys create the expectation so you can tear them down when we don’t meet them.” It is easy to see how you can be caught up in the fun of what these players bring to the table, however, it is not the media’s or the fan’s job to judge these players by false expectations.
As the Crimson Tide turn their focus to spring practice, most of the 2008 recruiting class will be finishing up their senior year of high school. These talented young men are shaping their lives for the future, and are well on their way to leaving their mark on Alabama history. Yesterday, was merely a foreshadowing of what is to come in the future. As Alabama moves back up to the #1 spot, this time in recruiting, the entire world of college football is about to witness something amazing. It is commonly said that history repeats itself. Alabama is looking to prove that statement true in the years to come.
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