A-Day welcomes elite prospects
The University of Alabama is set to host a slew top prospects this weekend.
Commitments flocking
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The verbal pledges in the classes of 2014 and 2015 are all expected to arrve in Tuscaloosa this weekend. They are returning to campus to visit with the coaches, watch the spring game and help recruit other uncommitted prospects according to Alabama's latest commitment, Shaun Dion Hamilton, four-star linebacker from Carver High School in Montgomery.
The Tide staff also welcomes Bo Scarbrough, Rivals100 athlete from Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa, Kalvaraz Bessent, four-star cornerback from Camden County High School in Kingsland, Ga.
Alabama has surprisingly taken three commitments in the 2015 class. Deionte Thompson, safety from Stark High School in Orange, Texas, Desherius Flowers, running back from Vigor High School in Prichard, Ala., and Mekhi Brown, defensive end from Norcross High School in Ga., and all are eager to watch their future team in action.
Thompson was offered by Texas last month, but he is solid with his commitment to Alabama. Flowers committed to the Tide a week ago, but news did not get out to the media until Monday. Alabama expects several other top uncommitted prospects in the class of 2015.
State's best heading in Tuscaloosa
Plenty of the elite prospects will venture to the Capstone for the Tide's annual spring game including Tre Williams, Rivals100 linebacker from St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, Ronnie Clark, Rivals100 safety from Calera High School, and Stephen Roberts, three-star cornerback from Opelika High School. These three prospects are considering several schools for their commitment, but will likely decide between the two in-state SEC programs. Clark said earlier this week it is looking like an in-state battle for him.
Gavin Bryant, three-star linebacker from Jackson High School, has scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn and Kentucky. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder hasn't received as much publicity as other top linebackers in the state. Coaches from the in-state schools seem very high on the defensive prospect.
Several other in-state players visiting include Draequon Murphy, athlete from Carver High School in Montgomery, Jamey Mosley, athlete from Theodore High School, and Tyler Swindle, offensive tackle from Hayden High School.
Marlon Humphrey, five-star cornerback from Hoover High School, hasn't taken many trips during his recruitment. Most of the trips are reserved for the summer and fall, but he visited Alabama a couple of weeks ago for practice. He is penciled in for a visit this weekend, but track season has kept him on long-distance road trips every weekend. It's possible he stays home.
Jordan Sims, three-star offensive guard from Homewood High School, said on Thursday he will not visit anywhere this weekend due to school assignments. He plans to camp at Alabama in June.
Out-of-state talent
Alabama will host a few prospects on Friday prior to the spring game which includes Clifton Garrett, Rivals100 linebacker from Plainfield South High School in Joliet, Ill., and Jacob Pugh, four-star linebacker from Godby High School in Tallahassee, Fla. Garrett has 20+ scholarship offers, but not one from Alabama at this point. It's possible the staff extends an offer during this unofficial visit. Pugh named Alabama his favorite after visiting Tuscaloosa in February. He also lists Florida and Florida State on the list. He is bringing his mom on this trip.
David Cornwell, Rivals100 quarterback from North High School in Norman, Okla., returns to Tuscaloosa for the third time this year. Cornwell is one of Alabama's top prospects in the 2014 class. He plans on making his decision in early June. Cornwell will visit Tennessee on Sunday.
A lot of eyes this weekend are on Elisha Shaw, Rivals100 defensive tackle from Tucker High School in Ga., Dante Sawyer, four-star defensive end from North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Ga., and Charles Mosley, three-star defensive tackle from Brighton High School in Tenn. Sawyer and Mosley have Alabama as their favorite. Shaw lists Alabama in his top two along with Georgia.
Gerald Willis, four-star defensive end from Edna Karr High School in New Orleans, La., doesn't have much interest in the Tide. He lists his top three as LSU, Florida and Texas. He is visiting Tuscaloosa this weekend in support of his brother, Alabama safety Landon Collins.
Zach Whitley, Rivals100 linebacker from North Shore High School in Galena Park, Texas, is expected. Whitley is one of Alabama's top overall targets.
Tony Brown, five-star cornerback from Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas, said Thursday night he has yet to decide if he will take any visits this weekend. He is considering a trip to Alabama or LSU. Joshua Frazier, Rivals100 defensive tackle from Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Ark., confirmed he will not visit Alabama as previously scheduled. He hopes to visit this summer.
Nick Glass, four-star safety and Georgia commitment from Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Ga., will return to Tuscaloosa. Glass has said for the past few months his interest level in Alabama is high despite his verbal pledge to the Dawgs.
Three key targets from Lousiana include Cameron Robinson, Leonard Fournette and Cameron Sims. All three prospects visited Alabama this spring, but not returning for the A-Day game. This weekend the Tide staff will see Kenny Young, four-star linebacker, and Bailey Granier, three-star offensive tackle from South Lafourche High School in Gallinano, and O.J. Smith, defensive tackle from Airline High School in Bossier City.
Underclassmen arriving
Rico McGraw, 2015 cornerback from Ensworth High School in Nashville, Tenn., is one of the premier defensive backs in the Southeast. Alabama is his early favorite. Tyrone Wheatley, Jr., tight end from Fayetteville High School in Mantilus, N.Y., will make his first trip to Tuscaloosa after receiving an offer last month. He is the son of former NFL running back, Tyrone Wheatley.
Garrett Thomas, offensive tackle from Many High School in La., and Khane Pass, safety from Carver High School in Columbus, Ga., will also visit.
Dylan Moses, 2017 athlete from University Lab School in Baton Rouge, La., returns to Tuscaloosa after visiting two weekends ago. Moses collected his first two offers from LSU and Alabama. Schools have continued adding to his offer list such as Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss and UCLA in the past week.
This is not a complete list of prospects visiting Alabama this weekend, but a list of top players who have confirmed their travel plans. The list is always subject to change.
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