Tider Insider's
Recruiting Recap

NEEDS ANALYSIS '98

A Sneak Preview

At this early stage it's difficult to give a position breakdown, but based on what we know at this time, here is our preliminary needs analysis for '98.

Index

Quarterbacks

Tide fans have had their sights set on Pelham's Tyler Watts for two years. Next year Watts will be one of the nation's top prospects. He's tall, athletic, and has a very good arm. He's 6'3, 205, and says he runs a 4.76. Sources say Watts will favor Alabama and Tennessee.

Another top in-state QB is Fayette's Luke Tucker. Tucker is the brother of current Tide back-up QB Lance Tucker. Luke (6'1, 185) is a little bigger than his brother. He passed for 2,965 yards and 25 TDs this past season.

Alabama coaches will probably look at several other top QB prospects.

Running Backs

The Tide could probably use a jitterbug type runner and Mac Campbell of Alexandria, AL fits that mold. He's 5'8, 185, runs a 4.5 40, and has big-play ability.

Shontua Ray of Montevallo, a 4.45 speedster, will be highly touted.

Tuscaloosa Central's Marvin Constant is a big, strong, bruising type runner. He's 6'1, 235 and runs a 4.6. Some sources consider Constant the top big back in the state.

Another big back is Anniston Walter Welborn's Mario Thomas. Thomas is 6'2, 245. He could play at other positions.

Wide Receivers

The top name in the state right now is Fayette's Sam Collins. Collins has had a record breaking career on the receiving end of passes from QB Luke Tucker. Collins is 6'2, 180, and runs a 4.6. As a junior he had over 1,000 yards.

Leron Little (6'3, 210) from Aliceville, AL is a big WR type.

Many consider Natchez, MS WR Marco Minor to be one of the south's top prospects. He is 6'4, 200, and runs a 4.6.

There's little doubt that Tide coaches will scour the south for top WRs.

Tight Ends

The player everyone is talking about is former Tide signee Gorman Thornton. Thornton signed with Alabama in '96 but did not qualify academically. He spent last season as a redshirt at Hinds JC while rehabilitating a knee injury that he suffered in the Alabama-Mississippi HS All-Star game. If Thornton completes his academic requirements by midterm next year, he can transfer and have three years of eligibility.

Another Tide signee may re-sign next season. Marlon Davis signed with Alabama this year but is not expected to qualify. He told Tider Insider that he plans to attend Middle Georgia next year and then re-sign with Alabama next recruiting season. Davis is a fabulous athlete. He could help the Tide on offense or defense. Carlos Crusoe of Columbus, MS has the size (6'4, 235) and ability to be a good player.

Tremayne Smith (6'4, 215) of Brewton W.S. Neal is an in-state player to keep an eye on.

Offensive Linemen

Neil Callaway’s first criteria is size, as in BIG.

Two top OT prospects who fit the bill are Bart Raulston (6'8, 300) from Sylvania, AL and Aaron Deal (6'7, 265) from Ft. Walton Beach, FL.

Some OG prospects include: Deon White (6'3, 310) of Birminham Minor, Marico Portis (6'3, 295) of Prichard Vigor, Jeremy Sullivan (6'3, 290) of Leroy, Berwin Echols (6'2, 295) of Atlanta Douglas, and Keith Stephens (6'3, 305) from Columbus, GA.

Defensive Linemen

First, let's take a glance at some DT prospects:

One top prospect who is considering the Tide is Kindell Morehead (6'4, 275) from Memphis Melrose. Tennessee fans have already laid their claim on this one.

Derrick Sanders (6'5, 250) of Sandersville-Washington County is another top player. He was a HS teammate of Tide signee Chris Horne.

Another Georgian is Anthony Tate (6'4, 265) of SW DeKalb.

Two other potential DTs include Ryan Pickett (6'3, 290) from Zephyrhills, FL, and Rasheed Moore (6'4, 270) of Huntsville Johnson.

There are a few top DE prospects in Alabama. The best known is Tuscaloosa-Central star Terry Jones, Jr. (6'3, 255, 4.8), son of former Tider and current Alabama strength coach Terry Jones, Sr. He’s noted for his physique and his athletic ability. He’s a force on the Central basketball team.

Kenny Sears (6'4, 235, 4.8) of Montgomery Lee is another top in-state prospect. This year a brother, Corey, signed with Southern Miss, and a teammate, Fred Weary, signed with Tennessee. Kenny's recruitment could be interesting.

Jamar Tate (6'3, 265) of Mobile Murphy is one of the best prospects in the talent rich Mobile area.

Mario Haggan (6'3, 240, 4.7) from Clarksdale, MS replaces Terrence Metcalf as the prize prospect for Clarksdale coach Jesse Murphree.

One Juco DE to watch is Dee Parker of Gulfport JC. Originally from Chattanooga, TN, Dee has stardom written all over him. He's 6'3, 260, and runs a 4.65 40.

Linebackers

Robert Malone (6'3, 215, 4.6) from Mobile Blount is probably the top LB prospect in Alabama. One Mobile area prep observer compares Malone to FSU signee David Warren, USA Today's HS Defensive Player of the Year last season.

Eddie Strong (6'3, 210, 4.6) of Batesville, MS is from the same HS as Dwayne Rudd. Strong is mentioned as one of the best in the south. Ole Miss, Alabama and Tennessee are a few of the interested schools.

Rodney Bailey (6'2, 200, 4.4) of Folkston, GA is a Ralph Staten type.

Roderick Jones (6'2, 210) of Prichard Vigor and Mel Willis (6'4, 200. 4.5) of Luverne are a couple to watch.

A JUCO player to keep an eye on is Hinds JC star Robert Pollard (6'1, 220, 4.4). A cousin of former Tider Lamont Floyd, he is from Orange Park, FL and originally signed with Nebraska. He was one of the nation's top HS prospects two years ago.

Defensive Backs

The big name is Murfressboro, TN star Eric Locke (5'9, 175, 4.45) from Riverdale HS. He’s one of Tennessee's top juniors.

Alabama should also get consideration from Anthony Jones (6'1, 185, 4.5) of Chattanooga Tyner, Reggie Myles (6'1, 170, 4.3) from Pascagoula, MS, and Robert Cromartie (5'10, 170, 4.4) from Atlanta Douglas.

Dedrick Hardwick (6'1, 205, 4.5) from North Jackson HS in Stevenson, AL is a top safety prospect. The bad news is that his father, Tyrone Robinson, is a former Tennessee player. Sources say that it may be difficult to pry Hardwick away from UT.

Keon Carter (6'1, 195, 4.5) of Luverne and Damien Jones (6'2, 210) of Prichard Vigor are two in-state safety prospects who’ve made some recruiting lists as players to watch.