Alabama Crimson Tide: Ole Miss Rebels
JACKSON, Miss. -- ESPN 150 offensive lineman Rod Taylor (Jackson, Miss./Calloway) has been camping at Alabama for years. He made a name for himself in Tuscaloosa when he was a freshman. Over the weekend, it didn’t matter that he was the nation’s No. 2 guard. He still went out and competed at the Crimson Tide’s OL/DL camp.
“It was good,” he said. “There was some good competition up there. It wasn’t like a normal camp. It was players who really can play.”
“It was good,” he said. “There was some good competition up there. It wasn’t like a normal camp. It was players who really can play.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
In-state DT Thomas vies for Bama offer 
June, 15, 2013
Jun 15
6:12
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama was one of the first schools to begin recruiting defensive tackle/end Cory Thomas (McCalla, Ala./McAdory). He lives just an hour up the road. However, the Crimson Tide had yet to offer the local prospect because the coaches hadn’t seen enough.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Phil Steele's top running back depth charts
June, 14, 2013
Jun 14
3:00
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
College football prognosticator Phil Steele continues his look at the top depth charts around the country. Today, we're looking at his top running back depth charts 
.
Steele has three SEC teams on his list, with Georgia taking his top spot. Alabama is No. 2, while Texas A&M is 14th.
It's hard to argue against having Georgia No. 1. The Bulldogs bring back the top one-two rushing punch in Todd Gurley, who led SEC running backs with 1,385 yards and 17 touchdowns, and slasher Keith Marshall. The duo combined for 2,144 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry. There isn't much behind these two, but they did just fine with the majority of the carries last year.
Alabama has a very deep backfield that's led by sophomore T.J. Yeldon, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year. He should compete to be one of the top players at his position this fall as both a slasher and a pounder. The Tide will get back the beastly Jalston Fowler, who is coming off of knee surgery, and scat back Dee Hart, who is also returning from a knee injury. Sophomore Kenyan Drake is back and true freshman Derrick Henry should help out as both a running back and H-back this fall.
As for the Aggies, they're also very deep at running back. Leading rusher Ben Malena (808 yards) is back, and he'll be working with some younger but very talented teammates. Brandon Williams, who transferred from Oklahoma, has the potential to be very special. Then you have Oregon transfer Tra Carson and sophomore Trey Williams. There is a lot of speed and athleticism in Texas A&M's running back stable.
I'd also keep an eye on Florida, LSU and Ole Miss this fall. The Gators will be led by sophomore Matt Jones, who had a very good spring and should pick up right where Mike Gillislee left off. He'll also get help from redshirt junior Mack Brown, who left spring as the No. 2 back, and freshmen Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane. Taylor had a good spring and Lane should come in and help right away.
LSU might have made Steele's list if Jeremy Hill wasn't suspended from the team. Hill's recent arrest has his future at LSU in doubt, but if he plays this fall he'll be one of the league's best. Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue are nothing to sneeze at. Both have shown flashes in the past and Blue should be healed from a knee injury that cost him most of his 2012 season. Losing Hill will really hurt, but the Tigers have a solid duo in Hilliard and Blue to work with.
Ole Miss returns rushing leader Jeff Scott and a talented bunch of youngsters. Scott is a solid all-purpose-type back, while sophomores I'Tavius Mathers and Jaylen Walton came on strong late last year and this spring. True freshman Mark Dodson will get his chance to see the field as well after a strong spring.
.
Steele has three SEC teams on his list, with Georgia taking his top spot. Alabama is No. 2, while Texas A&M is 14th.
It's hard to argue against having Georgia No. 1. The Bulldogs bring back the top one-two rushing punch in Todd Gurley, who led SEC running backs with 1,385 yards and 17 touchdowns, and slasher Keith Marshall. The duo combined for 2,144 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry. There isn't much behind these two, but they did just fine with the majority of the carries last year.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Romeo GuzmanT.J. Yeldon returns to lead a deep backfield for the Crimson Tide this season.
As for the Aggies, they're also very deep at running back. Leading rusher Ben Malena (808 yards) is back, and he'll be working with some younger but very talented teammates. Brandon Williams, who transferred from Oklahoma, has the potential to be very special. Then you have Oregon transfer Tra Carson and sophomore Trey Williams. There is a lot of speed and athleticism in Texas A&M's running back stable.
I'd also keep an eye on Florida, LSU and Ole Miss this fall. The Gators will be led by sophomore Matt Jones, who had a very good spring and should pick up right where Mike Gillislee left off. He'll also get help from redshirt junior Mack Brown, who left spring as the No. 2 back, and freshmen Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane. Taylor had a good spring and Lane should come in and help right away.
LSU might have made Steele's list if Jeremy Hill wasn't suspended from the team. Hill's recent arrest has his future at LSU in doubt, but if he plays this fall he'll be one of the league's best. Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue are nothing to sneeze at. Both have shown flashes in the past and Blue should be healed from a knee injury that cost him most of his 2012 season. Losing Hill will really hurt, but the Tigers have a solid duo in Hilliard and Blue to work with.
Ole Miss returns rushing leader Jeff Scott and a talented bunch of youngsters. Scott is a solid all-purpose-type back, while sophomores I'Tavius Mathers and Jaylen Walton came on strong late last year and this spring. True freshman Mark Dodson will get his chance to see the field as well after a strong spring.
OL Sims visits Auburn, cancels Bama trip
June, 14, 2013
Jun 14
8:30
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
When Homewood (Ala.) High School began practice this spring, four-star offensive lineman Jordan Sims decided to take a break from the recruiting process. He wanted to concentrate on his team as well as losing weight and getting back in shape.
Sims, the No. 8 player in the state, took his first visit in nearly three months on Wednesday when he made the short trip over to Auburn University.
Sims, the No. 8 player in the state, took his first visit in nearly three months on Wednesday when he made the short trip over to Auburn University.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The spotlight was on the quarterbacks and skill players during Alabama’s first camp, but now it shifts to the trenches as the Crimson Tide will host an OL/DL camp on Saturday.
Here’s a look at five 2014 offensive and defensive linemen to keep an eye on this weekend:
OG Rod Taylor (Jackson, Miss./Callaway)
Here’s a look at five 2014 offensive and defensive linemen to keep an eye on this weekend:
OG Rod Taylor (Jackson, Miss./Callaway)
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Defensive tackle Daron Payne (Birmingham, Ala./Shades Valley) is quickly becoming one of the state’s top players for 2015. Last Friday, he took his first visit of the spring and made the short trip down to the University of Alabama.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
AUBURN, Ala. -- It was a busy week for 2015 quarterback Tyler Queen (Kennesaw, Ga./North Cobb), who probably feels as if his arm is ready to fall off. In five days, he camped at Alabama, Auburn and Georgia where he threw for the coaches at all three schools.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama must have felt like a home away from home for defensive tackle Charles Mosley (Brighton, Tenn./Brighton) this week as the big man spent four days on the Crimson Tide’s campus.
“It was a good trip,” he said. “I always have a good time when I go to Alabama. I just got to talk to all the coaches down there, meet a couple new people, some recruits.
“I just like when I talk to Coach [Nick] Saban, I get the feeling that I know they’ll take care of me if I go there. I have some friends down there -- Blake Sims, Brandon Hill, and Brandon Ivory. I just know that if I go there, that I like it there.”
“It was a good trip,” he said. “I always have a good time when I go to Alabama. I just got to talk to all the coaches down there, meet a couple new people, some recruits.
“I just like when I talk to Coach [Nick] Saban, I get the feeling that I know they’ll take care of me if I go there. I have some friends down there -- Blake Sims, Brandon Hill, and Brandon Ivory. I just know that if I go there, that I like it there.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- On Monday, ESPN 150 athlete and Alabama commitment Bo Scarbrough confirmed to TideNation that he intends to transfer schools. The former Tuscaloosa Northridge High School star started workouts at Tuscaloosa County High School on Tuesday and will attend the rival school beginning this fall.
In addition to moving to a new home, Scarbrough’s mother felt it was best for her son to attend Tuscaloosa County for academic reasons.
In addition to moving to a new home, Scarbrough’s mother felt it was best for her son to attend Tuscaloosa County for academic reasons.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It’s easy to be awestruck when sitting down with Nick Saban, arguably the top coach in college football. But when the Alabama head coach offers you a scholarship, it should be a moment you remember, not one you forget.
That wasn’t the case for 2015 prospect Will Gragg (Pine Bluff, Ark./Pine Bluff).
The 6-foot-4, 247-pound tight end prospect camped at Alabama on Monday. When he finished the first session, he and his family met with Saban in his office where he received a scholarship offer from the Crimson Tide. It didn’t even register with Gragg. He had to call his recruiting coordinator on the way home to confirm it.
That wasn’t the case for 2015 prospect Will Gragg (Pine Bluff, Ark./Pine Bluff).
The 6-foot-4, 247-pound tight end prospect camped at Alabama on Monday. When he finished the first session, he and his family met with Saban in his office where he received a scholarship offer from the Crimson Tide. It didn’t even register with Gragg. He had to call his recruiting coordinator on the way home to confirm it.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
For months now, ESPN 150 prospect Elisha Shaw (Tucker, Ga./Tucker) has had Alabama and Georgia at the top of his list, constantly going back and forth between the two SEC programs. Last weekend, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive tackle took a visit and enjoyed it so much he declared that program as his leader. Interestingly enough, Shaw was not in Athens, Ga. or Tuscaloosa, Ala.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Earlier this month, ESPN 150 wide receiver Cameron Sims (Monroe, La./Ouachita Parish) had what he called a quiet spring game, reeling in only four catches. But what Sims fails to mention is that he took those four completions for more than 160 yards and three touchdowns in front of several college coaches, including University of Georgia receivers’ coach Tony Ball, Billy Napier from Alabama and Cam Cameron from LSU.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
LONGVIEW, Texas -- Zaycoven Henderson has been committed to TCU for more than three months, but he’s still curious to know what other opportunities are out there.
That’s why the Longview (Texas) defensive tackle pledge already is turning his attention to his fall official visits.
That’s why the Longview (Texas) defensive tackle pledge already is turning his attention to his fall official visits.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
DALLAS -- Forget the riddles of the Sphinx. Try cracking the riddles of the Nick Watkins (Dallas/Bishop Dunne).
When it comes to deciphering where the ESPN 150 cornerback plays college football, one old adage comes to mind. As nice and media-friendly as Watkins is, he is the riddle wrapped up in an enigma when it comes to recruiting.
And Watkins’ ability to keep most in the dark about his process is not an accident.
When it comes to deciphering where the ESPN 150 cornerback plays college football, one old adage comes to mind. As nice and media-friendly as Watkins is, he is the riddle wrapped up in an enigma when it comes to recruiting.
And Watkins’ ability to keep most in the dark about his process is not an accident.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Top juco OT names his final six schools
May, 28, 2013
May 28
6:30
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival and
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
A final six has emerged for one of the top juco players in the country, and his leaderboard has a national flavor to it.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.