Alabama Crimson Tide

TideNation recruiting writer Greg Ostendorf brings you another edition of The O-zone, a confidential look inside Alabama recruiting. Get the latest updates from the gridiron and the hardwood as it pertains to the Crimson Tide.

Volunteer visitor

Yulee, Fla., running back Derrick Henry is closing in on his decision date (Sept. 27), and this weekend, Tennessee has one last chance to impress the ESPN 150 star as he’s set to visit Knoxville for the Florida game. Sources say Henry would have to be blown away on his visit to Tennessee if it were to surpass Alabama. He’s scheduled to visit Tuscaloosa the next weekend for the Florida Atlantic game, giving Alabama a chance to make the last impression before he makes his decision. One key factor working to the Tide’s advantage is Henry’s relationship with the current players at UA. He feels like he would fit right in with the team if he chose to go there.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Christian Russell was once all North Carolina Tar Heel. That seems to be the case no longer.

“I'm still open right now,” the 6-foot-1, 245-pound middle linebacker from East Mississippi Community College said. “I'm just taking it slow, taking it through the season. Probably by the end of the season I can make a decision where I want to go to.”

Who can blame Russell? Since he signed with North Carolina in February 2011, there's been a coaching change, NCAA sanctions and allegations of academic fraud among football and basketball players, which means the NCAA could be coming back again.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

ESPN 100 forward Tyler Roberson continued to see his stock rise after a strong summer, and he’s reached the next step in the recruiting process, narrowing his list to 10 schools.

The schools that made the cut: Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Rutgers, Seton Hall, SMU, South Carolina, Syracuse and Villanova.

“Because this is my top 10, from a basketball standpoint, all the schools would fit me,” Roberson said. “It basically comes down to how hard they’re recruiting me. That’s a major factor.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Point guard Anthony Barber (Hampton, Va./Hampton) has been sensational in June and July. Considering only the point guards, Barber’s moved his stock to a different level and is sitting as the nation’s No. 3 point at this moment. How’d he do it?

“I’m shooting the ball better and being more vocal as a point guard,” Barber said. “I’m not going at the same speed all the time and I’ve learned how to slow down. I think I’ve improved more as a point guard than I was last year.”

Barber and his Boo Williams AAU team faced adversity in the spring. With plenty of talent, Boo Williams couldn’t get it right and was in jeopardy of missing its first Peach Jam. Then, in Oakland at the final Nike Elite Youth Basketball League session, they got the mix down.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- When it comes to speed and quickness with the basketball, you have to put ESPN 100 point guards Anthony Barber (Hampton, Va./Hampton) and Seton Hall commit Aquille Carr (Baltimore/Patterson) at the top of the list.

Both have been relentless putting pressure on defenses at the NBPA Top 100 Camp. Both push the ball at high speeds and are threats to take it coast to coast and finish with flair. They get into the paint at will, can score with floaters, use their court vision to deliver an assist or knock down 3s with time and space.

"I am a scoring point guard that can also get my teammates involved," said Barber, who is being pursued by Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Memphis, Louisville and reportedly has an upcoming unofficial visit to Alabama. "I have to be more vocal and lead but I am getting better at it."

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider