Matthew Thomas (Miami/Booker T. Washington) recently named Florida State his leader, and as he arrived Friday at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for the Champion Gridiron Kings event, his recruitment remains unchanged.
"I am still open, but Florida State is still my leader," Thomas said. "They told me I could come in and compete for a starting job my freshman year. After them it is Alabama, Georgia, USC and Miami."
Thomas, the No. 13 prospect in the country, discussed the other four programs in his top five.
"I am still open, but Florida State is still my leader," Thomas said. "They told me I could come in and compete for a starting job my freshman year. After them it is Alabama, Georgia, USC and Miami."
Thomas, the No. 13 prospect in the country, discussed the other four programs in his top five.
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2014 WR draws comparison to Julio Jones 
July, 27, 2012
7/27/12
6:09
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
HOOVER, Ala. -- At first glance, it looked like Julio Jones circa 2008 was competing at the National Select 7-on-7 tournament in Hoover on Friday. The guy in the No. 8 jersey for Foley High School was split wide and making catches all over the field. He even had the dreadlocks to go with it.
However, it wasn’t Julio Jones. It was 2014 wide receiver Demarcus Bingham, and it’s the not first time he has heard the comparison.
“When I hear people compare me to Julio, it’s an honor to be compared to him because he’s in the NFL now, of course, and he came out of Foley High School. But I want to be better than him,” Bingham said.
However, it wasn’t Julio Jones. It was 2014 wide receiver Demarcus Bingham, and it’s the not first time he has heard the comparison.
“When I hear people compare me to Julio, it’s an honor to be compared to him because he’s in the NFL now, of course, and he came out of Foley High School. But I want to be better than him,” Bingham said.
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Watch: Robert Nkemdiche interview
July, 27, 2012
7/27/12
3:03
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
The nation’s no. 1 recruit, Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) talks with TideNation reporter Greg Ostendorf about why he chose Clemson, which schools are still recruiting him, and what the future holds for him.
HOOVER, Ala. -- Spanish Fort (Ala.) High School cornerback Jonathan Cook may be one of the more underrated players in the state, but with more than 20 scholarship offers already, the college coaches are taking notice.
Earlier this week, Cook picked up an offer from Nebraska, who also offered his teammate and University of Alabama commitment Deon Johnson.
“I was excited,” Cook said. “Like when I get every offer, I just thank God for it. They’re a good program.”
Earlier this week, Cook picked up an offer from Nebraska, who also offered his teammate and University of Alabama commitment Deon Johnson.
“I was excited,” Cook said. “Like when I get every offer, I just thank God for it. They’re a good program.”
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Watch: WR Robert Foster interview
July, 27, 2012
7/27/12
2:01
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN 150wide receiver Robert Foster (Monaca, Penn./Central Valley) discusses his recent visit to Alabama, his top schools, and the National Select 7-on-7 tournament in Hoover, Ala.
2015 quarterback visits Alabama, Georgia
July, 27, 2012
7/27/12
10:16
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
HOOVER, Ala. -- The recruiting process has just begun for rising sophomore quarterback Tyler Queen. The 2015 signal caller recently made trips to the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia to compete in their camps.
Queen, a native of Kennesaw, Ga., visited Athens first for UGA’s Dawg Night.
“That was my first college camp, so I was a little nervous going into it, but once I started getting in there and seeing what I could do, it boosted my confidence,” he said. “I started slinging the ball around a little bit.
Queen, a native of Kennesaw, Ga., visited Athens first for UGA’s Dawg Night.
“That was my first college camp, so I was a little nervous going into it, but once I started getting in there and seeing what I could do, it boosted my confidence,” he said. “I started slinging the ball around a little bit.
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From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 36 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
If there was one area where the University of Alabama struggled last season, it was the kicking game. Not only were the placekickers erratic, the punting game was subpar. On average, the Crimson Tide netted just 36.5 yards per punt. That was good enough to finish ninth in the SEC and 60th overall.
Junior Cody Mandell handled the punting duties for the second season in a row for Alabama. The former walk-on showed flashes of skill, booting two punts of 50 or more yards and placing 11 punts inside the 20-yard line. But how did he rank against the rest of the punters in the SEC West? Here's a quick look at how the Louisiana native stacked up last season:
If there was one area where the University of Alabama struggled last season, it was the kicking game. Not only were the placekickers erratic, the punting game was subpar. On average, the Crimson Tide netted just 36.5 yards per punt. That was good enough to finish ninth in the SEC and 60th overall.
Junior Cody Mandell handled the punting duties for the second season in a row for Alabama. The former walk-on showed flashes of skill, booting two punts of 50 or more yards and placing 11 punts inside the 20-yard line. But how did he rank against the rest of the punters in the SEC West? Here's a quick look at how the Louisiana native stacked up last season:
- Dylan Breeding, Arkansas (Sr.): 45.3 yards per punt, 16 inside the 20-yard line.
- Brad Wing, LSU (Soph.): 44.4 yards per punt, 27 inside the 20-yard line and 20 of 50 or more yards.
- Tyler Campbell, Ole Miss (Sr.): 43.6 yards per punt, 28 inside the 20-yard line and 16 of 50 or more yards.
- Steven Clark, Auburn (Jr.): 40.8 yards per punt, 33 inside the 20-yard line.
- Baker Swedenberg, Mississippi State (Jr.): 41.8 yards per punt, 19 inside the 20-yard line and 14 of 50 or more yards.
- Cody Mandell, Alabama (Jr.): 39.3 yards per punt, 11 inside the 20-yard line and two of 50 or more yards.
ESPN 150 WR Foster talks recruiting, visits
July, 27, 2012
7/27/12
12:35
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
HOOVER, Ala. -- When Monaco, Pa., wide receiver Robert Foster arrived in Hoover for the National Select 7-on-7 tournament, it wasn’t the level of competition that surprised him. It was the heat.
“The heat is crazy,” Foster said. “I’m not used to the heat down here, but I’ve got to fight through it.”
Central Valley High School played four games on Thursday, but before the action began, Foster and his teammates made a special trip to Tuscaloosa in the morning to visit the University of Alabama.
“The heat is crazy,” Foster said. “I’m not used to the heat down here, but I’ve got to fight through it.”
Central Valley High School played four games on Thursday, but before the action began, Foster and his teammates made a special trip to Tuscaloosa in the morning to visit the University of Alabama.
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Best-case/Worst-case scenarios for SEC
July, 26, 2012
7/26/12
7:22
PM ET
By
Eamonn Brennan | ESPN.com
Editor's note: ESPN.com’s Summer Shootaround series catches up on the offseason storylines for each conference. For more on SEC, click here.
Alabama
Best-case scenario: The most impressive thing about Alabama's season was not just that Anthony Grant had the onions to suspend his two best players down the stretch but also that Alabama played so well after he did. That bodes well for the upcoming season, in which Grant will incorporate talented freshman small forward Devonta Pollard with essentially the same team that finished 7-3 down the stretch. If Alabama can find some outside shooting to go with its typically stingy defense, it should be in the NCAA tournament yet again.
Worst-case scenario: The Crimson Tide shot 28.9 percent from 3 last season, good for 328th in the country. That was the main cause of Alabama's offensive struggles, and Pollard is unlikely to alleviate it this season. If the defense slips even a bit from its top 10 efficiency perch, Alabama will take a step back.
Arkansas
Best-case scenario: B.J. Young is a highly talented player and a prime candidate for breakout stardom, but he isn't the only talented sophomore on the roster. When Mike Anderson took over at Arkansas, he managed to keep all of John Pelphrey's last-ditch 2011 recruiting class, including guard Rashad Madden and forward Hunter Mickelson. With a season in Anderson's demanding system under its belt, this program appears set to vault itself to NCAA-tournament-bubble relevance once more.
Worst-case scenario: I'm not sure how this team won't improve, given the increase in experience and the time spent learning on the fly last season. But for all that talent, the Razorbacks have to improve on the defensive side of the floor. Anderson's teams are at their best hassling opponents 90 feet from the rim, but the 2011-12 edition was far too permissive to be a consistent winner.
Auburn
Best-case scenario: Tony Barbee has raved about the talent he has accumulated this offseason. That's not exactly a high bar, but he has a point. Auburn brought in two top-100 recruits, four-star shooting guard Brian Greene and two junior college transfers who could contribute right away. This will be a whole new squad, and while an NCAA tournament berth is still a season or two away, the Tigers are almost certain to improve over their ugly, sub-.500 season.
Worst-case scenario: Barbee will have to rely on his newcomers, because almost no one else is left. This young team could take its lumps early and may finish in the bottom of the SEC yet again. But the fresh start is what really matters.
Alabama
Best-case scenario: The most impressive thing about Alabama's season was not just that Anthony Grant had the onions to suspend his two best players down the stretch but also that Alabama played so well after he did. That bodes well for the upcoming season, in which Grant will incorporate talented freshman small forward Devonta Pollard with essentially the same team that finished 7-3 down the stretch. If Alabama can find some outside shooting to go with its typically stingy defense, it should be in the NCAA tournament yet again.
Worst-case scenario: The Crimson Tide shot 28.9 percent from 3 last season, good for 328th in the country. That was the main cause of Alabama's offensive struggles, and Pollard is unlikely to alleviate it this season. If the defense slips even a bit from its top 10 efficiency perch, Alabama will take a step back.
Arkansas
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Brian ChilsonB.J. Young was one of the best freshmen in the SEC last season. What can we expect of him during his second season with Mike Anderson?
AP Photo/Brian ChilsonB.J. Young was one of the best freshmen in the SEC last season. What can we expect of him during his second season with Mike Anderson?Worst-case scenario: I'm not sure how this team won't improve, given the increase in experience and the time spent learning on the fly last season. But for all that talent, the Razorbacks have to improve on the defensive side of the floor. Anderson's teams are at their best hassling opponents 90 feet from the rim, but the 2011-12 edition was far too permissive to be a consistent winner.
Auburn
Best-case scenario: Tony Barbee has raved about the talent he has accumulated this offseason. That's not exactly a high bar, but he has a point. Auburn brought in two top-100 recruits, four-star shooting guard Brian Greene and two junior college transfers who could contribute right away. This will be a whole new squad, and while an NCAA tournament berth is still a season or two away, the Tigers are almost certain to improve over their ugly, sub-.500 season.
Worst-case scenario: Barbee will have to rely on his newcomers, because almost no one else is left. This young team could take its lumps early and may finish in the bottom of the SEC yet again. But the fresh start is what really matters.
Editor's note: ESPN.com’s Summer Shootaround series catches up on the offseason storylines for each conference. For more on SEC, click here.
Alabama: Trevor Releford
The Crimson Tide lost a host of important pieces and will be relying mainly on freshmen and sophomores. Coach Anthony Grant will need Releford to lead the way on the score sheet and in the locker room.
Arkansas: B.J. Young
The highly touted guard had a solid freshman season and could be poised for a major breakout as a sophomore. Guard play, particularly point guard play, is probably the most important part of Mike Anderson's up-tempo attack. Young will have the ball in his hands often and should be a lot of fun to watch.
Auburn: Jordan Price
The top recruit in Tony Barbee's 2012 class, joining a roster decimated by dismissals and offseason transfers, Price should be the best Tigers player from the get-go.
Florida: Kenny Boynton
Once seen as a conscienceless gunner, Boynton quietly submitted a fantastic offensive season for the Gators. With Brad Beal and Erving Walker gone, Boynton should get even more touches. If he maintains his efficiency, look out.
Alabama: Trevor Releford
The Crimson Tide lost a host of important pieces and will be relying mainly on freshmen and sophomores. Coach Anthony Grant will need Releford to lead the way on the score sheet and in the locker room.
Arkansas: B.J. Young
The highly touted guard had a solid freshman season and could be poised for a major breakout as a sophomore. Guard play, particularly point guard play, is probably the most important part of Mike Anderson's up-tempo attack. Young will have the ball in his hands often and should be a lot of fun to watch.
Auburn: Jordan Price
The top recruit in Tony Barbee's 2012 class, joining a roster decimated by dismissals and offseason transfers, Price should be the best Tigers player from the get-go.
Florida: Kenny Boynton
Once seen as a conscienceless gunner, Boynton quietly submitted a fantastic offensive season for the Gators. With Brad Beal and Erving Walker gone, Boynton should get even more touches. If he maintains his efficiency, look out.
Justin Coleman (Birmingham, Ala./John Carroll Catholic) lies in the heart of SEC territory.
And having offers from the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Radford, Tennessee and UAB, it makes sense geographically for the 2014 point guard.
Florida State, the reigning ACC champion, traveled to check out Coleman at a tournament two weeks ago. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound guard says he would definitely be interested in the Seminoles.
And having offers from the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Radford, Tennessee and UAB, it makes sense geographically for the 2014 point guard.
Florida State, the reigning ACC champion, traveled to check out Coleman at a tournament two weeks ago. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound guard says he would definitely be interested in the Seminoles.
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The University of Alabama will face some stern competition early on in the basketball season as it participates in the 2K Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden. The Crimson Tide will face Oregon State on Nov. 15 in the first game of the tournament that will air on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. The second game will feature Villanova against Purdue at 9:30 p.m.
The third-place game will take place the following night at 5 p.m. on either ESPN2 or ESPNU. The championship game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Last season Alabama competed in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off and won the tournament, beating Maryland, Wichita State and Purdue. Alabama went on to finish the regular season fifth in the SEC and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006. Alabama lost to Creighton in the first round and finished the year 21-12 overall.
Alabama's first-round opponent in the 2K Sports Classic, Oregon State, had its best season since 1989 when the Beavers won 22 games. Oregon State's season ended with a third-round loss to Washington State in College Basketball Invitational.
Purdue closed the season strong by advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Boilermakers, who finished 22-13, lost to the sixth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks by three points.
Villanova had a subpar year, finishing 13-19 overall and 5-13 in the Big East. It was the first season the Wildcats did not reach the NCAA tournament since 2004.
The third-place game will take place the following night at 5 p.m. on either ESPN2 or ESPNU. The championship game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Last season Alabama competed in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off and won the tournament, beating Maryland, Wichita State and Purdue. Alabama went on to finish the regular season fifth in the SEC and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006. Alabama lost to Creighton in the first round and finished the year 21-12 overall.
Alabama's first-round opponent in the 2K Sports Classic, Oregon State, had its best season since 1989 when the Beavers won 22 games. Oregon State's season ended with a third-round loss to Washington State in College Basketball Invitational.
Purdue closed the season strong by advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Boilermakers, who finished 22-13, lost to the sixth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks by three points.
Villanova had a subpar year, finishing 13-19 overall and 5-13 in the Big East. It was the first season the Wildcats did not reach the NCAA tournament since 2004.
From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 37 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
The University of Alabama secondary experienced an overhaul when the season ended. Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie all left for the NFL. But one man with his own pro prospects decided to stick around: No. 37 Robert Lester.
For a unit introducing new starters at cornerback and safety, Lester's return for his senior season was huge. The continuity he brings at safety is invaluable to newcomers like Deion Belue, Travell Dixon and Landon Collins, as well as underclassmen like Vinnie Sunseri and Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix.
Lester, who could blend in with strong personalities like Barron and Dont'a Hightower before, is now taking on more of a leadership role as an elder statesman on defense. He told reporters this spring that there are, "a lot of areas that we want to improve on. Less mental errors. Pick up on the loafs, stop loafing around. Just execute more. You can never be perfect out there and we want to get as close to that as possible.
The University of Alabama secondary experienced an overhaul when the season ended. Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie all left for the NFL. But one man with his own pro prospects decided to stick around: No. 37 Robert Lester.
For a unit introducing new starters at cornerback and safety, Lester's return for his senior season was huge. The continuity he brings at safety is invaluable to newcomers like Deion Belue, Travell Dixon and Landon Collins, as well as underclassmen like Vinnie Sunseri and Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix.
Lester, who could blend in with strong personalities like Barron and Dont'a Hightower before, is now taking on more of a leadership role as an elder statesman on defense. He told reporters this spring that there are, "a lot of areas that we want to improve on. Less mental errors. Pick up on the loafs, stop loafing around. Just execute more. You can never be perfect out there and we want to get as close to that as possible.
ESPN 150 RB Alvin Kamara names top five
July, 25, 2012
7/25/12
1:53
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 running back Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) has narrowed his list of college destinations down to a top five.
“Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and FSU,” Kamara said in a text to DawgNation. “But I think more Oregon than FSU.”
So maybe it is a top six. Either way the Under Armour All-American says they the schools are equal and not in any particular order.
“Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and FSU,” Kamara said in a text to DawgNation. “But I think more Oregon than FSU.”
So maybe it is a top six. Either way the Under Armour All-American says they the schools are equal and not in any particular order.
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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.