While 25 top quarterbacks from the 2013 recruiting class spent the weekend in California showcasing their skills at the Elite 11 finals, a talented Los Angeles area quarterback in the 2014 class took the opportunity to head across the country to visit two traditional powers.
Brandon Dawkins (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) and several family members had an opportunity to take in the sights this past weekend at Tennessee and Alabama. The visit to Tennessee was his first trip to a college campus that came complete with a tour and opportunity to meet a college coaching staff, and the 6-foot-3, 199-pound quarterback was impressed.
“It surpassed my expectations,” Dawkins said. “It was really great out there.”
Brandon Dawkins (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) and several family members had an opportunity to take in the sights this past weekend at Tennessee and Alabama. The visit to Tennessee was his first trip to a college campus that came complete with a tour and opportunity to meet a college coaching staff, and the 6-foot-3, 199-pound quarterback was impressed.
“It surpassed my expectations,” Dawkins said. “It was really great out there.”
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Nick Saban talks to Chris Fowler about trying to defend their championship, playing in the tough SEC, and what to expect from quarterback A.J. McCarron.
TideNation writer Greg Ostendorf talks with 2014 running back prospect Bo Scarbrough, who named Georgia his early leader followed by Alabama, Clemson and Florida.
Running back Jacques Patrick (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) is used to being a marked man. It started last year when he was a freshman on the East River High School football team in Orlando, Fla., where he rushed for more than 1,200 yard on 150 carries. Former teammate Ryne Rankin welcomed Patrick to the varsity squad in the traditional way.
“I remember giving Jacques his first true varsity hit at practice,” said Rankin, a four-star ILB who committed to Georgia this spring. “They faked a dive with him and ran the option. And though he didn’t have the ball, I showed him how a fake dive ends up for the running back when they play against me. He took the hit and I just stood over him and said, ‘Welcome to varsity football, baby.’ I helped him up and he just smiled. He knew from then on he would have to keep his head on a swivel and go 100 miles an hour on every play.”
Patrick didn’t hold a grudge.
“I remember giving Jacques his first true varsity hit at practice,” said Rankin, a four-star ILB who committed to Georgia this spring. “They faked a dive with him and ran the option. And though he didn’t have the ball, I showed him how a fake dive ends up for the running back when they play against me. He took the hit and I just stood over him and said, ‘Welcome to varsity football, baby.’ I helped him up and he just smiled. He knew from then on he would have to keep his head on a swivel and go 100 miles an hour on every play.”
Patrick didn’t hold a grudge.
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Each week at TideNation we will speak with a writer who covers one of Alabama's 2012 opponents. Today we spoke with Tyler Norris Goode, who covers Western Carolina for Asheville (N.C.) Citizen-Times.
Scarborough: To start things off, give us a brief tutorial on the Catamounts. What's their style of play? What are their strengths and weaknesses as you see them?
Goode: Any summary on WCU has to begin with the program’s recent plunge from near mediocrity to utter futility. Since the Catamounts’ last winning season (5-4 in 2005), Western has lost 43 of its 46 Southern Conference games. Dennis Wagner, who stepped down as head coach before the Cats’ final game last year, had a four-year winning percentage of .182 (8-36) -- second-worst in the program’s 78-year history. The team’s greatest strength right now is probably hope and enthusiasm surrounding new coach Mark Speir and his staff, who are implementing their version of the spread offense. Weaknesses are too numerous to name, but the top one would be defensive ineptitude.
Scarborough: To start things off, give us a brief tutorial on the Catamounts. What's their style of play? What are their strengths and weaknesses as you see them?
Goode: Any summary on WCU has to begin with the program’s recent plunge from near mediocrity to utter futility. Since the Catamounts’ last winning season (5-4 in 2005), Western has lost 43 of its 46 Southern Conference games. Dennis Wagner, who stepped down as head coach before the Cats’ final game last year, had a four-year winning percentage of .182 (8-36) -- second-worst in the program’s 78-year history. The team’s greatest strength right now is probably hope and enthusiasm surrounding new coach Mark Speir and his staff, who are implementing their version of the spread offense. Weaknesses are too numerous to name, but the top one would be defensive ineptitude.
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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. 39 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
Greg McElroy came to the University of Alabama as an unheralded quarterback out of Southlake, Texas. Sure, he won a lot of games in one of the toughest areas to play high school football in the country, but could he play the position in the SEC?
As it turns out, the winning trait didn't go away when McElroy came to Tuscaloosa. The cerebral passer ended his career with 39 touchdown passes, placing him third on the all-time list behind John Parker Wilson and Brodie Croyle. And McElroy did what those two couldn't -- win. McElroy lost just two games from 2009-10 and led the Tide to their 13th national championship.
McElroy completed 66 percent of passes in his career and threw for 5,691 yards. His total passing yards were good enough to place him fourth on the all-time list at Alabama behind Wilson, Croyle and Andrew Zow.
If McCarron stays through his senior year and maintains his current pace, he would finish No. 1 all-time at Alabama in passing touchdowns (48) and No. 2 in passing yards (7,902).
Where will McCarron end up on the all-time touchdowns and passing yards list? Talk about it insider The Tusk.
Greg McElroy came to the University of Alabama as an unheralded quarterback out of Southlake, Texas. Sure, he won a lot of games in one of the toughest areas to play high school football in the country, but could he play the position in the SEC?
As it turns out, the winning trait didn't go away when McElroy came to Tuscaloosa. The cerebral passer ended his career with 39 touchdown passes, placing him third on the all-time list behind John Parker Wilson and Brodie Croyle. And McElroy did what those two couldn't -- win. McElroy lost just two games from 2009-10 and led the Tide to their 13th national championship.
McElroy completed 66 percent of passes in his career and threw for 5,691 yards. His total passing yards were good enough to place him fourth on the all-time list at Alabama behind Wilson, Croyle and Andrew Zow.
Career touchdowns leaders:
1. John Parker Wilson: 47
2. Brodie Croyl: 41
3. Greg McElroy: 39
4. Mike Shula: 35
5. Andrew Zow: 35
?. AJ McCarron: 16 and counting
Career passing yards leaders:
1. John Parker Wilson: 7,924
2. Brodie Croyle: 6,382
3. Andrew Zow: 6,983
4. Greg McElroy: 5,691
5. Jay Barker: 5,689
?. AJ McCarron: 2,634 and counting
If McCarron stays through his senior year and maintains his current pace, he would finish No. 1 all-time at Alabama in passing touchdowns (48) and No. 2 in passing yards (7,902).
Where will McCarron end up on the all-time touchdowns and passing yards list? Talk about it insider The Tusk.
Derrick Green is weighing his options -- all of his options. The ESPN 150 running back has already visited nine schools this summer, and he made a trip south over the weekend to check out three more.
The trip began with a stop in Tuscaloosa to visit the University of Alabama. It was the first time the Richmond, Va., resident had been on the Crimson Tide’s campus.
“It was really nice,” Green said. “I got there, spoke to my position coach, spoke to Coach [Nick] Saban, toured the campus. I had a good time seeing the facilities. I got to speak with the strength and conditioning coach. I really like him a lot. It was overall a good trip.”
The trip began with a stop in Tuscaloosa to visit the University of Alabama. It was the first time the Richmond, Va., resident had been on the Crimson Tide’s campus.
“It was really nice,” Green said. “I got there, spoke to my position coach, spoke to Coach [Nick] Saban, toured the campus. I had a good time seeing the facilities. I got to speak with the strength and conditioning coach. I really like him a lot. It was overall a good trip.”
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RB Derrick Henry: Alabama still leads 
July, 23, 2012
7/23/12
6:14
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
In June, ESPN 150 running back Derrick Henry decommitted from Georgia after visiting the University of Alabama. He consequently named the Crimson Tide his leader. Henry returned to Tuscaloosa over the weekend for one more visit this summer at head coach Nick Saban’s request.
“It was fun,” Henry said. “Coach Saban wanted me to get up there one more time just to be around the coaches and be with all of the players and stuff, so we can get that chemistry. I had a real good time.”
The Yulee, Fla., native has not made a decision on his commitment, but it might have seemed he had when he was hanging out with Tide players Kenyan Drake, Geno Smith and Vinnie Sunseri. He and Sunseri spent the most time together.
“It was fun,” Henry said. “Coach Saban wanted me to get up there one more time just to be around the coaches and be with all of the players and stuff, so we can get that chemistry. I had a real good time.”
The Yulee, Fla., native has not made a decision on his commitment, but it might have seemed he had when he was hanging out with Tide players Kenyan Drake, Geno Smith and Vinnie Sunseri. He and Sunseri spent the most time together.
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In the end, Walker Jones kept it in the family.
"After much thought and prayer, I have verbally committed to play football at the University of Alabama," the athlete from Cordova (Tenn.) Evangelical Christian old ESPN in a prepared statement via email on Monday. "Coach [Nick] Saban told me he is very pleased with my decision and happy to have me as a part of the 2013 class. He said I have the size, athleticism, and intelligence to be a good player at the next level. He plans for me to play inside linebacker but told me I have the versatility to play outside [linebacker] or even h-back. He also told me I will have an opportunity to contribute on special teams."
Jones two older brothers, offensive tackle Barrett Jones and sophomore tight end Harrison Jones, both play for Alabama. Yet the youngest Jones maintained he would weigh all schools equally.
"After much thought and prayer, I have verbally committed to play football at the University of Alabama," the athlete from Cordova (Tenn.) Evangelical Christian old ESPN in a prepared statement via email on Monday. "Coach [Nick] Saban told me he is very pleased with my decision and happy to have me as a part of the 2013 class. He said I have the size, athleticism, and intelligence to be a good player at the next level. He plans for me to play inside linebacker but told me I have the versatility to play outside [linebacker] or even h-back. He also told me I will have an opportunity to contribute on special teams."
Jones two older brothers, offensive tackle Barrett Jones and sophomore tight end Harrison Jones, both play for Alabama. Yet the youngest Jones maintained he would weigh all schools equally.
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Video: 2014 DB Tony Brown on the summer
July, 23, 2012
7/23/12
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By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
SoonerNation's Bob Przybylo talks with 2014 cornerback Tony Brown (Beaumont, Texas/Ozen) about his summer and where he stands on the recruiting trail.
2014 tight end visits Alabama, earns offer
July, 23, 2012
7/23/12
9:18
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Before last week, Jacory Washington had just four offers from the likes of Florida Atlantic, Illinois, Lafayette and UCLA, but the 2014 prospect saw his stock take off with a recent trip around the SEC West.
The Westlake, La., native visited Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M, and each stop earned him a new scholarship offer from the respective head coach.
“It’s just great,” Washington said. “I’m just taking it all in. I still can’t believe it. Finally, all my hard work is starting to pay off.”
The Westlake, La., native visited Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M, and each stop earned him a new scholarship offer from the respective head coach.
“It’s just great,” Washington said. “I’m just taking it all in. I still can’t believe it. Finally, all my hard work is starting to pay off.”
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Watch: QB Cooper Bateman interview
July, 23, 2012
7/23/12
9:05
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Alabama commit Cooper Bateman took time out during day five of the 2012 Elite 11 Finals to share his thoughts with Mitch Sherman.
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Derick E. Hingle/US PresswireMark Ingram is one of 40 former Alabama players currently in the NFL.
Derick E. Hingle/US PresswireMark Ingram is one of 40 former Alabama players currently in the NFL.When University of Alabama coach Nick Saban pitches his football program, there are several points he can make to recruits. Two national titles in three seasons, two SEC title game appearances, the allure of being part of yet another top-5 recruiting class.
But the number he can really push to recruits is 40. As in, the total number of Alabama players currently playing in the NFL.
When you walk through the Mal Moore Athletic Facility, there's a room dedicated to just that. On the walls, there are images of former UA players like Mark Ingram and Marcell Dareus. When coaches sit down and talk with recruits, they can bring up an NFL player for nearly every position.
Wide receiver? Julio Jones played at UA. Quarterback? John Parker Wilson and Greg McElroy played the position at UA. Defensive back? Dre Kirkpatrick and Javier Arenas both starred at UA. Linebacker? Well, you get the point.
(In case you didn't: Courtney Upshaw, Dont'a Hightower, Jarrell Harris, Jarret Johnson, Rolando McClain, DeMeco Ryans, Alex Watkins and Chavis Williams all played linebacker in Tuscaloosa before going off to careers in the NFL.)
Watch: QB Cooper Bateman analysis
July, 22, 2012
7/22/12
11:04
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
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. 41 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
When fans and the media set their sights on a less-than-stellar Alabama kicking game last season, they focused the majority of their attention on missed field goals. They looked at what just a few more successful kicks would have done to beat LSU and increase the lead in other games. But when you focus on the scoreboard too much, you lose focus elsewhere.
Through the prism of the SEC, Alabama's kicking game was bad, especially from the tee. UA finished the season next to last in the league with a net average of 41 yards per kickoff. Compare that to the league leader Auburn and its 48 yards per kickoff.
So what's the difference in 7 more yards per kick? Well, it's the difference between 38 touchbacks and five.
Alabama kickers had their trouble with accuracy, but it was strength that troubled the kicking game. UA's five touchbacks was worst in the SEC.
But Alabama might have help coming in the form of a new NCAA rule that will move kickoffs from the 30 to the 35 yard-line in an attempt to keep players safer. Just as 7 yards made a difference in 2011-12, getting 5 yards back this season could be a needed relief to the coverage team that worked harder than any other in the league a year ago.
UA coach Nick Saban had this to say at SEC media days about the new kickoff rules:
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AP Photo/Butch DillAt SEC media days, Tide coach Nick Saban said player safety should be the top priority.
AP Photo/Butch DillAt SEC media days, Tide coach Nick Saban said player safety should be the top priority.Through the prism of the SEC, Alabama's kicking game was bad, especially from the tee. UA finished the season next to last in the league with a net average of 41 yards per kickoff. Compare that to the league leader Auburn and its 48 yards per kickoff.
So what's the difference in 7 more yards per kick? Well, it's the difference between 38 touchbacks and five.
Alabama kickers had their trouble with accuracy, but it was strength that troubled the kicking game. UA's five touchbacks was worst in the SEC.
But Alabama might have help coming in the form of a new NCAA rule that will move kickoffs from the 30 to the 35 yard-line in an attempt to keep players safer. Just as 7 yards made a difference in 2011-12, getting 5 yards back this season could be a needed relief to the coverage team that worked harder than any other in the league a year ago.
UA coach Nick Saban had this to say at SEC media days about the new kickoff rules:
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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.