Here is the best of the 2012 NFTC one-on-ones featuring some of the nation's top recruits. Included are Reuben Foster, Laremy Tunsil, Alvin Kamara, Torrodney Prevot, Frank Herron, Eddie Vanderdoes, Ahmad Fulwood and Altee Tenpenny.
Alabama offers four-star DL from Hawaii 
June, 19, 2012
6/19/12
1:47
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
The University of Alabama has extended its search for a defensive lineman in 2013, and on Monday, the Crimson Tide reached all the way to Hawaii to offer ESPN 300 defensive tackle Scott Pagano.
“It was a great feeling,” Pagano said. “It’s a big blessing just to be a part of that family. Most kids don’t really get that chance, and I was happy to get an offer and have a chance to play for them.”
Pagano, who hails from Honolulu, has no shortage of scholarship offers. The 6-foot-3, 279-pound prospect has major offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC and many more.
“It was a great feeling,” Pagano said. “It’s a big blessing just to be a part of that family. Most kids don’t really get that chance, and I was happy to get an offer and have a chance to play for them.”
Pagano, who hails from Honolulu, has no shortage of scholarship offers. The 6-foot-3, 279-pound prospect has major offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC and many more.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down from 100 to 1 until Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 74 and what it means to UA football.
The drive from the University of Alabama campus to Mississippi State is the shortest trip for any SEC opponent of the Crimson Tide. And it's also been the kindest.
The Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs have met 96 times, and 74 of those match-ups UA has walked away the victor -- the most wins Alabama has against any SEC school. That translates to a 79.5 winning percentage which is only edged out by Bama's dominance over Kentucky (93 percent) and Ole Miss (82 percent).
Alabama has won four-straight over Mississippi State, rendering coach Dan Mullen winless against Nick Saban since arriving in Starkville in 2009. The Tide have prevailed in nine of the last 11 meetings and have won roughly 79 percent of the games played in Mississippi.
Last season, Alabama went to Starkville and won 24-7, improving to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the SEC. The game featured Trent Richardson, who rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown, and a Bama defense that surrendered just 12 yards rushing on the night.
The Crimson Tide will host the Bulldogs on Oct. 27 in Tuscaloosa.
The drive from the University of Alabama campus to Mississippi State is the shortest trip for any SEC opponent of the Crimson Tide. And it's also been the kindest.
The Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs have met 96 times, and 74 of those match-ups UA has walked away the victor -- the most wins Alabama has against any SEC school. That translates to a 79.5 winning percentage which is only edged out by Bama's dominance over Kentucky (93 percent) and Ole Miss (82 percent).
Alabama has won four-straight over Mississippi State, rendering coach Dan Mullen winless against Nick Saban since arriving in Starkville in 2009. The Tide have prevailed in nine of the last 11 meetings and have won roughly 79 percent of the games played in Mississippi.
Last season, Alabama went to Starkville and won 24-7, improving to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the SEC. The game featured Trent Richardson, who rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown, and a Bama defense that surrendered just 12 yards rushing on the night.
The Crimson Tide will host the Bulldogs on Oct. 27 in Tuscaloosa.
Q&A with Ole Miss beat writer Alford
June, 19, 2012
6/19/12
6:50
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
Each week at TideNation we will speak with a writer who covers one of Alabama's 2012 opponents. Today we spoke with Parrish Alford, who covers all things Ole Miss for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
Question: What has been your impression of Hugh Freeze in his first year at Ole Miss? How are players reacting to him personally, as well as his change in coaching philosophy?
Alford: My impression of Hugh has been one of a tireless worker with an incredibly difficult task. He's a high-energy guy who relates well with players. There seems to be more accountability for the players and therefore more effort from the players. He seems to have gotten off to a good start in recruiting. If he can keep it up, that will serve the Rebels well in the long term.
Question: What has been your impression of Hugh Freeze in his first year at Ole Miss? How are players reacting to him personally, as well as his change in coaching philosophy?
Alford: My impression of Hugh has been one of a tireless worker with an incredibly difficult task. He's a high-energy guy who relates well with players. There seems to be more accountability for the players and therefore more effort from the players. He seems to have gotten off to a good start in recruiting. If he can keep it up, that will serve the Rebels well in the long term.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
The rundown
2011 overall record: 2-10
2011 conference record: 0-8
Returning starters: Offense: 8; defense: 6; kicker/punter: 2
2011 overall record: 2-10
2011 conference record: 0-8
Returning starters: Offense: 8; defense: 6; kicker/punter: 2
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ESPN 150 DE Walker visits Tide, Tigers
June, 18, 2012
6/18/12
11:04
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Four-star defensive end Demarcus Walker (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) must be feeling more at home every time he visits the University of Alabama.
Last week, Walker visited Auburn for the first time, but while he was in the state he made the short drive to Tuscaloosa to check in on the Crimson Tide. It was his first trip back since Alabama’s spring game in April.
The Florida native spent Thursday and Friday on UA’s campus, where he sat in on some team meetings and hung out with players. He talked mostly with head coach Nick Saban and continued to develop their relationship.
Last week, Walker visited Auburn for the first time, but while he was in the state he made the short drive to Tuscaloosa to check in on the Crimson Tide. It was his first trip back since Alabama’s spring game in April.
The Florida native spent Thursday and Friday on UA’s campus, where he sat in on some team meetings and hung out with players. He talked mostly with head coach Nick Saban and continued to develop their relationship.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Monday was a busy day for commitments in the West region, but defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer) isn't exactly ready to jump into the commitment scene. More than half of the top 30 players in the West have already made verbal commitments, but Vanderdoes is taking things slowly. On Monday, the 6-foot-3, 285-pound lineman took to twitter to release a list of his top 15 schools.
Alabama, Baylor, California, Florida, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, UCLA, USC and Washington all made the cut. Vanderdoes included in his tweet that he will be cutting that down to a top 10 group soon.
Alabama, Baylor, California, Florida, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, UCLA, USC and Washington all made the cut. Vanderdoes included in his tweet that he will be cutting that down to a top 10 group soon.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Although ESPN 150 defensive lineman Montravius Adams didn’t participate at Alabama’s OL/DL camp on Saturday, he stayed active while on UA’s campus, and he may have found a new calling.
The 6-foot-3, 281-pound prospect served as a coach at the Crimson Tide’s camp and worked alongside defensive line coach Chris Rumph.
“When I was at the camp, Coach Rumph told me he wanted me to be an assistant coach, so I did a little coaching,” Adams said. “It was good to help out the players, teaching them what they’re doing right and stuff like that.”
The 6-foot-3, 281-pound prospect served as a coach at the Crimson Tide’s camp and worked alongside defensive line coach Chris Rumph.
“When I was at the camp, Coach Rumph told me he wanted me to be an assistant coach, so I did a little coaching,” Adams said. “It was good to help out the players, teaching them what they’re doing right and stuff like that.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down from 100 to 1 until Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 75 and what it means to UA football.
On our Countdown to kickoff, we've written about a number of things, ranging from tell tale statistics, vital years in the football program's history and even a few players on the current roster with question marks by their names. One such player, big No. 75, doesn't have many unknowns beside his spot on the roster. After four years on the UA campus, Barrett Jones has already earned a spot in Alabama football history, and it's hard to believe that he'll do anything but build upon his legacy this season.
The Tennessee native is the Tide's most experienced lineman. He's won the Outland Trophy, earned first-team All-SEC and All-American honors, and he's done it all while being by all accounts a first-class citizen, working on relief missions in his spare time. In 2012, his leadership will be even further on display as he changes positions from left tackle to center -- a move not often considered the season after your left tackle wins the nation's most prestigious award given to offensive linemen.
So where will Jones go from here? Well, barring any injury or major setback, he seems to have a straight shot to the NFL awaiting him. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. already has Jones listed as the top senior at the center position. NFL.com agrees, ranking Jones the top interior lineman available in next year's draft. And for good measure, CBSSports.com ranks Jones as the top center as well.
In other words, a career in the NFL will be there for the fifth-year senior. While he's still at Alabama, expect AJ McCarron to continue to appreciate his protection and for the running backs to continue following behind him. He's already blocked for two Heisman Trophy finalist. Will he add another before he hangs it up?
[+] Enlarge
Butch Dill/Getty ImagesBarrett Jones will move to center for the Crimson Tide in 2012.
Butch Dill/Getty ImagesBarrett Jones will move to center for the Crimson Tide in 2012.The Tennessee native is the Tide's most experienced lineman. He's won the Outland Trophy, earned first-team All-SEC and All-American honors, and he's done it all while being by all accounts a first-class citizen, working on relief missions in his spare time. In 2012, his leadership will be even further on display as he changes positions from left tackle to center -- a move not often considered the season after your left tackle wins the nation's most prestigious award given to offensive linemen.
So where will Jones go from here? Well, barring any injury or major setback, he seems to have a straight shot to the NFL awaiting him. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. already has Jones listed as the top senior at the center position. NFL.com agrees, ranking Jones the top interior lineman available in next year's draft. And for good measure, CBSSports.com ranks Jones as the top center as well.
In other words, a career in the NFL will be there for the fifth-year senior. While he's still at Alabama, expect AJ McCarron to continue to appreciate his protection and for the running backs to continue following behind him. He's already blocked for two Heisman Trophy finalist. Will he add another before he hangs it up?
DE Gilmore feels the love at Tide's camp
June, 17, 2012
6/17/12
9:12
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
It was about an eight-hour drive for Hope Mills, N.C., defensive end Greg Gilmore to attend the University of Alabama’s OL/DL camp on Saturday, but when camp was over, it was well worth the trip.
“It went really good. I learned so much,” Gilmore said. “I was only going to do the first session and be done with that, but I got to do both sessions and worked on a lot of pass rush stuff and a lot of line stuff. I learned a lot good techniques to help my game.”
Gilmore has the Crimson Tide among his favorites, and with top defensive line prospect Robert Nkemdiche off the board for now, it looks like Alabama has made Gilmore a bigger priority for the 2013 class.
“It went really good. I learned so much,” Gilmore said. “I was only going to do the first session and be done with that, but I got to do both sessions and worked on a lot of pass rush stuff and a lot of line stuff. I learned a lot good techniques to help my game.”
Gilmore has the Crimson Tide among his favorites, and with top defensive line prospect Robert Nkemdiche off the board for now, it looks like Alabama has made Gilmore a bigger priority for the 2013 class.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Five-star offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia) visited Alabama, Georgia and Florida over the last week. The 6-foot-6, 295-pound tackle named a top three after his visit to Florida on Sunday.
"I would say they are my top three," Tunsil said of the three schools he visited. "It's a tie right now with all of them."
Tunsil, who camped at Alabama last weekend, visited Georgia on Friday and Saturday before heading to Gainesville on Sunday. The No. 3-ranked player in the country said he was impressed by what Georgia had to offer.
"I would say they are my top three," Tunsil said of the three schools he visited. "It's a tie right now with all of them."
Tunsil, who camped at Alabama last weekend, visited Georgia on Friday and Saturday before heading to Gainesville on Sunday. The No. 3-ranked player in the country said he was impressed by what Georgia had to offer.
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."
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
From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down from 100 to 1 until Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 76 and what it means to UA football.
In the South, there is no rivalry bigger than Alabama-Auburn. The Iron Bowl is arguably the most heated rivalry in all of American sports. And in 76 years of playing against one another, the intensity has only grown.
The rivalry has featured long periods of success on both sides, but Alabama owns the overall record. The Crimson Tide are 41-34-1 all time, winning at a 54 percent clip.
The first game, before it became known as the Iron Bowl, was way back in February 1893. Auburn won by 10 points and the back and forth battle went on until 1908 when the annual game was suspended. In 1947, the Alabama House of Representatives had to encourage the two schools to renew the rivalry. That same year the state congress threatened to without funding if Auburn and Alabama didn't come to an agreement.
The next year, the rivalry resumed, this time at Legion Field in Birmingham. Over the next two decades, the Auburn-Alabama matchup would get the name we know today: the Iron Bowl, due to Birmingham's prominent iron and steel industry.
Alabama has won the games with the largest margin of victory (55-0 in 1948) and the lowest score (3-0 in 1960). UA has won three of the last four meetings, and Auburn owns a winning record since 2000 (8-4). The longest streak is also the Tide's at nine-straight.
The two schools will meet again for the 77th time on Nov. 24 in Tuscaloosa.
In the South, there is no rivalry bigger than Alabama-Auburn. The Iron Bowl is arguably the most heated rivalry in all of American sports. And in 76 years of playing against one another, the intensity has only grown.
The rivalry has featured long periods of success on both sides, but Alabama owns the overall record. The Crimson Tide are 41-34-1 all time, winning at a 54 percent clip.
The first game, before it became known as the Iron Bowl, was way back in February 1893. Auburn won by 10 points and the back and forth battle went on until 1908 when the annual game was suspended. In 1947, the Alabama House of Representatives had to encourage the two schools to renew the rivalry. That same year the state congress threatened to without funding if Auburn and Alabama didn't come to an agreement.
The next year, the rivalry resumed, this time at Legion Field in Birmingham. Over the next two decades, the Auburn-Alabama matchup would get the name we know today: the Iron Bowl, due to Birmingham's prominent iron and steel industry.
Alabama has won the games with the largest margin of victory (55-0 in 1948) and the lowest score (3-0 in 1960). UA has won three of the last four meetings, and Auburn owns a winning record since 2000 (8-4). The longest streak is also the Tide's at nine-straight.
The two schools will meet again for the 77th time on Nov. 24 in Tuscaloosa.
Top tackle Laremy Tunsil takes in Athens
June, 17, 2012
6/17/12
12:07
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Five-star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia) toured the University of Georgia campus for the first time since November. The No. 3 player in the nation is highly coveted by the Bulldogs and the Georgia coaching staff had a simple message for Tunsil.
“They need me,” Tunsil said.
To that end, Tunsil was given the red-carpet treatment during his stay in Athens.
“They need me,” Tunsil said.
To that end, Tunsil was given the red-carpet treatment during his stay in Athens.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Five-star LB Reuben Foster talks 'fab five'
June, 16, 2012
6/16/12
11:28
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn) has been committed to the University of Alabama for almost a year now. Yet Foster, the nation’s No. 2 prospect, continues to keep the door cracked open. On Saturday, the 6-foot-2, 242-pound linebacker decided he needed to take another trip up to Athens.
“I had not visited UGA in a while, and I am still giving them a chance, so why not visit?” Foster said. “I missed being around the coaches. They are energetic, fun to be around and they speak the truth. My interest in Georgia is up there. I like Georgia; they were one of my first colleges that I visited, and they treat you like family.”
Foster was on campus for four hours during the Mark Richt Camp, and even though the Bulldogs head coach had more than 100 prospects competing in front of him, he still made sure to spend ample time with the five-star target.
“I had not visited UGA in a while, and I am still giving them a chance, so why not visit?” Foster said. “I missed being around the coaches. They are energetic, fun to be around and they speak the truth. My interest in Georgia is up there. I like Georgia; they were one of my first colleges that I visited, and they treat you like family.”
Foster was on campus for four hours during the Mark Richt Camp, and even though the Bulldogs head coach had more than 100 prospects competing in front of him, he still made sure to spend ample time with the five-star target.
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.