Under Armour All-America safety Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland) has picked up close to 30 offers during the recruiting process, but as is always the case, there can be only one school on top in the end, so the 6-foot, 185-pound ESPN 150 prospect sat down with his family and coaches to try and narrow things down a bit over the summer. On Saturday, Ridgeland head coach Mark Mariakas announced a top seven.
"Vonn Bell made contact with the following schools, Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Vanderbilt and Clemson, and told them they were on his short list of schools that he will commit to," Mariakas said. "By Labor Day he will cut this list down to two schools and go from there with the process. This list is in no order."
"Vonn Bell made contact with the following schools, Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Vanderbilt and Clemson, and told them they were on his short list of schools that he will commit to," Mariakas said. "By Labor Day he will cut this list down to two schools and go from there with the process. This list is in no order."
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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. 63 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
What's makes a rivalry a rivalry? Is it proximity, animosity or the evenness of competition? There are multiple ways to define what makes up a rivalry. It's why we can debate endlessly about who a school's biggest rival is.
For the University of Alabama, there can be a case made for multiple schools being rivals of the Crimson Tide. When it comes to proximity, Auburn is the top rival. Mississippi State may be closer but the history of competition just isn't there. When it comes to animosity, it could be Auburn or Tennessee. Both fan bases are steadfast in their hatred for one another. And when it comes to competition, there's Auburn, Florida and LSU. All three schools have played Bama in epic games of late. The Florida SEC Championship back and forth was must-see TV, and the Iron Bowl is appointment viewing no matter the record of both teams.
Then there's LSU. Alabama has the edge in the series. The Tide have won 63 percent of the match ups, with five games ending in ties. But lately, there hasn't been two teams more evenly matched in terms of talent and production. LSU has won six of the last 10, but the games have been close with five of the last six games being decided by nine points or less.
A lot has gone into the rivalry between the two SEC West schools. There's the fact that Nick Saban built the Tigers into a perennial national title contender in his time there. Then there's the way he left for the Miami Dolphins gig. Then there's Les Miles. The Mad Hatter has done little to quell the flames. Then there's the fact that both schools have been arguably the best two programs of the last five years. Both have gone to the SEC Championship game twice since 2007, and have combined to win three BCS National Championships in that time. Miles and Nick Saban are on the Mount Rushmore of current college football coaches, and neither appears ready to relinquish the crown.
But is that enough to call LSU the Tide's biggest rival. Have the Bayou Bengals done enough to overshadow the Iron Bowl, or is that just a case of the Johnny come lately? Or has the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry conjured enough ill will to earn the crown? Vote on it inside The Tusk.
What's makes a rivalry a rivalry? Is it proximity, animosity or the evenness of competition? There are multiple ways to define what makes up a rivalry. It's why we can debate endlessly about who a school's biggest rival is.
For the University of Alabama, there can be a case made for multiple schools being rivals of the Crimson Tide. When it comes to proximity, Auburn is the top rival. Mississippi State may be closer but the history of competition just isn't there. When it comes to animosity, it could be Auburn or Tennessee. Both fan bases are steadfast in their hatred for one another. And when it comes to competition, there's Auburn, Florida and LSU. All three schools have played Bama in epic games of late. The Florida SEC Championship back and forth was must-see TV, and the Iron Bowl is appointment viewing no matter the record of both teams.
Then there's LSU. Alabama has the edge in the series. The Tide have won 63 percent of the match ups, with five games ending in ties. But lately, there hasn't been two teams more evenly matched in terms of talent and production. LSU has won six of the last 10, but the games have been close with five of the last six games being decided by nine points or less.
A lot has gone into the rivalry between the two SEC West schools. There's the fact that Nick Saban built the Tigers into a perennial national title contender in his time there. Then there's the way he left for the Miami Dolphins gig. Then there's Les Miles. The Mad Hatter has done little to quell the flames. Then there's the fact that both schools have been arguably the best two programs of the last five years. Both have gone to the SEC Championship game twice since 2007, and have combined to win three BCS National Championships in that time. Miles and Nick Saban are on the Mount Rushmore of current college football coaches, and neither appears ready to relinquish the crown.
But is that enough to call LSU the Tide's biggest rival. Have the Bayou Bengals done enough to overshadow the Iron Bowl, or is that just a case of the Johnny come lately? Or has the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry conjured enough ill will to earn the crown? Vote on it inside The Tusk.
ESPN.comThe Crimson Tide continues to chase the best talent in the nation in 2014.What we came up with was a comprehensive look at some of the best athletes in the country and told you their stories.
- Alex Scarborough writes: Louisiana running back Leonard Fournette has seen the worst humanity has to offer, but stays positive. He battles adversity every day and has become one of the best tailbacks in the country.
- Greg Ostendorf writes: Landon Collins caused a stir when he chose Alabama over LSU, much to his mother's disapproval. Now his younger brother, defensive lineman Gerald Willis, is starting the recruiting process. Video: Willis talks with Ostendorf about how his recruitment has gone thus far.
- Dave Hooker writes: Todd Kelly Jr., son of the former star Tennessee Volunteer, is making a name for himself. the star defensive back has several options, including the Crimson Tide.
- Alex Scarborough writes: Marlon Humphrey is a 2014 defensive back who is piling up major offers, including one from Alabama, where his father, Bobby, was a talented tailback in the mid-1980s.
- Greg Ostendorf writes: The state of Alabama is brimming with talent in next year's class, including one of the nation's best running backs, Bo Scarbrough. The Crimson Tide are keeping an eye on them all.
- Each day, Ostendorf broke down the top prospects in the state of Alabama. Find his analysis here.
Chris Low discusses the X-factors for Alabama this season — offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio and linebacker Adrian Hubbard.
ESPN's RecruitingNation spent more than two weeks rounding up all the information on the uncommitted prospects in the ESPN 300, position by position. Crimson Tide fans should pay close attention to the positions of running back, tight end and athlete -- all feature top prospects considering coming to the University of Alabama. All stories are Insider. 
June 13: Quarterbacks
June 14: Running Backs
June 15: Wide Receivers
June 13: Quarterbacks
June 14: Running Backs
June 15: Wide Receivers
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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. 64 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
In 1964, Broadway Joe cemented his legacy at the University of Alabama. Then known simply as Joe Willie Namath, the Pennsylvania native won coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant his second national title since coming to Tuscaloosa. Namath was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1965 Orange Bowl, throwing two touchdowns and 255 yards on a gimpy leg. Despite losing the game to Texas by four points, UA was crowned the national champions of college football.
It was the end of a college career that yielded a 29–4 record and three bowl appearances. Namath started his sophomore year for Bryant, a wiry kid with the toughness to run the Bear's physical offense. He set single-season records in his first year as a starter, and by the time he left for the NFL, he had set school records for pass attempts, completions, yardage and touchdowns.
Namath went on to star for the N.Y. Jets, where he was signed to a then-record three-year deal that paid Namath $427,0000 a season. He won the 1969 Super Bowl after guaranteeing the Jets would upset Indianapolis Colts. It was in New York that Namath earned the name "Broadway Joe," reveling in a Hollywood persona that matched his lifestyle away from the field. He would go on to appear in television shows and movies. He even hosted his own TV series, "The Joe Namath Show."
Namath returned to UA in 2007 to finish his college education, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
In 1964, Broadway Joe cemented his legacy at the University of Alabama. Then known simply as Joe Willie Namath, the Pennsylvania native won coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant his second national title since coming to Tuscaloosa. Namath was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1965 Orange Bowl, throwing two touchdowns and 255 yards on a gimpy leg. Despite losing the game to Texas by four points, UA was crowned the national champions of college football.
It was the end of a college career that yielded a 29–4 record and three bowl appearances. Namath started his sophomore year for Bryant, a wiry kid with the toughness to run the Bear's physical offense. He set single-season records in his first year as a starter, and by the time he left for the NFL, he had set school records for pass attempts, completions, yardage and touchdowns.
Namath went on to star for the N.Y. Jets, where he was signed to a then-record three-year deal that paid Namath $427,0000 a season. He won the 1969 Super Bowl after guaranteeing the Jets would upset Indianapolis Colts. It was in New York that Namath earned the name "Broadway Joe," reveling in a Hollywood persona that matched his lifestyle away from the field. He would go on to appear in television shows and movies. He even hosted his own TV series, "The Joe Namath Show."
Namath returned to UA in 2007 to finish his college education, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
TideNation wraps up its look at the top 2014 prospects in the state of Alabama with the state’s best quarterback, Ashville High School signal caller E.J. Moss. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound prospect is built more like a linebacker, but it's his arm strength that sets him apart. It’s early in the recruiting process, but Moss could see his stock take off with a strong junior season.
- Name: E.J. Moss
- Position: Quarterback
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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. 65 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
D.J. Fluker is being hailed as one of the top linemen in next year's NFL draft and Barrett Jones has been talked about as a pro lineman for two years now. But No. 65, senior guard Chance Warmack, is flying under the radar. The two-year starter and interior blocker for two Heisman Trophy finalists is slipping right by the eyes of those constantly gazing toward the NFL draft.
Maybe it's because he's a guard, or maybe it's because he's not overly large (320 pounds) or overly tall (6-foot-3). Either way, Warmack is not the sexiest choice for lineman of the year awards. But he does produce. And slowly, NFL personnel are taking notice. The honorable mention All-American and second-team All-SEC selection is picking up interest as a guard at the next level.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Warmack as one of the top five seniors at his position earlier this year. Sports Illustrated has caught on, too, rating him as one of the top 32 prospects in the 2013 draft. Meanwhile, CBS Sports has him listed as the No. 57 prospect in next year's draft.
Warmack took home the Lee Roy Jordan Headhunter Award after his performance at A-Day in April. Warmack is a road-grader of a guard, physically punishing when he hits and large enough to push the pile.
Warmack was rated by ESPN as the No. 16 guard in the country coming out of high school in Atlanta.
D.J. Fluker is being hailed as one of the top linemen in next year's NFL draft and Barrett Jones has been talked about as a pro lineman for two years now. But No. 65, senior guard Chance Warmack, is flying under the radar. The two-year starter and interior blocker for two Heisman Trophy finalists is slipping right by the eyes of those constantly gazing toward the NFL draft.
Maybe it's because he's a guard, or maybe it's because he's not overly large (320 pounds) or overly tall (6-foot-3). Either way, Warmack is not the sexiest choice for lineman of the year awards. But he does produce. And slowly, NFL personnel are taking notice. The honorable mention All-American and second-team All-SEC selection is picking up interest as a guard at the next level.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Warmack as one of the top five seniors at his position earlier this year. Sports Illustrated has caught on, too, rating him as one of the top 32 prospects in the 2013 draft. Meanwhile, CBS Sports has him listed as the No. 57 prospect in next year's draft.
Warmack took home the Lee Roy Jordan Headhunter Award after his performance at A-Day in April. Warmack is a road-grader of a guard, physically punishing when he hits and large enough to push the pile.
Warmack was rated by ESPN as the No. 16 guard in the country coming out of high school in Atlanta.
As TideNation continues its look at the top prospects in the state of Alabama for 2014, Oxford High School’s Racean ‘Rock’ Thomas has to be on the list. As a sophomore, Thomas proved to be one of the top running backs in the state, and he looks to improve on that success heading into his junior year. He’s also seen his stock rise in recruiting this spring.
- Name: Racean Thomas
- Position: Running back
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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. 66 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
When coaches in the SEC begin a list of goals for the upcoming season, one generally looms above all others: Win the conference. If you win the conference, more often than not, the rest will fall into place.
And when it comes to winning games in the SEC, the University of Alabama has been top notch. The Crimson Tide have come out on top in 66 percent of the conference game they've played all-time. That's a 432-200-24 record against all the teams currently in the SEC. UA has a winning record against all but one SEC school. The only losing record comes against upstart Missouri (1-2).
Alabama's all-time records versus SEC opponents are as follows:
When coaches in the SEC begin a list of goals for the upcoming season, one generally looms above all others: Win the conference. If you win the conference, more often than not, the rest will fall into place.
And when it comes to winning games in the SEC, the University of Alabama has been top notch. The Crimson Tide have come out on top in 66 percent of the conference game they've played all-time. That's a 432-200-24 record against all the teams currently in the SEC. UA has a winning record against all but one SEC school. The only losing record comes against upstart Missouri (1-2).
Alabama's all-time records versus SEC opponents are as follows:
This week, TideNation is taking a look at the top prospects in the state of Alabama for 2014, and Tuscaloosa/Northridge High School athlete Bo Scarbrough might headline the group. He played running back last year until an injury cut his season short, but he has the ability to play nearly every position on the field. Regardless of where he ends up at the next level, he’s a top-10 talent nationally.
- Name: Bo Scarbrough
- Position: Athlete
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Q&A with Missouri beat writer Matter 
June, 26, 2012
6/26/12
7:40
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 Dave Matter, who covers all things Missouri for the Columbia Daily Tribune. He's the co-author of The Mizzou Fan's Survival Guide to the SEC.
Question: It's the place everyone starts and I'll be no different: How do you see Missouri's transition to the SEC going in Year 1?
Matter: Missouri has the roster to compete in 2012, especially in the Eastern Division. Having a returning starting quarterback is crucial assuming James Franklin will be fully recovered from shoulder surgery he underwent in March. The Tigers return enough first-team talent and experience on both sides of the ball to compete with the best teams in the SEC East, —but I'’m not convinced they have the depth to win the division while going through the grind of the SEC schedule. There will be some adjustments against the typical style of offense in the league, but Missouri has historically played better against physical, run-first, pro-style offenses, on the rare occasion it faced that kind of attack in the Big 12. Texas would be the best example of late, and MU had its best defensive game of the year last season against Texas.
Question: It's the place everyone starts and I'll be no different: How do you see Missouri's transition to the SEC going in Year 1?
Matter: Missouri has the roster to compete in 2012, especially in the Eastern Division. Having a returning starting quarterback is crucial assuming James Franklin will be fully recovered from shoulder surgery he underwent in March. The Tigers return enough first-team talent and experience on both sides of the ball to compete with the best teams in the SEC East, —but I'’m not convinced they have the depth to win the division while going through the grind of the SEC schedule. There will be some adjustments against the typical style of offense in the league, but Missouri has historically played better against physical, run-first, pro-style offenses, on the rare occasion it faced that kind of attack in the Big 12. Texas would be the best example of late, and MU had its best defensive game of the year last season against Texas.
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The rundown
2011 record: 8-5
2011 conference record: 5-4
All-time against Alabama: 2-1
2011 record: 8-5
2011 conference record: 5-4
All-time against Alabama: 2-1
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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. 67 and what it means to UA football.
Last season Eddie Lacy battled a turf toe injury to appear in 12 games for the Crimson Tide. The fleet-footed running back from Louisiana showed glimpses of his elusiveness and power with the ball, but couldn't find a level of consistency because of the injury. Still, Lacy averaged 67.1 total yards per game -- nothing to sneeze at for a sophomore learning to play as the No. 2 back behind Heisman Trophy finalist Trent Richarson.
Two years ago, Richardson was in a similar situation to Lacy, backing up a Heisman Trophy back in Mark Ingram. The next season, with Ingram in New Orleans playing for the Saints, Richardson blew up, rushing for 1,679 yards and averaging 160.2 all-purpose yards per game. Richardson saw the biggest increase in rushing yards per game (+65.6 yards per game, or an increase of 103.1 percent).
Whether Lacy will be able to double his production carrying the ball is up for debate. If he does follow on the same track as Richardson, Lacy would run for more than 115 yards per game in 2012. Should fans expect that? Maybe, maybe not. With a crowded backfield (see Jalston Fowler, T.J. Yeldon, Dee Hart and fall enrollee Kenyan Drake) and lingering questions about durability, don't expect Lacy to carry the ball 22 times a game like Richardson did last season.
However, the possibility still exists. Quarterback AJ McCarron has another year under his belt and will do more to command four and five defensive backs away from the line of scrimmage and the offensive line is poised to be one of the best in the SEC with five linemen with starting experience.
Last season Eddie Lacy battled a turf toe injury to appear in 12 games for the Crimson Tide. The fleet-footed running back from Louisiana showed glimpses of his elusiveness and power with the ball, but couldn't find a level of consistency because of the injury. Still, Lacy averaged 67.1 total yards per game -- nothing to sneeze at for a sophomore learning to play as the No. 2 back behind Heisman Trophy finalist Trent Richarson.
Two years ago, Richardson was in a similar situation to Lacy, backing up a Heisman Trophy back in Mark Ingram. The next season, with Ingram in New Orleans playing for the Saints, Richardson blew up, rushing for 1,679 yards and averaging 160.2 all-purpose yards per game. Richardson saw the biggest increase in rushing yards per game (+65.6 yards per game, or an increase of 103.1 percent).
Whether Lacy will be able to double his production carrying the ball is up for debate. If he does follow on the same track as Richardson, Lacy would run for more than 115 yards per game in 2012. Should fans expect that? Maybe, maybe not. With a crowded backfield (see Jalston Fowler, T.J. Yeldon, Dee Hart and fall enrollee Kenyan Drake) and lingering questions about durability, don't expect Lacy to carry the ball 22 times a game like Richardson did last season.
However, the possibility still exists. Quarterback AJ McCarron has another year under his belt and will do more to command four and five defensive backs away from the line of scrimmage and the offensive line is poised to be one of the best in the SEC with five linemen with starting experience.
If there’s one thing that ESPN 300 wide receiver Rickey Jefferson (Destrehan, La.) wants to show, it’s that he is fully recovered from an ACL tear suffered more than nine months ago.
Jefferson has been answering questions about his health with impressive spring workouts and 7-on-7 play. The 6-foot, 190-pound, four-star receiver now has 21 offers and is racking up additional interest daily.
Ranked No. 171 in the ESPN 300, Jefferson, the younger brother of former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, is showing why he’s still a hot commodity even after a major injury. Nebraska was the latest school to offer, but he has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State, LSU, USC and a host of other programs.
Jefferson has been answering questions about his health with impressive spring workouts and 7-on-7 play. The 6-foot, 190-pound, four-star receiver now has 21 offers and is racking up additional interest daily.
Ranked No. 171 in the ESPN 300, Jefferson, the younger brother of former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, is showing why he’s still a hot commodity even after a major injury. Nebraska was the latest school to offer, but he has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State, LSU, USC and a host of other programs.
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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.