Jonathan Daniel/Allsport Former Notre Dame coach and current ESPN analyst Lou Holtz spoke at Alabama's coaching clinic.The University of Alabama's football practice on Saturday was attended by many high school coaches from around the Southeast who were in town for the Tide's annual coaching clinic. The group heard Bill Parcells speak Friday night and heard Lou Holtz speak Saturday.
The media got a chance to talk with Holtz, who watched practice while wearing a Crimson Tide pullover. The legendary coach turned ESPN analyst talked about what he saw from practice and how good Alabama’s defense was last year.
Top QB Browne excited to visit Alabama 
March, 23, 2012
3/23/12
9:37
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
When the University of Alabama hired Doug Nussmeier as offensive coordinator in January, it hired a young, up-and-coming coach with a good offensive mind who Crimson Tide head Nick Saban felt could lead the offense.
As an added bonus, it also hired a coach who has a very strong relationship with the nation’s No. 1 quarterback, Max Browne.
Browne, a native of Sammamish, Wash., knew Nussmeier from his days as offensive coordinator at the University of Washington, and the two have remained close since Nussmeier’s move to Tuscaloosa.
As an added bonus, it also hired a coach who has a very strong relationship with the nation’s No. 1 quarterback, Max Browne.
Browne, a native of Sammamish, Wash., knew Nussmeier from his days as offensive coordinator at the University of Washington, and the two have remained close since Nussmeier’s move to Tuscaloosa.
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Bama offers elite CB Hargreaves III
March, 22, 2012
3/22/12
11:34
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Tampa cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III already had more than 30 offers, but he finally received one from the University of Alabama last Friday, and it was an offer he had been hoping to get.
“Who doesn’t want an offer from Alabama?” Hargreaves said. “Last year, they were the best school in the country.”
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Thomson (Ga.) tight end Jordan Davis might not be a household name right now, but he has seen his stock rise over the last several weeks.
On Wednesday, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound athlete spoke with Florida head coach Will Muschamp.
"It went good," Davis said. "I called coach [Derek] Lewis and he told me to call him again a little later so that he could put me on the phone with him [Muschamp]. So I called back later, he put me on the phone with him and he told me they were looking for some good tight ends. So they want me to get down there, so the can sit down and talk to me and see if they want to offer me."
On Wednesday, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound athlete spoke with Florida head coach Will Muschamp.
"It went good," Davis said. "I called coach [Derek] Lewis and he told me to call him again a little later so that he could put me on the phone with him [Muschamp]. So I called back later, he put me on the phone with him and he told me they were looking for some good tight ends. So they want me to get down there, so the can sit down and talk to me and see if they want to offer me."
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Like nearly every unit on the defense, the linebackers are going to look very different than in years past. Defensive stalwarts Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw are gone, off to lives as probable first-round draft picks.
With their departure, Alabama is left with a crater in talent and leadership. All three of the top tacklers on the best defense in college football last year will play on Sundays this fall.
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There’s a pretty good utility wingman still available and judging by the interest he’s receiving, there are a host of programs that will be excited to see if he signs his name on the dotted line this spring.
DeVon Walker (Winter Haven, Fla./Winter Haven) is prepping for the Florida vs. The Nation senior all-star game. Once that’s done, he’s got to see about the process of finalizing his decision.
“I’ve narrowed down my list,” Walker said. “I have maybe two more visits and I’ll decide where I’m going.”
DeVon Walker (Winter Haven, Fla./Winter Haven) is prepping for the Florida vs. The Nation senior all-star game. Once that’s done, he’s got to see about the process of finalizing his decision.
“I’ve narrowed down my list,” Walker said. “I have maybe two more visits and I’ll decide where I’m going.”
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Oxford teammates visit UA for practice
March, 22, 2012
3/22/12
10:06
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
On Wednesday, Oxford High School teammates Ulric Jones and Racean Thomas visited the University of Alabama with their head coach John Grass to watch the Crimson Tide’s spring practice.
It was an opportunity for the two in-state stars to not only watch Alabama work out in person, but to also take back some of what they saw to their own school.
“I saw stuff that we do, and I saw stuff that we don’t do but that we should do to improve,” Jones said. “As far as the drills they do, I think it would help our team out a good bit because the stuff they work on is things that our team lacks.”
It was an opportunity for the two in-state stars to not only watch Alabama work out in person, but to also take back some of what they saw to their own school.
“I saw stuff that we do, and I saw stuff that we don’t do but that we should do to improve,” Jones said. “As far as the drills they do, I think it would help our team out a good bit because the stuff they work on is things that our team lacks.”
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MEMPHIS -- Three more suitors are beginning to court Bobby Billingsley.
Georgia Tech, Cincinnatti and North Carolina State have begun recruiting the interior offensive lineman from Memphis East. While Billingsley still has plenty to learn about each school, he does have a working knowledge from afar.
Georgia Tech: “I know they've got good tradition and a good program. They've got an option offense. I like that. It gives me a chance to get downfield. That's what I feel like I'm good at, getting downfield and getting to the linebackers, going to that next level.”
Georgia Tech, Cincinnatti and North Carolina State have begun recruiting the interior offensive lineman from Memphis East. While Billingsley still has plenty to learn about each school, he does have a working knowledge from afar.
Georgia Tech: “I know they've got good tradition and a good program. They've got an option offense. I like that. It gives me a chance to get downfield. That's what I feel like I'm good at, getting downfield and getting to the linebackers, going to that next level.”
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Christian Morris likes the cold shoulder
March, 21, 2012
3/21/12
9:24
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By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
MEMPHIS -- Head North young man.
While it might not be the common phrase well-read recruiting fans are used to, it is what Christian Morris is thinking. Why? A trip to Chicago in the middle of the winter sold him on it.
“I liked it,” the 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive tackle from Memphis East said. “I just like playing in that type of weather. I feel relaxed in that type of weather.”
While it might not be the common phrase well-read recruiting fans are used to, it is what Christian Morris is thinking. Why? A trip to Chicago in the middle of the winter sold him on it.
“I liked it,” the 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive tackle from Memphis East said. “I just like playing in that type of weather. I feel relaxed in that type of weather.”
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Running back Johnny Jefferson (Killeen, Texas/Shoemaker) has decommited from Texas A&M and reopened his recruitment.
Jefferson committed to Texas A&M in mid-February. It was a decision he felt he made spur of the moment following an A&M junior day.
For the past couple of weeks, Jefferson has wavered on his decision after visiting TCU at the end of February and Baylor on Wednesday for the football program’s pro day. Early Wednesday evening, Jefferson officially decommitted from the Aggies.
Jefferson committed to Texas A&M in mid-February. It was a decision he felt he made spur of the moment following an A&M junior day.
For the past couple of weeks, Jefferson has wavered on his decision after visiting TCU at the end of February and Baylor on Wednesday for the football program’s pro day. Early Wednesday evening, Jefferson officially decommitted from the Aggies.
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Notebook: Mosley back near full speed
March, 21, 2012
3/21/12
8:52
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By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The first question was simple when C.J. Mosley sauntered into the media room after practice on Wednesday: How do you feel?
If you watched the horrific injury the junior linebacker sustained in the BCS National Championship game in January, you'd know why the question was asked.
"I wouldn't say I'm 100 percent, but it's getting there everyday," Mosley said, looking every bit the speedy linebacker he was last season. "Rehab is going pretty well. I did a little bit of rehab over spring break so I'm feeling good."
If you watched the horrific injury the junior linebacker sustained in the BCS National Championship game in January, you'd know why the question was asked.
"I wouldn't say I'm 100 percent, but it's getting there everyday," Mosley said, looking every bit the speedy linebacker he was last season. "Rehab is going pretty well. I did a little bit of rehab over spring break so I'm feeling good."
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Things started to look a little more like football on Wednesday when the Crimson Tide threw on pads and practiced.
Two days ago, UA coach Nick Saban called for more intensity. Whether it was because of Saban's instruction or the ability to wear pads, the hits were harder on Wednesday.
Here are a few observations from Day 3 of UA's spring practice:
Two days ago, UA coach Nick Saban called for more intensity. Whether it was because of Saban's instruction or the ability to wear pads, the hits were harder on Wednesday.
Here are a few observations from Day 3 of UA's spring practice:
- Former Tide linemen Alex Watkins and Jerrell Harris were in attendance at Wednesday's practice. Both players worked out at Alabama's pro day on March 7.
- Sophomore Blake Sims wasn't working out with the running backs or the quarterbacks on Wednesday. Sims injured his hip over spring break and wore a black no-contact jersey at Monday's practice.
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Texas CB Maurice Smith gets lucky No. 13
March, 20, 2012
3/20/12
11:38
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By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
Don’t try convincing ESPNU 150 Watch List cornerback Maurice Smith (Sugar Land, Texas/Dulles) that the number 13 is unlucky. For him, it’s quite the opposite.
Smith picked up an offer from Ole Miss on Tuesday and upped his total offers to 13. The 6-foot, 185-pound junior earned his second offer in as many days, as Vanderbilt offered him Monday.
Smith remembers picking up his first offer from Texas A&M in early January. Since then, the overall excitement of adding to a growing list has yet to fade.
Smith picked up an offer from Ole Miss on Tuesday and upped his total offers to 13. The 6-foot, 185-pound junior earned his second offer in as many days, as Vanderbilt offered him Monday.
Smith remembers picking up his first offer from Texas A&M in early January. Since then, the overall excitement of adding to a growing list has yet to fade.
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The University of Alabama has been considered the favorite for Robert Nkemdiche for quite some time now. The nation’s consensus No. 1 player visited Tuscaloosa in January, and many believed he was close to a commitment.
With recent trips to Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss, the gap between the Crimson Tide and the other schools may be closing with reports that Nkemdiche may even have a new leader.
The Georgia native has tentatively set his decision date for May 18, and regardless of who currently leads for his services, Alabama has a lot of positives going for them. Consider this:
- Alabama is coming off its second national championship in three years and could have up to five players taken in the first round of next month’s NFL draft.
- Nkemdiche visited Tuscaloosa last November for Alabama’s No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown with LSU. He also made a return trip in January for the Tide’s first junior day.
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Loganville (Ga.) Grayson defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, widely considered the top prospect for the class of 2013, will soon make his college decision, according to his high school coach.
Grayson coach Mickey Conn said Monday night that Nkemdiche has scheduled to announce his decision on May 18 after the school’s spring game.
“That’s the tentative plan for now,” Conn said. “I don’t think that’s 100 percent for sure but Robert would like to get the decision done and out of the way.”
Nkemdiche, who is 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, is one of the most heavily recruited players to ever come out of the Peach State and has his sights set on five schools – Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss.
Grayson coach Mickey Conn said Monday night that Nkemdiche has scheduled to announce his decision on May 18 after the school’s spring game.
“That’s the tentative plan for now,” Conn said. “I don’t think that’s 100 percent for sure but Robert would like to get the decision done and out of the way.”
Nkemdiche, who is 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, is one of the most heavily recruited players to ever come out of the Peach State and has his sights set on five schools – Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss.
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.