Get Familiar: Elite RB Altee Tenpenny
March, 26, 2012
3/26/12
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By TideNation staff | ESPN.com
Tom Hauck for ESPN.comGa. OL Dodd visits Alabama, names top 3 
March, 26, 2012
3/26/12
12:14
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Lindale, Ga., offensive lineman Andy Dodd has become a frequent visitor at the University of Alabama, and he was back in Tuscaloosa on Saturday to take in the Crimson Tide’s spring practice.
“Even though it was spring practice, it was still pretty intense, and they rotate a lot of the guys in, like the early enrollees and freshmen, they were getting reps as well as the seniors and the upperclassmen,” Dodd said. “The offensive line worked very hard. Out of everybody I watched, they were the ones who are constantly doing work and constantly doing drills.”
Dodd, who played tight end for Pepperell High School the last two years, has bulked up to 6-foot-4, 325 pounds and plans to play left tackle for the Dragons this season. Every school recruiting Dodd likes his frame on the line, and he says he’s versatile enough to play all five spots.
“Even though it was spring practice, it was still pretty intense, and they rotate a lot of the guys in, like the early enrollees and freshmen, they were getting reps as well as the seniors and the upperclassmen,” Dodd said. “The offensive line worked very hard. Out of everybody I watched, they were the ones who are constantly doing work and constantly doing drills.”
Dodd, who played tight end for Pepperell High School the last two years, has bulked up to 6-foot-4, 325 pounds and plans to play left tackle for the Dragons this season. Every school recruiting Dodd likes his frame on the line, and he says he’s versatile enough to play all five spots.
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Class of 2012: Morris prepares for Alabama
March, 26, 2012
3/26/12
6:00
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
National signing day didn’t quite have all the suspense and intrigue for University of Alabama quarterback signee Alec Morris. The Texas native committed to the Crimson Tide in August and never wavered with that decision.
Still, Morris had a moment he won’t soon forget on signing day with a ceremony at his high school where he and his fellow teammates signed their letters of intent and put on the hat of the school they would be attending.
“It was really cool because several of my friends were also signing for football, so it was a great experience to have with them and kind of go off and have a taste of what the future is holding,” Morris said.
Still, Morris had a moment he won’t soon forget on signing day with a ceremony at his high school where he and his fellow teammates signed their letters of intent and put on the hat of the school they would be attending.
“It was really cool because several of my friends were also signing for football, so it was a great experience to have with them and kind of go off and have a taste of what the future is holding,” Morris said.
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Pollard talks recruiting, McDonald's game
March, 25, 2012
3/25/12
8:21
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Last year, Alabama basketball coach Anthony Grant put together a top-five recruiting class, giving the Crimson Tide some national recognition. However, the class didn’t consist of a single McDonald’s All-American.
In fact, the last McDonald’s All-American to sign with Alabama was JaMychal Green, who just finished his senior year with the Tide.
Coach Grant is looking to change that trend this year with Devonta Pollard. At this point, Alabama has no signees or commitments for the 2012 class, but Pollard, a top-50 recruit and McDonald's All-American, lists the Tide among his favorites.
In fact, the last McDonald’s All-American to sign with Alabama was JaMychal Green, who just finished his senior year with the Tide.
Coach Grant is looking to change that trend this year with Devonta Pollard. At this point, Alabama has no signees or commitments for the 2012 class, but Pollard, a top-50 recruit and McDonald's All-American, lists the Tide among his favorites.
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In case you missed anything from the week that was, take a look back at all of the recruiting stories from the past week including an update on top quarterback Max Browne, a look at some of the recruits who visited Alabama for practice and a basketball prospect who has the Crimson Tide in his top two.
Around the bases: Ole Miss 8, Alabama 4
March, 25, 2012
3/25/12
4:10
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By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Just when it looked as if the ball was finally rolling the Crimson Tide’s way, a play you don’t see every day happened, reminding the Alabama faithful that the times have not yet changed for a baseball team fighting to forge an identity.
Less than 24 hours after Alabama catcher Brett Booth broke a five-game losing streak with a walk off two-run homer against Ole Miss, the Tide squandered a two-run lead in the eighth inning on Sunday with a series-clinching victory in sight.
Ole Miss, trailing Alabama by one run in the top of the eighth inning, hit a deep fly ball with the bases loaded and one out. The ball was catchable as Taylor Dugas drifted back to the descending white spec on the warning track in center field. Dugas caught the ball and fired it home. But by the time it reached Booth, two runs had scored and the Rebels took the lead for good.
Less than 24 hours after Alabama catcher Brett Booth broke a five-game losing streak with a walk off two-run homer against Ole Miss, the Tide squandered a two-run lead in the eighth inning on Sunday with a series-clinching victory in sight.
Ole Miss, trailing Alabama by one run in the top of the eighth inning, hit a deep fly ball with the bases loaded and one out. The ball was catchable as Taylor Dugas drifted back to the descending white spec on the warning track in center field. Dugas caught the ball and fired it home. But by the time it reached Booth, two runs had scored and the Rebels took the lead for good.
Dual-threat QB Zaire has Tide in top six
March, 24, 2012
3/24/12
6:12
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
The University of Alabama has an assortment of quarterbacks on its radar for the 2013 recruiting class, and the Crimson Tide may even take two signal callers before it’s all said and done.
Although it has given out a number of scholarship offers already, the UA coaching staff wants to evaluate the different quarterbacks at Alabama’s camp this summer before taking a commitment from any of them.
Ohio dual-threat quarterback Malik Zaire is one of the quarterbacks who recently received an offer from the Crimson Tide and plans to visit Tuscaloosa this summer to compete at the camp.
Although it has given out a number of scholarship offers already, the UA coaching staff wants to evaluate the different quarterbacks at Alabama’s camp this summer before taking a commitment from any of them.
Ohio dual-threat quarterback Malik Zaire is one of the quarterbacks who recently received an offer from the Crimson Tide and plans to visit Tuscaloosa this summer to compete at the camp.
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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
AM ET
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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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.