Foster shows Smart's recruiting power 
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
11:01
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Now that Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn) has committed to the University of Alabama, the question is, will it stick through signing day?
Regardless of what happens from here, Foster’s decision on Monday shows the relentless pursuit that Kirby Smart and the Crimson Tide coaching staff had throughout the process.
Even when Foster flipped from Alabama to Auburn over the summer and went as far as to get an Auburn tattoo on his arm, the Alabama coaches didn’t give up. Smart was talking to him just a few weeks later about removing the tattoo and coming back to the Tide.
It has been a wild ride, one that might not be over, but if he does in the end sign with Alabama, the Tide will be getting a very good football player.
Regardless of what happens from here, Foster’s decision on Monday shows the relentless pursuit that Kirby Smart and the Crimson Tide coaching staff had throughout the process.
Even when Foster flipped from Alabama to Auburn over the summer and went as far as to get an Auburn tattoo on his arm, the Alabama coaches didn’t give up. Smart was talking to him just a few weeks later about removing the tattoo and coming back to the Tide.
It has been a wild ride, one that might not be over, but if he does in the end sign with Alabama, the Tide will be getting a very good football player.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
The O-zone: Reuben Foster prediction
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
5:59
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
The O-zone will be released on Tuesday this week with analysis and predictions on where Alabama’s remaining targets will land on signing day, but with Reuben Foster’s decision on tap for Monday night, we wanted to break down his pending decision a day early.
The recruit
LB Reuben Foster: There hasn’t been a recruitment quite like Foster’s -- maybe ever. The ESPN 150 linebacker originally committed to Alabama the summer before his junior year. However, when he moved from Georgia to Alabama last spring and transferred to Auburn High School, that changed everything. Just months later, Foster flipped his pledge from the Tide to the Tigers and went as far as to get an Auburn tattoo on his arm. Still, it was far from over. Both Alabama and Georgia continued to recruit him, and when former AU coach Gene Chizik was let go along along with his staff, Foster opted to reopen his recruitment. Since then he’s taken all five of his official visits, including trips to San Diego State and Washington. At 9 p.m. CT on Monday, he’s expected to choose between Alabama, Auburn and Georgia.
The finalists
The recruit
LB Reuben Foster: There hasn’t been a recruitment quite like Foster’s -- maybe ever. The ESPN 150 linebacker originally committed to Alabama the summer before his junior year. However, when he moved from Georgia to Alabama last spring and transferred to Auburn High School, that changed everything. Just months later, Foster flipped his pledge from the Tide to the Tigers and went as far as to get an Auburn tattoo on his arm. Still, it was far from over. Both Alabama and Georgia continued to recruit him, and when former AU coach Gene Chizik was let go along along with his staff, Foster opted to reopen his recruitment. Since then he’s taken all five of his official visits, including trips to San Diego State and Washington. At 9 p.m. CT on Monday, he’s expected to choose between Alabama, Auburn and Georgia.
The finalists
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Alabama picked to claim recruiting title
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
2:00
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
When it comes to recruiting, the readers believe it's still Alabama's world.
Florida might be No. 1 in ESPN's class rankings, but with more than 7,100 votes cast in our SportsNation poll, Alabama was picked to take home the recruiting class crown by grabbing 40 percent of the vote. Alabama currently has the No. 2 class, with 22 commits (10 ESPN 150 members).
Alabama has a chance to add to its already impressive class with a handful of ESPN 150 members still heavily considering the Crimson Tide, including top middle linebacker Reuben Foster, safety Antonio Conner, defensive tackle Dee Liner and running back Alvin Kamara. Adding a couple of those names might propel the Tide over Florida.
The Gators were third in our poll, as Texas collected 27 percent of the vote to come in second. The Aggies have the nation's No. 7 recruiting class and 32 commitments. A&M has six ESPN 150 members and is hoping to add to that number Wednesday with cornerback Mackensie Alexander and athlete Levonte Whitfield still in the mix.
Florida collected 18 percent. While the Gators would like to add to their class, the headliners might already be in hand. The Gators have a good shot of landing four-star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. He's ranked No. 14 nationally by ESPN recruiting services and is the top remaining prospect on the Gators' board.
Georgia was fourth with 10 percent of the vote, while LSU grabbed 5 percent. The Bulldogs could have a very exciting signing day with Foster, Kamara, Liner, top offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil and stud defensive lineman Montravius Adams still looking at Georgia. Landing a few those big names would shoot the Dawgs up the ranks, for sure.
LSU might not have a very exciting signing day. The Tigers own the nation's No. 6 class, with 26 commitments (six ESPN 150 members), but it looks like the staff is waiting on No. 1 Robert Nkemdiche and Auburn defensive end commit Tashawn Bower. Ole Miss is way ahead for Nkemdiche, while it could be tough to flip Bower.
Florida might be No. 1 in ESPN's class rankings, but with more than 7,100 votes cast in our SportsNation poll, Alabama was picked to take home the recruiting class crown by grabbing 40 percent of the vote. Alabama currently has the No. 2 class, with 22 commits (10 ESPN 150 members).
Alabama has a chance to add to its already impressive class with a handful of ESPN 150 members still heavily considering the Crimson Tide, including top middle linebacker Reuben Foster, safety Antonio Conner, defensive tackle Dee Liner and running back Alvin Kamara. Adding a couple of those names might propel the Tide over Florida.
The Gators were third in our poll, as Texas collected 27 percent of the vote to come in second. The Aggies have the nation's No. 7 recruiting class and 32 commitments. A&M has six ESPN 150 members and is hoping to add to that number Wednesday with cornerback Mackensie Alexander and athlete Levonte Whitfield still in the mix.
Florida collected 18 percent. While the Gators would like to add to their class, the headliners might already be in hand. The Gators have a good shot of landing four-star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. He's ranked No. 14 nationally by ESPN recruiting services and is the top remaining prospect on the Gators' board.
Georgia was fourth with 10 percent of the vote, while LSU grabbed 5 percent. The Bulldogs could have a very exciting signing day with Foster, Kamara, Liner, top offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil and stud defensive lineman Montravius Adams still looking at Georgia. Landing a few those big names would shoot the Dawgs up the ranks, for sure.
LSU might not have a very exciting signing day. The Tigers own the nation's No. 6 class, with 26 commitments (six ESPN 150 members), but it looks like the staff is waiting on No. 1 Robert Nkemdiche and Auburn defensive end commit Tashawn Bower. Ole Miss is way ahead for Nkemdiche, while it could be tough to flip Bower.
The Uncommitteds: Eddie Vanderdoes
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
9:00
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
Editor's note: From now until signing day, TideNation will examine the remaining uncommitted prospects still considering the University of Alabama. Today, we look at ESPN 150 defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- If Alabama is going to claim the title of the No. 1 class in the country, a lot of things are going to have to fall into place, maybe none more so than Eddie Vanderdoes. Should the five-star defensive tackle from Northern California opt to sign with the Crimson Tide on signing day, it might be enough to unseat the leader in the clubhouse, Florida.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- If Alabama is going to claim the title of the No. 1 class in the country, a lot of things are going to have to fall into place, maybe none more so than Eddie Vanderdoes. Should the five-star defensive tackle from Northern California opt to sign with the Crimson Tide on signing day, it might be enough to unseat the leader in the clubhouse, Florida.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Rewind: Alabama closing in on top class
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
7:30
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It was the last weekend before signing day, and although the University of Alabama hosted just one official visitor, there has been quite a bit of excitement surrounding the Crimson Tide program over the last couple of days.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Editor's note: Leading up to signing day, TideNation will examine the remaining uncommitted prospects still considering the University of Alabama. Today, we look at ESPN 150 defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
AUBURN, Ala. -- Over the weekend, ESPN 150 defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County) took his fifth and final official visit, and it went to Auburn. It gave him a chance to spend time with the new coaching staff, which includes a familiar face.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
With three days until national signing day, Antonio Conner was ready to break down his top three schools.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Texas' 2013 recruiting class had already suffered four decommitments. Just four days before signing day, the Longhorns suffered another one that was more stunning than the rest.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
After a personal workout, Wilton Speight could be days away from his first scholarship offer.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Jarran Reed has decommitted from Ole Miss and is down to two SEC powerhouses.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Decision looms for 5-star Laremy Tunsil
February, 1, 2013
Feb 1
4:27
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
LAKE CITY, Fla. -- Signing day is just five short days away, and five-star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia) is starting to feel the pressure of the recruiting process.
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound athlete has taken four official visits and hosted his three top schools for in-home visits this week. Alabama was in on Monday, followed by Georgia on Wednesday and Ole Miss on Thursday.
Columbia head coach Brian Allen said Tunsil's decision needs to be his own and not the people surrounding him.
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound athlete has taken four official visits and hosted his three top schools for in-home visits this week. Alabama was in on Monday, followed by Georgia on Wednesday and Ole Miss on Thursday.
Columbia head coach Brian Allen said Tunsil's decision needs to be his own and not the people surrounding him.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Programs rising and falling in recruiting
February, 1, 2013
Feb 1
2:32
PM ET
By Travis Haney | ESPN.com
Patrick Green/Icon SMITexas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin and his staff have greatly improved the Aggies' recruiting prowess.Winning was nice, but what Kevin Sumlin has done in his time away from the field is perhaps most impressive. He leads a Texas A&M program on pace for a top-5 finish in recruiting, which says plenty about the future, and the state of Texas. Elsewhere, Notre Dame is rising, Alabama and Florida State are in hold-steady mode, and two programs that have fallen off are Oklahoma and Tennessee. ESPN Insider Travis Haney has a stock report. Read the story here
.
Editor's note: From now until signing day, TideNation will examine the remaining uncommitted prospects still considering the University of Alabama. Today, we look at ESPN 150 offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- That vacant spot at right tackle is calling. When D.J. Fluker decided he would forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft, he left Alabama with some pretty big shoes to fill.
The 6-foot-6, 335-pound former All-SEC selection won't be easily replaced. And he's just one of three offensive linemen who left Tuscaloosa in January.
While that might spell worry for the hopes of the offense as a whole, it also means opportunity for early promotions, and an added draw for potential recruits like ESPN 150 offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- That vacant spot at right tackle is calling. When D.J. Fluker decided he would forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft, he left Alabama with some pretty big shoes to fill.
The 6-foot-6, 335-pound former All-SEC selection won't be easily replaced. And he's just one of three offensive linemen who left Tuscaloosa in January.
While that might spell worry for the hopes of the offense as a whole, it also means opportunity for early promotions, and an added draw for potential recruits like ESPN 150 offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
On The Trail TV: #UltimateBlueChipBattles
February, 1, 2013
Feb 1
1:07
AM ET
By
Jeremy Crabtree | ESPN.com
Join ESPN RecruitingNation's Kipp Adams, Jeremy Crabtree, Corey Dowlar and Greg Ostendorf at 11 a.m. ET Friday for a special edition of "On The Trail TV Live."
We'll discuss the final edition of #BlueChipBattles, looking at the top 10 recruiting battles for the last 10 years, as well as the border wars being raged in the Southeast between Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida State and Ole Miss. Tweet questions to @RecruitingESPN or tune in for the live discussion.
We'll discuss the final edition of #BlueChipBattles, looking at the top 10 recruiting battles for the last 10 years, as well as the border wars being raged in the Southeast between Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida State and Ole Miss. Tweet questions to @RecruitingESPN or tune in for the live discussion.
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.