ESPN.com - Weekend Rewind: Alabama

ESPN.com: Alabama Crimson Tide

Monday, January 14, 2013
Weekend Rewind: Alabama

By Greg Ostendorf

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- As signing day approaches, every weekend looms large. It gives the schools a chance to host recruits one last time. The University of Alabama enjoyed a bigger weekend than most as it hosted an impressive group of official visitors that included 10 players ranked in the ESPN 150.

Although the Crimson Tide didn’t pick up any commitments over the weekend, they did receive good news from Tim Williams, the top player in Louisiana. The four-star defensive end moved Alabama to the top of his list after returning home from Tuscaloosa.

“Alabama is very strong with me right now,” Williams said. “I think Alabama is probably my No. 1 school right now. It’s close to my house. My mom loved it. They really made my mom happy. She had a really good time up there.”

Williams plans to take his official visit to Miami next weekend, but the Tide hold the lead for now.

Alabama also hosted the nation’s No. 1 offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil this weekend. The five-star recruit didn’t say much after the visit, but the trip gave he and the UA coaching staff another opportunity to further develop their relationship.

“It was all right,” Tunsil said of the visit. “I’ve been to Alabama and Georgia a bunch of times, so I’ve seen everything both programs have. [I] just use these visits to spend time with the coaches.”

Other uncommitted recruits on campus for the Tide this weekend included five-star linebacker Matthew Thomas, defensive lineman Jay-nard Bostwick, safety Antonio Conner and Florida State offensive line commitment Austin Golson.

Alabama also hosted six commitments, including ESPN 150 running backs Tyren Jones and Altee Tenpenny. With Jones, Tenpenny and Derrick Henry all in the class, there’s been speculation that one of the backs might flip.

“We’re pretty cool,” Jones said. “It’s just competition going in to push each other, to make each other work harder. That’s pretty much it.”

After his visit, Jones said he’s 100 percent with his commitment to the Tide.

The other big news from the weekend came from former Alabama and Auburn commitment Reuben Foster. The ESPN 150 linebacker returned from his official visit to Washington on Sunday and announced his plans to visit Tuscaloosa the next weekend.

ESPN 150 stars Vonn Bell and Alvin Kamara are also expected to take their official visits to Alabama the same weekend.