Alabama Crimson Tide

Every other week, TideNation’s writers will answer a handful of questions that address a pressing topic regarding the Alabama football program. And with every Roundtable, we’ll see out the opinions of a guest. This week’s contributor is WolverineNation recruiting writer Tom Van Haaren.

Question: Alabama and Michigan kick off the 2012 season in Dallas on Saturday. What would a win do for recruiting?

Greg Ostendorf: Alabama has become accustomed to not just playing in national spotlight games early in the season, but winning those games. That has paid dividends on the recruiting trail. It also doesn’t hurt to have won two national championships in the last three seasons. However, Michigan’s 2013 class is currently ranked higher than Alabama’s, so a win over the Wolverines on Saturday, especially if it’s in convincing fashion, could slow down the momentum for Brady Hoke and remind recruits of the SEC’s dominance during the last decade.

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BALTIMORE, Md. - Henry Poggi is taking a patient, pensive approach to recruiting.

While that might not be exactly what recruiting fans want, it's the way it's going to be. The defensive tackle from Baltimore (Md.) Gilman isn't one to willingly talk to reporters to generate news or cut down his list, only to add more schools to light up message boards. Poggi doesn't even like discussing when he'll visit schools because that causes his phone to blow up from reporters.

“Whenever it feels right, I'll commit,” Poggi said. “I might cut down the list but I probably won't though.”

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Gilman School's prospects are thinking Ohio State.

The Baltimore school is sending two highly-rated prospects, Cyrus Jones and Henry Poggi, to Columbus, Ohio, this weekend to check out the Buckeyes under newly hired head coach Urban Meyer.

Poggi is a junior that already is garnering attention on the ESPNU Watch List. He is slated to play defensive tackle in college but could also be considered as a tight end. He said he was primarily considering Stanford, Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee and Auburn among his long list of scholarship offers.

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