Alabama Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Over the weekend, in-state cornerback Jonathan Cook made his first trip to the University of Alabama since he committed to the Crimson Tide last month. It was Cook’s official visit, and he already can’t wait to get back to Tuscaloosa.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- On Wednesday, seven recruits enrolled early at the University of Alabama, nine if you include walk-on quarterback Luke Del Rio and converted baseball player Jai Miller, but one player was significantly absent -- ESPN 150 defensive end DeMarcus Walker.

Walker committed to the Crimson Tide in August, and his plan was to leave for Tuscaloosa the day after the BCS Championship Game where he would enroll early. However, he flipped his pledge to Florida State immediately after the game, following former UA assistant coach Jeremy Pruitt to Tallahassee. He arrived on FSU’s campus Tuesday.

With Walker no longer a part of the class, Alabama will look to replace him and add at least one, if not two elite defensive linemen. This week’s O-zone breaks down potential options along the defensive line and also takes a look at who's all visiting the Capstone this weekend.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

On Monday night, the University of Alabama won its second consecutive national championship and its third in the last four years. The Crimson Tide dominated Notre Dame to the tune of 42-14, and the nation’s top recruits took notice.

Members of Alabama’s current class, remaining 2013 targets, and the nation’s elite prospects in 2014 all chimed in after the Tide’s win last night.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Editor's note: This is a series that introduces Alabama's 2013 recruiting class that will run through signing day.

Although he’s flown under the radar since committing to Alabama last January, ESPN 300 athlete ArDarius Stewart is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the Crimson Tide’s class. He played primarily quarterback and defensive back in high school, but the UA coaching staff wants to try him out at wide receiver when he gets to Tuscaloosa.

Q: What made you commit to Alabama?

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It was evident that the University of Alabama made an effort to get the ball to its wide receivers this season. Whether it was because of new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier or just a surplus of playmakers at the position, the Crimson Tide aired it out more than they had in past years.

With that in mind, the wide receiver position has become more important to the Tide in recruiting.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama is headed to its third national championship in four years after an epic clash with Georgia in the SEC championship.

The instant classic made an impression on the top recruits as well.

ATH Derrick Henry (Yulee, Fla./Yulee): “I thought it was a good game. I thought it was one of the best SEC championships that I’ve seen. Both teams fought to the end, and I love seeing something like that. I love seeing both teams hungry for a win. I thought both teams fought really hard.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The recruit who traveled the longest distance for Saturday’s Iron Bowl was more than likely ESPN 300 athlete Anthony Averett. The Alabama commitment made the trip down from New Jersey, but it was well worth the trip to experience his first game inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“I had never experienced anything like that before,” Averett said. “I went to the spring game, and there was a lot of people for the spring game, too, but nothing like this game. There was tailgating everywhere, people everywhere, our fans, their fans. I have never experienced that before in my life.”

As for the game itself, Averett expected an Alabama to win but not quite to that extent. Even he was surprised with how lopsided the final outcome was.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- ESPN 300 athlete ArDarius Stewart (Fultondale, Ala./Fultondale) visited Alabama on Saturday for the Western Carolina game, but the real excitement came well after the Crimson Tide played. The real excitement came later that night.

“When I came down, I knew they were going to win,” Stewart said. “I’m just glad they bounced back after last week, and things actually fell in place for Alabama with Oregon losing and Kansas State losing.”

Stewart, one of Alabama’s first commitments in 2013, stayed late in Tuscaloosa to watch as Baylor defeated Kansas State and Stanford stunned Oregon in overtime. With the Tide back in the mix for another national championship, the town reacted like it had just beaten a top 10 opponent.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- ESPN 300 athlete ArDarius Stewart (Fultondale, Ala./Fultondale) has become a regular at the Alabama home games. The Crimson Tide commitment was back in Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the Mississippi State game.

“The visit went good,” Stewart said. “It was nice, just like always. I went to see a couple players to see how they were going to play. I wanted to see T.J. Yeldon to see how he was going to hang on the field.”

Yeldon, a freshman running back, held own his own against the Bulldogs. He finished with 10 carries for 84 yards and scored the Tide’s first touchdown on an 11-yard scamper.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Nick Saban never seems happy nor satisfied. That’s part of what makes him great. That same attitude carries over to the recruiting trail, where the Alabama head coach is one of the best in the business.

We asked three Crimson Tide commitments -- RB Tyren Jones (Marietta, Ga./Walton), OL Bradley Bozeman (Roanoke, Ala./Handley) and ATH ArDarius Stewart (Birmingham, Ala./Fultondale) -- for their thoughts on Saban.

Q: What stands out about Coach Saban? What makes him successful?

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

When Fultondale, Ala., native ArDarius Stewart committed to Alabama in January, many pegged him as a possible cornerback or safety at the next level. He plays quarterback in high school, but that’s not where his future lies.

Before this week’s prospect camp, UA head coach Nick Saban gave Stewart the opportunity to play where he wanted to play, and the 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete opted to try out wide receiver for a change.

“I talked to Saban before the camp,” Stewart said. “He was telling me he was going to give me a chance to play whatever I wanted to play. He wasn’t just going to put me at a position that I didn’t want to play. He was going to give me a chance to do what I want to do.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- It’s hard to miss ArDarius Stewart when he’s out on the field.

For one, he’s an ESPN 150 athlete who’s considered one of the best prospects in the state of Alabama for 2013. But if you ask opposing players and coaches, they’ll tell you it’s his shoes that make him stand out.

Since he was young, Stewart has always tried to stand out, wearing white shoes when everybody else has black ones on, that sort of thing. At Fultondale (Ala.) High School, Stewart wears bright orange shoes every game. You notice them until he runs by you, and then it’s just a blur.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Monday marked the University of Alabama’s second practice this spring and first in over a week because of spring break. The Crimson Tide hosted a lone visitor for practice, ArDarius Stewart, who is on his own spring break this week.

“It was a really strong practice,” Stewart said. “I liked how they moved around on the field and how they moved around to their positions in the drills. I believe it’s a good fit for me because I like the way the coaching staff does things.”

Stewart committed to Alabama in January, but the 2013 athlete hasn’t decided what position he will play when he gets to Tuscaloosa. At Monday’s practice, Stewart kept an eye on the wide receivers, quarterbacks and defensive backs, the three spots he’s played at for Fultondale High School.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider