Alabama Crimson Tide

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Alabama Crimson Tide: Tre Williams

Tales From The Road: Alabama 

May, 15, 2013
May 15
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Each week, Tales From The Road provides news and updates about where Alabama’s coaches are recruiting and which prospects are getting noticed.

This week’s targets: Alabama has traveled coast to coast this spring, but this week the staff is putting an emphasis on the Southeast, specifically its home state. UA assistant coach Lance Thompson plans to make a trip back to Mobile where he will no doubt make a stop at St. Paul’s Episcopal to see Auburn commitments Josh Casher and Tre' Williams. Kirby Smart made a stop at Montgomery (Ala.) Carver to see ESPN 150 linebacker commitment Shaun Dion Hamilton. He’ll also be spending a couple days in West Georgia, checking in with top programs like Sandy Creek, Newnan and Carver, the home of 2015 commitment Mekhi Brown.

Area of interest: There aren’t many Californians on the Alabama roster, but the staff seems to be putting more emphasis on the state with the 2014 class. Tide assistant coaches Greg Brown and Doug Nussmeier were both on the West Coast last week checking out prospects. The biggest name is ESPN 150 tight end Tyler Luatua (La Mirada, Calif./La Mirada), the brother of UA offensive lineman Issac Luatua, but the Tide also have offers out to a pair of ESPN 150 offensive linemen, Damien Mama (Bellflower, Calif./John Bosco) and Viane Talamaivao (Corona, Ca./Centennial). All three prospects want to visit Tuscaloosa.

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Roundtable: Auburn's recruiting surge 

May, 14, 2013
May 14
7:00
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TideNation writers answer Alex Scarborough and Greg Ostendorf answer questions addressing a pressing topic regarding the Alabama football program. And with every Roundtable, we've sought out the opinion of a guest. Today's contributor is ESPN national recruiting director Tom Luginbill.


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Recruiting pitches: SEC

May, 10, 2013
May 10
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Inspired by Florida's "#ComePlayWRFortheJoker" campaign, our recruiting writers looked at other ways schools can sell themselves on the trail. Here's a look at recruiting pitches for the SEC:

Alabama Crimson Tide
What they are selling:
What's not to sell? Alabama is coming off back-to-back national championships, and the Crimson Tide had nine players taken in April's NFL draft, including three in the first round. For the critics who say you won't play early at UA, ask T.J. Yeldon and Amari Cooper how much they contributed as freshmen.

What they are missing: Although they won a national championship, the Tide didn't generate much pass rush last fall, and they had trouble containing freshman sensation Johnny Manziel. Also, they need to rebuild the offensive line, a unit that anchored the offense last year.

Arkansas Razorbacks
What they are selling:
New head coach Bret Bielema runs a completely different offensive system than the previous two Arkansas coaches. The Razorbacks are selling an opportunity for freshmen to come in and earn playing time early in their careers.

What they are missing: The Razorbacks signed only one offensive lineman, Denver Kirkland, who was rated a four-star prospect or higher last year. In this run-heavy system, look for Arkansas to focus on landing talented players along the offensive line.

Auburn Tigers
What they are selling:
It's a new regime for Auburn, but there's a familiar face running the show. New head coach Gus Malzahn knows the program from his days as offensive coordinator. He's already shown the ability to recruit, stealing ESPN 150 linebacker Tre Williams away from the Tide. There's a sense of excitement on The Plains again.

What they are missing: Malzahn filled out his first recruiting class with playmakers, but Auburn needs to build up front on the offensive and defensive lines. No matter what offense you run, if you want to win in the SEC, you need to be able to compete up in the trenches.

Florida Gators
What they are selling:
With no proven wide receivers on the perimeter, Florida is attempting to sell early playing time at the position. A chance to play for one of the best defensive minds in college football in Will Muschamp is another selling point to defensive prospects.

What they are missing: Production on offense. After finishing 114th nationally in passing offense, it will be hard to sell playing time to wide receivers without an explosive passing game in place.

Georgia Bulldogs
What they are selling:
Freshmen, if they're good enough, play early at Georgia. From running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall to offensive tackle John Theus to defensive end Jordan Jenkins, several freshmen Bulldogs made major contributions on a team that was a few yards away from making the national championship game.

What they are missing: Georgia has brought in four top-12 recruiting classes in the last four years. Depth might become an issue for some recruits, but Georgia has certainly shown a willingness to play younger players.

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MOBILE, Ala. -- The new Auburn coaching staff has put an emphasis on the state of Alabama in recruiting, and the trend continued Wednesday when the Tigers landed a commitment from St. Paul’s Episcopal linebacker Tré Williams, ranked No. 74 in the ESPN 150.

"It's been a really great process," he said. "Ever since day one, I was really nervous about my first offer, and when they started building up, Coach [Steve] Mask told me to stay humble. I have and I will always be."

Williams credited his relationship with Auburn assistant coach Dameyune Craig, his recruiting coordinator, as one of the main reasons why he chose the Tigers.

"I've known Coach Craig since my freshman year," Williams said. "He gave me my first offer back at Florida State, and ever since then, we've built that relationship. When he went to Auburn, it made it even better. I already liked Auburn at the time."

Since earning the first offer from Florida State, Williams had accumulated close to 20 scholarship offers, but he admitted it came down to in-state rivals Alabama and Auburn. He also had Florida and Ole Miss in his final group.

At Auburn, the 6-foot-2, 217-pound prospect projects best as an inside linebacker, but Mask, his head coach at St. Paul's, believes Williams can succeed no matter what position he plays.

"He's pretty special," Mask said. "The thing that separates him from anybody I've ever coached, I don't think I've ever seen a kid who loves to play football more than him. He loves to practice football. He loves to talk about football. He loves to play football. He loves the game."

Williams will join high school teammate Josh Casher at Auburn next season. Casher, who committed to the Tigers in March, is the top center prospect in the nation according to ESPN.

With the addition of Williams, Auburn now has five commitments for 2014, four from the state of Alabama. Prattville, Ala., running back Kamryn Pettway was the first to commit to new AU coach Gus Malzahn and his staff.

Official Visit: Thomas’ trouble; AU heats up

May, 8, 2013
May 8
10:34
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video
NoleNation’s Corey Dowlar talks with Phil Murphy about the latest in Florida State 2013 signee Matthew Thomas' saga, and TideNation's Greg Ostendorf stops by to talk about the impending decisions of ESPN 150 recruits Tre’ Williams and Justin Thornton.
Originally, ESPN 150 linebacker Tre' Williams (Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s) was going to announce his college choice at the Under Armour All-America Game, but after talking it over with his family, he’s decided that he’s ready to go ahead and make his commitment.

Williams will announce his decision Wednesday afternoon at his high school.

“I talked to my family, and I thought that I needed to go ahead, enjoy my senior year and have all that stress off of me, all of the pressure,” he said. “I wanted to go ahead and get rid some of that so I could focus on my senior year of football and school in general.”


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Last year, the University of Alabama’s No. 1 recruiting class was highlighted by playmakers on offense. The Crimson Tide signed four ESPN 150 running backs, the nation’s No. 2 wide receiver and a player many believed was the most dynamic tight end in the class.

However, Nick Saban is still a defensive-minded coach, and it’s clear the priority so far for 2014 has been on that side of the ball.


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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- ESPN 150 linebacker Tre Williams (Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s) is one of the top players in the state, so it’s no surprise that the defending national champions have made him a priority for the 2014 class.

Williams visited the University of Alabama for the their spring game this weekend.


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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It’s A-Day weekend, which means top recruits from across the nation are about to descend on the University of Alabama for the Crimson Tide’s spring game.

It’s an event that has become almost like game weekend in the fall for both fans and recruits, and it’s no different this year with a large, impressive group of prospects set to be on campus. Will Alabama add to its 2014 class when it’s all said and done?


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Bama offers Auburn OL commitment 

April, 12, 2013
Apr 12
5:26
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama has always been interested in 2014 offensive lineman Josh Casher (Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s), but the Tide sat back and waited while schools like Auburn, Florida and Florida State extended scholarship offers.


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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- ESPN Watch List linebacker Tre Williams (Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s) grew up watching the Under Armour All-America Game every year. This year, he won’t be watching it. He’ll be playing in it.

Williams was among the players on the 2014 roster, released Thursday.


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In-state LB attends Tide's junior day 

January, 28, 2013
Jan 28
11:37
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- If you look at his Facebook picture, it’s no surprise that ESPN Watch List linebacker Tre Williams is wearing an Alabama jersey in one of half the shot while sporting an Auburn jersey in the other half. The Alabama native says the two in-state schools are recruiting him the hardest.

Over the weekend, Williams was in Tuscaloosa for the Crimson Tide’s junior day.


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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- ESPN Watch List defensive Justin Thornton (Mobile, Ala./Vigor) has been to Alabama multiple times -- most recently for the Iron Bowl in November -- but he saw a different side of the Crimson Tide program over the weekend.

And even though he enjoyed the visit, his leader still hails from the ACC.


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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama keeps trending upward for ESPN Watch List linebacker Rashaan Evans, an Auburn legacy. The in-state star visited Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the Crimson Tide’s first junior day and came away impressed.

“It went pretty good,” Evans said. “They gave us a tour of the facilities and the new weight room they’re about to put in. It’s huge. It’s almost double from what they had originally had, so it’s going to be huge. And it’s right across from the indoor facility.”

Evans, who already has an Alabama offer, didn’t get a chance to speak with head coach Nick Saban. Instead, he spent most of his time with UA defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It’s stretch time for the University of Alabama. With the exception of five-star defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, the Crimson Tide have hosted all of their remaining targets for official visits, and now it’s a countdown to signing day.

Over the weekend, the UA staff and commitment Bradley Bozeman agreed to a grayshirt next year, which opens up another spot in the 2013 class. The Tide now can add five, possibly six more recruits over the next two weeks.

This week’s O-zone looks at who is most likely to fill the remaining spots and also previews this weekend’s junior day in Tuscaloosa.


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