Alabama Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The last month has been a productive one for the University of Alabama in terms of recruiting.

Sure, the Crimson Tide still have just three commitments for 2014 -- far less than they’ve had at this time in years past -- but since the beginning of spring practice, they have hosted some of the nation’s top recruits. If the talent on campus this spring is any indication, Nick Saban is well on his way to another No. 1 recruiting class.

With just a week until A-Day, TideNation breaks down the recent visitors, position-by-position, beginning with the offense Thursday.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The majority of Alabama’s early enrollees in the 2013 class come from the offensive side of the ball, but the most intriguing newcomer has to be five-star athlete Derrick Henry. How big is he? What’s he look like after a month in the Crimson Tide’s new weight room? Most importantly, what position will he play?

Those questions will be answered on Saturday when Henry takes the field for the first time with his Alabama teammates as the Tide open spring practice.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Last week, the University of Alabama inked the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class for the second year in a row. The class was made up of prospects from 13 different states and featured a combination of skill players and interior linemen.

This week’s O-zone takes a closer look at the class, breaking down its strengths and weaknesses, and singling out a few players who could stand out when they get on campus.

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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 running back Alvin Kamara.

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

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama already has three players committed to play running back and could add one more before signing day, but that hasn’t deterred ESPN 150 back Tyren Jones, who gave his verbal pledge to the Crimson Tide in February. Jones has proven to be one of the top rushers in the state of Georgia over the last two years, and he’s looking to take that success with him to Tuscaloosa.

Q: What made you commit to Alabama?

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Editor’s note: Every Tuesday and Thursday between now and national signing day, TideNation will review each position and look at who figures to start, who could rise up the depth chart and who might be on the way. Today we’ll look at the specialists.

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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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A little behind on the recruiting trail? Worry not -- TideNation has you covered. To catch you up on where the Alabama recruiting class of 2013 stands, we'll take you through the high points, including how the coaching staff has addressed certain needs and set the team up for seasons to come.

Team needs: With three of five starting offensive linemen and two of three defensive lineman starters off to the NFL draft, Alabama was forced to focus on finding help in the trenches. Nick Saban and the rest of the UA coaching staff had success filling those needs with the 2013 class, particularly along the offensive line. The Crimson Tide secured the commitments of four offensive linemen, one coming by way of a junior college in New York. Leon Brown, who was ranked in the top 20 of all junior college prospects by ESPN, could find himself competing for the starting right tackle job vacated by D.J. Fluker.

Help is on the way: Outside of the lines, Alabama was once again in search of talented athletes to continue bringing potency to an offense that's been on a steady rise the past few years. Amari Cooper and T.J. Yeldon were difference makers in 2012 and there could be one or two who do the same this year. Derrick Henry, the No. 1 athlete in the country and Alabama's lone five-star commitment, could be the biggest wild card of the class. At 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, he's an option at tailback, H-back and possibly linebacker. He'll begin at running back, where he set a national career rushing yards record at Yulee High in Florida.

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Editor’s note: Every Tuesday and Thursday between now and national signing day, TideNation will review each position and look at who figures to start, who could rise up the depth chart and who might be on the way. Today we’ll look at the running backs.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Even Eddie Lacy is in the dark about who will carry the football for the University of Alabama next season. The junior running back who declared for the NFL draft last week said he's sure T.J. Yeldon will get plenty of carries, but who the No. 2 back is remains a question mark.

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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.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama hosted a large group of official visitors over the weekend, both committed and uncommitted, and in some cases, the committed prospects were just as important as those still waiting to make their decision.

One of those examples is ESPN 150 running back Tyren Jones. With speculation surrounding his recruitment, the UA coaching staff wanted to make sure he was still committed and make a good final impression on the Peach State native.

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Editor's note: The season is over and the Alabama Crimson Tide are national champions yet again. But what happens next? TideNation examines the most pressing storylines of the offseason as the Tide gear up for another title defense.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Who would have thought that after losing Trent Richardson the Alabama running game would become more dynamic in 2012? For that matter, who would have thought that when Mark Ingram left two years ago the production on the ground would actually improve? Losing back-to-back Heisman Trophy-caliber tailbacks has done nothing to slow down the Crimson Tide. Alabama has instead improved its number of rushing yards, yards per carry and rushing touchdowns in each of the last three seasons despite watching some of the best running backs in the country move on to the NFL.

"There’s a standard," UA running back Eddie Lacy said. "They left a high standard here. So coming into this season I didn’t want to shoot straight for their standard, I just decided that I would play the game that I know how to play and whatever the outcome may be, let it be what it is. It ended up pretty good and I’m pretty much up there with those guys."

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Is there a better option than the University of Alabama for the nation’s top high school running backs? It sure doesn’t seem like it.

In Monday’s BCS championship win over Notre Dame, Eddie Lacy ripped off 140 yards and a touchdown on the ground, also catching a touchdown pass, while true freshman running back T.J. Yeldon added 108 yards and a score of his own.

What’s scary is the backfield will be deeper and could be more talented next season. The Tide will likely add ESPN 150 running backs Tyren Jones and Altee Tenpenny, who are both committed, and five-star prospect Derrick Henry -- the nation’s all-time leader in yards at the high school level -- just enrolled at UA this week. He’ll take part in spring practice.

However, the future depth at the position hasn’t deterred any 2014 running backs away from the Tide. Alabama has already picked up a commitment from one ESPN Watch List back, and there’s a list of other elite backs who either have an offer or are hoping to get one.

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MARIETTA, Ga. -- When Walton High School lost in the playoffs to Parkview (Ga.) High School in the recent Class AAAAAA playoffs, no one present could say that it was for lack of effort. The Panthers upset a Raiders team that was beset with injuries. Multiple starters hobbled onto the field, covered in yards of trainer's tape, only to lose in the second overtime, 20-17.

Cornerback D.J. Smith did everything possible to pull his team through but to no avail. With Alabama running back commit Tyren Jones out for the season, Smith was pressed into service at tailback, racking up 95 yards and a touchdown. He also made an acrobatic catch on a 16-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone from Alabama quarterback commit Parker McLeod, who was playing on two bad ankles. In the second overtime, Smith rushed for 14 yards on the first play, setting up a first-and-goal situation but the Raiders were stonewalled and Parkview escaped with the victory.

Such dynamic plays are why Smith has offers from Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan State, Nebraska, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

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