ESPNU released it's updated "ESPNU 150" list yesterday, and the Crimson Tide finds itself with five of the top 150 recruits in the class of 2012 already committed. A few thoughts:
Florida State leads the nation right now with seven commits on the list, including the top overall prospect, DE Mario Edwards. Clearly the "Nick Saban Method of Recruiting" is still paying dividends for Jimbo Fisher:
Last season, Florida State finished with the top recruiting class in the nation, edging out -- wait for it -- Alabama. Fisher learned firsthand from Saban during their time in Baton Rouge and you can bet that the FSU model of recruiting is closely related to how they do things in Tuscaloosa.
"It's as thorough as it gets," said Florida State running backs coach Eddie Gran. "And it never ends. You go back, you go back again and then you go back again. It's the area coach, position coach, coordinator and head coach all watching, evaluating and scrutinizing everything. It's more thorough than ever before. You also have to find out what's important to each recruit. What about their character? Are they a student in the classroom? Are they a student of the game? Do they love football or just like to wear the uniform? To be honest, recruiting is more like the NFL because it has been so intensive. We are pretty darn thorough."
In the SEC, Florida leads the pack with six commits, followed by Bama with five, Auburn with four, LSU with three, South Carolina with two, and Georgia and Ole Miss with one each. No other SEC teams currently have a top 150 commit.
Alabama has the two highest rated commits in the SEC in Eddie Williams, a five star safety rated as the #1 safety prospect and the #5 overall player in the nation, and Brandon Greene, a four star OT prospect rated as the #4 tackle and #23 overall player in the country.
Dakota Ball, a four star commit considered the #16 defensive tackle in the country, fell out of the top 150, though #4 OLB prospect and Tide commit Dillon Lee climbed to No. 56 from No. 72.
Rounding out the Alabama commits on the ESPNU 150 list are Reggie Ragland (#110, #2 ILB) and Tyler Hayes (#124, #8 OLB). Of the five total commits, four are defensive players, and three of those four are linebackers. In fact, looking at the total list of commits (14 so far), the list is heavy on the defensive side. Seven commits are projected on defense versus five on offense, with one "athlete" (just go ahead and count him as a DB) and a kicker. Of course, there's still room for 11 more guys, but it's pretty obvious where we're a) having the most success among elite level athletes and b) where the staff is really spending their efforts in stockpiling.