The early recruiting momentum for 2012 continues further, as 'Bama has picked up a commitment from Atlanta area tailback Justin Taylor. A Rivals writer out of Georgia picked up the news initially, but shortly thereafter, confirmation came from the Tuscaloosa News:
The University of Alabama extended a scholarship offer following Junior Day in Tuscaloosa to Justin Taylor, running back from Washington High School in Atlanta, Ga.
"Justin Taylor committed to Alabama... Justin just committed to Coach Saban and coach Rumph minutes ago."
Unlike Kenyan Drake, who is really more of a pure athlete playing tailback on the prep level, Taylor is built more in the traditional mold of a Nick Saban tailback, specifically meaning that he's a stocky, powerful runner who doesn't hesitate to get north to south when he is handed the football. There is a good chance that Drake ends up playing at one of the outside skill positions, but with a 5'10 and 215 pound frame, Taylor will almost certainly end up at tailback in Tuscaloosa.
In any event, Taylor looks to be a solid addition to the class. He had picked up early offers from Arkansas and Georgia Tech, and his prep production out of Washington High looks fairly impressive, as he racked up roughly 1,500 yards on the ground a year ago. After we missed on Malcolm Brown and Isiah Crowell in the 2011 recruiting class, tailback is somewhat of a priority in 2012, and adding Taylor early helps shore up the position while giving us the flexibility down the stretch to pursue the likes of Barry Sanders, Jr. and Keith Marshall.
Taylor becomes the ninth commitment in the 2012 recruiting class for Alabama.