:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45496292/usa-today-8308021.0.jpg)
LAST WEEKEND RECAP
Last weekend was the first recruiting weekend after the dead period. The Crimson Tide hosted a few recruits on official visits as well as several solid commits to the Class of 2015. These young men along with chief recruiter Blake Barnett and the other early enrollees all took in the Bama-Kentucky basketball game. Although the Wildcats basically dominated from whistle to whistle, it was an electric atmosphere. It also did not hurt that the weather was pretty nice.
One of the official visitors, wide receiver K.J. Hill from North Little Rock, Arkansas, decommitted from his home state Razorbacks on Sunday evening. This does not mean that Hill will become a member of the Crimson Tide but the timing is interesting.
The Bama staff has been trying to get offensive tackle Drew Richmond to flip from Ole Miss but the Memphis native had a death in the family and canceled his visit to Tuscaloosa this past weekend. If the Bama staff cannot reschedule him, the chances of signing him are slim.
Beyond that news, there were no commitments or decommitments.
THIS WEEKEND
As of post time, four uncommitted official visitors will make their way to the Capstone and three are all of the wide receiver variety:
Terry Godwin (6-0/168) is an outstanding athlete from Hogansville, GA who could play wide receiver, defensive back, and/or return kicks at the college level. He has been committed to Georgia since January 2014 but has long been considered a "soft" commit and has made as many as six unofficial visits to Bama in the past year. The Alabama coaches are very high on Godwin and almost got a "flip" this past A-Day. The UGA staff gave him the full-court press this past week before his visit to Auburn on Saturday. Now, it's Nick Saban's turn.
Alabama has made a late push for 4-star St Petersburg, FL Athlete Ryan Davis. Davis has long looked like a Florida-FSU battle but both Alabama schools have garnered his interest as of late. After an official trip to Auburn last weekend, Lane Kiffin paid him a visit this week and convinced him to make an official visit to Tuscaloosa this weekend (it sure doesn't look like Kiffin is packing his bags for San Francisco). The 5-9.5/167-pounder played quarterback at Lakewood High School, throwing for over 2,140 yards (18 TD, 4 INT) and running for 1,233 with 17 TDs in his senior campaign. However, his future is clearly at wideout. [UPDATE: Davis has cancelled his visit ans will instead visit Florida.]
Another receiver, Antonio Callaway from Booker T. Washington in Miami, will be into town as well. He is cramming four official visits into two weeks (Miami Jan 16, Auburn Jan 19, Bama Jan 23) wrapping it up with a visit to Florida on January 30. I have my doubts about his seriousness towards the Tide. [UPDATE: Callaway will not be coming to T-town this weekend instead opting for West Virginia. He will either visit Florida or Alabama Jan 30.]
Tourist: Auburn commit Darrell Williams, outside linebacker from Birmingham, AL (Hoover). [UPDATE: Clemson commit 4-star RB Ray-Ray McCloud is added to the guest list but there is no room for him on this team any more.]
THE COMMITTED
Also visiting are the following Bama commits from across the country:
Kendall Sheffield CB (6-0/181) Missouri City, TX - 5-star, 10 career high school INTs.
Lester Cotton OG (6-4/325) Tuscaloosa, AL - 4-star, local kid.
Richie Petitbon OG (6-4/301 ) Washington, DC - 4-star, grandson of NFL great.
Shawn Burgess-Becker (unconfirmed) S (6-0/195) Pompano Beach, FL - 4-star DB also excels as a WR. [UPDATE: he will visit Jan 30]
Hale Hentges TE (6-5/230) Jefferson City, MO - 4-star, 26 rec TDs in past two years.
Mekhi Brown DE (6-4.5/222) Columbus, GA - 4-star, visited Louisville last weekend.
Keaton Anderson OLB (6-1/215) Florence, AL - 3-star, 362 tackles in past two years.
Montrell Custis CB (6-0/175) Hampton, GA - 3-star, former Kentucky commit, visited Lexington last weekend.
T.D. Moton DT (6-2.5/310) Shreveport, LA - 3-star, former MSU commit was in StarkVegas this past weekend. [UPDATE: Moton is no longer committed to Bama. There are reports of concerns of his ability to qualify at Alabama. He may land back at MSU or juco.]
* Be on the lookout for all these young men and Nick Saban at the Alabama-Auburn basketball game on Saturday at 7:30pm CT. At halftime, there will be a presentation of the Foy Trophy to Saban and the entire football team as winners of the Iron Bowl. The game is sold out but you can give StubHub or Craigslist a try.
OTHERS
- Nick Saban and Kirby Smart will visit freak-of-nature Prince Tega Wanogho on Thursday. The 6-8/250 lbs DE/TE had surgery on Wednesday after breaking a leg in a basketball game. He is expected to recover by May. His very recent reclassification to the Class of 2015 (previously 2016) may hurt his chance of joining Bama due to numbers crunch.
- 5-star Florida DE CeCe Jefferson was visited by Tide coaches this week but it looks like a fight between the nearby Florida Gators and the Hugh Freeze Kool-Aid at Oxford.
- So far, Holton Hill is the only scheduled visitor for the last weekend before NSD. At a legit 6-2 and 180 pounds, he would make an intimidating cornerback. The 4-star Houston, Texas native should arrive on January 30th. Bama is in his final five (Bama, Tex, Baylor, TAMU, LSU) but I get the feeling he stays in-state.
26 athletes have verbally committed to sign with the Crimson Tide with seven already enrolled in classes. There is belief that Alabama could possibly take two more players. Student records are private, so we may never know who is on scholarship.
National Signing Day is February 4, 2015. Stay tuned to RBR Recruiting coverage for the latest news.