re: 2013 Alabama Football Recruiting Thread - DH Decommited from UGA

quote:

---

Mike Farrell: "I don't want to ruin the suspense, but that's a five-star tight end. He's ridiculous. He looks ridiculous; he's physically out of this world. He is going to be one of the best tight ends in the country. "

---

quote:

---

Chris Nee: "I love OJ, you can't stop him. He's a big receiver who has a tight end body, and he is just going to keep growing into that body. He's going to be unbelievable as he gets into a system. His ability to stretch the field, make catches down the field, go up for catches, he always win the ball. He is a guy that is going to have to be strongly considered to be a five star. In my personal opinion, it is almost a no-brainer. He's a dominant tight end, he is one of the best I have ever seen in five or six years of really doing this heavily."

---

quote:

---

Smoking gun IMO...

---

quote:

---

1. What college that you've visited had the best campus atmosphere?

USC: 10 votes
Texas: 9
Alabama: 8

The buzz: Although participants in the survey were granted anonymity, many of the committed prospects naturally went ahead and picked the school they plan on attending. It's also worth noting that USC had more verbal commitments at the camp (eight) than any other school.

"On gameday, I haven't found anything better [than USC]," one participant said.

And what did voters like about Texas?

"It was more of a family atmosphere to me," one Texas supporter said.

There was plenty of variety in the answers, as 33 different schools received at least one vote. Many voters also couldn't limit themselves to one school and picked multiple campuses.

---

quote:

---

2. What school that you've visited had the best facilities?

Alabama: 10 votes
Texas: 7
Georgia: 5
Tennessee: 5

The buzz: This was another topic in which prospects couldn't reach a clear consensus. Keep in mind that many of the prospects had only visited schools in their region of the country at this point in their recruitment. So perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that they mentioned 27 different schools across the nation.

Alabama impressed recruits with its Hank Crisp Indoor Facility, billed as the nation's largest collegiate indoor practice facility under one room. The fully heated and air conditioned facility has 97,000 square feet of clear space. Alabama's Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility includes a 20,000-square-foot strength and conditioning center.

Texas also received high marks for facilities that include the 20,000-square-foot Nasser Al-Rashid Strength Complex.

"It was like nothing [else]," one player said of Texas. "Everything was A1 there."

Some responses came with an asterisk. USC is constructing the $70 million John McKay Center, an 11,000-square-foot building that should be ready by August. A few players voted for one school and then noted that USC would replace that choice as soon as that facility is ready.

---

quote:

---

8. Of all the head coaches you've talked to, who was the most intimidating?

Nick Saban
Nick Saban, Alabama: 30 votes
Lane Kiffin, USC: 5
Will Muschamp, Florida: 4

The buzz: There may not have been a more clear-cut choice in this entire survey.

Saban's name came up most often when players mentioned which coach intimidated them. His name often came up as soon as the question was asked. And the players often said the exact same thing about him.

He doesn't smile.

"He doesn't do any type of grinning, smiling or laughing - none of that," one player said. "He is what people say he is - strictly business."

Saban also apparently isn't much for small talk, according to one prospect.

"He's been in the elite for a long time and he's heard it all," that prospect said. "He just wants to get down to the chase and get to the offer and tell you what he likes and doesn't like about you. That's it."

It wasn't just Saban's attitude that made some prospects nervous. Saban's reputation as the nation's top coach and his two national titles in the last three years left some recruits star-struck.

"With the background he has, just talking to him was like, 'Wow, I'm really talking to Nick Saban,' " one player said. "It was incredible."

---

quote:

---

If i'm being completely honest i'm not sure that there's one Alabama fan who really cares what Walker Jones does aside from the ones in his family.

---

quote:

---

He is the #1 LB on our board and our coaches really want him and we may only take one LB this year.

---