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

Regarding Henry I think he also realizes concerns with his size at RB and is already trying to address them. FWIW

"Because I'm a tall running back, I need to work on my pad level," Henry adds. "I run high, because I'm so tall. So I've been working on getting my shoulders down and being more physical and running through the hole low. I've also been working on my pass blocking and picking up blitzes. Mark [Ingram] and Trent [Richardson] were big backs who did things like that."

Hmmm. Still in Lee County but at least it's not in Auburn. I kinda hope RF transfers there but now that he's enrolled at AHS I don't know if he could transfer in-state and still be eligible.

quote:

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MOBILE, Alabama -- One of the bigger in-state recruiting battles between Alabama and Auburn this year could be over McGill-Toolen quarterback Jason Smith, a dual-threat signal-caller who gained more than 2,000 yards of total offense as a junior last fall.

Smith is one of two top quarterback prospects in the state this year, along with Carver-Montgomery's Jeremy Johnson, although some believe he could also excel as a receiver or defensive back. The 6-foot-1, 175 pounder, who led the Yellow Jackets to an 11-2 record in 2011, said he wants to the opportunity to compete at quarterback, however.

"It's important to me, because that's what I want to do on the next level," said Smith, who lists offers from Ole MIss, Arkansas, Arkansas State, UAB, Troy and Louisiana Tech along with the Tide and Tigers.

Smith, who threw for 1,307 yards and ran for another 740 last season, said Alabama coach Nick Saban, in particular, has spoken to him about the possibility of switching positions.

"They said they would give me a chance at quarterback, but they want me to be successful for the future -- me going to the pros," Smith said of Alabama recruiters. "(Saban) says he sees me as an NFL corner and an NFL receiver. The man knows what he's talking about because he's been doing this for a long time."

McGill-Toolen coach Bart Sessions has compared Smith, who boasts 4.47 speed, to another dual-threat quarterback who was recruited by some colleges at other positions -- former Daphne High and West Virginia star Pat White.

In addition to a chance to play quarterback, Smith said he's looking at school's coaching staffs, facilities and offensive philosophies in narrowing down his list. He believes his skill set fits best in a spread offense.

And if it doesn't work out for him at quarterback, Smith said he's willing to try something else. "If it doesn't work out," he said, "I'm going to move to a position where I'm going to be successful."

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LINK

Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Yes confirmed he AND Allen will be there and fwiw it was a surprise to coaches till last night/this morning

2 of the country's top LB prospects (technically Allen is listed as DE, regardless he's an OLB for us) who both have us listed 1st on our board This recruiting staff is MFin PHENOMENAL!!!

Also I had a VERY interesting convo with an assistant at Tampa Bay this morning about all the guys on Bama's staff being hired in the NFL from our staff, he told me that Bama's extremely open door policy to all NFL scouts coupled with the high level of talent has shown a spotlight on the program, particularly this year with 3 of the best D prospects in the country and offered our team's scouts an opportunity to jump straight to the NFL at an unprecedented level. I was also told not to be surprised to have 5 or more 1st rd guys next yr, I asked him about Jesse Williams, he said there is already buzz among 34 teams after his showing at the Pro Day running a 4.8 at his size. VERY interesting convo

Anybody have any tidbits from the Crimson Caravan last night in Columbus, Ga?

quote:

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Saban was quoted as saying "Bama STAAAAACKED. SEC FUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKKEDDDDDD"

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Hhmmm....still don't see anything on BOL about Matthew Thomas, they must be SWAMPED with this War Room

Hoping J.Allen acts like a total and complete Bama NUT on the trip and gets Thomas FIRED UP!!! and wanting to commit

Also do you guys realize stealing both these guys DEVASTATES the ACC since M.Thomas is both Da U and FSU's TOP LB target, and Allen is VT's TOP LB target

Thomas tried to make it up for A Day but couldn't make it for some reason. Allen has also tried to visit on numerous occasions but was unable to so it great that we can finally get both on campus.

Yup it will be BOTH guys FIRST TIME in Ttown, and they ALREADY name us both as the leader, this visit will be a HUGE SUCCESS!! I have a feeling