BOL In-State Top 25

If one needed any additional evidence of the football talent produced by the state of Alabama, look no further than this year's NFL draft which featured seven Alabama products selected. In fact, the state’s 7 first round picks in the last five years is the sixth-most amongst all states, only trailing Texas, Florida, California, New Jersey, and Georgia.

Foster is the easy pick as the state's top prospect.
Alabama homegrown stars like Julio Jones, Rolando McClain, and Demeco Ryans all have made early impacts at the next level, and the next crop of talented prospects from the Yellowhammer state doesn't figure to disappoint.

The 2013 in-state class for Alabama recently received a boost of stardom at the top with the transfer of five-star linebacker Reuben Foster to Auburn High School from Troup County, Ga. Foster immediately vaults to the top spot of this edition of the BOL Top 25 for 2013 in the state of Alabama.

"Foster would be the top prospect in every state of the country with the exception of Georgia, and that is only because a freak like Robert Nkemdiche happens to be there this cycle," said BamaOnline.com Recruiting Editor Tim Watts. "Foster in a typical year would be the top guy in Georgia, and in a 2013 class that really doesn't have a slam dunk standout in Alabama, Foster was the easy pick for our top guy. He is fast, physical and has all of the intangibles you are looking for to be an elite linebacker. There really isn't a weakness at all with this kid."

The defensive theme continues as Muscle Shoals product Dee Liner, a 6-foot-2, 277-pound defensive lineman, is BOL's second-ranked prospect in-state for 2013. The Auburn commit rolled up 83 sacks and 17 sacks as a junior.

"Liner is ultra-aggressive and quick, and really a match-up nightmare inside because of that terrific first step," said Watts. "He could play inside or at end for Auburn in their 4-3 defense, but I think he has more upside at tackle because of the match-up problems he poses."

The 2nd-5th spots in the top five are almost interchangeable, but FSU offensive tackle commit Austin Golson got the nod as our third-ranked player for the class of 2013 due to position scarcity.

"Golson plays left tackle which is a premium position, and Alabama doesn't turn out too many true, elite left tackles," said Watts. "Tyler Love, Andre Smith and D.J. Fluker are really the only top prospects at that position in recent memory. I like Golson's footwork and length as a pass blocker. He hasn’t allowed a sack in the last two seasons playing at the state’s highest level for Prattville."

Alabama commitment O.J. Howard checks in as the fourth-ranked prospect in the class of 2013. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder represents the new breed of athletes that are filling the tight end position in the pros.

"Howard could easily be number two on this list," said Watts. "You see that guys like Aaron Hernandez and Jimmy Graham are starting to take over that spot, and the days of a big, lumbering blocking tight end are starting to go away. Howard's specialty is getting open and making big time plays with his size and athleticism."

Rounding out the top five is another Tide commit that has skyrocketed up the recruiting ranks in recent months in Spanish Fort athlete Deon Johnson, a 4.3 40-yard dash speedster who can play multiple positions.

"Johnson has work to do in the classroom, but if he takes care of business there, then Alabama is getting an explosive guy who can score anywhere on the field," said Watts. "I know some recruiting analysts think he could be the second-best prospect in state, and when you watch his film it is hard to argue with that."

The List

1) Reuben Foster (Auburn HS), linebacker, committed to Alabama
2) Dee Liner (Muscle Shoals HS), defensive lineman, committed to Auburn
3) Austin Golson (Prattville HS), offensive tackle, committed to Florida State
4) OJ Howard (Autauga Academy), tight end, committed to Alabama
5) Deon Johnson (Spanish Fort High School), athlete, committed to Alabama
6) ArDarius Stewart (Fultondale High School), athlete, committed to Alabama - Stewart rolled up over 3,500 total yards as a junior and could play wide receiver or corner at the next level.
7) Grant Hill (Huntsville High School), offensive tackle, committed to Alabama - Hill is a 6-foot-6 masher who projects at guard or right tackle in college.
8) Jason Smith (McGill-Toolen High School), athlete - Another multi-threat athlete in-state who is also powerful in the weight room.
9) Cameron Toney (Huntsville High School), linebacker, committed to Auburn - Athletic, physical and well-coached LB on a top north Alabama program.
10) Earnest Robinson (Pinson Valley High School), wide receiver, committed to Auburn - Gifted receiver with good size and leaping ability who figures to be a big red zone target for Auburn.
11) Jeremy Johnson (Carver-Montgomery High School), quarterback, committed to Auburn - Huge signal-caller who runs well for his size and has above-average arm.
12) Bradley Bozeman (Handley High School), offensive guard, committed to Alabama - Tide commit with nasty streak who will add depth to interior OL.
13) Marquez White (Northview High School), cornerback, committed to Florida State- Recent FSU commit who has seen stock rise in spring. Doubles as outstanding basketball player.
14) Kamryn Melton (Dothan High School), cornerback, committed to Auburn - Extremely athletic defensive back who can also return kicks.
15) DeAndre Woods (Clay-Chalkville High School), wide receiver - Big receiver who helped Clay-Chalkville to an undefeated regular season.
16) Ulric Jones (Oxford High School), defensive lineman – Tall DL who will continue to improve as he gains experience.
17) James Cox (Northridge High School), wide receiver - Impressed with quickness and route-running at the Atlanta NFTC.
18) B.J. Hammond (Gadsden City High School), wide receiver - Good sized target across the middle who as seen stock rise throughout spring.
19) Jonathan Cook (Spanish Fort High School), cornerback - Rangy corner with exceptional ball skills.
20) Johnathan Ford (New Hope High School), running back, committed to Vanderbilt – Productive RB with size.
21) Cameron Fraser (Phenix City Central High School), offensive lineman – Physical OL who is strong at the point of attack.
22) Rashawn Smith (Florence High School), outside linebacker – Sideline-to-sideline OLB who excels in pursuit.
23) Chequan Burkett (Jefferson Davis High School), safety – Rising safety who is a force across the middle of the field.
24) Rod Crayton (Dadeville High School), defensive tackle – Crayton is compact, strong, and productive.
25) Cameron Echols-Luper (Auburn High School), Athlete – High school quarterback and track standout capable of playing a few different positions at the next level.