Crimson Tide Adds 32 Football Signees

Crimson Tide Adds 32 Football Signees

Press Conference

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban announced today that 30 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play football with the Crimson Tide, joining two players who enrolled at the Capstone in January and will compete in spring practice later this semester.

The 32 players come from nine states ?? Alabama (19), Florida (2), Georgia (2), Louisiana (1), Michigan (1), Mississippi (2), Tennessee (3), Texas (1) and West Virginia (1).

As listed by position, the Crimson Tide add to their roster seven defensive linemen, five defensive backs, five receivers, four running backs, three linebackers, three offensive linemen, one quarterback, one kicker, one tight end/wide receiver, one tight end/defensive end and one player designated an overall athlete ?? though several of the players played multiple positions in high school and could move to other positions once they arrive on campus.

Two players ?? wide receiver Chris Jackson and kicker Corey Smith ?? already are attending the University. Both enrolled in January, began taking classes for the spring 2008 semester and will be able to participate in Alabama's spring football practices. The other 30 players signed national letters of intent today.

Among the 32 players are:

*Five members of the Parade magazine prep All-America team ?? linebacker Jerrell Harris, wide receiver Julio Jones, defensive back Alonzo Lawrence, offensive lineman Tyler Love and defensive lineman Kerry Murphy (2006).

*Five members of the EA Sports prep All-America team ?? J. Jones and Lawrence (first team), Harris and Love (second team) and offensive lineman Barrett Jones (third team).

*Three members of the Scout.com prep All-America team ?? defensive back Mark Barron, defensive lineman Marcel Dareus and J. Jones.

*One member of the USA Today prep All-America team ?? J. Jones.

*Two players participated in the U.S. Army prep All-America game ?? quarterback Star Jackson and B. Jones.

*Three players participated in the Under Armour prep All-Star game ?? offensive lineman John Michael Boswell, J. Jones and Love.

*Twenty players named to the Scout.com Southeast 150 ?? J. Jones (2nd), Love (13th), Barron (18th), Harris (22nd), Dareus (23rd), wide receiver/athlete B.J. Scott (25th), Lawrence (36th), B. Jones (59th), running back Chris Jordan (68th), S. Jackson (70th), linebacker Courtney Upshaw (73rd), tight end/wide receiver Devonta Bolton (77th), C. Jackson (84th), defensive back Robby Green (86th), wide receiver Melvin Ray (88th), linebacker Don'ta Hightower (95th), defensive lineman Glenn Harbin (120th), wide receiver Destin Hood (126th), Boswell (131st) and defensive back Robert Lester (145th).

*Eighteen players named to Atlanta Journal Constitution Super Southern 100 team ?? Barron, Bolton, Boswell, Dareus, Green, Harris, C. Jackson, B. Jones, Jordan, Hightower, Lawrence, Lester, Love, defensive back Wesley Neighbors, Ray, Scott, kicker Corey Smith and Upshaw.

*Seventeen players named to Rivals.com Top 35 Alabama prep players ?? J. Jones (1st), Scott (2nd), Love (3rd), Harris (4th), Barron (5th), Upshaw (9th), defensive lineman Michael Williams (10th), Boswell (11th), Hood (12th), defensive lineman Brandon Lewis (14th), Lester (15th), Harbin (16th), Dareus (17th), running back Ivan Matchett (20th), running back Jermaine Preyear (22nd), defensive lineman Undra Billingsley (24th) and athlete Brad Smelley (34th).

*Seventeen players named to SuperPrep/Scout.com Top 30 Alabama prep players ?? J. Jones (1st), Harris (2nd), Love (4th), Dareus (6th), Scott (7th), Barron (8th), Williams (10th), Upshaw (11th), Harbin (12th), Hood (13th), Boswell (14th), Lester (18th), Matchett (20th), Lewis (21st), Neighbors (23rd), Preyear (27th) and Billingsley (30th).

*Thirteen players named to Mobile Press Register Elite 18 team ?? J. Jones (1st), Harris (2nd), Barron (3rd), Scott (4th), Love (5th), Upshaw (7th), Williams (10th), Harbin (11th), Boswell (12th), Hood (13th), Lewis (15th), Matchett (16th) and Dareus (18th).

*Eight players named to Mobile Press Register Super Southeast 120 team ?? J. Jones (1st), Lawrence (8th), Jordan (14th),
B. Jones (15th), Love (31st), S. Jackson (64th), Hood (100th) and C. Jackson (118th).

*Seven players named to Rivals.com National Top 100 prep players ?? J. Jones (4th), Scott (28th), Love (30th), Harris (34th), Lawrence (35th), Barron (55th) and B. Jones (60th).

*Six players named to ESPN.com National Top 150 ?? J. Jones (2nd), Scott (19th), Upshaw (30th), Love (32nd), Harris (99th) and C. Jackson (143rd).

*Six players named to Tom Lemming/CSTV National Top 100 prep players ?? J. Jones (3rd), Lawrence (26th), Love (49th), Scott (54th), Harris (69th) and Ray (89th).

*Five players named to SuperPrep/Scout.com National Top 100 prep players ?? J. Jones (3rd), Love (32nd), Barron (46th), Harris (67th) and Scott (74th).

2008 Signing Class

Time	Signee	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown (Highschool/JC)
7:35 a.m.	Melvin Ray	WR	6-3	195	Tallahassee, Fla. (North Florida Christian)
7:55 a.m.	Devonta Bolton	TE/WR	6-4	220	Norcross, Ga. (Norcross)
8:10 a.m.	Robby Green	DB	6-0	180	River Ridge, La. (John Curtis)
8:15 a.m.	Barrett Jones	OL	6-5	280	Memphis, Tenn. (Evangelical Christian)
8:30 a.m.	Don'ta Hightower	LB	6-4	250	Lewisburg, Tenn. (Marshall County)
8:35 a.m.	Chris Jordan	RB	6-2	220	Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)
8:40 a.m.	Mark Barron	DB	6-2	215	Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul's)
8:45 a.m.	Brad Smelley	ATH	6-3	218	Tuscaloosa, Ala. (American Christian)
8:50 a.m.	Destin Hood	WR	6-1	200	Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul's)
8:55 a.m.	Jermaine Preyear	RB	5-11	205	Mobile, Ala. (Davidson)
9:15 a.m.	Damion Square	DL	6-2	290	Houston, Texas (Yates)
9:20 a.m.	Ivan Matchett	RB	5-10	215	Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul's)
9:25 a.m.	Tyler Love	OL	6-7	290	Mountain Brook, Ala. (Mountain Brook)
9:30 a.m.	Undra Billingsley	DL	6-3	275	Birmingham, Ala. (Woodlawn)
9:45 a.m.	Glenn Harbin	DL	6-6	245	Mobile, Ala. (McGill Toolen)
10:05 a.m.	Courtney Upshaw	LB	6-2	230	Eufaula, Ala. (Eufaula)
10:10 a.m.	Wesley Neighbors	DB	6-1	200	Huntsville, Ala. (Huntsville)
10:20 a.m.	Michael Williams	TE/DE	6-6	270	Reform, Ala. (Pickens County)
10:25 a.m.	Brandon Lewis	DL	6-3	275	Pleasant Grove, Ala. (Pleasant Grove)
10:30 a.m.	Alonzo Lawrence	DB	6-1	190	Lucedale, Miss. (George County)
10:40 a.m.	John Michael Boswell	OL	6-5	300	Northport, Ala. (Tuscaloosa County)
11:15 a.m.	B.J. Scott	WR/ATH	6-0	195	Prichard, Ala. (Vigor)
11:40 a.m.	Mark Ingram	RB	5-10	215	Flint, Mich. (Southeastern Academy)
11:50 a.m.	Marcel Dareus	DL	6-3	280	Huffman, Ala. (Huffman)
12:40 p.m.	Kerry Murphy	DL	6-4	315	Hoover, Ala. (Hoover/Hargrave)
12:55 p.m.	Terrence Cody	DL	6-5	380	Perkinston, Miss. (Gulf Coast C.C.)
1:15 p.m.	Julio Jones	WR	6-4	210	Foley, Ala. (Foley)
1:30 p.m.	Star Jackson	QB	6-3	195	Lake Worth, Fla. (Lake Worth)
2:00 p.m.	Robert Lester	DB	6-2	210	Foley, Ala. (Foley)
2:30 p.m.	Jerrell Harris	LB	6-3	215	Gadsden, Ala. (Gadsden City)

Melvin Ray
Wide Receiver
Tallahassee, Fla. (North Florida Christian)

The No. 18 wide receiver prospect in the nation and the No. 18 overall player in Florida according to Rivals.com ... ranked No. 23 among wide receivers nationally by ESPN.com ... The Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 list member ... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super South 100 selection ... has been playing football for three seasons... the No. 39 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 24 prospect in Florida according to SuperPrep Magazine ... Class 1A First Team All-State selection by the Florida Sports Writers Association as a senior ... the No. 89 ranked overall player in the nation according to Tom Lemming of CSTV ... No. 88 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... played for Chiles High School before transferring to North Florida Christian before his senior season ... made 53 catches for 1,058 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior while leading team to a 12-2 record and Florida Class 1A state runner-up honors ... earned First Team All-Big Bend honors as a senior ... caught 36 passes for 518 yards and five touchdowns while returning a kickoff and two punts for touchdowns on special teams as a junior ... also played basketball and ran track ... played for head coach Casey Weldon.

Devonta Bolton
Tight End/Wide Receiver
Norcross, Ga. (Norcross)

A four-star player according to Rivals.com and Scout.com ... Rivals' eighth-rated player in the state of Georgia and the 18th-ranked athlete nationally ... listed as the No. 19 player in the state of Georgia and the No. 16 weakside linebacker by Scout.com ... the No. 20 player in the state according to SuperPrep ... named to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... No. 77 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... played both offense and defense at Norcross ... caught 25 passes for 451 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... credited with 47 tackles, including 27 solo stops, on defense ... also had six tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, three pass break-ups and five interceptions (one for TD) ... member of the track team as a sprinter and high jumper at Norcross.

Robby Green
Defensive Back
River Ridge, La. (John Curtis)

Shut-down corner at one of the top high school programs in the state of Louisiana ... the No. 7 player in Louisiana and the No. 20 cornerback in the country according to Scout.com ... earned a four-star rating by Scout ... carries a Rivals.com national ranking of 17 in terms of corners and is the No. 10 overall player in the state .... listed as the No. 41 player overall in The Mobile Press-Register's Super Southeast 120 ... recorded 45 tackles and four interceptions as a senior, earning Class 2A All-State honors ... listed on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... No. 86 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... had 30 tackles with four picks and 15 pass break-ups as junior as he earned All-Metro and All-District recognition ... All-District as a sophomore in 2005 ... won four state championships during his high school career, including perfect seasons in 2005, 2006 and 2007 ... the 2006 team finished with a No. 2 national ranking according to USA Today ... was also a two-year lettermen in baseball, basketball and track ... father, Robby Green, Sr., played football at LSU.

Barrett Jones
Offensive Line
Memphis, Tenn. (Evangelical Christian)

2007 U.S. Army All-American ... listed as the No. 20 offensive lineman nationally by SuperPrep and the No. 1 player in Tennessee ... listed on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... played in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American game on Jan. 5, 2008 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas ... The Mobile Press-Register's Super 120 Team (No. 15) ... top-rated football player in the state of Tennessee by Rivals.com ... top-rated center by Rivals.com ... also ranked 60 on Rivals.com Top 100 list ... ranked the No. 53 overall player in the country by Sports Illustrated/Takkle.com ... a third team EA Sports All-American ... four-star offensive lineman by Rivals.com and Scout.com ... rated as the 18th-best offensive lineman nationally by Scout.com ... 2007 finalist for Division II AA Mr. Football in Tennessee ... named First-Team All-State by The Tennessean and the Tennessee Sports Writers Association ... named 2007 West Tennessee Coaches Association All-Region team ... also a four-year starter in basketball, leading team to a state runner-up finish in 2006 ... father, Rex, played basketball at Alabama under Wimp Sanderson from 1982-84.

Don'ta Hightower
Linebacker
Lewisburg, Tenn. (Marshall County)

Named the state's defensive MVP by The Tennessean ... listed on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... earned a four-star rating from Rivals.com and Scout.com ... was Class 3A Mr. Football in Tennessee and voted first team Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State ... the No. 2 player in the state of Tennessee according to SuperPrep Magazine ... member of The Tennessean's Dream Team ... selected to play in the U.S. Army East-West All-Star game in San Antonio ... the state of Tennessee's No. 3 overall player according to Rivals.com ... Rivals.com's No. 15 inside linebacker in the country ... listed as the No. 39 player overall in The Mobile Press-Register's Super Southeast 120 ... No. 95 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... recorded 168 tackles (14 for loss), five forced fumbles, five interceptions and four fumble recoveries as a senior ... also had 875 yards and 19 touchdowns on offense.

Chris Jordan
Running Back
Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)

SuperPrep's No. 17 running back in the country ... The Mobile Press-Register's Super 120 Team (No. 14) ... four-star running back by Scout.com ... rated as the No. 26 running back in nation by Scout.com ... has power, size and tackle-breaking ability ... listed on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... the No. 3 player in Tennessee according to SuperPrep Magazine ... rated No.5 in the state of Tennessee by Rivals.com ... No. 68 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... ran for more than 1,600 yards and 20 TDs in his junior and senior seasons at Brentwood Academy ... led Brentwood to the 2007 Tennessee Division II state championship ... named First Team All-State by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association ... named Second Team All-State by The Tennessean ... played 11 games and rushed for 1,258 yards on 197 carries ... averaged 6.3 yards per carry and tallied 18 TDs ... also averaged 112.1 yards per game ... added three receptions for 85 yards, including a 77-yard TD ... best game of the season came against Independence, where he ran 31 times for 211 yards and four TDs ... had a season-high 66-yard run against the Baylor School ... named honorable mention All-State by Tennessee Super Prep Coaches Association as a junior in 2006 ... ran for 487 yards on 68 carries ... averaged 7.2 yards per carry and scored five TDs ... prepped at Norcross High School in suburban Atlanta before transferring to Brentwood Academy in 2006.

Mark Barron
Defensive Back
Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul's)

Regarded as one of the nation's top all-around players ... a First Team Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State selection in Class 5A as a senior ... SuperPrep's No. 8 player in the state of Alabama ... named to The Mobile Press-Register's Elite 18 (No. 3) ... the No. 19 player on the Press-Register's Southeast Super 120 ... earned a five-star rating from Scout.com and was listed as the state's No. 8 player ... also a Scout.com First Team All-American ... a Rivals.com four-star defensive back ... SuperPrep/Scout.com Top 100 selection (No. 46) ... rated the No. 5 player on the Alabama Top 35 list by Rivals and the No. 55 player overall nationally ... Rivals.com Top 100 selection (No. 55) ... No. 18 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... was the MVP of the 2007 Class 5A state championship game after rushing for 1,094 yards on 122 carries with 15 touchdowns in his senior season ... the 76th-rated player in the country by Sports Illustrated/Takkle.com ... rated the No. 33 wide receiver in the country by SuperPrep ... also listed on The Orlando Sentinel's All-Southern Team ... named to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... had 785 yards rushing as a junior on 78 carries and added 368 receiving yards on 23 catches, scoring a total of 12 touchdowns.

Brad Smelley
Athlete
Tuscaloosa, Ala. (American Christian)

Played quarterback in American Christian Academy, throwing for 3,022 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior ... led team to a state semifinal appearance in his senior year ... completed 183 of 264 passes (69 percent) for 2,611 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior ... ranked No. 34 on the Alabama Top 35 list by Rivals.com ... listed as a tight end on ESPN.com, earning the No. 77 national ranking at that position ... Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 2A All-State selection as an athlete ... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super South 100 selection ... listed as the No. 39 prospect in Alabama by SuperPrep Magazine ... a West Alabama All-Star selection and named Class 2A Player of the Year by The Tuscaloosa News ... also an outstanding baseball player, hitting over .500 as a junior with 11 home runs ... his brother, Chris, is a quarterback at South Carolina ... played for head coach Stephen Hooks.

Destin Hood
Wide Receiver
Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul's)

One of the state's top two-sport athletes ... The Mobile Press-Register's Super 120 Team (No. 100) and Elite 18 (No. 13) ... a four-star wide receiver by Rivals.com ... included on Rivals.com 250 list ... rated as the 38th best wide receiver nationally and 12th best player on the Alabama Top 35 list by Rivals.com ... three-star wide receiver by Scout.com ... rated as the 61st wide receiver nationally by Scout.com/SuperPrep and the No. 13 player in the state ... caught 53 passes for 1,613 yards and 27 touchdowns in final two seasons at St. Paul's ... led team to 14-1 overall record and Class 5A state championship as senior ... started at wide receiver and defensive back in Class 5A Super Six Championship game ... caught two passes for 17 yards and had one rushing attempt for six yards in a 14-13 win over Briarwood Christian in the championship game ... added four solo tackles and one pass break-up on defense ... named First-Team All-State by The Birmingham News, The Mobile Press-Register and the ASWA ... named ScoutSouth.com Stars of Alabama ... No. 126 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... caught 51 passes for 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior, setting the school's single-season receiving yardage record ... as a junior, he caught 22 passes for 650 yards (26.9 per catch) and 12 touchdowns ... rated as the state's top baseball prospect ... named 2008 Louisville Slugger preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball newspaper ... batted .517 with seven home runs and 36 RBI as a prep junior in 2007 ... also added four triples, 11 doubles and stole 43 bases ... named 2007 AFLAC High School All-American ... slammed eight home runs to win the 2007 AFLAC All-American Home Run Derby at Tony Gwynn Stadium in San Diego ... also added two hits in the nationally televised classic on FSN Sports.

Jermaine Preyear
Running Back
Mobile, Ala. (Davidson)

Listed as the No. 20 running back nationally and the No. 22 prospect on the Alabama Top 35 list by Rivals.com ... ranked as the No. 5 fullback by ESPN.com ... listed as the No. 26 prospect in the state by SuperPrep Magazine ... rushed for 1,026 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior and 1,083 yards and 15 scores in his junior season ... played for head coach Fred Riley.

Damion Square
Defensive Line
Houston, Texas (Yates)

Ranked as the No. 9 linebacker in the nation by Scout.com ... the No. 37 defensive tackle prospect by Rivals.com ... listed as the No. 24 defensive end in the nation by ESPN.com ... had 97 tackles, including 35 for loss, to go with 14 sacks and a fumble recovery as a senior ... named Class 4A All-State, was an All-Greater Houston selection and earned District MVP honors ... Houston Chronicle Top 110 list member ... was the No. 70 prospect in Texas by SuperPrep Magazine ... led team to Area Championship appearance as a senior.

Ivan Matchett
Running Back
Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul's)

Led St. Paul's to a perfect 15-0 record and the 2007 Class 5A state title, earning Super 6 MVP honors after rushing for 98 yards and a touchdown in the team's state championship victory over Briarwood Christian ... school's record holder for career rushing yards ... ranked No. 62 nationally at his position by Scout.com, was ranked the No. 20 running back nationally and No. 17 among all prospects in the state by Rivals.com ... the 20th-ranked prospect in the state by SuperPrep Magazine ... ran for 1,422 yards and 16 touchdowns in his senior season ... named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 5A First Team All State team as a senior ... also earned The Mobile Press-Register Elite 18 honors (No. 16) ... rushed for 1,416 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior ... earned The Birmingham News Class 5A First Team All-State and ASWA Honorable Mention All State honors as a junior ... also helped team to track & field Class 5A state championships (2005 outdoor, 2006 indoor and outdoor) ... played for head coach Mike Bates.

Tyler Love
Offensive Line
Mountain Brook, Ala. (Mountain Brook)

Five-star offensive lineman by Scout.com ... Parade All-American ... ESPN.com Top 150 (No. 33) ... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top 150 (No. 78) ... The Mobile Press-Register's Super 120 Team (No. 33) and Elite 18 selection (No. 5) ... ranked No. 6 among offensive linemen nationally by Scout.com ... the No. 11 offensive lineman in the country according to SuperPrep and the No. 5 player in the state of Alabama ... SuperPrep/Scout.com Top 100 selection (No. 32) ... SuperPrep/Scout.com Top 30 Alabama selection (No. 4) ... listed on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... ranked the No. 30 overall player in the country by Sports Illustrated/Takkle.com ... Rivals.com Top 100 selection (No. 32) and its third-ranked player on the Alabama Top 35 list ... No. 13 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... the No. 49 ranked overall player in the nation according to Tom Lemming of CSTV ... an aggressive blocker with good size and feet ... played in the 2008 Under Armour High School All-Star Game in Orlando, Fla. ... ranked among Rivals.com Super 100 players (No. 30) ... ranked No. 8 among offensive linemen by Rivals.com ... rated No. 5 among pass blockers by Rivals.com ... ranked No. 3 among Alabama prep seniors by Rivals.com ... named a second team All-American by EA Sports ... bench presses 360 pounds and has a 26-inch vertical jump ... called by Rivals.com "a player with good size and a real effective run blocker" ... 2007 First-Team All State selection by Alabama Sportswriters Association ... also named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association Super 12 team ... ASWA Class 6A Lineman of the Year ... named to The Tampa Tribune's "Best of the South" team ... The Orlando Sentinel All-South Team ... First-Team ASWA All-State selection and The Birmingham News All-Metro selection as a junior in 2006.

Undra Billingsley
Defensive Line
Birmingham, Ala. (Woodlawn)

Rated as the No. 20 strong side defensive end nationally by Rivals.com and the No. 24 player overall on the Alabama Top 35 list ... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super South Top 100 list member ... a three-star player according to Rivals ... also given a three-star rating by Scout.com ... an honorable mention Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State pick as a defensive lineman ... the No. 29 player in the state of Alabama according to SuperPrep Magazine ... had 90 tackles with five sacks as a senior and 85 tackles with six sacks as a junior at Woodlawn ... added 25 catches for 475 yards with three touchdowns on offense.

Glenn Harbin
Defensive Line
Mobile, Ala. (McGill Toolen)

Talented defensive lineman who is rated the No. 12 player in the state of Alabama by SuperPrep Magazine ... totaled 59 tackles and eight sacks as a senior ... named to The Mobile Press-Register's Elite 18 and the Super Southeast 120 (No. 72) ... Alabama Sports Writers Association honorable mention All-State ... received a four-star rating from Rivals.com and was listed as the No. 16 player on the Alabama Top 35 list ... also rated the No. 17 strong side defensive end nationally by Rivals ... recognized as one of Scout.com's Stars of Alabama ... a three-star recruit according to Scout.com... No. 126 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... totaled 59 tackles and 8.5 sacks as a senior ... had 75 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior ... standout as a prep baseball and basketball player at McGill-Toolen ... as a junior outfielder, hit .350 with two home runs, 32 RBI and 10 stolen bases.

Courtney Upshaw
Linebacker
Eufaula, Ala. (Eufaula)

The Alabama Class 5A Lineman of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association and ASWA Class 5A All-State selection in 2007 ... ranked as the No. 4 defensive end prospect in the country and the No. 29 player overall on the ESPN.com 150 list ... No. 35 on The Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 ... the No. 7 player on The Mobile Press-Register Elite 18 list ... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super South 100 member ... ranked as the No. 12 outside linebacker nationally and the ninth-best overall player on the Alabama Top 35 list by Rivals.com ... the No. 18 defensive end prospect by Scout.com ... ranked the No. 10 prospect in Alabama by SuperPrep Magazine and the No. 38 defensive lineman nationally... No. 73 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... had 45 solo tackles, 20 assists, including 13 for loss and seven sacks to go with three fumble recoveries as a senior ... also had 20 receptions for 296 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver on offense ... ScoutSouth.com Star of Alabama selection ... All-Southern team member selection by The Orlando Sentinel ... had 96 tackles and three interceptions as a junior ... played for head coach Dan Klages.

Wesley Neighbors
Defensive Back
Huntsville, Ala. (Huntsville)

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super South 100 selection ... ranked No. 22 safety in the nation by ESPN.com and listed as the No. 47 prospect at his position by Scout.com ... recorded 62 tackles as a senior en route to Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) Honorable Mention All-State honors ... listed as the No. 23 prospect in Alabama by SuperPrep Magazine ... represented Alabama in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game ... earned The Huntsville Times First Team All-Metro, First Team All-Region and First Team All-City accolades as a senior ... had 95 tackles and four interceptions in his junior year while also participating on special teams ... named First Team All-City, The Huntsville Times First Team All-Metro and Honorable Mention All-Region honors as a junior ... recorded 51 tackles and six interceptions as a sophomore ... is a legacy at the Capstone, becoming one of only a handful of players to become a third-generation player at UA ... his father, Wes, was recruited by Coach Paul Bryant and played for Ray Perkins from 1983-86 ... his grandfather, Billy Neighbors, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004 after a standout career at Alabama from 1958-61 where he was on Coach Bryant's first national championship team in 1961 ... played for head coach Kevin Wieseman.

Michael Williams
Tight End/Defensive End
Reform, Ala. (Pickens County)

Ranked as the No. 26 defensive end nationally by ESPN.com ... listed as the No. 4 defensive end nationally and the No. 10 overall prospect on the Alabama Top 35 list by Rivals.com ... the No. 17 defensive end nationally by Scout.com ... earned Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State honors and was the ASWA Class 2A lineman of the year ... member of The Mobile Press-Register Elite 18 and Super Southeast 120 lists ... named West Alabama All-Star by The Tuscaloosa News ... earned First Team All-State honors as a junior and honorable mention accolades on offense as a tight end ... listed as the No. 20 prospect in the state by SuperPrep Magazine and the No. 42 defensive line prospect nationally... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super South 100 selection ... had over 400 yards receiving for five touchdowns as a tight end in his senior season ... also had 243 yards and two scores rushing to go with 63 tackles and 14 sacks on defense as a senior ... team won three straight Regional titles and made a Class 2A state second round appearance in 2007... recorded 68 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior ... earned All-County, All-Area and honorable mention All-State honors in basketball ... played for head coach Jack Cook.

Brandon Lewis
Defensive Line
Pleasant Grove, Ala. (Pleasant Grove)

Rated as the No. 14 strong side defensive end nationally by Rivals.com ... also rated as the No. 14 prospect on the Alabama Top 35 list by Rivals.com ... three-star defensive end by Scout.com ... rated as No. 54 defensive end in the nation by Scout.com ... 2007 All State honorable mention by the Alabama Sportswriters Association ... named to The Mobile Press-Register's 2007 Elite 18 team (No. 15) ... 2006 honorable mention All-State by the ASWA ... named to The Birmingham News All-Metro Team in 2006 ... excellent pass rusher ... No. 59 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game in 2007 ... totaled 154 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 19 sacks in final two seasons at Pleasant Grove HS ... added six forced fumbles and two interceptions ... tallied 66 tackles, 12 TFLs and seven sacks in 10 games as a prep senior for the Spartans ... forced two fumbles ... had nine rushing attempts for 64 yards and caught six passes for 80 yards and two TDs ... led team with 88 tackles, including 18 TFLs and 12 sacks, as a prep junior ... added four forced fumbles and two interceptions ... caught eight passes for 100 yards as a tight end ... played for head coach Jim Elgin ... uncle is Michael Myers, a former Alabama player and an 11-year NFL veteran currently on the roster of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Alonzo Lawrence
Defensive Back
Lucedale, Miss. (George County)

Parade All-American ... an EA Sports First Team All-American ... The Mobile Press-Register's Super 120 Team (No. 8) ... four-star cornerback by Scout.com ... rated as the No. 11 cornerback prospect by Scout.com ... the No. 35 prep prospect on Rivals.com Top 100 ... the No. 2 rated player in state of Mississippi by Rivals.com ... the No. 2 cornerback by Rivals.com ... listed on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... No. 36 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... the No. 26 ranked overall player in the nation according to Tom Lemming of CSTV ... played in the 2007 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic at Ladd Stadium in Mobile ... recorded 143 tackles during junior and senior years at George County HS ... tallied 36 career TDs, including 22 TD catches and 14 kick returns (8 KOR and 6 PR) ... as a prep senior tallied 93 tackles and two interceptions ... also added 30 catches for 772 yards and 11 TDs ... a threat on special teams, scored six TDs on kick returns in 2007, including five kickoffs and one punt ... named 2006 Class 5A First Team All-State by MAC/Magnoliapreps.com as a kick returner ... Class 5A Second-Team All-State pick as a cornerback in 2006 ... recorded 54 tackles and one interception as a junior in 2006 ... also scored eight TDs on kick returns, including five punts and three kickoffs ... brother, former junior college star Eric Riley, is a wide receiver at Mississippi State.

John Michael Boswell
Offensive Line
Northport, Ala. (Tuscaloosa County)

An Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 6A first team All-State offensive lineman as a senior at Tuscaloosa County ... a three-year starter ... earned a four-star rating according to Rivals.com ... the No. 11 player overall on the Alabama Top 35 list according to Rivals and the No. 11 offensive guard in the country ... SuperPrep's No. 14 player in the state of Alabama ... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super South Top 100 selection ... played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game and the Under Armour All-Star game in Orlando ... a ScoutSouth.com Star of Alabama ... listed as the Red Zone Player of the Year in Alabama by the USA Today ... named to The Mobile Press-Register's Super Southeast 120 (No. 82) and Elite 18 (No. 12) selection ... a three-star offensive lineman by Scout.com and the No. 14 player in the state ... Scout.com's No. 34 offensive tackle nationally ... The Tuscaloosa News All-State selection as a senior ... No. 131 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... named permanent team captain at Tuscaloosa County as a senior ... played for head coach Robert Higgenbotham.

B.J. Scott
Wide Receiver/Athlete
Prichard, Ala (Vigor)

Listed as the No. 1 athlete and the No. 19 prospect nationally on the ESPN.com 150 rankings ... the No. 3 defensive back in the nation and the second-ranked player in the Alabama Top 35 according to Rivals.com ... listed as the No. 7 defensive back prospect by Scout.com ... Class 5A Honorable Mention All-State selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association ... listed as the No. 6 prospect in the state and the No. 18 wide receiver prospect nationally by SuperPrep Magazine ... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super South 100 list member ... The Mobile Press-Register Super Southeast 120 and Elite 18 (No. 4) selection ... ranked the No. 61 overall player in the country by Sports Illustrated/Takkle.com ... the No. 54 ranked overall player in the nation according to Tom Lemming of CSTV ... SuperPrep/Scout.com Top 100 selection (No. 74) ... SuperPrep/Scout.com Top 30 Alabama selection (No. 7) ... No. 25 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... participated in the Under Armour All-Star Game in Orlando, Fla. ... ScoutSouth.com Star of Alabama selection ... Rivals.com Top 100 selection (No. 28) ... rushed for 917 yards and 15 touchdowns and threw for 834 yards and 10 scores as a senior ... recorded 1,070 rushing yards and 1,059 yards passing and scored 19 total touchdowns in his junior season ... played for head coach Kerry Stephenson.

Mark Ingram
Running Back
Flint, Mich. (Southeastern Academy)

An outstanding athlete rated as a four-star running back by Rivals.com ... also ranked on Rivals.com Top 250 ... rated as the 17th best athlete in the nation and sixth best player in Michigan according to Rivals.com ... three-star running back by Scout.com ... rated by Scout.com as the nation's 57th best running back ... four-year starter ... ran for 2,546 yards and 38 touchdowns in his final two prep seasons ... added 260 receiving yards and two touchdowns ... set city records for rushing yards (377) and touchdowns (7) in a game ...named Saginaw Valley MVP and Area Player of the Year as a senior ... four time All-Area honoree and an All-State selection as a senior ... as a prep senior, ran for 1,700 yards and 24 touchdowns ... tallied 846 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior ... averaged more than 7 yards per carry as prep junior ... nine-time All-State track star ... runs a 10.69 100-meter dash and 21.9 200-meter dash ... best long jump is 23 feet, 8 inches ... son of former NFL wide receiver Mark Ingram, who won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants ... played for head coach Gary Lee.

Marcel Dareus
Defensive Line
Huffman, Ala. (Huffman)

SuperPrep Magazine's No. 27 defensive lineman in the country and the publication's No. 7 player in the state of Alabama ... earned a four-star rating from Scout.com and listed as the nation's No. 5 defensive tackle prospect ... Scout.com All-American selection ... a three-star defensive lineman according to Rivals.com ... the No. 28 defensive tackle in the country according to Rivals and the No. 17 overall player on the Alabama Top 35 list ... named to The Mobile Press-Register Elite 18 ... SuperPrep/Scout.com Top 30 Alabama selection (No. 6) ... listed on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... No. 23 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... an ASWA All-State honorable mention ... totaled 117 tackles and 20 sacks as a senior at Huffman and also returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Kerry Murphy
Defensive Line
Hoover, Ala. (Hoover/Hargrave)

Spent the 2007 season at Hargrave Military Academy after originally signing with Alabama in 2007 ... received a four-star rating and listed as the No. 4 prep school player in the country according to Rivals.com ... a Parade All-American as a senior at Hoover in 2006... The Birmingham News All-Metro Team ... rated as the top prospect on The Birmingham News Super Senior list ... one of 11 defensive tackles on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... rated No. 3 by The Mobile Press-Register's Elite 18 players in the state of Alabama ... rated as the 15th-best defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com ... rated No. 56 by Rivals.com Top 100 prospects ... rated as the No. 4 defensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com ... rated as the No. 2 prospect in state of Alabama by Rivals.com Top 30 ... named to Rivals.com Super 250 Team ... rated No. 68 by The Mobile Press-Register's Super Southeast 120 ... selected to play in the 2006 Alabama North-South All-Star Game ... a dominant force in the middle, Murphy made 142 tackles and 16 sacks in junior and senior seasons ... as a senior, had 77 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and eight sacks ... added 77 tackles and recorded eight sacks as a junior while leading Hoover to its second straight Class 6A State Championship.

Terrence Cody
Defensive Line
Perkinston, Miss. (Gulf Coast C.C.)

Massive defensive line prospect with good agility ... a Scout.com four-star recruit ... earned a three-star rating by Rivals.com and was listed as the No. 47 junior college player in the country ... the No. 45 junior college player in the nation according to SuperPrep Magazine ... starred at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and recorded 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks in helping lead his team to an 11-0 regular season record last year.

Julio Jones
Wide Receiver
Foley, Ala. (Foley)

Parade All-American ... USA Today All-American ... ranked the No.1 overall player in the country by Sports Illustrated/Takkle.com ... nation's No. 2 overall prospect by ESPN ... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top 150 (No. 2) ... SuperPrep's No. 1 wide receiver nationally and No. 2 prospect overall ... ESPN.com Top 150 ... The Mobile Press-Register's Super 120 Team (No. 1) ... "Mr. Football" in the state of Alabama ... named to The Tampa Tribune's "Best of the South Team" ... SouthScout.com Stars of Alabama selection ... Gatorade Player of the Year (Alabama) ... an EA Sports First Team All-American ... Prep Nation 101 Honoree ... named to The Mobile Press-Register's Elite 18 Team (No. 1) ... five-star wide receiver by Scout.com ... rated as No. 1 wide receiver in the nation by Scout.com ... the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation and the top prospect in the Alabama Top 35 list by Rivals.com ... also called by Rivals.com as the best wide receiver in the nation "after the catch" ... rated as the No. 4 overall prospect in the nation on the Rivals.com Top 100 ... two-time All-American by Rivals.com (2006 and 2007) ... Scout.com All-American selection ... No. 2 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... SuperPrep/Scout.com Top 30 Alabama selection (No. 1) ... the No. 3 ranked overall player in the nation according to Tom Lemming of CSTV ... Rivals.com writes of Jones "Really outstanding feet for a big man. He gets out of trouble when hemmed in. He has great acceleration and can run after the catch. He shows really good concentration on deep balls. Team can use him on reverses and short routes. Hard to tackle in the open field." ... capped off high school career with six catches for 97 yards in the game ... two-time Birmingham News and Alabama Sportswriters Association All-State selection ... named to 2007 Birmingham News Super All-State Team ... named to 2007 ASWA Super 12 All-State team ... had 194 career catches for 3,287 yards and 42 touchdowns ... also added three rushing touchdowns, two kick return touchdowns, two punt returns and two fumble returns for scores ... scored 52 touchdowns in his prep career ... set Foley school record for career receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and total touchdowns ... holds the top three single-season receiving records at Foley with 75 receptions (2006), 68 receptions (2007) and 51 catches (2005) ... also holds single-season record with 1,306 yards in 2006 ... as senior, tallied 68 catches for 1,181 yards and 16 TDs ... finished the year with 18 total TDs ... led the Lions to a 12-1 record and a Region 2 title before losing to Prattville in state quarterfinals ... hauled in a career-high 75 passes for 1,306 yards and 16 TDs as a junior ... concluded the season with career-high 20 TDs ... recorded 51 receptions for 805 yards and 12 TDs as sophomore in 2005 ... an outstanding track and field athlete ... named 2006-07 Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year (Alabama) ... community service projects include Santa America Foundation and local Optimist International club ... coached by Mark Lasseter.

Star Jackson
Quarterback
Lake Worth, Fla. (Lake Worth)

2007 U.S. Army All-American ... played in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American game on Jan. 5, 2008 at Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas ... 2007 Palm Beach Post Offensive Player of the Year ... The Mobile Press-Register's Super 120 Team (No. 64) ... a pro-style quarterback with excellent running and passing skills ... listed on the Rivals.com Super 250 team ... rated as the second-best scrambling quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com ... also ranked as the fifth-best pro-style quarterback by Rivals.com ... four-star quarterback by Scout.com ... rated as the 11th best quarterback in the nation by Scout.com ... No. 70 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... finished high school career with more than 3,500 passing yards and 32 touchdowns ... as a junior in 2006, passed for more than 1,900 yards and 19 touchdowns ... also ran for 750 yards ... an all-county and all-region selection ... as a senior in 2007, completed 97-of-180 passes for 1,677 yards and 13 touchdowns ... also added 500 rushing yards.

Robert Lester
Defensive Back
Foley, Ala. (Foley)

Rated by Rivals.com as the No. 33 safety in the nation ... also rated as the No. 13 player on the Alabama Top 35 list by Rivals.com ...four-star running back by Scout.com ... rated No. 36 on Scout.com's list of prep running backs ... the No. 19 player in the state according to SuperPrep Magazine ... listed on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... No. 145 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... talented defensive back who is also a threat on special teams because of his size and speed ... First Team All-State by Alabama Sportswriters Association ... named ScoutSouth.com Stars of Alabama ... totaled 143 tackles, 10 interceptions and 15 pass breakups during 2006 and 2007 seasons at Foley HS ... had 74 tackles, including one TFL, as a prep senior ... led team with six interceptions and 82 return yards ... also added 11 pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, two blocked punts and one fumble recovery ... had six punt returns for 86 yards and four kickoff returns for 214 yards (53.5 average) and one TD ... recorded 73 tackles, four interceptions and nine pass break-ups as a junior.

Jarrell Harris
Line Backer
Gadsden, Ala. (Gadsden City)

Regarded as one of the top linebacker prospects in the country ... a Parade All-American ... the No. 22 player nationally on SuperPrep Magazine's Elite 50 ... the No. 3 linebacker in the country according to SuperPrep and the No. 2 player in the state of Alabama ... SuperPrep/Scout.com Top 100 selection (No. 67) ... ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 4 outside linebacker prospect in the country ... Rivals.com Top 100 selection (No. 34) and its fourth-ranked player on the Alabama Top 35 list ... No. 22 player on the Scout.com Southeast 150 list ... named a second team All-American by EA Sports ... the No. 69 player nationally according by Tom Lemming of CSTV ... ranked the No. 59 overall player in the country by Sports Illustrated/Takkle.com ... the No. 99 player in the country according to ESPN.com ... named to The Mobile Press-Register Elite 18 (No. 2) ... listed as the No. 12 player overall in The Mobile Press-Register's Super Southeast 120 ... SuperPrep/Scout.com Top 30 Alabama selection (No. 2) ... listed on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 ... member of the Alabama Sports Writers Association Super 12 ... First Team ASWA 6A All-State selection ... recorded 145 tackles, 15 sacks and three interceptions as a senior ... had 130 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks as an All-State selection as a junior.

Already Enrolled at the University of Alabama

University of Alabama Athletics

Crimson Tide Adds 32 Football Signees

Related News

Related Videos