Not only does the Crimson Tide have six early commitments for the Class of 2011, but they have six highly recruited prospects. Nick Saban has made it a point ever since he took his position at Alabama to make Alabama football prospects a priority. He wants to dominate the state with the players he wants and then go all over the country to fill the rest of the team's needs. This year, the Tide has more out-of-state offers than in any other year of Saban's tenure. The national publicity of winning its 13th national championship gives the Tide more leverage than ever before to literally go anywhere in the country, even California, where the Tide has already thrown a couple of scholarship offers.

Here is a brief over-view of the six commitments:

1. Shannon Brown: LB, 6'2", 240 lbs, from Adel, Georgia. When I watch this guy on film, his physical presence, every bit of 240 lbs. already, looks to be very similar to Dant'a Hightower. Brown is not a burner, but stays in position and can really lay a lick...as Nick Saban would say, "He's a thumper!" Brown looks to be an inside LB all the way.

2. Quinton Dial: DE, 6'6", 285 lbs, originally signed in the 2009 Class, but has been playing at East Mississippi Community College. Somehow Dial has continued to stay under the radar, but let me tell you, he could have more up-side than any of the other six prospects the Tide has. Nick Saban, during the recruiting process, compared Dial to Glen Dorsey. Dial has a very quick first step and will be a perfect DE for Nick Saban.

Here is the in-state crop the Tide has already racked up:

3. Brent Calloway: LB, 6'1", 215 lbs, from Russellville, Alabama. I have seen Brent Calloway a couple of time in person, and he is very impressive. It looks like he is going to have to work hard to put on weight, kind of like Jarrell Harris. Calloway has good speed and is coveted all over the country. From having talked to his guardians, I do not think Calloway will waiver from his commitment to the Tide, even though he will probably take many other visits. Calloway possesses great instincts.

4. Marvin Shinn: WR, 6'3", 175 lbs, from Pritchard, Alabama. Marvin Shinn possesses the perfect frame for a WR. He is tall, quick, and fast; he can jump, has long arms, and the best hands of any of the three wide receivers the Tide has committed to them. Shinn needs to work on his route running and put on weight, but this kid is definitely going to be something special.

5. Danny Woodson, Jr.: WR, 6'2", 200 lbs, from LaFlore, Alabama. Physically, Woodson could step on the field right now. He looks a lot like Julio Jones, but faster, but not as physical as Julio, and does not have the hands Julio possesses. Woodson has a good up-side, good speed, and is very tough for a cornerback to jam at the line. Woodson was a huge pick-up for the Tide.

6. Daryl Collins: WR, 5'11", 190 lbs, from Gadsden City, Alabama. Collins is a true slot receiver, with the albility to return kicks and punts. He is definitely the fastest of the wide receivers and has a great ability to make people miss. Collins is the latest commit for Gadsden City. The Tide has been dominating recruiting for Gadsden City High School for the last couple of years, getting Jerrell Harris, Dre Kirkpatrick, Kendall Kelly, as well as Collins. The Tide will also continue to recruit some of Collins' team-mates.

It is a rarity that Alabama would already take three wide receiver commits, but the Tide has some good fortune  considering that all of them are national recruits and, even better, from the state of Alabama. Look for the Tide to eventually sign two more wide receivers; I might add, if they do add two, they will have to be very special players.  

Not only does the Crimson Tide have six early commitments for the Class of 2011, but they have six highly recruited prospects. Nick Saban has made it a point ever since he took his position at Alabama to make Alabama football prospects a priority. He wants to dominate the state with the players he wants and then go all over the country to fill the rest of the team's needs. This year, the Tide has more out-of-state offers than in any other year of Saban's tenure. The national publicity of winning its 13th national championship gives the Tide more leverage than ever before to literally go anywhere in the country, even California, where the Tide has already thrown a couple of scholarship offers.

Here is a brief over-view of the six commitments:

1. Shannon Brown: LB, 6'2", 240 lbs, from Adel, Georgia. When I watch this guy on film, his physical presence, every bit of 240 lbs. already, looks to be very similar to Dant'a Hightower. Brown is not a burner, but stays in position and can really lay a lick...as Nick Saban would say, "He's a thumper!" Brown looks to be an inside LB all the way.

2. Quinton Dial: DE, 6'6", 285 lbs, originally signed in the 2009 Class, but has been playing at East Mississippi Community College. Somehow Dial has continued to stay under the radar, but let me tell you, he could have more up-side than any of the other six prospects the Tide has. Nick Saban, during the recruiting process, compared Dial to Glen Dorsey. Dial has a very quick first step and will be a perfect DE for Nick Saban.

Here is the in-state crop the Tide has already racked up:

3. Brent Calloway: LB, 6'1", 215 lbs, from Russellville, Alabama. I have seen Brent Calloway a couple of time in person, and he is very impressive. It looks like he is going to have to work hard to put on weight, kind of like Jarrell Harris. Calloway has good speed and is coveted all over the country. From having talked to his guardians, I do not think Calloway will waiver from his commitment to the Tide, even though he will probably take many other visits. Calloway possesses great instincts.

4. Marvin Shinn: WR, 6'3", 175 lbs, from Pritchard, Alabama. Marvin Shinn possesses the perfect frame for a WR. He is tall, quick, and fast; he can jump, has long arms, and the best hands of any of the three wide receivers the Tide has committed to them. Shinn needs to work on his route running and put on weight, but this kid is definitely going to be something special.

5. Danny Woodson, Jr.: WR, 6'2", 200 lbs, from LaFlore, Alabama. Physically, Woodson could step on the field right now. He looks a lot like Julio Jones, but faster, but not as physical as Julio, and does not have the hands Julio possesses. Woodson has a good up-side, good speed, and is very tough for a cornerback to jam at the line. Woodson was a huge pick-up for the Tide.

6. Daryl Collins: WR, 5'11", 190 lbs, from Gadsden City, Alabama. Collins is a true slot receiver, with the albility to return kicks and punts. He is definitely the fastest of the wide receivers and has a great ability to make people miss. Collins is the latest commit for Gadsden City. The Tide has been dominating recruiting for Gadsden City High School for the last couple of years, getting Jerrell Harris, Dre Kirkpatrick, Kendall Kelly, as well as Collins. The Tide will also continue to recruit some of Collins' team-mates.

It is a rarity that Alabama would already take three wide receiver commits, but the Tide has some good fortune  considering that all of them are national recruits and, even better, from the state of Alabama. Look for the Tide to eventually sign two more wide receivers; I might add, if they do add two, they will have to be very special players.