Looking for talent in Alabama

Vanderbilt signed three prospects from the state of Alabama last year, and the Commodores basically went across the state to get those three with Jared Morse coming from just outside the Tennessee/Alabama border in Oxford, Jordan Matthews coming out of Madison two hours away and then Chase Garnham coming from all the way down in Mobile. It was one of the first times during Bobby Johnson's tenure that Vanderbilt went to Mobile and really recruited the area, much less signed a prospect from there. Two years ago, the team also grabbed Zac Stacy out of Centreville which was just about an hour out of Prattville. So VU's covering a number of areas in the state.

For this reason, I've expanded my research beyond the Birmingham and North Alabama region to see what prospects are where. Vanderbilt's already made some moves on a few prospects from the state including Linden High running back Kendarius Fritts, Cordova linebacker Maleki Harris, John Carroll defensive end Brandon Wood, Baldwin County offensive tackle David Simon and Minor High defensive back Chris Jones. Other guys from the state they offer include Alabama commitments Daryl Collins and Brent Calloway as well as Louisville DB Jacquese Kirk.

Overall, there are currently 34 prospects from the state of Alabama with either offers or listed as receiving interest from the Commodores in the Rivals.com database. A lot of these guys we've mentioned in the War Room and there will likely be more offers to come with some prospects.

However, there's still a few guys that I have found that intrigue me and should end up being D1-A signees by next February (grades permitting). Who knows, maybe Vanderbilt will get involved with some of them.

Justin "J.J." Hudson- Prattville Christian
Athlete
5-foot-11, 175-pounds

What's not to like about this kid. He's a two-sport star who definitely brings it on the football field. He's quick, athletic, could play multiple positions. On video, Hudson reminds me of a Marsalis Teague type, or the kid down in Florida last year, LaVaughn Whigham, whom signed with Texas Tech. Accounted for 2,203 all-purpose yards and 21 total TDs in 2009. He also caught 14 touchdowns in 2008. I think if he was at Prattville High or somewhere else like a MBA or Brentwood Academy, people would be all over him. At the moment, I'm not sure what his recruiting picture is like but Wake Forest signed a kid from PC last year, so I'd have to think that people are going to take notice of this kid, if they haven't already.



Jason Webb- Auburn High
Wide Receiver
6-foot-3, 195-pounds

Tall receiver who seems a bit raw right now but I think there's a tremendous growth in his game coming. In fact, when I watch him, I feel like I'm seeing Chris Boyd's junior film all over and anyone that followed Boyd could see a significant jump from junior to senior film. I think there's the same potential there. He's considered to be one of the better WR's that no one's talking about in Alabama but I'd have to think that schools like Auburn, UAB and Alabama have to know about him. He's another guy like Boyd and Hudson in the respect that he has a basketball background as well.



Desmond Wills- Lincoln High
Linebacker
6-foot-1, 215-pounds

A very physical looking linebacker with real solid speed, lateral quickness and instincts. Flies to the ball and better yet, he can pluck the ball out of the air too. Has had two solid years and should be a major prospect. He reportedly has an offer from Kentucky already but I think he'll be a guy that racks up about a handful of SEC offers and some ACC and Big East offers. Reminds me of Georgia's Darryl Gamble in a way. The more I watch him, the more I like. Can be a playmaking linebacker.


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Rashad Cunningham- Davidson
Wide Receiver
6-foot-4, 200-pounds

It's a little surprising that Alabama hasn't been all over this kid. It wasn't surprising to go back to his profile today and see that Arkansas, Kentucky and Memphis have offered him. The kid is a big strong target who can flat out play. Not sure what his numbers are exactly but I'd have to think they'd be a little stunted by his quarterback's lack of a real arm. Davidson's style of offense probably doesn't help either. Still, Cunningham jumps off the tube to me. I like his hands, his wheels, his overall cut, etc. Looks like a definite SEC WR to me.



Jaren Jackson- T.R. Miller High
Safety/Running Back
5-foot-11, 175-pounds

Another physical guy whether he's laying hits at safety or bringing power at running back. A real downhill runner, I believe Jackson could be effective as a tailback in an I-formation. He really gets behind his pads, has solid balance and even churns his legs high circa Roger Craig in 1988. His speed is adequete but I think he could still be effective due to his quickness. His best spot in terms of SEC play in my opinion would be at safety though. I think he moves real well in space, seems to read very well and will bring contact. I would like him to be bigger for safety, but I think he could be a good free safety on the major level. It sounds like Georgia's pretty interested.



Other Players:

Traj Ragland- Bob Jones
Running Back, 5-foot-11, 200-pounds

Speedy, elusive back. Has a good initial burst and sees the field pretty well. Probably a back that's going to end up at a BCS school with continued growth.

Charles Benning- McGill Toolen
Linebacker, 6-foot, 220-pounds

Undersized and not the fastest LB in the world but seems to have a good head for the game. Can also bring the power on hits.

Rico Dunn- Hoover
Defensive Back, 6-foot-2, 185-pounds

The son of former Alabama defensive lineman Eric Curry, Dunn's physical and plays with a lot of energy. He's a prospect that I'm hoping to get more info about because he may be a fringe SEC player.

Antwan Rogers- Williamson High
Linebacker, 6-foot-1, 233-pounds

Plays defensive end in high school but everyone believes he'll project to LB. I haven't actually seen video of him but everything I've found about him says that he lays some vicious hits and runs very well. Some have compared him to DT Shackelford.

Denzel Bynum- North Jackson High
Defensive Back, 5-foot-11, 165-pounds

A very speedy DB, running in the 4.3's in the 40 and a 10.65 in the 100 meter dash in track. He's pretty explosive and has the talent to be an effective corner in college if he can get a bit bigger.

Corey Johnson- Anniston High
DE/Linebacker, 6-foot-4, 206-pounds

Long, rangy defender that has the athleticism to play end or linebacker. Needs to add size but should start seeing offers soon.

Brodrick Hughes- Blount High
Defensive End, 6-foot-3, 272-pounds

A real quick big man that just looks like a monster on the football field. Also has pretty solid strength. Won DL MVP in Mobile NUC.

Dre'Shon McGaster- Foley High
Defensive End, 6-foot-2, 225-pounds

Very quick off the edge player who could possibly be a linebacker as well. I would not be surprised to see Alabama come up and offer him because I think he'd fit well in Saban's system.

More:

RB. Tray Cosby- Tanner High (5-foot-10, 175-pounds)
ATH. Ryan Watson- Decatur High (5-foot-10, 175-pounds)
OL. Reginald Patrick- Clay High (6-foot-3, 275-pounds)
DE. Lonnie "L-Train" Freeman- Luverne (6-foot-3, 250-pounds)
OL. Jabree N'jemanze- Shades Valley (6-foot-4, 295-pounds)
OL. Bartavis Whigham- Northview (6-foot-3, 303-pounds)
RB. Cedric Brooks- Midfield (5-foot-10, 166-pounds)
RB. Dedrick Forsythe- Leeds (6-foot, 195-pounds)
QB. Matt Hamner- Maplesville (6-foot-4, 175-pounds)
QB. Breyuane Sanders- Robert E. Lee (6-foot-2, 175-pounds)