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Good recruiting read from Tuscaloosa News
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By Christopher Walsh
Sports Writer
December 21, 2004

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Those who want to get a good look at next year’s top in-state recruits should turn on CSS at 2 p.m. today to check out the North-South All-Star Game at Troy University’s Movie Gallery Stadium.

In the past, the game, which began in Tuscaloosa as part of the annual coaching clinic, was played in the summer with only seniors competing.

The showcase will not only be the inaugural game for December, but the first with only juniors.

This year was an obvious down year for Alabama recruits. So far, indications are the Class of 2006 will be better.

Here’s an early look at who next year’s top 10 recruits may be. An “x" next to the name means they will play today.

-- Quarterback Neil Caudle (6-foot-3, 190 pounds), Spain Park in Hoover. Figures to be a national prospect and doubles as a kicker. He has family ties to Auburn, but competition will be fierce for the pro-style quarterback with a very strong arm. Passed for 1,624 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

-- Tight end Preston Dial (6-4, 230), Mobile UMS Wright. This was the year of the tight end in Alabama, but Dial is the best of the next group and also has a nasty streak. Could get national attention.

-- Defensive tackle Bart Eddins (6-4, 255), Montgomery Trinity Presbyterian. The best defensive prospect also has family connections to Auburn, which has already made an offer.

-- Cornerback Dontrell Miller-x (5-9, 170), Demopolis. Draws comparisons to Decatur’s Jeraud Powers (see in-state scorecard, below) as the two are roughly the same size. Can play offense, but will be recruited as a defensive back.

-- Quarterback Chris Smelley (6-3, 205), American Christian Academy. Grew up in the Crimson Tide’s back yard, but LSU is already making a push. He’s a pocket passer with good arm strength, but also a top baseball prospect.

-- Offensive tackle Andre Smith-x (6-5, 300), Birmingham Huffman. He could be the state’s top prospect. Has both great size and agility. Smith has already received an offer from Auburn, but is sophomore defensive tackle Dominic Lee’s cousin.

-- Running back Eugene Sowell-x (6-0, 205), Shades Valley of Irondale. Though he’ll get national attention, many believe he’ll decide between Alabama and Auburn. His older brother is Tigers senior linebacker Mayo Sowell.

-- Wide receiver Jared White (6-0, 170), Williamson in Mobile. Has good speed and a reputation for being a play-maker. Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Miami and Ohio State are all reportedly interested.

-- Wide receiver Terrell Zachery-x (6-0, 180), Wadley. Alabama and Auburn have already made offers and he’s already getting attention from Florida State, Georgia and Michigan. He attended the Mississippi State at Alabama game.

Defensive back Deon Williams, defensive lineman KeAndre Jones and wide receiver Tyler Walker of Tuscaloosa County will play for the North today.

Demopolis defensive back Dontrell Miller will play for the South, with Doug Goodwin serving as an assistant coach.

Williams, along with Demopolis running Dustin Gracie will likely be the area’s most highly-recruited player after Smelley.

In-state scorecard

Alabama has verbal commitments from two of SuperPrep’s preseason top 10 rankings for the state: No. 7 Charles Hoke, tight end, Birmingham Briarwood Christian; and No. 10 Ali Sharrief (5-9, 185), running back, who de-committed from Auburn.

In comparison, Auburn has commitments from No. 6 Rex Sharpe (6-3, 215), linebacker, Fairfield, and No. 8 Montez Billings (6-1, 175), wide receiver, Pelham.

Powers (5-9, 170) took an official visit to Auburn last weekend and decided to verbally commit to the Tigers.

Three top 10 players are still undecided: No. 2 Tommy Trott (6-4, 235), tight end, Montgomery Trinity Presbyterian; No. 3 Gabe McKenzie (6-3, 218), tight end/defensive end, Mobile Davidson;and No. 9 Bobby Greenwood (6-4, 240), defensive end, Prattville.

Alabama has a chance to win over two of the three players who gave out-of-state commitments: No. 1 Chris Keys (6-2, 210), safety, Stevenson North Jackson (LSU); and No. 5 Wes Brown (6-4, 245), defensive lineman, Athens (Tennessee).

No. 4 Terrell Smith (6-2, 205), safety, Pinson Clay-Chalkville, is headed to Clemson, but will likely fall out of the top 10 in the publication’s postseason rankings which will be published in January.

News and rumors

Alabama’s next big recruiting weekend is Jan. 7. One of the bigger names to visit will be wide receiver Fred Rouse (6-4, 190) of Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln), ranked the No. 4 overall recruit in the country by Rivals.com. …

BamaOnline reported that Alabama has made an offer to Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles tight end Colin Peek (6-6, 250). Peek suffered a broken femur last year and got into the recruiting process late. Duke and Georgia Tech are also in the running, and his father played at Florida. Meanwhile, Huntsville tight end Careg Bonner (6-3, 230), who is no longer being recruited by Alabama, is looking at Louisville ahead of Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Troy. …

Mesquite-Horn (Tex.) defensive lineman Cordero Moore (6-4, 265) told TiderInsider that he would commit to Oklahoma on Monday night. However, he still plans to make an official visit to Alabama. …

Running back James Davis of Atlanta (Ga.) Douglass, who rushed for 2,389 yards with 28 touchdowns as a senior, told Scout.com that Clemson is his clear leader ahead of Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. But Clemson is also thought to be the leader for Columbia (S.C.) running back Mike Davis (5-10, 210), with Alabama second. Chances are both won’t attend the same school. …

Derek Pegues (5-10, 183) of Batesville (Miss.) South Panola was named the state’s Mr. Football. He’s being recruited as a defensive back. Incidentally, except for Chris Felder (5-185) of Butler County (Kan.) Community College, who many expect to de-commit, Alabama has yet to add a defensive back under 6-2.
12-21-2004 12:22 PM
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