2012 signing class

DAKOTA BALL
Position: Defensive line
Height, weight: 6-2, 298
School: Pepperell; Lindale, Ga.
Notes: The major recruiting services all him a 3-star athlete who started in the Under Armour All-American game. … He made 93 tackles as a senior with 17 coming behind the line. He also affected the quarterback with seven sacks and 39 hurries. … Ball also forced three fumbles, recovered two and ran one back for a touchdown. … Georgia, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Clemson, and South Carolina also pursued Ball.

DEION BELUE
Position: Defensive back
Height, weight: 6-0, 170
School: Northeast Mississippi CC/Deshler; Tuscumbia, Ala.
Notes: Originally signed with Alabama in 2009, Belue went the junior college route when he didn’t qualify academically. … 247sports rated him the No. 7 junior college prospect in the country. … Rivals and Scout rated him a 3-star prospect. Auburn, UAB, and Southern Miss reportedly recruited him coming out of Deshler High School… Enrolled in January.

CHRIS BLACK
Position: Wide receiver
Height, weight: 6-0, 175
School: First Coast; Jacksonville, Fla.
Notes: Was ranked between No. 2 and No. 19 among wide receivers by the various recruiting services. … Told Scout.com “I run creative routes and am very elusive after the catch.” … As a senior, Black caught 55 passes for 881 yards as a senior after recording 990 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. … Committed to Alabama in August after considering offers from Florida State, and Florida among many others. … Enrolled in January.

LANDON COLLINS
Position: Safety
Height, weight: 6-0, 210
School: Dutchtown; Geismar, La.
Notes: His live commitment on ESPN’s telecast of the Under Armour All-American game became legendary when his mother was vocal in her disagreement with his choice … One of the nation’s top-ranked safety chose the Tide over local favorite LSU, where his mother wanted him to attend. … Scout and Rivals rank him second in the nation at his position while 247sports says he’s No. 1. … Collins could compete for playing time with the graduation of safety Mark Barron.

AMARI COOPER
Position: Wide receiver
Height, weight: 6-2, 180
School: Miami Northwestern; Miami, Fla.
Notes: Recruiting services rated him between fifth and 12th among receivers nationally. 247sports had him at No. 5 at his position while Rivals said he was the No. 45 overall prospect regardless of position. … Cooper had a huge game at the Jan. 6 Under Armour All-American game. He caught a 75-yard touchdown pass and returned a punt 93 yards for another score. Cooper, along with Chris Black, could see immediate playing time with three senior receivers graduating from the 2011 title team. … Enrolled in January.

DENZELL DEVALL
Position: Linebacker
Height, weight: 6-2, 236
School: Bastrop; Bastrop, La.
Notes: One of the later commitments for the class, Devall gave his pledge in December. … He’s a consensus 4-star recruit ranked among the top 10 middle linebackers in the nation. … LSU, Arkansas, and Oklahoma were reportedly also after Devall. … He could compete with class member Reggie Ragland for top incoming middle linebacker.

TRAVELL DIXON
Position: Defensive back
Height, weight: 6-2, 200
School: Eastern Arizona College/Norland; Miami, Fla.
Notes: Rivals rated him the No. 3 junior college transfer while 247sports says he’s No. 9. … Mississippi State and Florida State also reportedly competed for his services. … His size is similar to Dre Kirkpatrick’s, though he’s a few pounds heavier than the former Tide cornerback. … Had 26 tackles and two interceptions as a freshman at Eastern Arizona College, according to Scout. … Enrolled in January.

KENYAN DRAKE
Position: Running back
Height, weight: 6-1, 195
School: Hillgrove; Powder Springs, Ga.
Notes: … Drake was named Gatorade Georgia football player of the year after leading to team to undefeated regular season. … He scored 25 touchdowns as a senior. Drake picked the Tide over local favorites Georgia and Georgia Tech. … He was rated a 4-star recruit by all three services and ranked as high as No. 4 among running backs. … Drake enters a crowded backfield with Eddie Lacy, Dee Hart and Brent Calloway returning and top-recruit T.J. Yeldon already enrolled.

KURT FREITAG
Position: Tight end
Height, weight: 6-3, 245
School: Buford; Buford, Ga.
Notes: He chose Alabama over Florida … Freitag attended the Nov. 5 meeting between Alabama and LSU and told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution it was “the most unreal atmosphere I’ve ever seen.” … He was the teammate of fellow-signee Dillon Lee at Buford. … Each recruiting service rated him a 3-star prospect. … He will enter a challenging tight end competition after losing Brad Smelley to graduation but returning Michael Williams, Brian Vogler, and Harrison Jones.

BRANDON GREENE
Position: Offensive line
Height, weight: 6-6, 280
School: Cedar Grove; Ellenwood, Ga.
Notes: Greene had scholarship offers from Alabama and Auburn to Central Florida and Louisville … He was one of the earliest commitments to the Tide when going public last March. … All three recruiting services rated him a 4-star prospect. … There isn’t much room for competition on the line right away with three starters and Cyrus Kouandjio returning this fall, but the 2013 season should present opportunities on the offensive line.

ADAM GRIFFITH
Position: Kicker
Height, weight: 5-11, 175
School: Calhoun; Calhoun, Ga.
Notes: Two of the three services ranked Griffith the No. 1 kicking prospect in the country. … He made the game-winning kick in overtime of the Class AA state championship game. … On kickoffs, 82 percent went for touchbacks. … Born in Poland, he kicked his first football in seventh grade, his high school coach Hal Lamb said. … His season-long was a 52-yarder this season. … Nick Saban liked how high Griffith kicked the ball, Lamb said.

CALEB GULLEDGE
Position: Offensive line
Height, weight: 6-4, 255
School: Prattville; Prattville, Ala.
Notes: USA Today named him a second team All-American after helping Prattville to the Class 6A state title win over Hoover. The game was played in Bryant-Denny Stadium. … Gulledge played both offensive and defensive lines for the Lions. … All three recruiting services call him a 3-star prospect. … Teammate Justin Thomas was committed to the Tide until December when he swapped Alabama for Georgia Tech.

TYLER HAYES
Position: Linebacker
Height, weight: 6-3, 215
School: Thomasville; Thomasville, Ala.
Notes: Hayes also played running back at Thomasville. … A Mr. Football candidate, Hayes sprained his knee in a playoff loss to Dadeville in November. The Mobile Press-Register reported he was tackled from behind and the injury appeared more serious at the time it occurred. … Hayes helped Thomasville to the 2010 state title with a 15-0 season. He’ll have to put on a few pounds before approaching the playing weight of last season’s starting outside linebackers.

BRANDON HILL
Position: Offensive line
Height, weight: 6-6, 352
School: St. George’s; Collierville, Tenn.
Notes: Hill helped St. George’s to the Tennessee Division II-A title after losing in the championship game a year earlier. … At 352 pounds, he’s easily the heaviest offensive lineman in the class and 18 pounds above D.J. Fluker’s playing weight last season. … All three recruiting services rated him a 3-star prospect. … He also had offers from several SEC schools along with Nebraska and Southern Miss, Scout reported.

CYRUS JONES
Position: Athlete
Height, weight: 5-11, 183
School: Gilman School; Baltimore, Md.
Notes: Jones, one of the top names in the class, had his commitment overshadowed by the Landon Collins spectacle at the Under Armour All-American game. … He was named Gatorade Maryland player of the year after running for 2,365 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior. … He was recruited by former linebackers coach and current Tennessee defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri. Jones told the Baltimore Sun he loved Sunseri’s enthusiasm. … The Baltimore area has now produced Alabama signees three straight years after the Kouandjio brothers made the decision in each of the past two.

KORREN KIRVEN
Position: Defensive line
Height, weight: 6-4, 280
School: Brookville; Lynchburg, Va,
Notes: Chose Alabama over Virginia Tech and Tennessee as the fist surprise of signing day. … Kirven is a 4-star prospect according to most recruiting services. … He was one of nine Alabama signees who played in the Under Armour All-American game. … Kirven recorded 15 sacks as a senior leading his team to the Virginia Class AA state title … He reportedly put on an Alabama cap and said “Roll Tide,” when announcing his decision at a signing day news conference.

DARREN LAKE
Position: Defensive line
Height, weight: 6-3, 330
School: Sumter County; York, Ala.
Notes: Lake is a consensus 3-star recruit according to all three services. … Scout reported he ran a 4.9-second 40-yard dash. …Rivals reported Lake was recruited to Tennessee by Lance Thompson who took the linebackers coaching job at Alabama in January. … His hometown of York is just 70 minutes from the Alabama campus.

DILLON LEE
Position: Linebacker
Height, weight: 6-3, 238
School: Buford; Buford, Ga.
Notes: A 4-star prospect as rated by every major recruiting service, Lee is a versatile middle linebacker. … As a senior, he made 84 tackles – 17 for loss including seven sacks. He also intercepted five passes and returned two for touchdowns. … Committed to Alabama in May, but still visited Georgia in early December, Scout reported. … High school teammates Vadal Alexander and Reid Ferguson are committed to LSU while Kurt Freitag is also headed to Tuscaloosa … Enrolled in January.

ALEC MORRIS
Position: Quarterback
Height, weight: 6-3, 235
School: Allen; Allen, Texas
Notes: Morris was originally committed to Wake Forest before changing his mind … He had a phone conversation with former Tide quarterback Greg McElroy, also a suburban-Dallas native, before committing to Alabama in August. … Morris led Allen to an undefeated regular season before losing in the first round of the state playoffs. … He led Allen to comeback victories in the six or seven game of the season, his coach Tom Westerberg said. … All three recruiting services rated him a 3-star talent. … He’ll be the fourth quarterback on the roster joining AJ McCarron, Phillip Sims, and Phillip Ely.

REGGIE RAGLAND
Position: Linebacker
Height, weight: 6-4, 245
School: Bob Jones; Madison, Ala.
Notes: Ragland is one of the top two or three recruits in this signing class. … Both Scout and Rivals ranked him the No. 1 middle linebacker in the country. … The graduation of Dont’a Hightower creates competition in the middle of the Tide defense. … He ended speculation early by committing after his junior season. … He made several All-American teams including Sports Illustrated’s. Also played in Under Armour All-American game.

GENO SMITH
Position: Cornerback
Height, weight: 5-11, 175
School: St. Pius X; Atlanta
Notes: Smith is one of the top cornerback prospects in the country who is ranked between sixth and eighth by the recruiting services. The graduation of DeQuan Menzie and early departure of Dre Kirkpatrick could create competition in the secondary under Saban’s watchful eye. … Smith committed in August, but was still recruited by several SEC schools including in-state Georgia. … He roomed with T.J. Yeldon at U.S. Army All-American Game. … Smith has been known to spar with opposing fans using his Twitter account (SmithGeno4).

ALPHONSE TAYLOR
Position: Defensive line
Height, weight: 6-6, 340
School: Davidson; Mobile, Ala.
Notes: Another prospect coming from Alabama’s gulf coast, Taylor could create competition at the nose guard position. … He is 15 pounds lighter than Terrence Cody’s playing weight as a senior in 2009. … The recruiting services did not rank him among the top defensive linemen. Rivals says he’s the 39th best defensive lineman. … Enrolled in January.

DALVIN TOMLINSON
Position: Defensive line
Height, weight: 6-2, 266
School: Henry County; McDonough, Ga.
Notes: One of two signing day surprises, Tomlinson chose Alabama over Georgia and Georgia Tech. … He was a consensus 4-star prospect according to the recruiting services. … Rivals ranked him 11th among defensive tackles for his most favorable rating. … As a senior, Tomlinson had 109 tackles, 8.5 sacks, four pass break-ups and a blocked field goal. His junior totals included 76 tackles and 7.5 sacks.

EDDIE WILLIAMS
Position: Athlete
Height, weight: 6-4, 215
School: Arnold; Panama City Beach, Fla.
Notes: Williams became the first commitment of the class in August of his junior year. … Scout ranks him the No. 3 safety in the country while Rivals and 247sports label him an athlete. Rivals ranked him first among athletes while 247sports said he’s No. 2. … Williams played in the Under Armour All-American game in January alongside several future teammates. He delivered a big hit to Miami commit Randy Johnson in the game.

T.J. YELDON
Position: Running back
Height, weight: 6-2, 215
School: Daphne; Daphne
Notes: Alabama’s Mr. Football is considered the prize of the class. 247sports.com rates him the No. 1 running back in the nation while Rivals has him No. 2 and Scout has him eighth. … Rushed for 2,193 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior while catching 19 passes for 244 yards. … Yeldon was committed to Auburn until swapping the Tigers for the Tide on Dec. 18, the day before the recruiting dead period began. … Told Rivals.com he was still firmly committed to Auburn 11 days before issuing a news release announcing his change of heart. … He’s one of eight players who enrolled in classes early to compete in spring practices.

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Class of 2011

SHANNON BROWN
Position: LB
Height, weight: 6-2, 225
School: Cook; Adel, Ga.
Notes: Committed last February choosing Alabama over North Carolina, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. … Had 122 tackles as a junior … Was the third player to commit to the Tide following Marvin Shinn and Brent Calloway who in January switched his pledge to Auburn. … Was named Class AA defensive player of the year with 113 tackles while rushing for 466 yards and 14 touchdowns, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.

BRENT CALLOWAY
Position: LB/RB
Height, weight: 6-1, 210
School: Russellville; Russellville, Ala.
Notes: A long-time Alabama commit who recently switched to Auburn reversed course again on signing day and went with the Tide. … Coach Nick Saban said he’d get a chance to compete for a running back job.

*RONALD CARSWELL
Position: WR
Height, weight: 6-0, 180
School: Westside; Macon, Ga.
Notes: Originally signed in 2010 but deferred enrollment until spring. Was as 4A All-State selection in 2009 at Westlake catching 33 passes for 714 yards as a senior.

HA’SEAN CLINTON-DIX
Position: DB
Height, weight: 6-2, 190
School: Dr. Phillips; Orlando
Notes: One of the jewels of this recruiting class, both Scout and Rivals rank Clinton-Dix as the No. 1 safety in the nation. … Committed back in April, 2010. … Was reportedly scheduled to visit USC in January, but the Orlando Sentinel reported that trip never happened. … Played at the high school where Alabama practiced the week leading up to the Jan. 1 Capital One Bowl.

*TREY DePRIEST
Position: LB
Height, weight: 6-2, 230
School: Springfield; Springfield, Ohio
Notes: The Ohio Division-I defensive player of the year made 117 tackles, 12 for loss and nine sacks as a senior. … Scout says he’s the No. 1 middle linebacker in the nation while Rivals pegs him as the seventh-best linebacker overall. … Played in the Under Armour All-American game along with Vinnie Sunseri, Xzavier Dickson, Bradley Sylve, Marvin Shinn and Hasean Clinton-Dix.

**QUINTON DIAL
Position: DE
Height, weight: 6-6, 315
School: East Mississippi Community College
Notes: Originally signed with Tide in 2008 coming out of Clay-Chalkville but enrolled in junior college instead. … Played two seasons of nose guard and made 76 tackles including 3.5 sacks in 2010. … Rivals ranks him 15th among JUCO transfers.

XZAVIER DICKSON
Position: DE
Height, weight: 6-4, 248
School: Griffin; Griffin, Ga.
Notes: Committed to Alabama live on ESPN broadcast of Under Armour All-American game in January. … One of five defensive linemen to commit or sign while the Tide still wait on a decision from the nation’s No. 1 prospect Jadeveon Clowney, also a defensive end. … Told Atlanta Journal-Constitution he chose Tide over Georgia by coin flip. A 4-star recruit according to both Scout and Rivals.

**AARON DOUGAS
Position: Offensive line
Height, weight: 6-6, 280
School: Arizona Western Community College
Notes: Played freshman season at Tennessee under Lane Kiffin and was named freshman All-American before leaving Knoxville. … Playing on the same team as fellow Tide signee Jesse Williams, Douglas was named a JUCO All-American. .. Was reportedly arrested for DUI on Christmas Eve in Blount County, Tenn.

*PHILLIP ELY
Position: QB
Height, weight: 6-1, 186
School: Plant; Tampa, Fla.
Notes: A former backup for current Georgia starting quarterback Aaron Murray, Ely threw for 2,731 yards and 26 touchdowns last fall and completed 64.3 percent of his passes. … Led team to Florida Class 5A state title as a junior. … Rated No. 20 quarterback by Rivals and No. 41 by Scout.

MALCOLM FACIANE
Position: TE
Height, weight: 6-6, 263
School: Picayune Memorial; Picayune, Miss.
Notes: Would join a crowded group of tight ends losing starter Preston Dial to graduation. … Tore his ACL in October and missed the remainder of his senior season. … Still selected as an Under Armour All-American but did not play in January game. … Told Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger that he expects to be cleared to practice again in May.

LaMICHAEL FANNING
Position: DE
Height, weight: 6-7, 270
School: Harris County; Hamilton, Ga.
Notes: Reportedly visited Auburn last weekend after committing to the Tide last April. … Transferred from Auburn High School to Harris County before 2010 season but was suspended and ultimately chose not to return to the team.

*DEE HART
Position: RB
Height, weight: 5-9, 189
School: Dr. Phillips; Orlando
Notes: A Michigan commitment until Rich Rodriguez was fired, Hart followed high school teammate Hasean Clinton-Dix to Tuscaloosa. … He officially gave his pledge to Alabama on Jan. 8 on live national television during the U.S. Army All-American game. … The Birmingham News reported on Jan. 21 that Hart had enrolled at Alabama. … Scout rated him the No. 8 running back in the nation while Rivals said he was the top prospect at his position. … Was named U.S. Army national player of the year. … Named Parade All-American on Tuesday.

CHRISTIAN JONES
Position: DB
Height, weight: 5-10, 175
School: Minor; Adamsville
Notes: Rivals and Scout couldn’t agree on how many stars he deserved or his first name. Rivals called him “Chris” and gave him four stars while Scout referred to him as “Christian” and awarded him three stars. … One of only five in-state players who committed to Alabama.

RYAN KELLY
Position: OL
Height, weight: 6-5, 280
School: Lakota West; West Chester Ohio
Notes: One of two commitments (Trey DePriest) from state of Ohio where Alabama didn’t traditionally recruit hard. … Tore his ACL during game his senior season. … Scout ranks him the No. 2 center in the nation and could be the future heir to the position currently held by senior-to-be William Vlachos entering his third season as a starter. … Was recruited by schools all over the map from Arizona to Boston College but recruiting services did not list Ohio State among those offering scholarships.

* WILSON LOVE
Position: DL
Height, weight: 6-4, 285
School: Mountain Brook; Mountain Brook
Notes: Another member of the 2010 signing class who deferred enrollment. … Is the younger brother of backup offensive lineman Tyler Love. Had 94 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior in 2009.

ISAAC LUATUA
Position: OL
Height, weight: 6-3, 298
School: La Mirada; La Mirada, Calif.
Notes: A rare Alabama recruit from California, Luatua is ranked between the No. 10-18 offensive guard nationally by the top recruiting services. … Currently playing basketball where he is one of the top returning scorers for La Miranda.

JEOFFERY PAGAN
Position: DE
Height, weight: 6-4, 255
School: Ashville; Ashville, N.C.
Notes: A surprise signee, Pagan signed with the Tide over Georgia. … Saban said recruiting athletic defensive linemen like Pagan was a priority this season after getting less production from last season’s starters.

D.J. PETTWAY
Position: DL
Height, weight: 6-2, 255
School: Pensacola Catholic; Pensacola, Fla.
Notes: Committed last April but reportedly made his official visit to Tuscaloosa last month after rumors swirled that we was rethinking his commitment. … Scout rates him a 3-star player ranked 23rd among defensive tackles while Rivals pegged him a 4-star player and the No. 13 defensive end nationally.

MARVIN SHINN
Position: WR
Height, weight: 6-4, 195
School: Vigor; Prichard
Notes: Announced for to Tide in April, 2009 during his sophomore year in high school making him the player with the longest commitment to Alabama. … Also a standout on Vigor basketball team. … The No. 10 receiver nationally according to Rivals, but No. 17 in Scout’s rankings.

*VINNIE SUNSERI
Position: LB
Height, weight: 6-0, 205
School: Northridge; Tuscaloosa
Notes: The son of Alabama linebackers coach Sal Sunseri who was the 2009 defensive player of the year in North Carolina before moving to Alabama. … At Northridge, Sunseri was named 6A defensive player of the year after collecting 114 tackles as a senior. … Had a big game at the Under Armour All-American game.

BRADLEY SYLVE
Position: WR
Height, weight: 5-10, 175
School: South Plaquemines; Port Sulphur, La.
Notes: Ran a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown in the Under Armour All-American game in January. … Chose Tide over host of others including nearby LSU when he committed last May. … Ran a 6.40 in the 55- meter dash at an indoor track meet recently in Baton Rouge. The time was good for a top-5 nationally. … Rivals says he is the No. 14 receiver nationally while Scout ranked him No. 36.

JABRIEL WASHINGTON
Position: DB
Height, weight: 5-11, 165
School: Trinity Christian Academy; Jackson, Tenn.
Notes: Committed to Tide after 2010 A-Day. … Recently told Jackson (Tenn.) Sun that he looks forward to learning cornerback position under Nick Saban. … Played quarterback in high school and threw for 2,635 yards as a senior and ran for 1,006 yards. On defense, he had 111 tackles and six interceptions leading his team to the Class AA state championship game. … Named Parade All-American on Tuesday.

**JESSE WILLIAMS
Position: DL
Height, weight: 6-4, 330
School: Arizona Western Community College
Notes: A native of Australia, Williams was ranked the No. 2 junior college prospect by Rivals. … Injuries limited him to seven games in 2010. He finished with 30 tackles with six going for losses (-29 yards) including two sacks (-12).

DANNY WOODSON
Position: WR
Height, weight: 6-2, 198
School: LeFlore; Mobile
Notes: Son of former Alabama player Danny Woodson Sr., told the Tuscaloosa News he hopes to come in and compete for playing time this fall. … A 4-star prospect according to both Rivals and Scout. … Played in the U.S. Army All-American Game with fellow commitments Phillip Ely and Dee Hart.

* Already enrolled
** Junior college transfer already signed and enrolled