Jordan
01-19-2005, 10:49 PM
Article from The Tuscaloosa News / TideSports.com (http://www.tidesports.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050118/NEWS/501180343/1011)
"ALABAMA RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: Forbes, Kyles commit to Alabama
January 18, 2005
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The University of Alabama football team got closer to finalizing its Class of 2005 when it received a pair of verbal commitments from Georgia.
Defensive end Antonio Forbes (6-foot-4, 265) of Meadowcreek (Ga.) made it official that he’s heading to the Capstone on Monday afternoon. Forbes visited Louisville over the weekend and was also considering Arkansas.
Later Monday night, BamaMag.com reported that Forbes would be joined by wide receiver Nick Kyles (6-2, 190) of Milledgeville (Ga.) Baldwin.
Last weekend, Kyles visited Mississippi State, where his twin brother Jarvis made a verbal commitment as a defensive back. He also had offers from Auburn, Florida and Georgia.
In addition, kicker Andrew Friedman (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) of Mobile UMS Wright rejected a scholarship offer from West Virginia in order to walk-on to the Crimson Tide in the fall.
Friedman will be given a chance to win a job his freshman year and both the outgoing kicker (Brian Bostick) and punter (Bo Freelend) began their careers as walk-ons. He was also being recruited by Auburn, Florida, Georgia and LSU.
Forbes is the third strongside defensive end to commit to Alabama, joining Brandon Fanney (6-5, 260) of Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy and Prattville’s Travis McCall (6-2, 255), who is ready to enroll in the summer after being academically ineligible last year.
# With 29 verbal commitments (although defensive back Chris Felder not expected to stay with Alabama), here’s a look at where Alabama’s top remaining prospects stand with just two weeks until National Signing Day on Feb. 2 (in alphabetical order):Last week, linebacker Antonio Coleman (67-2, 220) of Mobile Williamson said Alabama was his favorite, but he apparently had a change of heart after visiting Auburn even though the Tigers haven’t made an official offer yet.
_ Running back James Davis (6-0, 200) of Atlanta (Ga.) Douglass was thought to be close to a commitment, but instead gave it to Clemson over the weekend. It’s believed he was concerned about the number of running backs Alabama is adding, and wasn’t at the top of the Crimson Tide’s wish list.
_ Defensive end Brandon Deaderick (6-4, 255) of Elizabethton (Ky.) is expected to announce his decision between Alabama, Auburn and Louisville on Friday. Forbes’ commitment should not enter his decision since he plays weakside.
_ Running back Mike Ford (6-2, 205) of Sarasota (Fla.) moved his South Carolina visit to this weekend and is expected to announce a decision thereafter. Alabama still tops his list.
_ Defensive end Bobby Greenwood (6-4, 235) of Prattville visited Florida State over the weekend. Heading in, Alabama was the leader.
_ Tight end/defensive end Gabe McKenzie (6-3, 220) of Mobile Davidson is down to Auburn and Miami, with the Tigers leading.
_ Tight end Colin Peek (6-5, 240) of Jacksonville (Fla.) visited Georgia Tech and still has a visit to Duke this weekend. Maryland recently made an offer, but he turned it down.
_ Wide receiver Fred Rouse (6-4, 190) of Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln told reporters at the Army All-American All-Star Game that Alabama is his leader ahead of Texas, but most believe hometown Florida State will be tough to turn down. Rouse told Scout.com that his mother wants him to attend Texas, while his father favors FSU.
_ Running back Mikell Simpson (6-0, 185) of Harrisburg (Pa.) visited Florida over the weekend and will likely make his decision this week, but not announce it publicly until signing day. Virginia is also in the mix.
_ Tight end Tommy Trott (6-4, 235) of Montgomery Trinity Presbyterian visited Auburn this past weekend and the Tigers are still his leader. Don’t be surprised if Trott makes a verbal commitment when coach Tommy Tubberville visits Wednesday.
_ Running back Roy Upchurch (6-0, 195) of Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby canceled his visit to Florida, but Arkansas and Florida State are still on the schedule.
_ Defensive end Doug Worthington (6-7, 256) of Athol Springs (N.Y.) St. Francis visited Florida and might head to Boston College or Penn State this weekend. He’s still committed to Ohio State.
Official visits
Linebacker Quentin Taylor (6-1, 220) of Apopka (Fla.) made his official visit this past weekend, but is still undecided between Alabama, Florida and Ole Miss, and will visit the other two schools before signing day.
A number of verbal commitments were on campus as well, including guard Marlon Davis (6-3, 305) of Columbus, Ga., offensive tackle Michael Johnson (6-6, 280) of Pensacola (Fla.) Pine Forest, cornerback Michael Ricks (6-2, 175) of Courtland R.A Hubbard, Clarence Ward (6-0, 175) of Pensacola, and both Brandon Fanney and defensive tackle Lorenzo Washington (6-5, 275) of Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy.
Incidentally, Ward made the trip with his mother and told BamaOnline.com that he would not visit any other schools.
Rumors and notes
Quarterback Jimmy Barnes (6-4, 225) of Los Alamitos (Calf.) lived up to expectations during Saturday’s Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. He showed poise in the pocket and good arm strength while completing 7-of-13 passes for 117 yards with one touchdown, but had a second dropped in the end zone. Barnes also was on the throwing end of the most intriguing play of the game, when wide receiver DeSean Jackson tried to dramatically dive across the goal line to complete a 53-yard touchdown, but landed at the 1 and then received an unsportsmanlike penalty. Jackson came back to finish with seven catches for 141 yards and threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to win MVP honors in the 35-3 victory for the West. Rouse played for the East had five catches for 68 yards. Defensively, cornerback Derek Pegues (5-10, 180) of Batesville (Miss.) South Panola had an outstanding game.
_ The national rankings are changing daily, but here are the latest:
Rivals.com: 1. Oklahoma, 2. Tennessee, 3. Nebraska, 4. Texas A&M, 5. Iowa. No. 14. Alabama.
Scout.com: 1. Tennessee, 2. Michigan, 3. Oklahoma, 4. Georgia, 5. Iowa. No. 20. Alabama.
_ Defensive tackle Jarrell Powe (6-3, 350) stirred things up over the weekend when he surprisingly committed to LSU during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl after telling Auburn he would he would be joining the Tigers. “I don’t know why I [committed to LSU]," he told Rivals.com. “That isn’t my final choice." Powe is still considering Auburn, LSI and Ole Miss. Meanwhile, offensive tackle Michael Oher (6-5, 330) of Memphis (Tenn.) Briarcrest Christian, committed to Ole Miss on Monday. Both Oher and Power were recruited by Alabama."
"ALABAMA RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: Forbes, Kyles commit to Alabama
January 18, 2005
Email this story.
The University of Alabama football team got closer to finalizing its Class of 2005 when it received a pair of verbal commitments from Georgia.
Defensive end Antonio Forbes (6-foot-4, 265) of Meadowcreek (Ga.) made it official that he’s heading to the Capstone on Monday afternoon. Forbes visited Louisville over the weekend and was also considering Arkansas.
Later Monday night, BamaMag.com reported that Forbes would be joined by wide receiver Nick Kyles (6-2, 190) of Milledgeville (Ga.) Baldwin.
Last weekend, Kyles visited Mississippi State, where his twin brother Jarvis made a verbal commitment as a defensive back. He also had offers from Auburn, Florida and Georgia.
In addition, kicker Andrew Friedman (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) of Mobile UMS Wright rejected a scholarship offer from West Virginia in order to walk-on to the Crimson Tide in the fall.
Friedman will be given a chance to win a job his freshman year and both the outgoing kicker (Brian Bostick) and punter (Bo Freelend) began their careers as walk-ons. He was also being recruited by Auburn, Florida, Georgia and LSU.
Forbes is the third strongside defensive end to commit to Alabama, joining Brandon Fanney (6-5, 260) of Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy and Prattville’s Travis McCall (6-2, 255), who is ready to enroll in the summer after being academically ineligible last year.
# With 29 verbal commitments (although defensive back Chris Felder not expected to stay with Alabama), here’s a look at where Alabama’s top remaining prospects stand with just two weeks until National Signing Day on Feb. 2 (in alphabetical order):Last week, linebacker Antonio Coleman (67-2, 220) of Mobile Williamson said Alabama was his favorite, but he apparently had a change of heart after visiting Auburn even though the Tigers haven’t made an official offer yet.
_ Running back James Davis (6-0, 200) of Atlanta (Ga.) Douglass was thought to be close to a commitment, but instead gave it to Clemson over the weekend. It’s believed he was concerned about the number of running backs Alabama is adding, and wasn’t at the top of the Crimson Tide’s wish list.
_ Defensive end Brandon Deaderick (6-4, 255) of Elizabethton (Ky.) is expected to announce his decision between Alabama, Auburn and Louisville on Friday. Forbes’ commitment should not enter his decision since he plays weakside.
_ Running back Mike Ford (6-2, 205) of Sarasota (Fla.) moved his South Carolina visit to this weekend and is expected to announce a decision thereafter. Alabama still tops his list.
_ Defensive end Bobby Greenwood (6-4, 235) of Prattville visited Florida State over the weekend. Heading in, Alabama was the leader.
_ Tight end/defensive end Gabe McKenzie (6-3, 220) of Mobile Davidson is down to Auburn and Miami, with the Tigers leading.
_ Tight end Colin Peek (6-5, 240) of Jacksonville (Fla.) visited Georgia Tech and still has a visit to Duke this weekend. Maryland recently made an offer, but he turned it down.
_ Wide receiver Fred Rouse (6-4, 190) of Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln told reporters at the Army All-American All-Star Game that Alabama is his leader ahead of Texas, but most believe hometown Florida State will be tough to turn down. Rouse told Scout.com that his mother wants him to attend Texas, while his father favors FSU.
_ Running back Mikell Simpson (6-0, 185) of Harrisburg (Pa.) visited Florida over the weekend and will likely make his decision this week, but not announce it publicly until signing day. Virginia is also in the mix.
_ Tight end Tommy Trott (6-4, 235) of Montgomery Trinity Presbyterian visited Auburn this past weekend and the Tigers are still his leader. Don’t be surprised if Trott makes a verbal commitment when coach Tommy Tubberville visits Wednesday.
_ Running back Roy Upchurch (6-0, 195) of Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby canceled his visit to Florida, but Arkansas and Florida State are still on the schedule.
_ Defensive end Doug Worthington (6-7, 256) of Athol Springs (N.Y.) St. Francis visited Florida and might head to Boston College or Penn State this weekend. He’s still committed to Ohio State.
Official visits
Linebacker Quentin Taylor (6-1, 220) of Apopka (Fla.) made his official visit this past weekend, but is still undecided between Alabama, Florida and Ole Miss, and will visit the other two schools before signing day.
A number of verbal commitments were on campus as well, including guard Marlon Davis (6-3, 305) of Columbus, Ga., offensive tackle Michael Johnson (6-6, 280) of Pensacola (Fla.) Pine Forest, cornerback Michael Ricks (6-2, 175) of Courtland R.A Hubbard, Clarence Ward (6-0, 175) of Pensacola, and both Brandon Fanney and defensive tackle Lorenzo Washington (6-5, 275) of Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy.
Incidentally, Ward made the trip with his mother and told BamaOnline.com that he would not visit any other schools.
Rumors and notes
Quarterback Jimmy Barnes (6-4, 225) of Los Alamitos (Calf.) lived up to expectations during Saturday’s Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. He showed poise in the pocket and good arm strength while completing 7-of-13 passes for 117 yards with one touchdown, but had a second dropped in the end zone. Barnes also was on the throwing end of the most intriguing play of the game, when wide receiver DeSean Jackson tried to dramatically dive across the goal line to complete a 53-yard touchdown, but landed at the 1 and then received an unsportsmanlike penalty. Jackson came back to finish with seven catches for 141 yards and threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to win MVP honors in the 35-3 victory for the West. Rouse played for the East had five catches for 68 yards. Defensively, cornerback Derek Pegues (5-10, 180) of Batesville (Miss.) South Panola had an outstanding game.
_ The national rankings are changing daily, but here are the latest:
Rivals.com: 1. Oklahoma, 2. Tennessee, 3. Nebraska, 4. Texas A&M, 5. Iowa. No. 14. Alabama.
Scout.com: 1. Tennessee, 2. Michigan, 3. Oklahoma, 4. Georgia, 5. Iowa. No. 20. Alabama.
_ Defensive tackle Jarrell Powe (6-3, 350) stirred things up over the weekend when he surprisingly committed to LSU during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl after telling Auburn he would he would be joining the Tigers. “I don’t know why I [committed to LSU]," he told Rivals.com. “That isn’t my final choice." Powe is still considering Auburn, LSI and Ole Miss. Meanwhile, offensive tackle Michael Oher (6-5, 330) of Memphis (Tenn.) Briarcrest Christian, committed to Ole Miss on Monday. Both Oher and Power were recruited by Alabama."