(Alabama’s press on its 2012 recruiting class.)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban announced that 18 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play football with the Crimson Tide, joining eight players who enrolled at the Capstone in January and will compete in spring practice later this semester.
The 26 total players, including eight mid-year enrollees, come from eight states – Alabama (8), Georgia (8), Florida (4), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (1) and Virginia (1).
As of 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Alabama’s 2012 signing class is currently ranked first nationally by Rivals.com, ESPNU, MaxPreps and 247sports.com. The Crimson Tide is ranked second in the Scout.com team rankings.
As listed by position, the Crimson Tide add to their roster five defensive linemen, five linebackers, four defensive backs, three wide receivers, three offensive linemen, two running backs, one tight end, one athlete, one place-kicker and one quarterback.
Eight players – Ryan Anderson (LB), Deion Belue (DB), Chris Black (WR), Amari Cooper (WR), Travell Dixon (DB), Dillon Lee (LB), Alphonse Taylor (DL) and T.J. Yeldon (RB) – are already attending classes at the University. They all enrolled in January, began taking classes for the spring 2011 semester and will be able to participate in Alabama’s spring football practices. The other 18 players signed national letters of intent today. The Crimson Tide had nine players enroll in the spring of 2011, 11 in 2010 and four in 2009.
Among the 26 players are:
- 9 players participated in the Under Armour All-America Game – Dakota Ball; Chris Black; Landon Collins; Amari Cooper; Brandon Greene; Cyrus Jones; Korren Kirven; Reggie Ragland; Eddie Williams
- 3 players participated in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl game – Dillon Lee; Geno Smith; T.J. Yeldon
- 2 members of the Parade Magazine prep All-America team – Landon Collins; Cyrus Jones
- 3 members of the USA Today’s 2011 All-USA High School Football Team – Landon Collins; Caleb Gulledge; T.J. Yeldon
- 5 members of the SuperPrep Elite 50 – Landon Collins; Cyrus Jones; Reggie Ragland; Eddie Williams; T.J. Yeldon
- 15 SuperPrep All-Americans – Ryan Anderson; Chris Black; Landon Collins; Amari Cooper; Denzel Devall; Kenyan Drake; Tyler Hayes; Cyrus Jones; Korren Kirven; Dillon Lee; Reggie Ragland; Geno Smith; Dalvin Tomlinson; Eddie Williams; T.J. Yeldon
- 13 players in the ESPNU 150 – Ryan Anderson; Chris Black; Landon Collins; Amari Cooper; Brandon Greene; Tyler Hayes; Cyrus Jones; Korren Kirven; Dillon Lee; Reggie Ragland; Geno Smith; Eddie Williams; T.J. Yeldon
- 7 players on the PrepStar 150 Dream Team – Landon Collins; Denzel Devall; Reggie Ragland; Geno Smith; Dalvin Tomlinson; Eddie Williams; T.J. Yeldon
- 9 players named to the Rivals.com 100 – Ryan Anderson; Chris Black; Landon Collins; Amari Cooper; Cyrus Jones; Reggie Ragland; Geno Smith; Eddie Williams; T.J. Yeldon
- 15 players in the Rivals 250 – Ryan Anderson; Chris Black; Landon Collins; Amari Cooper; Denzel Devall; Kenyan Drake; Tyler Hayes; Cyrus Jones; Korren Kirven; Dillon Lee; Reggie Ragland; Geno Smith; Dalvin Tomlinson; Eddie Williams; T.J. Yeldon
- 15 players in the 247sports.com Top 247 – Ryan Anderson; Chris Black; Landon Collins; Amari Cooper; Denzel Devall; Kenyan Drake; Brandon Greene; Tyler Hayes; Cyrus Jones; Korren Kirven; Dillon Lee; Reggie Ragland; Geno Smith; Eddie Williams; T.J. Yeldon
- 15 players named to The Mobile Press-Register’s Super Southeast 120 – Ryan Anderson; Chris Black; Landon Collins; Amari Cooper; Denzel Devall; Kenyan Drake; Brandon Greene; Tyler Hayes; Dillon Lee; Reggie Ragland; Geno Smith; Alphonse Taylor; Dalvin Tomlinson; Eddie Williams; T.J. Yeldon
