ESPN College Football Recruiting

For the third consecutive year, the state of Alabama continues to impress us with quality personnel from top to bottom. In fact, I am not so sure outside of Texas, California and Florida that Alabama isn't the best state we have seen in terms of speed and athleticism at all positions.

For the second year in a row, Alabama boasts the best safety prospect in the class in Dee Finley (Auburn, Ala.), who follows in the footsteps of 2007 safety prospect Michael McNeil, now an Auburn Tiger. Finley instead is headed to Florida, where he will join future safety prospect Will Hill (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) in the defensive backfield.

Once again, Alabama is loaded in the offensive line as 2006 OT Andre Smith paved the way for the likes of Class of 2007 OG William Vlachos, now a member of the Crimson Tide, and top-ranked Class of '08 OT Tyler Love (Birmingham, Ala./Mountain Brook). Love is joined by underrated OT prospect Antoine McClain (Anniston, Ala.). Both players will be participating in the inaugural ESPNU High School All-American game.

With seven total prospects in this year's ESPN 150, Alabama features players in the athlete category in Burton Scott (Pritchard, Ala./Vigor), an Alabama commitment that could play wide receiver or cornerback, as well as the nation's most underrated DE prospect in Courtney Upshaw (Eufaula, Ala.), an explosive edge pass rusher headed to Tuscaloosa next fall.

Julio Jones, Wide receiver
Foley, Ala.
Considering: Alabama, FSU, Auburn, Florida, LSU Oklahoma, USC or anywhere he wants

Obviously the state is strong when it features the nation's top overall prospect in the 2008 class and the most dominating wide receiver we have seen in the last three classes. With some of the other top prospects in this class not facing great competition week in and week out, Jones plays in a high classification and routinely faces coverages rolling over to him as well as getting bracketed in double coverage, yet he still makes big plays and comes down with spectacular catches in traffic.

At 6-4 and a meaty 215 pounds, Jones has kept things very close to the vest as far as where he is leaning. He has a lot on his plate and many programs to consider and I anticipate him taking his full five official visits to educate himself on what university is the best fit for him. There is a lot of pressure for him to remain in-state, so if he does, I feel Alabama would have the edge at this time.

Be sure to catch Jones and his Foley teammates as they face off against rival Daphne Thursday night on ESPN2. Daphne will feature RB Reggie Hunt as well as many fine 2009 prospects.

Glenn Harbin, Defensive end
Mobile, Ala. (McGill-Toolen)
Considering: Alabama, Florida, FSU, LSU, South Carolina, North Carolina

Yes, Harbin is being heavily recruited, but he is not a guy you hear a lot about. He really needs to fill out and get bigger. Harbin is the very definition of upside with his frame and long arms, and he grows on you the more you watch him. It is also intriguing to note that he is a very good baseball player, with a .350 batting average, 10 steals and 32 RBI as a junior.

Harbin has said he would like to possibly play both sports at the next level, but we feel he needs to focus on football and getting in the weight room -- especially if he decides to go to Alabama, where he would need to bulk up significantly at end in the 3-4 defense. Harbin is off to fast start, with four sacks in three games heading into this past weekend. He is raw but extremely athletic.

Alabama, 18 commits
So far the Saban-nation has to be ecstatic with what he and his staff have accomplished thus far with a big class to this point and no signs of slowing down. The have pledges from the three of the top-rated players in the state in Scott, Love and Upshaw and are meeting needs at wide receiver with Destin Hood (Mobile, Ala./St. Paul's) and Florida prospect Melvin Ray (Tallahassee, Fla./North Florida Christian). This state might flip cartwheels if Saban can haul in Julio Jones, don't you think?

Auburn, 17 commits
The Tigers are never flashy early but always end up strong. However, with a new heavyweight across the state, things have quickly become more competitive with in-state prospects. Never fear, though, Tiger fans -- Tommy Tuberville knows a football player when he sees one and routinely invades Georgia, Mississippi, Florida and Louisiana. Wide receivers Damion Allen (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) and Jarmon Fortson (Columbus, Geo./Carver) headline this class at a position at which Auburn drastically needs help. Another WR, Harry Adams (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard), is a flat-out burner.

Troy, 0 commits
Sun Belt schools traditionally don't rake in commitments until closer to national signing day. If Troy can continue playing well in conference (2-0 so far), expect it to pay off with recruiting.

UAB, 5 commits
Like Troy, this class will grow in numbers as signing day nears. In-state offensive line prospect Katrell Watters (Thomasville, Ala.) leads the way among the Blazers' commits so far.

Daphne (5-0) at Foley (5-0), Thursday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
No. 1 prospect Julio Jones of Foley will be on display on national television. The donnybrook also features two of Alabama's top 5 large-school teams (Class 6A). Foley averages nearly 40 points per game with QB Devin Smith. Jones had two TDs receptions in a 56-0 win over Lake City (Fla.) Christian Academy last Friday. Daphne, No. 2 in Alabama's 6A rankings, won its fifth straight, beating Mary Montgomery, 35-14. Auburn-bound RB Reggie Hunt totaled 88 yards and three TDs in less than three quarters. -- Lawlor

Tom Luginbill is the national director of recruiting for Scouts Inc. Luginbill is a college football and recruiting studio analyst for ESPNU.