ESPN College Football Recruiting

With another strong showing in 2009 (six ESPNU 150 members), Alabama now has to be considered one of the premier states in the Southeast for turning out elite national talent. This is the fourth consecutive year Alabama has impressively produced at least one top-rated positional prospect.

In 2006, it was offensive tackle Andre Smith (Birmingham, Ala./Huffman). A year later in 2007, Alabama produced ESPN's No. 1-rated safety Michael McNeil (Mobile, Ala./Davidson) and center Ryan Pugh (Birmingham, Ala./Hoover). In 2008, Under Armour All-Americans Julio Jones (Foley, Ala.), Burton Scott (Prichard, Ala./Vigor) and Tyler Love (Birmingham, Ala./Mountain Brook) heading the receiver, athlete and offensive tackle class, respectively. In 2009 the trend continues, as Alabama boasts No. 1 cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (Gadsden, Ala.), the No. 5 overall player on the ESPNU 150.

So who is reaping the benefit of all this talent? Since Nick Saban's arrival in Tuscaloosa, he has begun to put a proverbial recruiting fence around the state's upper-echelon players. If you count his late hiring in 2007, the former Miami Dolphins head coach has signed 12 of the state's top 20 prospects the past two seasons.

2009 could be even better; to date, Alabama has commitments from three of the state's top six prospects, and impressively, the Tide have a good chance to sign the remaining uncommitted three: outside linebacker Tana Patrick (Stevenson, Ala./North Jackson), receiver Kendall Kelly (Gadsden, Ala.) and his teammate Kirkpatrick.

Dre Kirkpatrick, cornerback
Gadsden High School
Considering: Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Florida, USC, among others

Kirkpatrick may be the best cornerback we have seen in the past three classes. This kid has it all: size (6-2, 180), speed, quickness and rare hip-fluidity for a taller corner.

What makes Kirkpatrick so rare is the dynamics he brings to the position. He has the ability to lock down on faster receivers with his great cover-corner skills or step up hard and play press-man with deceptive strength and physicality. The elite corner tops it off by displaying strong tackling and run-support skills. Kirkpatrick is going to bring a huge smile to the face of his future defensive coordinator with his excellent scheme versatility.

So where is he headed? He should continue to be one of the most sought-after prospects on the recruiting trail until he makes a decision, but that decision might not be coming any time soon. Kirkpatrick took in Alabama's opening upset win over Clemson, and at this point he appears to be an in-state lean for the Tide. However, we would not be surprised if he takes most of his official visits and decides closer to signing day.

We had a chance to catch up with Gadsden head coach Joe Billingsley this week to discuss his star corner's abilities on the football field.

"I know it may sound funny because he is so talented, but his athleticism may be his best attribute," said Billingsley. "He has great body control for his size and adjusts very naturally to receivers in coverage."

Billingsley said strength and conditioning might be the areas Kirkpatrick would need the most improvement when projecting for the college level.

"He needs to get a little bigger and stronger because he plays so aggressive and hard all the time," explained Billingsley. "To play an entire college season like that will take some time in a strength and conditioning program.

"But he has a great work ethic and will be able to concentrate on football 365 days a year in college -- he jumps right into basketball here."

Zac Stacy, running back
Bibb County HS (Centerville, Ala.)
Verbal commitment: Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt has been able to compete in the SEC and now crack the AP Top 25 by recruiting hard and targeting residual sleepers in the Southeast. It uncovered a hidden '09 gem with Florida running back Eric Samuels (Umatilla, Fla.) and also an underrated back out of Alabama in Stacy.

At 5-foot-9, Stacy seemingly runs bigger than his size and is very well put-together. He is a sharp, decisive runner with great burst out of his cuts. He may run stronger than his listed measurables, but he knows when and how to utilize his low center of gravity to pick and dart his way through the traffic without giving defenders a clean shot. Stacy may not develop into a high-carry back for the Commodores, but he projects to be a productive change-of-pace runner in the SEC.

Alabama, 15 commits (Sept. 23)
Although the Tide's class is not yet good enough to be rated in the top three nationally, Alabama has plenty of talent currently committed. Saban should also close strong -- particularly if the program keeps its momentum on the field -- since several ESPNU 150 prospects still are claiming the Tide as one of their top schools of interest.

There are elite players headlining the class like ESPN's No. 2 running back prospect Trent Richardson (Pensacola, Fla./Escambia) on offense and No. 2-rated inside linebacker Nico Johnson (Andalusia, Ala.) on defense. Richardson remains a soft verbal, but this class still has plenty of quality depth (12 prospects rated at a 78 or higher), similar to the No. 3 class it signed last February.

Auburn, 25 commits (Sept. 23)
The Tigers boast one of the more underrated classes in the country. Sitting right outside the top 10 in our last class rankings, this large Auburn class is filled with sleepers, particularly on offense, that fit new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin's spread system.

Travante Stallworth (Leesville, La.) is a top-25 athlete and potentially a future home-run threat. Receiver Brandon Heavens (Bessemer, Ala.) is also a top-25 positional prospect and may be one of the more elusive open-field runners in this class. He is a perfect "space player" for Franklin's offense.

End Terrence Coleman (Mobile, Ala./Williamson) and outside linebacker Jonathan Atchison (Atlanta/Douglas) are both a bit undersized at their respective positions on defense. Still, they are explosive, high-motored and definitely under-the-radar national prospects.

Troy, 6 commits (Sept. 23)
Though a very small class now, Troy should get most of its commitments closer to signing day as it usually does. Defensive tackle Montavious Williams (Cairo, Ga.) could develop into a steady player for the Trojans, who have three junior college transfers currently pledged. 2008 Under Armour All-American receiver Josh Jarboe's (Decatur, Ga.) transfer from Oklahoma could be very significant for the program's future on offense.

UAB, 6 commits (Sept. 23)
UAB is low on numbers, but like Troy, the Blazers should add more depth closer to signing day. Rashad Wynes (Warner Robins, Ga.) is a quality land on offense; the projected running back could slide down to fullback or H-back during his career and provide good offensive versatility.

Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy (4-1) at Prattville (3-1), Friday, 8 p.m. ET:
The interstate contest will be televised on ESPNU from Prattville, Alabama's two-time reigning Class 6A champions and currently the clear-cut No. 1 team in the state's largest classification.

The Lions dropped their opener to St. Xavier-Cincinnati, 15-10, at the Herbstreit Challenge but rebounded to score three straight shutouts against Alabama foes. The Brentwood Academy Red Raiders trailed 21-13 against Baylor School-Chattanooga on Friday at the break, but rallied for 29 unanswered points for a convincing 42-21 victory. Quarterback Cody Nelson completed eight passes for 198 yards and three TDs, running back Joshua Tate accrued 148 yards and Victor Caro added 107 yards and three scores. Alex Bullard (6-3, 280 pounds), the No. 36 offensive guard prospect, anchors the line.

BA, one of Tennessee's top private schools, has won nine state titles since opening in 1970. -- Christopher Lawlor

Billy Tucker is a recruiting coordinator for Scouts Inc. and has close to a decade of coaching experience at the college and high school level. Tucker has served as a recruiting coordinator for two nationally ranked Division II colleges. Most recently, he was the associate head coach and defensive coordinator for Merrimack College, which advanced to the Sweet 16 in the 2006 NCAA Division II playoffs.