It was no shock to anyone that Alabama landed another #1 recruiting class in the country, but the way in which they accomplished it has to be shocking to even Crimson Tide fans. They accomplished this by literally getting the best of the best and by phenomenally recruiting in and out of state.
Recruiting nationally, Alabama landed prospects from fifteen different states and, for the first time in the Nick Saban era, the #1 player in the country: Da’Shawn Hand (6’4”, 260 lbs, runs a 4.7) from Woodbridge, Virginia. In addition, Alabama secured the #1 athlete in the country: Bo Scarbrough, who towers at 6’2”, 234 lbs, and runs a 4.45. Scarbrough will begin his college football career as running back for the Crimson Tide.
Venturing into Les Miles territory, Alabama claimed the #1 offensive tackle in the country, Cameron Robinson from West Monroe, Louisiana, who stands 6’6”and weighs in at 320 lbs. To really rub it in, Saban’s crew signed their top safety priority, Lawrence (Hootie) Jones (6’2”, 215 lbs, runs a 4.5) from Monroe, Louisiana, yet another player in Les Miles’ backyard.
For the best in the junior college ranks, Alabama traveled to California to secure Dominick Jackson, the #1 offensive tackle in junior colleges. At 6’7” and 312 lbs, Jackson has been attending The College of San Manteo.
As part of securing one of the best defensive back classes in recent history, the Crimson Tide signed the #1 player in Alabama, Marlon Humphrey, a 6’1”, 185 lb cornerback out of Hoover, Alabama.
Traveling south to Texas, Alabama landed the #2 prospect in the Lone Star state, Tony Brown (6’, 195 lbs, runs a 4.35), a cornerback from Beaumont, Texas.
To compliment Lawrence (Hootie) Jones at safety, Alabama secured a commitment from Ronnie Clark, listed as an athlete (6’3”, 220 lbs, runs a 4.5), but who will begin his college career at Alabama playing safety.
To polish off their #1 recruiting class, Alabama went into the throat of their rival, the Auburn Tigers, to secure a commitment from the #1 outside linebacker in the country, Rashaan Evans (6’3”, 218 lbs, runs a speedy 4.5) from Auburn, Alabama.
Adding top talent again to its roster, Alabama signed the #1 player in South Carolina, Christian Miller, another speedy outside linebacker (6’4”, 215 lbs, runs a 4.6) from Columbia, South Carolina.
Moving into Razorback country, Alabama signed the #1 player in Arkansas, Josh Frazier, a massive defensive tackle (6’3”, 335 lbs) from Springdale, Arkansas.
Having signed a total of 26 commitments, Alabama’s 2014 recruitment class breaks down by position as follows:
Athletes: Ronnie Clark
Bo Scarbrough
(Clark will start for the Crimson Tide as safety
and Scarbrough as running back)
Defensive Back/
Cornerback: Tony Brown
Marlon Humphrey
Safety: Lawrence (Hootie) Jones
Defensive End: Da’Shawn Hand
D.J. Pettway
Defensive Tackle Johnny Dwight
Josh Frazier
Jarran Reed
O.J. Smith
Kicker/Punter J.K. Scott
Linebacker Rashaan Evans
Shaun Dion Hamilton
Keith Holcombe
Christian Miller
Offensive Line: Joshua Casher
J. C. Hassenauer
Dominick Jackson
Montel McBride
Ross Pierschbacher
Cameron Robinson
Quarterback: David Cornell
Tight End: Ty Flournoy-Smith
Wide Receiver: Derek Kief
Cameron Sims
