ANDREW BONE: Tennessee was a great weekend to host recruits

The University of Alabama brought in an elite group of prospects for the SEC rivalry game against Tennessee and they were very impressed by the Tide's high margin of victory over the Volunteers. It was certainly a great atmosphere for the unofficial visitors.

One of the most frequent uncommitted visitor in Tuscaloosa has been Julio Jones, one of the nation's top receivers, from Foley. His teammate and Alabama commitment Robert Lester, a Scout.com three-star safety, attended the game as well. Both expect to return to the sidelines for the LSU game, and Jones has a tentative date for early December to take his official visit to Alabama.

Many of Alabama's commitments including Tyler Love, Star Jackson and Melvin Ray are expected to take their official visit the same weekend as well.

Tide fans are eager for the next commitment to pull the trigger, especially after the exciting win at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Robert Lester was a pleasant surprise a couple of weeks ago, but eyes are now looking to three prospects from the state of Tennessee.

Barrett Jones, Scout.com four-star offensive tackle (Cordova-Evangelical Christian), Dont'a Hightower, four-star defensive end (Lewisburg-Marshall County) and Chris Jordan, four-star running back (Brentwood Academy) are all possibilities for Alabama to sign in February.

Hightower plans to visit in November and will likely make his college decision by December. Jordan is very close to pulling the trigger, and Alabama leads for his signature. Jones was in Tuscaloosa Saturday for an unofficial visit and expects to make a decision within the next month with Alabama as the front-runner for his signature as well.

"I was really impressed with the whole team," said Barrett Jones. "There is a big difference in the team from last year to this year from a recruiting aspect. It's like night and day."

Antoine McClain (Anniston), Scout.com National 100 offensive tackle, has visited Tuscaloosa several times and was very close to committing to the Tide at the beginning of the season. He was impressed with Alabama's win over Tennessee, but is not receiving as much attention from the coaching staff as he had hoped.

"I don't know what's going on right now," said Antoine McClain. "I didn't really get to speak to the coaches at the game the other day. I really haven't spoken to them in a while. I guess they have just been busy. I plan on going back down to Alabama for the LSU game."

Possibly an obstacle for McClain to overcome is his ACT score. He will take the standardized test this weekend and looking for a great result after having a good year in the classroom and recently making the honor roll.

Tyler Edwards, four-star tight end from Monroe-Ouachita, (La.), has been torn between Alabama and LSU since the early spring. His brother, Eric, played for the Tigers under coach Nick Saban. This past weekend was not his first time to visit Tuscaloosa, but his first game of the season. You may also recall another big game happened in Baton Rouge this past weekend as well.

Edwards will take official visits to both schools before making a decision. He will return for the LSU game and again in December for his official visit.

Marlon Walls, three-star linebacker from Olive Branch, (Miss.), has not received a scholarship offer from Alabama, but thinks the Tide is close to extending an offer.

He lists favorites as Florida, LSU and Tennessee, and the list may change if Alabama shows more interest with an offer.

Several Alabama commitments attended Saturday's game including out-of-staters Melvin Ray (Tallahassee-North Florida Christian, Fla.), four-star wide receiver and Devonta Bolton (Norcross, Ga.), four-star receiver.

"The Alabama-Tennessee game was amazing," Bolton said. "It was a tough fight in the first half. I don't know what coach [Nick] Saban said to them at half time, but it worked."

The Alabama coaching staff has offered scholarships to numerous junior prospects with several in Tuscaloosa for the Tennessee game including quarterback A.J. McCarron (Mobile-St. Paul's), linebacker Tana Patrick (Stevenson-North Jackson), wide receiver Mardrecas Hood (Pickens County), and defensive tackle D.J. Fluker (Biloxi, Miss.).

McCarron has received over 10 scholarship offers including Alabama and Auburn. He is expected to rank among the nation's elite prospects for the 2009 class. He grew up a big Alabama fan and has been to Tuscaloosa several times this season.

McCarron was impressed with John Parker Wilson and likes the big numbers in the passing offense.

"Those numbers really stand out to me," McCarron said. "I definitely want to go somewhere they throw the ball a lot. As long as I would get an opportunity to play I would be very happy."

Patrick is expected to rank among the top five prospects in Alabama and has received early scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Nebraska, Louisville and Ole Miss. Patrick has become a regular in Tuscaloosa this season.

"I like Alabama's coaches a lot," Patrick said. "They tell you how it is. That's what really stands out to me about them. They are honest with you. I like the coaching staff and their families. Everyone at Alabama is like a big family. I think I would fit in good at Alabama."

Fluker is considered one of the biggest prospects for the 2009 class. The 6-7, 295-pound lineman is recruited for both sides of the ball, but has indicated a preference to stay on the defensive line on the next level.

He has received several scholarship offers including one from Alabama. LSU was considered his early favorite, but momentum shifted after several unofficial visits to Tuscaloosa. Fluker transferred this season to Biloxi from McGill-Toolen in Mobile.

"Right now I would say Alabama is my favorite school," Fluker said. "I really like the way they play. They play real hard. I like how they have great fans as well."

The class of 2009 will have at least four prospects battling for the No.1 spot as the top in-state prospect.

Dre Kirkpatrick (Gadsden City), 6-3, 180-pound cornerback, gets the early nod. The elite defensive back has received several early scholarship offers including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Clemson, USC and Tennessee.

Kirkpatrick admits growing up a fan of the Auburn Tigers, "I always liked Auburn just because Carnell Williams played there. He is from my hometown. I always followed him."

Kirkpatrick visited Tuscaloosa for the Alabama home games against Arkansas and Georgia and plans to return for the LSU game.

"I feel the same way about Alabama as I do Auburn," Kirkpatrick said. "The fans are great. They act like they love us. They holler your name when you are walking on the sidelines. I like their coaches a lot as well."

Alabama has an off week to prepare for the ultimate show down of the season when coach Les Miles and the LSU Tigers visit Tuscaloosa. Prospects across the country are eager to witness this SEC match-up November 3, kicking off at 4:00 p.m. for the CBS national televised broadcast.

Visit TideSports.com for Andrew Bone's daily recruiting coverage. Join TideSports.com each Wednesday from 1-2:00 p.m. for a recruiting chat session with Andrew Bone. Reach Andrew Bone at abone@scout.com.