ANDREW BONE: Big weekend on tap for Tide recruiting

The coaching carousel across the country has several schools not on the recruiting trail as much as others, and the Crimson Tide staff has the stability to hit the road and not lose valuable time with in-home visits with key prospects. Hosting official visitors on campus is a key element of recruiting with last weekend seeing several prospects, but eyes are focused on this weekend as well.

The Alabama coaching staff received a monster commitment last week from Terrance Cody, four-star junior college defensive tackle from Perkinston-Mississippi Gulf Cost, (Miss.). Cody is a beast of a prospect standing 6-5, 395-pounds and chose Alabama over Florida State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, South Florida and Auburn. He is expected to graduate in May, and the Tide is now sitting with a total of 23 verbal pledges.

“I committed because of the atmosphere, the history and the coaching staff. Those things really stood out to me about Alabama,” Cody said.

Alabama hosted its first big weekend of official visitors this past weekend with commitments John Michael Boswell (Tuscaloosa County), Michael Williams (Pickens County), Jermaine Preyear (Davidson) and Don’ta Hightower (Lewisburg-Marshall County, Tenn.). The only confirmed uncommitted visitor was Tyler Edwards, four-star tight end from Monroe-Ouachita Parish, (La.).

Michael Williams, four-star defensive end, was projected to play on the defensive side of the ball upon his arrival at the Capstone. The plans may have changed.

“I spent most of my day Saturday with coach [Ron] Middleton, the tight ends and special teams coach,” Williams said. “We met with our position coaches, and I met with him. I know Alabama will have two seniors, and I hope to fight for the third string spot. Coach Middleton said he would like to have people playing special teams he can trust, and if he can’t trust his tight ends who can he trust. I might be playing a lot of special teams as well.”

Boswell, three-star offensive tackle, plans to stick with his high school position.

“I spent a good bit of time with coach [Joe] Pendry during my visit. We sat down and talked a little bit about what he expected from me. He wants me to start out at right tackle. He thinks I can compete for playing time. They might move Mike Johnson to guard,” Boswell said.

The big weekend of the season for official visitors begins this Friday night. This is a make-or-break weekend as many of the top remaining targets are expected in Tuscaloosa.

Julio Jones (Foley), Scout.com’s top ranked receiver in the country, plans to take all five official visits before announcing his college decision on National Signing Day. His first stop is in Tuscaloosa with Alabama considered the team to beat for his signature. The Tide staff hopes to leave a lasting impression.

Jerrell Harris (Gadsden City), four-star linebacker, may take one of his official visits to Tuscaloosa this weekend. Coach Nick Saban saw Harris last week and encouraged a visit this weekend with other elite prospects.

Antoine McClain (Anniston), four-star offensive tackle, expected a visit Monday night from coach Nick Saban and coach Major Applewhite. McClain cancelled an official visit to Florida State over the weekend, but confirmed an official visit to Tuscalosa this weekend.

“Alabama is really starting to pick up their recruitment on me a lot more,” McClain said. “I like the environment period at Alabama. There is so much excitement going on down there now. They have great academics as well.”

Toby Jackson, four-star defensive end from Griffin, (Ga.), is a Georgia commitment. He remains interested in Alabama and plans to visit this weekend.

Two prospects who are very high on Alabama could make a decision during their official visit.

Chris Jordan, four-star running back from Brentwood, (Tenn.), has been on the verge of announcing his decision, but is waiting until after a visit to Alabama. The Tide is considered the team to beat for his signature.

Chris Tolliver, four-star receiver from Rayville, (La.), said Alabama is showing the most interest, and the Tide leads for his services.

The coaching staff has planned to bring in several commitments to help recruit for their class of 2008: Tyler Love (Mountain Brook), four-star offensive tackle, Barrett Jones (Cordova-Evangelical Christian, Tenn.), four-star offensive tackle, Star Jackson (Lake Worth, Fla.), four-star quarterback, Burton Scott (Vigor), four-star wide receiver, Melvin Ray (Tallahassee-North Florida Christian, Fla.), four-star receiver and Terrance Cody (Mississippi Gulf Coast), four-star defensive tackle.

Tide commitment Corey Smith, kicker from Inwood-Musselman, (W. Va.), is visiting this weekend and will graduate high school in December. He plans to enroll for the spring semester.

Visit TideSports.com as we bring updates throughout the week and join the recruiting chat sessions each Wednesday from 1-2:00 p.m. at TideSports.com. Reach Andrew Bone at abone@scout.com.