A new #1 and Saban looks toward 2009

The Tide takes over top spot in the Scout.com rankings thanks to the Friday commitment of Alonzo Lawrence.

Scout.com experts say the class is deep with 28 total commitments now including 14 four-stars. Here is what Scout.com had to say about this class:

“The thing that stands out about the class is so many versatile, talented athletes. There are so many guys you could put on offense or plug them in on defense. It is just a terrific, athletic class.”

What about Rivals?

Alabama sits at third trailing Notre Dame at #2 and Florida at #1. What will determine the final Rivals.com rankings are the big commitments waiting—Julio Jones, Jerrell Harris and Mark Ingram.

Big recruiting weekend
Andrew Bone reported on Tidesports.com that Alabama will host “at least four official visitors” this weekend. But the big event this weekend is Junior Day where over 150 high school juniors will be on campus:

Among the in-state elite include Dre Kirkpatrick (Gadsden City) five-star cornerback; Nico Johnson (Andalusia), four-star linebacker; Tana Patrick (North Jackson), four-star linebacker; D.J. Fluker(Foley), defensive tackle; Kendall Kelly (Gadsden City), wide receiver; Anthony Orr (Sparkman), defensive end; Quinton Dial (Clay-Chalkville), defensive tackle; Jonathan Edwards (Tuscaloosa-Central), cornerback; William Ming (Athens)defensive end and Gerald West (Davidson), cornerback.

Several out-of-state prospects include Jamal Patterson (McDonough-Henry County, Ga.), wide receiver; Drew Little (McDonough-Henry County, Ga.), quarterback; JaJuan Harley (Tallahassee-Rickards, Fla.), four-star safety; Mikey Tamburo (Suwanee-North Gwinnett, Ga.), quarterback; Daniel Drummond (Oakwood-West Hill, Ga.), linebacker and Tyler Russell (Meridian, Miss.), quarterback.

Relentless might be the best description of Nick Saban’s recruiting efforts. I can’t wait to see the first 2009 rankings. We’ll no doubt see those right after 2008 national signing day.