Tide Tidbits – February 3, 2010

Surprises likely few for Tide
A couple of uncommitted offensive linemen and the possibility of a late signing surprise are all that’s left on what looms to be a relatively uneventful National Signing Day for Alabama’s football program today. The Crimson Tide did much of its work early, and coach Nick Saban is set to finalize a third consecutive signing class that ranks among the nation’s best. Saban heads into today with 26 expected signees. But final-day suspense for Alabama has been diluted by months worth of early commitments and premature announcements in recent days by two prospects – junior college cornerback Dequan Menzie (Sunday) and Maryland offensive tackle Arie Kouandjio (Tuesday) – who were originally scheduled to wait until today. Kouandjio (6-foot-5, 215), who’s rated the nation’s 15th-best tackle by Rivals, committed Tuesday afternoon. He chose the Crimson Tide over New Mexico and Southern Cal. “When it came down to it,” Kouandjio told The Washington Post, “I felt the best place for the next four or five years for me is Alabama. [More]

Alabama doubles Smart’s salary to $750K
The University of Alabama System board of trustees unanimously approved a deal Tuesday that will pay Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart $750,000 each of the next three years. That more than doubles Smart’s $360,000 base salary from 2009, a season in which he won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach and then seriously considered the defensive coordinator’s job at Georgia, his alma mater. Alabama athletic director Mal Moore relayed contractual details Tuesday to the Compensation Committee of the board of trustees, calling Smart “one of the best (coordinators) in the country.” Smart received interest from other schools this offseason, but said talks with Georgia were the most serious. “He’s one of the finest assistant coaches in the country,” Saban said of Smart. “You expect guys like Kirby to get lots of opportunities to do things, and we want to continue to help him continue to develop his career here so that when he leaves here, it’s going to be a head coach and probably in a very good situation.” [More]

Tide driven to make some big scores late
Alabama lost a big recruit but gained another as it tries to close out its 2010 recruiting class with a flourish on National Signing Day. The Crimson Tide lost out on the No. 5 prospect in the Rivals250 recruiting list, defensive back Keenan Allen, while gaining a commitment from the 117th-rated player, offensive lineman Arie Kouandjio. Alabama has continued to recruit Mississippi lineman Shon Coleman (6-7, 285) despite Coleman’s commitment to Auburn, which he insisted was “100 percent” firm in mid-January reports. Coleman visited Tuscaloosa last week but has continued to maintain he plans to sign with the Tigers. The five-star recruit is ranked 22nd on Rivals250. Also, James Stone (6-5, 297) is considering Alabama after a standout performance as an offensive guard in the UnderArmour All-American Game. Stone reportedly had narrowed his choices to Alabama or Vanderbilt, then Alabama or Auburn, and now Alabama or Tennessee. A possible surprise could come this morning in the form of outside linebacker Christian Jones (6-4, 220), a five-star recruit from Lake Howell High in Winter Park, Fla. [More]

Recruit follows comeback trail to Tuscaloosa
Adrian Hubbard couldn’t help but catch your eye. He was just a sophomore at Peachtree Ridge High, but the defensive end towered above most players and had a knack for finding the ballcarrier that can’t be taught. Many observers agreed he would play in the NFL one day. Alabama head coach Nick Saban and his assistant who recruits the state of Georgia, Kirby Smart, visited a practice to watch. Hubbard was generating interest from recruiters and it was certain to reach a fever pitch in his junior season. Then Hubbard did something completely unexpected. He quit playing football. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Hubbard transferred to neighboring Norcross High and exchanged his shoulder pads for a basketball. Hubbard would return to football in 2009, and this morning he will sign with Alabama as one of the gems in the Crimson Tide’s recruiting class. But that path didn’t seem obvious a year ago when Adrian thought basketball, not football, was his favorite sport. [More]

Ten Tide players invited to NFL Combine
The University of Alabama will be well represented at the National Football League Scouting Combine with ten players invited to showcase their skills. Seven members of the Crimson Tide’s second-ranked defense will make the trip to Indianapolis on Feb. 27 through March 2, along with 2 offensive player and kicker Leigh Tiffin. [More]

Roll Tide!

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