Me and Julio Jones down by the schoolyard

The state of Alabama has named its All-Star team. It is one of the strongest rosters in recent years. It would probably be even stronger if the selection process did not force at least one player from each of the 8 athletic districts be selected. This team will square off against the Mississippi All-Stars in the 21st annual interstate battle.

Names like Julio Jones, Burton Scott, William Green, Antoine McClain, Dee Finley, Jerrell Harris, Courtney Upshaw, John Michael Boswell and Brandon Lewis are joined by others to make up the 27 man roster. According to Rivals.com, 15 of the 27 are ranked in the top-30 prospects in the state of Alabama.

Alabama is absolutely one of the most territorial states when it comes to recruiting anyway (meaning the kids stay at home) so it is no surprise that Alabama and Nick Saban have already landed 6 of the 27 "All-Stars:"

Burton Scott - Ath Vigor HS (Prichard)
Courtney Upshaw - DE/LB Eufaula HS (Eufaula)
John Michael Boswell - OL Tuscaloosa County HS (Northport)
Brandon Lewis - DE Pleasant Grove HS (Pleasant Grove)
Wesley Neighbors - DB Huntsville HS (Huntsville)
Robert Lester - DB Foley HS (Foley)

That list of course does not include the kids that might still be headed to Alabama. Jones, Green, McClain, Harris. Stay tuned to The Visitor for a Julio Jones update VERY SOON!!

My point? That the state of Alabama for the 2008 recruiting class is loaded. What better year for Saban to take over than a year that is stacked with talent. They will have a top-10 recruiting class. That team will win a SEC West title very soon. The other thing that really stands out to me is the talent along the defensive front. This is an area of heavy need for Alabama. Saban has fixed that problem. Upshaw, Glenn Harbin, Michael Williams, Lewis, Cameron Henderson, Undra Billingsley and Jomarcus Savage all could play along the DL in college. And that is just in the state of Alabama.

A few names I was surprised that did not make the all-star list but are headed to Alabaama:

Tyler Love - OL Mountain Brook HS (Mt. Brook) Arguably the best OL in the nation
Mark Barron - Ath St. Paul's HS (Mobile)
Michael Williams - DE Pickens County HS (Reform) and there are more...