Alabama Football: Tide Score Monster 2014 Commitment in Bo Scarbrough

Nick Saban has a little work to finish up for Alabama’s current recruiting class, but he and the Crimson Tide scored a monster commitment that will jump start their 2014 class. 

Northridge (Tuscaloosa, Ala) 5-star athlete Bo Scarbrough announced his intention to sign with his hometown school in February of 2014 after his team’s victory over Hillcrest, according to The Crimson White. (h/t, Matt Scalici, al.com). 

Scarbrough, who is rated as the nation’s top athlete and the 12th-best player in the country by 247 Sports, selected the Crimson Tide over Georgia, Clemson and Florida amongst others. 

The 6’2”, 220-pound Scarbrough is capable of lining up at running back or wide receiver, but most observers expect him to become the next star in a strong stable of backs on the Crimson Tide roster. 

Keeping the talented game-breaker at home was huge for Saban and his staff for several reasons. 

For one, Scarbrough is rated as the second-best 2014 prospect in the state of Alabama in a year that is unusually strong. 

Also, with him becoming the first commitment in the class, it gives him a chance to become a bell-cow and help convince other elite talents to join him in spending their collegiate careers in Tuscaloosa. 

Those benefits aside, Scarbrough is a gifted athlete that makes explosive plays in space—which is a rare quality that is hardly found even on a roster as stacked as the Crimson Tide’s is.  

As a sophomore, Scarbrough accounted for 1,218 yards of total offense (938 rushing, 280 receiving) and 17 total touchdowns (13 rushing, four receiving).  

With freshman T.J. Yeldon already announcing his presence in last week’s stellar debut against Michigan—plus 2013 running back commits Altee Tenpenny and Tyren Jones, and Derrick Henry appearing to be a strong lean—the Tide’s backfield should continue to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come with the addition of Scarbrough.  

While Scarbrough has previously said his announcement will not end his process and that he will continue to take visits, it is hard to imagine any school pulling him away from the juggernaut Saban has built in his backyard.  

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