Alabama Recruiting: Top 5 Uncommitted out of State A-Day Visitors

With their spring practice wrapped up following last weekend’s A-Day game, the focus for Alabama head coach Nick Saban turns to the recruiting trail—and trying to secure the top class in the country for the second consecutive season. 

Ironically, while trying to prepare for the upcoming season with the current Crimson Tide roster, A-Day weekend also served as a huge recruiting weekend with several of their biggest targets on hand.

Saban was able to grab a pair of commitments from the weekend festivities at Bryant-Denny Stadium—New Jersey defensive back Anthony Averett and in-state athlete Deon Johnson are the newest members of the Crimson Tide’s 2013 recruiting class. 

However, Saban and his staff are hoping that visits from a handful of their out of state options prove to be fruitful down the line. 

Here are the top five uncommitted out of state prospects that made their way to Tuscaloosa for A-Day.  

5. Demarcus Walker

The top defensive end prospect on the Crimson Tide’s board is the nation’s top overall recruit—Grayson (Ga.) standout Robert Nkemdiche. 

While Alabama is in the thick of the race for Nkemdiche, they are actively pursuing other talented pass-rusher—including one of the Sunshine State’s top defensive ends in Jacksonville’s DeMarcus Walker. 

Walker is rated as the nation’s third best defensive end by ESPN—who also ranks him as the 24^th best player in the class of 2013. 

It will be a tough pull to get him out of his home state, but Saban has consistently been able to pull top prospects out of the state of Florida since his arrival in Tuscaloosa—which makes Walker a prospect to keep an eye on for Crimson Tide fans. 

Gatorbait.net’s Luke Stampini has reported that Walker will decide on May 24^th.  

4. Antonio Conner

Alabama has become a recent haven for big-time defensive back recruits, and grabbing Antonio Conner from the Magnolia State would certainly add to wealth of riches in the secondary for the Crimson Tide.

The 6’2”, 200-pounder plays both ways at Batesville (Ms.) South Panola high school, but his talents are destined for the defensive side of the ball.

ESPN ranks him as the nation’s 25^th best player and second best safety prospect for the class of 2013, while 247 Sports rates him 32^nd nationally and third among safeties. 

His high school is a powerhouse that has sent a ton of prospects to Ole Miss over the years, but his visit to Tuscaloosa has to give Crimson Tide fans hope that they can snag an elite talent from their neighbors to the west.  

3. Hunter Henry

Considering how Alabama’s offense has gradually increased the role of their tight ends over the years, it’s no surprise that rising recruits have taken notice.

Little Rock (Ar.) Pulaski Academy tight end Hunter Henry—who made his way to Tuscaloosa on Sunday—is the nation’s fifth best tight end according to 247 Sports.

Alabama already has a commitment from another top tight end in O.J. Howard, but given the success they had last year using two tight-end sets, Henry could give the offense another huge luxury in opening up the middle of the field given his receiving skills. 

The 6’6”, 235-pounder hauled in 64 passes for 1,091 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.  

2. Riley Ferguson

Considering the Crimson Tide’s need at the quarterback position, Ferguson and Ohio signal-caller Mitch Trubisky (another A-Day visitor) could occupy the top spot on this list. 

However, the Matthews (N.C.) native and recent addition to the ESPNU 150 gets the slight nod after naming the Crimson Tide his leader in an interview with BamaOnline’s Charles Power. 

"This visit helped me a lot to see how Alabama is," Ferguson said. "I've heard a lot of things about them and this let me see it all for myself. It puts them up there and they're probably on top. I liked it a lot."

The 6’3”, 195-pounder threw for 3,345 yards and 48 touchdowns in his junior season.  

1. Robert Foster

The headliner in attendance last weekend was Foster—the top wide receiver recruit in the country according to 247 Sports. 

Foster has drawn comparisons to the last 5-star pass-catching prospect to attend Alabama—current Atlanta Falcons star Julio Jones. 

According to his profile on 247 Sports, Foster made visits to Big 10 powers Penn State and Ohio State before making his way south last weekend. 

The Monaca (Pa.) Central Valley high school standout is one of the most explosive players in the nation, as evidenced by his return ability in clip linked above.  

While there is a lot of time between now and National Signing Day, the Crimson Tide made a strong enough impression on Foster for him to want to make a return visit in the fall.  

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