Alabama Lands Five-Star Cornerback in State!

The 2009 season for the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to be even better than 2008. Alabama recruiting class is ranked No. 1 according to rivals.com, and one of many talented players is Dre Kirkpatrick.

He will be such an impact player for the Crimson Tide next season, having the ability to start on the highly touted Alabama defense right away.

Nick Saban's defense is a 3-4 scheme with a lot of blitz packages. Dre Kirkpatrick fits in the system to a T.

He has the ability to help out on run support as well as man coverage defense, with 80 tackles, two sacks and six interceptions as a senior at Gadsden City High School. Kirkpatrick is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound force whom the SEC will soon get to see perform.

Dre Kirkpatrick reminds me of a great defensive player that use to play up in T-Town, Antonio Langham. He has the same kind of coverage skills as Langham as well as the speed with a 4.5 second 40-yard dash.

This is great for the University of Alabama to land such a skilled five star athlete as Kirkpatrick. Due to recent years in recruiting, players like this would just be a long shot to sign.

This is also great for Alabama long term, because they are able to keep highly recruited players like Kirkpatrick at home. Alabama now owns the state again, which is so important when you play in the most difficult conference in the country.

As well as long term, the short term effects of signing Dre Kirkpatrick are just as good, as he has the ability to come in and make a difference right away on the field.

This is going to be one of the best years of SEC football having 10 of 12 teams in the top 25 in recruiting. Now that signing day is over, let's just sit back and watch all the parts to what could be a BCS title run fall into place.

Alabama is back, college football fans, and a national powerhouse at that. Watch out!