Looking Into The Crystal Ball: 2010 Commitment Blake Sims

The pride, tradition and pageantry has been restored to Alabama football.

With each year's recruiting class, Alabama head football coach Nick Saban is bringing in some of the best recruits in the country for the Crimson Tide, coming in at or near the top in most rankings.

In 2008, many considered it to be a fluke that Saban had the best recruiting class.

The coach then proved it was no fluke by signing a stellar class for 2009. Now, even as spring practice goes on in preparation for the 2009 season, Saban is already at work on the class of 2010.

The fifth commitment for the Crimson Tide in the class of 2010 is not known around many parts in Alabama. But, Saban knows who he is.

Blake Sims is a quarterback for Gainesville High School who may not get a lot of recognition because he only has one star next to his name (for now). However, this quarterback is a true dual-threat.

Although most recruiting services project Sims as a safety at the next level, it looks as if Saban is going to give the kid a try at quarterback when he gets to Tuscaloosa, and why not?

In his junior season at Gainesville, Sims threw for 2,400 yards and rushed for more than 900 yards. All the while racking up 30 total touchdowns in a season where he led his team to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs, before running into the two-time defending state champions in the 3-A classification.

Next year, the talk is that Sims will help lead his Red Elephants' squad to the state title, as they will only be losing four starters.

So, what makes this kid so special? What makes him so special that Saban wanted him this badly, this early?

With a multitude of talents on the field, Sims can pick up any position and succeed at it.

Most say he won't be a great college quarterback because he's still learning about decision-making and reading coverages. While this may be the case, and he may not be a great college quarterback, his vision on the field and his knack of being where the ball is will make him a great player at wide receiver or safety.

With a few bumps in the road along the way during his high school career, Sims has shown maturity to adapt to situations and overcome them.

With so many laughing in his face during his junior season, Sims was named the 3-A Offensive Player of the Year, even garnering some All-Classifications Offensive Player of the Year votes.

However, there is one other quality that should make all Crimson Tide fans happy. When this 6 foot, 180 lb, player commits to something, he sticks with it.

He's committed to the University of Alabama and he will not have a second thought about it. He believes in the program and will come in with the hopes of helping the team add another national title.

(Writer's Note: I am working on a photo to post with this story.)