Alabama Football Lands Nation's No. 1 Defensive Back For 2010

Just north of Montgomery, Alabama, just off I-65, is the little town of Millbrook, Alabama. In this town, when the good football players leave to go to college, most go to either Faulkner University, a mostly religious school in Montgomery, or the University of South Alabama.

One is going to the big show though, to play for none other than Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide and play his entire career in the glare of national media coverage. 

Demarcus Milliner, a five-star recruit and arguably the best high school cornerback in the nation, has chosen to commit early and secure his spot on what he feels is a team headed to the National Championship.

His six-foot, 180 pound frame isn't what garnered him such attention and offers. His speed, which has been hyped at anywhere from 4.3 to 4.35, has raised so many eyebrows—that, and his natural ability and instincts that always have him near the ball.

"Speed alone isn't the end all everyone thinks it is," Nick Saban said once referring to recruiting players in general, "It's the ability to do something with that speed that allows you to make a difference.  You have to use that speed to be in the right spots at the right time or it doesn't make a play."

Demarcus has it.  He had 26 offers from around the country and was vigorously sought by Auburn, LSU, Florida, and others.  In fact, his family has divided loyalties among the schools of the SEC.

"It was a very hard decision. I had a chance to play at any of those schools but I chose Alabama and I think it was a great decision," said Milliner, "Alabama recruited me as an athlete and they haven't said which specific position they want me to play.  I'd like to play corner or free safety. But it doesn't matter where they put me. I just want to go in and try to make an impact as a freshman."

Playing both safety and corner, Milliner has 14 interceptions the past two years. Last year, as a junior, he picked off seven passes, returning two for touchdowns, and recorded 57 tackles.

He also played on offense and rushed for more than 500 yards last season and proved he could play receiver, also. On special teams, he returned two punts and one kickoff for scores.

With Alabama losing so many defense backs at the end of this season, it won't be hard to see him have that chance to play as early as he wants.

Many now think that he and Dre Kirkpatrick, a 2009 recruit and fellow five-star defensive back, could be the keys to a defensive backfield that will lead Alabama's defense for years to come.

Though Alabama had a great year last year, Nick Saban has pulled in two No. 1 recruiting classes in a row and is working on his third.  The kind of talent he's bringing into Tuscaloosa will make them all but unstoppable in future at this pace. 

With Saban already having half of his 2010 class committed, you can only wonder what the next half will look like.