Devon Blackmon Is On Every College Football Coach's Radar, Even Nick Saban's

Larry Burton (Panama City Beach, Fla.) When Devon Blackmon, a quarterback/wide receiver at Summit High School in Fontana, Calif., sent Nick Saban a highlight video touting his big-play capabilities, he wanted the Alabama head coach to know who he was.

Little did Blackmon know that he was already on Saban's radar.

The reason there hadn't been contact before now was twofold.

First of all, Blackmon received an offer from every Pac-10 school, as well as others, while secondly, the Alabama staff wasn't convinced that the California phenom would want to travel so far from home to play college football.

But once it became clear that Blackmon really had an interest in Alabama, Saban offered him a scholarship.

"How could you not be interested in Alabama?" Blackmon said. "They are the national champs, and they have a wonderful program there."

However, it is just one more in the dozens of offers Blackmon has received, as he remains undecided on where he'll be playing in the fall.

"(Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain) and I talk a lot, and he said they really see me as a difference-maker in their offense," Blackmon said. "I think I will mainly be a receiver in college, but I also can contribute as a kick and punt returner, and coach McElwain mentioned using me as a wildcat quarterback."

A video on YouTube showcases what Blackmon's arm and legs could do in a wildcat formation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgn5DmVKMy8

He could also be the next great punt/kick returner at Alabama, and would certainly help fill a hole with the inevitable departure of Julio Jones to the NFL.

He could certainly help the Crimson Tide secure yet another top class should he choose them

With a 4.41 40-yard dash time, Blackmon is one of the fastest players in America, while his Junior Olympic track skills help him run away from defenders as easily as he completes the dash on the track, and jump over tacklers as easily as he clears hurdles.

Suffice to say, this is one prospect who will bear some watching as the recruitment process wears on.

"I'm going to spend the summer taking unofficial visits on the West Coast, and then probably use all five of my official visits on schools that are further away, since I won't have as many opportunities to visit those places," Blackmon said. "It's been interesting now that some of the schools out East are starting to find me. I'm not afraid of playing out there on the East Coast. If I find the right fit for me, it doesn't matter how far from home it is."