With the annual recruiting melodrama set to come to an end by tomorrow night, National Signing Day looks to be a (hopefully) quiet and straightforward affair in Tuscaloosa, with only a handful of prospects remaining on the board and most simply hoping that Alabama can hold on to all of its current verbal commitments. It's entirely possible that we see a repeat of 2010, where 'Bama adds no new signees on Signing Day, but even so a few possibilities for movement remain on the board. With that in mind, a quick overview of several prospects to keep your eye on tomorrow:
Landon Collins took an unofficial visit to LSU last week -- while sporting 'Bama apparel -- and his mother has continued her now-weeks long anti-Alabama tirade by publicly accusing Nick Saban of committing an NCAA violation by allegedly offering her son's girlfriend a job in the office of the Alabama athletics department. The good news for Tide fans? Nothing suggests that Collins is actually reneging on his commitment, despite his mother's continued protests, and even if her allegations are in fact true, nevertheless no NCAA violation have been committed by doing as such. Anything can happen in recruiting, of course, but far from being a likely late flip, Collins has actually been actively recruiting fellow Louisiana prep prospects to Alabama in recent days, and his signed letter of intent is expected in Tuscaloosa tomorrow. The mother will all but certainly get mad, but 'Bama will all but certainly get her son, and even she sees the writing on the wall at this point..
Jameis Winston has seemingly turned the Tide sour with his ongoing recruiting melodrama, with the Alabama coaching staff canceling an in-home visit scheduled with the Hueytown product late last week, effectively withdrawing from the contest entirely. Interestingly enough, almost immediately after the Tide withdrew, Winston began talking up Stanford and proclaiming his intense interest in the Palo Alto program -- this comes at a time when, apparently, it's not even certain if Winston has even been accepted into Stanford, which does not rubber stamp its football recruits through the admissions process like most schools -- which only further fuels the theory that he is just looking to milk the publicity surrounding his decision for all that it is worth. Winston previously maintained that he would not sign until after National Signing Day, and while we'll see tomorrow if that holds true, for now don't expect the in-state star to end up in Tuscaloosa.
Eddie Goldman also looks to be off Alabama's radar screen at this point. After seemingly dropping down the Tide's board in recent weeks, it surprised many when the Alabama coaching staff suddenly scheduled an in-home visit with the Washington, D.C. product late last week, but Goldman first postponed that visit and later canceled it entirely. His recruitment is still a relative unknown at this point, though most signs have him choosing between Florida State and Auburn tomorrow with the 'Noles being the smart money favorite. Neither would be a major surprise given how his recruitment has gone in recent weeks, but the odds look very long of him signing with Alabama.
Dalvin Tomlinson stayed home this past weekend and has shut every thing down publicly. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Henry County native has made a decision but is keeping everyone in the dark for the time being -- family included. 'Bama looked like the frontrunner here for a while, but many now think Georgia Tech will land this one. Either way, he's probably the single best chance for 'Bama to add a late signee, and he will announce tomorrow at 8:30 AM Eastern.
Korren Kirven took an official visit to in-state Virginia Tech this past weekend, and will choose tomorrow between Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech. Kirven, however, has apparently shut down everything in recent days and there is no real news to report. Tennessee is likely the frontrunner, especially given their chances at early playing time and the recent addition of Sal Sunseri, though it wouldn't be a major surprise if he committed to the Tide.
Kwon Alexander could potentially be given a full offer with several other prospects heading elsewhere, but for the time being it seems he still only has a greyshirt offer. Auburn remains a possibility, but most expect that this will be an Alabama v. LSU battle come tomorrow morning. 'Bama is the childhood favorite, but LSU offers earlier enrollment and a much better fit in their defensive scheme -- not to mention that it's more likely he can play linebacker in Baton Rouge whereas he may be bound for safety in Tuscaloosa -- so this one figures to be very close. If 'Bama were to come along with a full offer this would be a foregone conclusion, but that has not happened yet.
In other quick hitters: No word yet on if we will see a return of the Fax Cam girls this year after two schools made complaints to the SEC after National Signing Day 2011. Arik Armstead committed to Oregon. The latest reports on Dorial Green-Beckham are that he will sign with Missouri and spurn Arkansas. Nothing new on either Brandon Hill or Casey Gladney regarding academics. Justin Taylor took an official visit to Ole Miss, which is likely the Tide's biggest competitor for his services, but he looks like he will stick with 'Bama. QB / DE Jeremy Liggins committed to LSU. The Alabama coaching staff has, at this point, turned its focus toward the 2013 recruiting class.