TUSCALOOSA – The heavy lifting is over, but it’s the follow-up that is crucial to Alabama’s recruiting class.

The final weekend before Wednesday’s signing day will be spent with last-minute calls to committed players and those on the fence. Only two athletes took official visits to Alabama this weekend – and they would be considered a bonus since both have committed elsewhere. Safety Gene Robinson from Memphis (North Carolina) and cornerback Janzen Jackson from Lake Charles, La., (LSU) toured campus Friday and Saturday, according to the Web site Crimson Confidential.

The Crimson Tide got a commitment Friday from 6-foot-4, 227-pound pass-rushing specialist Ed Stinson of Homestead, Fla., who is the No. 23 defensive end in the country by ESPN Scouts Inc. Stinson, who picked the Tide over LSU, is Alabama’s 22nd verbal commitment. Earlier in the week, touted linebacker Petey Smith of Seffner, Fla., committed to the Crimson Tide.

Alabama is poised to have a standout recruiting class, according to most recruiting Web sites. According to Rivals.com, the Tide is ranked fifth in the nation behind LSU, Ohio State, Southern California and Texas.

Unlike last year, when Alabama had the consensus No. 1 recruiting class all but locked up by the final weekend, there is room to go up – or down – before Wednesday’s announcements. Many top players won’t announce their choice until signing day, so there is more drama—and more need to work the phones—before the dead period hits Monday.

Most schools are in the same boat. Rivals.com lists nine Southeastern Conference schools in the Top 25 – LSU (1), Alabama (4), Georgia (9), Florida (10), South Carolina (11), Arkansas (14), Tennessee (16), Auburn (19) and Mississippi State (22).

Scout.com paints a different picture. It has Ohio State No. 1 and the SEC schools like this – LSU (2), Georgia (7), Alabama (9), Arkansas (12), Florida (14), South Carolina (15), Tennessee (18), Mississippi State (20), Auburn (21) and Ole Miss (23).

The addition – or defection – of a couple athletes could change that order significantly Wednesday.

Most of Alabama’s commitment list looks solid, although there are persistent concerns about running back Trent Richardson of Pensacola, Fla. Alabama is awaiting a commitment from running back Eddie Lacy of Geismar, La., who told Crimson Confidential he was “95 percent” sure he’ll sign with Nick Saban. Lacy is visiting Tennessee this weekend.

Alabama remains in the mix for uncommitted stars Dre Kirkpatrick, the highest rated uncommitted defensive back, and wide receiver Kendall Kelly, both of Gadsden.  Darren Myles Jr., a defensive back from Atlanta, also lists the Tide as one of his finalists.

Alabama will try to land two more top uncommitted in-state prospects for its defense – lineman Brandon Moore of Montgomery and linebacker Tana Patrick of Stevenson.

Saban’s wish list includes two standout wide receivers – Pat Patterson from Macon, Miss., and Rueben Randle from Bastrop, La. Another Louisiana prospect recruited by the Tide is linebacker Barkevious Mingo of West Monroe.

Going east, Valdosta, Ga., cornerback Greg Reid and Hargrave Military Academy (Va.) offensive tackle Bobby Massie were recruited heavily by the Tide – and nearly everyone else.

All of these players are uncommitted going into the final days. It’s going to be a wild Wednesday.