Ken Rogers
02/05 at 12:47 AM

On a National Signing Day with more twists and quick cuts than a Trent Richardson touchdown run, Alabama completed a recruiting season with 29 players that could surpass last year’s touted class.

After some early squirming when out-of-state prospects opted for other schools, Nick Saban got several top-rated in-state prospects that hadn’t committed.

Linebacker Tana Patrick of Stevenson, defensive lineman Brandon Moore of Montgomery and Gadsden stars defensive back Dre Kilpatrick and receiver Kendall Kelly picked the Crimson Tide on Wednesday.

Saban also landed Richardson, the standout running back from Pensacola, Fla. Richardson, 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, rushed for 2,090 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. His 4 p.m. announcement was the last signature returned by players who had already committed.

“I was elated, ecstatic, happy and really pleased,” Saban said about Richardson’s commitment. “I think he was a real key to the class because he’s an outstanding player at a position that a young player can contribute at next year ... I called the family a couple times during the day. They are great people. In their mind there was never anything to worry about.”

Those later commitments vaulted Alabama from a top-five recruiting class to No. 1 on several sites, including Rivals.com.

The day started with a sour note. Offensive tackle Bobby Massie picked Ole Miss over Alabama, which was a bit of a surprise. Receiver Pat Patterson then picked Ole Miss over the Tide.

“Sometimes you get surprised on one end then get a good surprise on the other end,” Saban said. “That happened today as well.”

With so many top prospects waiting until Wednesday, Saban seemed most pleased that he kept his committed group together.

“Every guy that was verbally committed to us signed with us today,” Saban said. “I think that says a lot about the character of the guys that we recruited in understanding what a commitment is.”

Andalusia linebacker Nico Johnson, who committed last summer, sent in his paperwork before 8 a.m. He also had an afternoon signing ceremony at the school in front of about 200 students and well-wishers.

Johnson said he couldn’t imagine so many players on the fence on signing day.

“It’s crazy, is what I think,” Johnson said. “By now you should have at least one team that you know. I’m going to Alabama because it’s the best fit for me. It’s close to home and it’s where my heart’s at.”

Kilpatrick said he slept on his decision.

“I went to bed thinking, ‘as soon as I wake up, I’ll know,’ the defensive back said. “I woke up and hollered, ‘Roll Tide.’”

Richardson took it to the wire, but stayed with Alabama over LSU.

The Crimson Tide and Bayou Bengals had several key recruiting tussles settled on Wednesday. Reuben Randle picked LSU. Kenny Bell, a wide receiver from Rayville, La., changed his mind and picked Alabama.

“We were able to track a half-dozen other players that weren’t committed to us today that were outstanding national recruits,” Saban said. “We could sit here and talk about a couple of guys that we had an opportunity to get that went someplace else, but I would much rather focus our positive energy on the guys that we got because we got some very outstanding players.”

Saban said he had little interest in class rankings.

“The real significance of this class is what happens two or three years from now in terms of how they develop, how they contribute to the program, how many outstanding performers we have in this class. That’s the true evaluation of this class,” Saban said.

The coach did seem comfortable that this class addresses some immediate needs.

“I felt it was really important that we got some big guys with long arms that could play on the edges of the offensive line,” said Saban, referring to D.J. Fluker of Foley and the already enrolled James Carpenter and Chance Warmack. “I think we were able to solve that. I also think skill players on offense who could make explosive plays.”

That obviously includes Richardson, but extends to receivers Michael Bowman, Kevin Norwood and Bell. And he called A.J. McCarron of Mobile, the only quarterback in the class, “one of the top quarterbacks in the country.”

McCarron apparently flashed some leadership skills. Moore said McCarron was adamant that the in-state players stay home.

“He said it was very important to keep the players in Alabama in the state of Alabama so we can have that bond together,” said Moore, who will start his career on the defensive side of the ball. “Because if you don’t have that bond, chemistry is what builds a team.”

Moore was one of a number of front seven players Alabama signed to its defense, including a strong linebacking corps.

“Those guys are outstanding players. Nico Johnson is an outstanding player. He’s a fine young man, good character. He’s an outstanding basketball player as well.”

Saban said Tana Patrick, Ed Stinson and Jonathan Atchison could all be pass rushers. Petey Smith, however, looks like an inside player.

“Petey’s probably more of an inside backer, thumper type, but a good football player as well,” Saban said.

“I think the quality of linemen in this class — and I think there are 12 or 13 true linemen, big guys — is probably important to the future of the program.”

Saban did say he would like to have taken another defensive back or two.

“We don’t premeditate red-shirting anyone. I think it’s our task and our job to play the best players,” the coach said. “We want to give each and every one of these guys every opportunity to contribute to our team next year.”

Andalusia’s Johnson said this year’s class has already talked about having a collective impact.

“After talking to D.J. and the other guys who already committed, we want to be better than the class that started last year — Julio and all them guys,” Johnson said. “We want to try to do as much or more than they did. ... It’s going to be a real high bar. That’s our goal. We’re going to shoot for it.”

2009 Alabama Football Signees
NAME               POS   HT     WT     SCHOOL                            
Jonathan Atchison     LB     6-3     220     Atlanta, Ga./Douglass HS              

Kenny Bell             WR     6-1     160     Rayville, La./Rayville HS

Chris Bonds           DL     6-4     280     Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast HS  

Michael Bowman       WR     6-4     210     Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland HS          

Quinton Dial           DL     6-5     310     Pinson, Ala./Clay-Chalkville HS        

D.J. Fluker             OL     6-5     340     Foley, Ala./Foley HS                  

Nico Johnson           LB     6-2     225     Andalusia, Ala./Andalusia HS          

Kendall Kelly           WR     6-3     215     Gadsden, Ala./Gadsden City HS  

Dre Kirkpatrick         DB     6-3     185     Gadsden, Ala./Gadsden City HS  

Eddie Lacy             RB     6-0     210     Geismar, La./Dutchtown HS      

Mike Marrow         RB-HB   6-2     240     Holland, Ohio/Central Catholic HS      

A.J. McCarron         QB     6-4     190     Mobile, Ala./Saint Paul’s Episcopal School      

Darius McKeller       OL     6-5     280     Jonesboro, Ga./Jonesboro HS        

William Ming           DL     6-3     260     Athens, Ala./Athens HS              

Brandon Moore       DL     6-5     320     Montgomery, Ala./Carver HS      

Kevin Norwood       WR     6-2     180     D’Iberville, Miss./D’Iberville HS        

Anthony Orr           DL     6-5     260     Madison, Ala./Sparkman HS          

Tana Patrick           LB     6-3     235     Bridgeport, Ala./North Jackson HS  

Trent Richardson       RB     5-11   220     Pensacola, Fla./Escambia HS

Darrington Sentimore   DL     6-3     280     Norco, La./Destrehan HS              

Petey Smith           LB     6-1     245     Tampa, Fla./Armwood HS            

Anthony Steen       OL-DL   6-3     305     Lambert, Miss./Lee Academy          

Ed Stinson             LB-DL   6-4     240     Homestead, Fla./South Dade HS      

Kellen Williams         OL     6-3     290     Lawrenceville, Ga./Brookwood HS    

Rod Woodson         DB     5-11   200     Olive Branch, Miss./Olive Branch HS  

Already Enrolled at Alabama      
James Carpenter       OL     6-5     305     Augusta, Ga./Coffeyville[Kan.] CC /Hephzibah HS      

Kerry Murphy         DL     6-5     315     Hoover, Ala./Hoover HS          

Jermaine Preyear       RB     5-11   205     Mobile, Ala./Davidson HS          

Chance Warmack       OL     6-3     325     Atlanta, Ga./Westlake HS