By Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
Not all that long ago, the Crimson Tide fan mega-bus was cruising along on smooth terrain, gearing up for a run at a national title and sowing the needs for another strong season in 2009 by hauling in a stellar recruiting class.
Fast forward to January. Already jolted by a December road bump in the shape of a certain green amphibian, the Alabama bandwagon got rocked again by a Sugar Bowl upset at the hands of Utah.
Still, Alabama defied preseason expectations and enjoyed a very successful season. And still, the Crimson Tide are on the brink of welcoming one of the nation’s top recruiting classes.
So what’s all the fuss about in Tuscaloosa?
He goes by the name of Mr. 407.
Trent Richardson, the once crown jewel of Alabama’s recruiting class who rushed for 407 yards in a single game as a junior last year—a mark he topped with 419 this season—has gone from being a model University of Alabama commitment to a National Signing Day question mark in a matter of weeks.
And it certainly has Tide fans buzzing.
“You really don’t see this type of pandemonium of fans for out-of-state guys,” Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News said. “The last time this was happening was when Alabama recruited Tim Tebow.”
In many ways, Richardson is just another piece to the puzzle. Alabama will receive a boost at offensive line next year with the addition of massive tackle D.J. Fluker; likewise, they are frontrunners to acquire the services of Dre Kirkpatrick, who is viewed as a shutdown corner who can play right away.
From other perspectives, he is the centerpiece of the recruiting class, and a perfect fit for the Crimson Tide next year.
Junior running back Glen Coffee, the team’s leading rusher last year, will be heading to the NFL, meaning Richardson will have a chance to see carries right away. Richardson’s tough, bruising style is a perfect fit for Nick Saban’s pro-style offense. Richardson sticking between the massive ‘Bama bookends could do a whole lot of damage against SEC defenses that seem increasingly better equipped to handle the spread offense.
Not to mention Richardson has endeared himself to Alabama fans with his open personality. He committed to the Crimson Tide in June and has been spoken publicly about Alabama numerous times.
“He’s been so committed and accessible on the phone. We’ve heard a lot from him,” Rapoport said. “It’s a guy that Bama fans feel like they know.”
But just how well do Alabama fans know the talented halfback, who recently made an official visit to LSU and hosted Urban Meyer for an in-house visit that lasted six hours?
Perhaps the more pressing question is how well Richardson knows Alabama. Is Tuscaloosa is the place he wants to spend the next several years of his life?
That’s a question he’ll like answer in less than a week.
The in-home visit by Urban Meyer went so well that it prompted an Escambia track coach who advises Richardson to remark that the Gators pulled into a dead heat with Alabama, according to Rapoport.
An earlier indicator that Richardson might don the blue and orange came after his official visit to Gainesville.
“He went to Florida for his official visit and rated it a perfect 10, after being an Alabama commit for months. That got people crazy,” Rapoport said.
Will Richardson stick with his commitment to Alabama, or will he break the hearts of so many Crimson Tide fans by calling an audible and jumping ship to Florida last minute?
Is this truly a two-team race, or is a darkhorse lurking, hoping to prey on Richardson’s indecision and present itself as a viable alternative to either of the two frontrunners?
The Breakdown
Alabama: It’s hard to call any other team the favorite. Though he did meet with Urban Meyer for six hours, he did spend six months firmly committed to Alabama. Escambia, though within Florida state borders, has a stronghold of Crimson Tide fans.
Nick Saban and Company are making an 11th-hour push to keep Richardson, and odds are it will work.
Alabama’s Chances: 55 percent
Florida: As if two titles in three years isn’t enough recruiting ammunition, the Gators are early favorites to win it all next season. This would appeal to any recruit. With Meyer putting the proverbial full court press on Richardson late in the game, Florida is a real contender.
Still, questions about how well Richardson would jive with the Gator offense remain. Florida won the Tebow sweepstakes, but may get left at the altar for Richardson.
Florida's Chances: 39 percent
LSU: Richardson did take a recent official visit to Baton Rouge. There has been little indication that he is seriously considering the Tigers, but his mother is an LSU fan. It would likely take a miracle in Baton Rouge to pull this off.
LSU's Chances: 5 percent
Tennessee: Lane Kiffin has picked up some steam with recruits. His biggest addition might just be that of Lance Thompson to the coaching staff. Thompson was Alabama’s lead recruiter. Richardson recently decided to cancel his trip to Knoxville, making any Kiffin coup highly unlikely.
Tennessee’s Chances: 1 percent
MORE:
- VIDEO: Click here for highlights of Trent Richardson, courtesy of MaxPrepsTV
- Click here for complete Signing Day Coverage
