Crimson Tide adds 26 players for 2012

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (University of Alabama) - University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban announced that 18 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play football with the Crimson Tide, joining eight players who enrolled at the Capstone in January and will compete in spring practice later this semester.

The 26 total players, including eight mid-year enrollees, come from eight states – Alabama (8), Georgia (8), Florida (4), Louisiana (2), Maryland (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (1) and Virginia (1).

As of 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Alabama’s 2012 signing class is currently ranked first nationally by Rivals.com, ESPNU, MaxPreps and 247sports.com. The Crimson Tide is ranked second in the Scout.com team rankings.

As listed by position, the Crimson Tide add to their roster five defensive linemen, five linebackers, four defensive backs, three wide receivers, three offensive linemen, two running backs, one tight end, one athlete, one place-kicker and one quarterback.

Eight players – Ryan Anderson (LB), Deion Belue (DB), Chris Black (WR), Amari Cooper (WR), Travell Dixon (DB), Dillon Lee (LB), Alphonse Taylor (DL) and T.J. Yeldon (RB) – are already attending classes at the University. They all enrolled in January, began taking classes for the spring 2011 semester and will be able to participate in Alabama’s spring football practices. The other 18 players signed national letters of intent today. The Crimson Tide had nine players enroll in the spring of 2011, 11 in 2010 and four in 2009.

2012 Alabama Football Signing Class

January Enrollees

Ryan Anderson - Daphne, Ala./Daphne
Deion Belue - Tuscumbia, Ala./Northeast Mississippi CC/Deshler
Chris Black - Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast
Amari Cooper - Miami, Fla./Northwestern
Travell Dixon - Miami, Fla./Eastern Arizona CC/Norland
Dillon Lee - Buford, Ga./Buford
Alphonse Taylor - Mobile, Ala./Davidson
T.J. Yeldon - Daphne, Ala./Daphne

February Signees

Dakota Ball - Lindale, Ga./Pepperell
Landon Collins - Geismar, La./Dutchtown
Denzel Devall - Bastrop, La./Bastrop
Kenyan Drake - Powder Springs, Ga./Hillgrove
Kurt Freitag - Buford, Ga./Buford
Brandon Greene - Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove
Adam Griffith - Calhoun, Ga./Calhoun
Caleb Gulledge - Prattville, Ala./Prattville
Tyler Hayes - Thomasville, Ala./Thomasville
Brandon Hill - Collierville, Tenn./St. George’s
Cyrus Jones - Baltimore, Md./Gilman
Korren Kirven - Lynchburg, Va./Brookville
Darren Lake - York, Ala./Sumter Central
Alec Morris - Allen, Texas/Allen
Reggie Ragland - Madison, Ala./Bob Jones
Geno Smith - Atlanta, Ga./St. Pius X
Dalvin Tomlinson - McDonough, Ga./Henry County
Eddie Williams - Panama City Beach, Fla./Arnold