Recruits make final rounds before end of summer

The University of Alabama, in years past, held all of its football camps in June. Schools across the country also hold camps in June, but more importantly hold one in July as well, using it as a key recruiting tool for prospects before returning to prepare for their prep seasons. Several of Alabama’s top targets arrived Sunday for the four-day camp with most participating for one or more days while others arrived as spectators for unofficial visits.

Star Jackson, a Scout.com four-star quarterback from Lake Worth, Fla., has been making the rounds at the final camps of summer. He was in Auburn last weekend picking up a scholarship offer from the Tigers. He hit Friday Night Lights in Gainesville ovre the weekend and was named one of the top overall performers.

Jackson was in Tuscaloosa on Sunday, working out with the Tide coaches and several wide receivers in for the camp. Auburn and West Virginia are two schools in competition for his signature along with Alabama. Jackson left for California Monday morning to participate in the Elite 11 camp.

TideSports.com reported that Julio Jones of Foley, the nation’s top receiver, was in Tuscaloosa last weekend for an unofficial visit. Jones was in Tallahassee Saturday for the Seminole Showtime camp and returned to the Alabama on Sunday to participate in the Tide’s camp. Alabama and Florida State are two schools high on his list.

Burton Scott, a Scout.com four-star receiver from Vigor of Prichard, has worked at various positions, including quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back at the different summer camps. He believes his future position is at wide receiver and plans to showcase his skills this week. Scott may work out with the defensive backs as well.

Antoine McClain, a Scout.com four-star offensive tackle from Anniston, made a return camp visit to Alabama with the Tide possibly on the outside looking in for his signature. McClain’s interest in Alabama still remains with his participation in two summer camps and a handful of unofficial visits.

McClain expects to take all five of his official visits before making his college decision with his list of favorites trimmed to Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee.

Glenn Harbin, a Scout.com four-star defensive end from Mobile’s McGill-Toolen High School, is one of the state’s top 10 prospects. He is in Tuscaloosa to participate in the Alabama camp. Harbin may announce his college decision before his senior season with the Tide as a strong contender.

Mark Barron of St. Paul’s, a Scout.com four-star wide receiver, and quarterback teammate A.J. McCarron are participating. Barron is one of the top 10 players in the state and has his list of favorites trimmed to Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and LSU. He has been in Tuscaloosa for several unofficial visits.

McCarron holds early verbal offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and LSU. He is one of the nation’s top junior quarterbacks. McCarron plans to make an early decision with an announcement possibly coming on signing day of 2008, an entire year in advance.

DeVonta Bolton, a Scout.com three-star receiver from Norcross, Ga., is participating and proving a big target at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. Bolton could make a move to the opposite side of the ball on the next level as a linebacker or safety. He holds several scholarship offers including Alabama. Bolton has had the Tide as a favorite since his spring unofficial visit.

D.J. Woods, a Scout.com three-star receiver from Strongsville, Ohio, has received a scholarship offer from Ohio State following his performance in Columbus.

Woods was in Tuscaloosa Sunday hoping to turn heads and receive an offer from Alabama. Ohio State is the team to beat for his services, but he may wait to announce his college choice if Alabama extends an offer.

Several prospects from the state of Louisiana are participating including DeAngelo Peterson, a Scout.com three-star receiver and Lavar Edwards, a Scout.com three-star tight end (Baton Rouge-Desire Street).

Peterson is a commitment to LSU, but he continues to look at other schools. Edwards has Alabama as one of his top choices.

This is an unofficial short list of prospects participating in camp this week with more news coming out of the camp as the week progresses.

Visit TideSports.com for Andrew Bone’s recruiting coverage. Reach Andrew Bone at abone@scout.com.