The University of Alabama is showing the need for depth for defensive players especially on the defensive line and at the linebacker position. The Tide has commitments from seven defensive players, and a couple of offensive commitments may end up on the defensive side of the ball.

Four of the defensive commitments will play on the defensive line once they arrive in Tuscaloosa: Michael Williams (Pickens County), Scout.com four-star defensive end; Damian Square (Houston-Yates, Texas), four-star linebacker; Brandon Lewis (PleasantGrove), three-star defensive end and Undra Billingsley (Birmingham-Woodlawn), three-star defensive end.

Courtney Upshaw (Eufaula) four-star defensive end could play a linebacker position. Kerry Murphy (Chatham-Hargrave Military Academy, Va.) ranks as a four-star defensive tackle who could move to the offensive line when he arrives at Alabama. The final defensive commitment is Wesley Neighbors (Huntsville), a three-star safety who will likely stay at his position.

Several top recruits remain on the defensive wish list including the nation’s top prospect. The defensive line is still looking to add bulk and speed.

Reggie Ellis (Washington D.C.-Dunbar) will take an official visit to Alabama October 20. to His top schools are Alabama, Illinois, Penn State and Pittsburgh.

Marty Everett (Bushnell-South Sumpter, Fla.) is very high on the Tide. He attended camp in

Tuscaloosa during the summer and was close to giving his commitment. He decided to wait until after the season to make a decision.

Jomarcus Savage (Huntsville-J.O. Johnson) has not received an offer from Alabama, but that could change with a solid start to his senior season. He has been performing very well and holds several scholarship offers including Auburn, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Chris Martin (Fort Walton Beach-Choctawhatchee, Fla.) has an offer from Alabama and lists the Tide very high on his list along with LSU.

Glenn Harbin (McGill-Toolen) four-star defensive end lists Alabama among his top schools along with Auburn, Florida, Florida State, North Carolina and South Carolina. He grew up favoring the Tide.

Toby Jackson (Griffin, Ga.) is a soft-commitment to the University of Georgia. He has continued to express heavy interest since his commitment and will take all five of his official visits including one to Alabama.

Alabama projects to take as many as three players from the above group.

Several elite defensive end prospects on the recruiting board may move to linebacker when they reach the next level.

William Green (Hoover-Spain Park) is one of the nation’s elite prospects and rated a four-star by Scout.com. Green is torn between Alabama and Florida with Auburn on the outside.

Dont’a Hightower (Lewisburg-Marshall County, Tenn.) is a four-star defensive end who plans to make his decision in the next week or two. Hightower listed Alabama as his favorite school last week, and remain the team to beat for his signature.

Robert Quinn (North Charleston-Fort Dorchester, S.C.) appears as a high priority recruit. Quinn has visited Tuscaloosa several times unofficially and will return for an official visit after the season. Alabama faces Auburn, Florida and North Carolina in a tough recruiting battle.

Chase Clement (Thibodaux-E.D. White, La.) is a four-star defensive end who will decide between Alabama and LSU for his future home. He attended the Tigers’ home win over Florida Saturday night and plans to take an official visit to Alabama in January.

Alabama has a very good chance to land three players from this group.

Alabama has offered two of the top junior linebackers in the country in Nico Johnson (Andalusia) and Tana Patrick (Stevenson-North Jackson). Alabama is already a strong contender for both Johnson and Patrick with Alabama also remaining a heavy hitter for Arthur Brown (Wichita-East, Kansas), the nation’s top linebacker and overall prospect for the class of 2008.

Brown took his first official visit to the Capstone and was equally impressed by both his visits to Tuscaloosa (one unofficial). He plans to announce his college decision December 17. His next visit is scheduled to North Carolina. He will also take visits to USC, Miami and LSU. Kansas State, Oklahoma, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Florida remain in the hunt as well.

Jerrell Harris (Gadsden City), National 100 weakside linebacker, has Alabama among his favorite schools and has visited Tuscaloosa numerous times for unofficial visits including two home games this season. Harris will likely announce his decision closer to signing day in February. Alabama will battle Auburn, Clemson, Florida and Florida State for his signature.

Alabama has a solid chance to land both Brown and Harris, but projects to sign one of the two linebackers.

Alabama has one defensive back commitment with Wesley Neighbors, but has a chance to have an elite class in this category.

T.J. Bryant (Tallahassee-Lincoln, Fla.), five-star cornerback, keeps a low-profile by design of his coach. He plans to take his official visits after the season with a visit to Alabama expected.

Charles Whitlock (Chester, S.C.), four-star cornerback, has already taken an official visit to Alabama. He has the Tide very high on his list. Alabama will battle Clemson, North Carolina and South Carolina for his signature.

Robby Green (River Ridge-John Curtis, La.), four-star cornerback, lists Alabama among his favorite schools. Green will decide between Alabama, LSU and USC.

Darrell Simmons (College Park-Banneker, Ga.) has listed Alabama as one of his top two schools since the spring. He plans to wait a little later in the season before making a decision, but expects to decide between the Tide and Miami Hurricanes.

A player who has not received an offer from Alabama is Robert Lester (Foley) a very talented safety prospect. Lester has seen his stock soar since the spring and had an outstanding game against Daphne last week on the national ESPN2 broadcast.

Alabama could take up to four defensive backs and projects to land at least two from this group.

Visit TideSports.com for Andrew Bone’s recruiting coverage. Visit the weekly recruiting chat sessions each Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. at TideSports.com. Reach Andrew Bone at abone@scout.com.