ANDREW BONE: Tide trying to win recruiting border war

Taking a look at the top uncommitted and committed players in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida gives a better perspective as to where the top players are going, staying or leaning for the class of 2008.

The Alabama coaching staff has done an outstanding job recruiting in-state and received verbals from a few elite out-of-state players as well. The Tide remains in the hunt for several top players throughout their border states.

The state of Alabama is loaded with special talent for the class of 2008. Several of the state’s top players have given their commitments, but the majority of the top 10 prospects remain uncommitted.

The top player in the state is five-star Julio Jones (Foley) and ranks as Scout.com’s top receiver in the country. His teammate, safety Robert Lester, gave his commitment to Alabama last Friday. Jones still projects to announce his college decision on National Signing Day in February.

Dee Finley (Auburn), Scout.com four-star safety and second overall prospect, is committed to Florida. He is considering official visits to Auburn and LSU as well.

Jerrell Harris (Gadsden City), four-star linebacker, remains open with his list of favorites including Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia TechFlorida, Florida State and Tennessee. He has visited Alabama twice this season.

Antoine McClain (Anniston), four-star offensive tackle, remains uncommitted, but Alabama appears as the team to beat for his signature. Auburn is putting a full court press on McClain which may lead to an intense in-state battle.

Tyler Love (Mountain Brook), four-star offensive tackle, is a solid commitment to Alabama. Burton Scott (Vigor), four-star receiver, is committed to Alabama, but is considering taking all five of his official visits.

William Green (Spain Park), continues to look at all options and is expected to choose between Alabama and Florida.

Mark Barron (St. Paul’s), four-star wide receiver, is a solid commitment to Alabama.

Glenn Harbin (McGill-Toolen), four-star defensive end, is undecided. He will choose between Alabama, Florida, Florida State, North Carolina and South Carolina.

To close out the top 10 is Courtney Upshaw (Eufaula), four-star defensive end, a solid commitment to Alabama.

The state of Tennessee is having a down year in top rated prospects, but several elite players are among the top 10 of in-state talented prospects.

Barrett Jones (Evangelical Christian), Scout.com four-star offensive tackle, is the top ranked player in the Volunteer State. Jones is scheduled to visit Alabama unofficially for the Tennessee game with the Tide remaining the team to beat for his signature. Jones is giving a hard look at Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and North Carolina as well.

Chris Jordan (Brentwood Academy), Scout.com four-star running back, ranks as the second best prospect. Jordan has continued to name his top two schools as Alabama and Clemson with the Tide holding the top overall spot. Jordan is scheduled to officially visit Alabama in December.

Aaron Douglas (Maryville), four-star tight end, is a Tennessee commitment. Preston Bailey (Nashville-Montgomery Bell Academy), four-star offensive tackle, committed to Tennessee over Michigan.

The state Georgia is always loaded with talent, and over the last several years coach Mark Richt has locked down the borders from opposing schools. Georgia Tech is starting to compete with the Bulldogs for prospects.

DeAngelo Tyson (Statesboro), five-star defensive tackle, is the top player in the Peach State and the No.1 ranked prospect in the country at his position. Tyson is a solid commitment to Georgia.

Brandon Thompson (Thomasville), four-star defensive tackle, has a list of favorites which includes Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami and South Carolina. He has already taken official visits to Georgia Tech and LSU. He will officially visit Florida State this weekend.

Coach Richt and Georgia Tech head coach Chan Gailey did lose one blue-chip prospect when Brice Butler (Norcross), five-star wide receiver gave his commitment to Southern California (USC).

Josh Jarboe (Ellenwood-Cedar Grove), four-star receiver, is the fourth best prospect with a solid list of favorites including Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Ohio State and Tennessee.

Richard Samuel (Cartersville-Cass), four-star running back, is a solid commitment to Georgia. Samuel ranks as the eighth best running back in the country. A.J. Harmon (Louisville-Jefferson County), four-star offensive tackle, is a Clemson commitment. He chose the Tigers over Georgia.

Tavarres King (Mount Airy-Habersham Central), four-star wide receiver, has committed to Georgia. Cornelius Washington (Waynesboro-Burke County), four-star defensive end, has given his commitment to Georgia.

Dontavius Jackson (Franklin-Heard County), four-star running back, remains uncommitted. Jackson lists favorites as Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and LSU.

Toby Jackson (Griffin), four-star defensive end, ranks as the 10th best prospect and a soft-commitment to Georgia. He will visit Alabama, Auburn and Miami before making his final decision.

The top prospect in Mississippi is DeAndre Brown (Ocean Springs) a five-star receiver. Brown is undecided, but lists favorites as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU and Ole Miss with LSU leading for his signature.

Darius Barksdale (South Panola), four-star safety, has committed to Ole Miss. Templeton Hardy (North Panola), four-star defensive tackle, is committed to Mississippi State.

Ken Davis (Tupelo), four-star running back, is an Ole Miss commitment, but plans to visit Alabama.

The fifth best prospect is Marlon Walls (Olive Branch) a three-star linebacker. Walls moved to Mississippi from Wooddale, (Tenn.) when his mother took a new job and the departure of his former high school coach. Walls has the Rebels in the lead for his signature, but has Florida and Tennessee high on the list as well.

The Sunshine State overflows with elite prospects on a yearly basis with this year as no exception. Scout.com rates seven players as five-stars in the state of Florida.

The five stars include: Michael Brewster (Edgewater), center, committed to Ohio State; linebacker Nigel Bradham (Wakulla) committed to Florida State; cornerback Patrick Johnson (Blanche Ely) committed to Miami; defensive tackle Marcus Forston (Northwestern) committed to Miami.

Five-star Cornerback T.J. Bryant (Lincoln) who lists Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami Oklahoma and USC as favorites. A tough pull with Florida State in his hometown of Tallhassee, but not impossible.

Five-star wide receiver Aldarius Johnson (Northwestern) committed to Miami and offensive lineman Matt Patchan (Armwood) trimmed his list Monday to Florida, LSU and Miami.

Alabama has received a commitment from the top rated quarterback in the state of Florida in four-star Star Jackson (Lake Worth). Melvin Ray (North Florida Christian), four-star wide receiver is a Tide commitment as well.

Alabama expects to host an elite group of prospects this weekend for unofficial visits when the University of Tennessee takes on the Tide for the SEC match-up with kick-off set for 11:34 a.m.

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