Tide lands top prospect from Mississippi

Rod Woodson, a Scout.com four-star safety prospect from Olive Branch, Miss., who is participating in the national 7-on-7 passing tournament in Hoover, commited to Alabama on Friday.

“I really like Alabama,” Woodson told Scout.com’s Southeast regional manager, Burke Hayes, also in Hoover this week. “I like their style of defense, and me and their coaches get along real good. I want to commit before the season starts, and it’s 90 percent that I will.”

Woodson, who did commit on Friday, is rated by Scout.com as the No. 1 player in Mississippi. He made a team high 148 tackles in 2007, caused three fumbles, three fumbles recovered and three interceptions for Olive Branch who went 11-3 for the season and lost in semifinals.

“I can hit,” Wooson said. “I’m real strong, and I love to tackle. I never stop, and I’m very aggressive. I go real hard.”

His high school coach has high praise for his star player, saying, “If Rod is not a Top 100 player in the country, then someone needs to show me what one is,” Scott Samsel said. “I know there is not a better one in the state of Mississippi. He has it all.”

Scott Kennedy, Scout.com national director of recruiting, said of Woodson’s ability, “Woodson is like a heat-seeking missle in run support. He often knifes through the line and makes the play for little to no gain. Rod is a very physical tackler who thrives on making the big hit. He could possibly grow into a strong side linebacker.”

Woodson makes the Tide’s 11th commitment for the class of 2009. He became the third commitment of the week. William Ming, Scout.com four-star defensive end from Athens High School and Gerald West, Scout.com three-star cornerback from Faith Academy in Mobile gave their commitments to Alabama Tuesday.

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