ANDREW BONE: Tide adds one commitment, loses another

The big news for the University of Alabama this past week was the commitment of Alfy Hill, four-star defensive end from West Brunswick High School in Shallotte, N.C., and the de-commitment of JaWuan James, four-star offensive tackle from North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Ga.

The Tide has another commitment from the state of Georgia who has other schools in his ear as well.

Hill had numerous scholarship offers, but his focus had been between Alabama and his home-state school of North Carolina since his summer-camp visit to Tuscaloosa. Scout.com ranks Hill as the No. 26 defensive end in the country. The 2009 season is only his second year to play organized football, and his junior campaign ended with 112 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and four blocked punts.

'What has helped him get his four-star ranking on Scout is his size, speed, athleticism, and potential,' said Scout.com South Recruiting Analyst Chad Simmons.

'Hill still has a lot of work to do to become that top end in the SEC. If he can focus on getting bigger, adding about 20 to 30 pounds of muscle and becoming better at disengaging, then he could be a star for the Crimson Tide. The potential and natural ability is there. He can be about as good as he wants to be.'

James, Scout.com National 100 offensive tackle, officially de-committed from the Crimson Tide last Friday. James is one of the top offensive linemen in the country, and other schools have been relentless in pursuing his signature for National Signing Day next February. He apparently is paying attention to what some critics are saying about Alabama and decided to re-open his recruitment.

'I think it was partially my fault because the Alabama coaches did a great job recruiting me, and they did nothing wrong,' James informed Scout.com last Friday. 'I just have some concerns in my head, and that is why I wanted to de-commit.'

Alabama remains in the mix for his signature, but Tennessee and Georgia, specifically, are in hot pursuit. He plans to graduate in December, and time is short to reel him back in to Alabama's class of 2010.

James still plans to visit Alabama, a sentiment he relayed to coach Nick Saban, adding, 'so I could still go to Alabama.'

James wants to re-evaluate everything which has been told to him by other schools and others who are eager to turn him away from Alabama.

Blake Sims, Scout.com four-star safety from Gainesville High School in Georgia, traveled to Tennessee during the summer to compete in the Volunteers' summer camp. This set off a firestorm with Tide fans worried about losing the elite play-maker's commitment from Alabama to another SEC school.

Sims spoke with Scout.com on Sunday night to clarify any misunderstanding about his commitment to Alabama, and it appeared a message was being sent to other schools and others who may question his allegiance to the Tide.

'I do not plan on visiting any other school,' said Sims. 'I believe in Alabama. I am not going anywhere. I love the way they treat their players. Academics is always first and football is second. Coach Saban believes I can come in and help the team out.'

Sims stars at quarterback for his high school team, called the Red Elephants, but will likely make a switch to wide receiver or safety on the next level. The wildcat formation is perfectly suited for Sims as well.

Alabama held its first home game of the season against Florida International last Saturday night and several commitments were spotted at the game.

The Tide's two tight end commitments -- Brian Vogler, from the Brookstone School in Columbus, Ga., and Harrison Jones, from Evangelical Christian School in Cordova, Tenn. -- were in attendance. The in-state commitments on campus included Jay Williams, punter from Thomasville High School, Jalston Fowler, fullback from Vigor High School in Prichard, Wilson Love from Mountain Brook High School and Brent Calloway who is a 2011 Scout.com National 100 outside linebacker from Russellville High School.

Visit TideSports.com and Scout.com for Andrew Bone's recruiting coverage. Reach Andrew Bone at abone@scout.com.