Alabama Emerging as Early Leader for 5-Star Lorenzo Carter After Visit?

The trip to Alabama for Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, Ga. Norcross HS) was only supposed to be for one day, but things went so well in Tuscaloosa that the five-star defensive end stayed the entire weekend.

The 6-5, 230-pound weakside defensive end celebrated a state title in basketball last week and was present for the start of spring practice, where he had a nice talk with Nick Saban that proved enlightening and alleviated some concerns that he and his parents had about playing for the two-time defending champions.

Questions about whether Alabama was too good and too talented had his mother concerned about how much playing time her son would receive which Saban quickly put her nerves to rest and said he’d play wherever he decided to play ball.

On my visit livin the life #ROLLTIDE #Bama twitter.com/LCarter_25/sta…

— lorenzo carter (@LCarter_25) March 16, 2013

 

Effusive praise from Saban who need only flash his championship rings when meeting with a recruit and his family to persuade a recruit to come to T-town. Saban’s style of recruiting is already paying dividends, because he wouldn’t let Carter leave as he stayed two more days.

In Alabama’s scheme they told him he would be a fit at the Jack linebacker spot and essentially terrorize opposing quarterbacks by coming off the edge in defensive coordinator, Kirby Smart’s 3-4 alignment. He would bring an instant impact to any defense as a true freshman with his ability to rush the quarterback.

Many consider Carter to be the best prospect in the entire country over defensive end Dashawn Hand, after a junior season that saw him rack up 136 tackles and 18 sacks. Rivals.com has him ranked as the No. 9 player in the nation and 247Sports.com has him as the third ranked player overall.

However, with more than 30 offers for the freakishly talented Carter it will be a hotly contested race that could go all the way to signing day for the Under Armour All-American, but you have to think it will be hard to knock off the Crimson Tide right now.

Patrick’s a college football writer for Rant Sports and radio host on Sportstownchicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickASchmidt and add him to your Google network.