Image Courtesy-Twitter (marlon-humphrey)
Alabama returned to the practice field Monday after spring break halted action on the field for a week, but the action on the recruiting trail never ceased. During the first practice in more than a week a player with a familiar name was there, Marlon Humphrey, (Birmingham, Al. Hoover) the son of former Alabama running back, Bobby Humphrey, was in attendance to witness the action.
The five-star cornerback was making his first visit to Alabama since Oct. 27 when he saw the Tide defeat Mississippi State when both teams were 7-0. The nation’s top cornerback prospect, according to 247Sports.com, composite rankings seems like a lock to be the next in a long line of great Crimson Tide defensive backs in my opinion.
Rarely, if ever, does Alabama fail to convince in-state players to come to Tuscaloosa. Add in the fact that he is a legacy and Nick Saban barely will have to break a sweat to secure a commitment from the 6-0, 175-pound cornerback who is also one of the nation’s elite runners in track and field.
Humphrey ran a personal best 13.74 in the 110 high hurdles earlier this month and holds state records in the 60M, 60M hurdles and 400M. That type of speed and athleticism has translated well to the football field where some track stars are unable to translate their straight-line speed into success on the football field.
Blessed with great genes and a feel for the game that is apparent in his instincts on the field, Humphrey is a potential shutdown corner at the next level. With 10 interceptions and 24 pass deflections in the last two seasons, opposing quarterbacks should have learned their lesson and not play with fire by attempting many passes in the vicinity of Humphrey who is a threat to score anytime he has the ball in his hands.
Humphrey already has good size to play at the collegiate level and will likely add 10-15 pounds before his freshman season in college, which may tempt some coaches to consider an eventual move to safety. He makes plays in the run game as well as he does in the pass game, but he really jumps out on special teams. Humphrey has a knack for blocking punts, covering kickoffs and as a returner.
Other schools in play for Humphrey include Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina and Mississippi State. However, if I was to place a bet at which school Humphrey ultimately decides to call home for the next three-five years it’s Alabama.
Patrick’s a college football writer for Rant Sports and radio host on Sportstownchicago.com. Follow him on Twitter and add him to your Google network.
