ESPN Scouts Inc. released its latest ESPNU 150 list of the top prospects in the country for 2009, and there was some major movement by Alabama commitments and targets.
For starters, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (Gadsden/Gadsden City) is up one spot overall to No. 2 on the latest list. He also picked up one point in his overall Scouts Inc. grade, which is now a 92 (out of 100).
Running back Trent Richardson (Pensacola, Fla./Escambia) moved from No. 5 to No. 3. The country's No. 1 running back committed to Alabama last June.
Wide receiver Rueben Randle (Bastrop, La.) jumped all the way from No. 11 to No. 6. Randle is still considering several schools, including Alabama and LSU.
Offensive tackle D.J. Fluker (Foley) took one of the largest jumps, from No. 39 to No. 19. The longtime Alabama commit is also now the No. 2 offensive tackle in the country, behind only Texas commit Mason Walters of Wolfforth, Texas.
Two other Alabama commits actually dropped one spot each due to Fluker's rise. Linebacker Nico Johnson (Andalusia) is now No. 25, while quarterback A.J. McCarron (Mobile/St. Paul's) is now at No. 37.
Other uncommitted Alabama targets in the ESPNU 150 include Atlanta/Carver safety Darren Myles Jr. (No. 39), Gadsden City wide receiver Kendall Kelly (No. 41), Stevenson/North Jackson linebacker Tana Patrick (No. 105), Tupelo (Miss.) athlete Chad Bumphis (No. 119), Seffner, Fla./Armwood linebacker Petey Smith (No. 139) and Geismar, La./Dutchtown running back Eddie Lacy (No. 141).
For a complete roundup of the major changes in the latest ESPNU150, read Tom Luginbill's column HERE.
For the complete updated ESPNU150, click HERE.
