The news of Athens defensive end William Ming's commitment to Alabama had hardly even sunken in Tuesday when he was joined by a fellow ESPN 150 Watch List member. Mobile cornerback Gerald West became the Crimson Tide's 10th verbal commitment for 2009 on Tuesday night, just hours after Ming pulled the trigger for Alabama.
West, who will play at Faith Academy this fall after transferring from Davidson High School, chose the Crimson Tide over more than a dozen scholarship offers. His four finalists also included Auburn, Arkansas and Southern Miss.
"I just got off the phone with coach Nick Saban," West said. "He was very excited about it and he said he's really looking forward to me coming up there. He said he likes my footwork and my change-of-direction. He said he's looking forward to coaching me.
"I feel great about. I have no regrets. I feel like this decision is best for me. My family can come up and watch me play every game. I'm really happy about that."
The 5-foot-11, 160-pound West is the first defensive back to commit to Alabama for 2009, and the fourth defensive player overall. He totaled 36 tackles and three interceptions in 2007.
West is the son of J.J. Johnson, the former Mississippi State running back. At Alabama, West will get the chance to work first-hand with Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, a longtime defensive backs coach who helps defensive coordinator Kirby Smart instruct the defensive backs in every practice.
"That was a big part of my decision," West said of Saban's involvement with his position. "He's the best DB coach around."
ESPN Scouts Inc. evaluation
West is a good-looking cornerback prospect with smooth movement skills and a natural feel for the position. He is rangy, high-cut and seemingly taller than his listed measurables; long frame appears to have another inch or two of growth. Fluid in his hips and turns as a zone corner. Possesses good lateral quickness and stop-start skill in off-man, despite his longer lower-body. Good recovery speed and can turn and run hip-to-hip with faster receivers. Pedal is high hindering his transitional quickness in and out, but he shows strong plant and drive skill closing with good vertical force on underneath routes. Excels at tracking the deep ball and changing gears to burst under or over the throw. Defends the jump ball and fade route well with proper body positioning, leaping and ball skills. Understands the concept of zone defense. Carries, levels off, reads the quarterback and jumps the correct route. Provides good range on run support and fills quickly on perimeter runs. While he does not stay blocked for long when pursuing through traffic, he struggles disengaging the stalk block and lacks the strength to set the edge and maintain outside leverage. Could struggle jamming and rerouting receivers at the next level until he fills out his upper-body. Tends to play high without good flexibility at times limiting his ability to mirror receivers tightly in and out of their breaks and redirect sharply. Bottom line, West possesses the speed, instincts and potential size to develop into a good cover corner, but will need to show more consistency in his play to excel at the next level.
