Crimson Red Sports

On a day where the University of Alabama lost a commitment in offensive lineman Andy Dodd, the Tide wasted no time in picking up lost momentum with a pledge from four-star tight end and top 247 member Josh McNeil.

McNeil announced via Twitter that he had "news" he would share at midnight and confirmed his pledge to the Tide to become UA's 17th commitment of 2013.

"Fall 2013 I will be playing for Alabama #rolltide"

McNeil fills a big need for Alabama who was in the market for a traditional tight end who was a physical blocker, and McNeil fills that role.

McNeil picked the Tide over offers from Georgia, Auburn among others.

BOL will have more on this new commitment later.

I feel better now.  :D

I wish I could feel more confident that he will actually sign, I have no trust in these young mens commitments anymore. :(

The parents need to teach them what "commitment" means.

Times have changed and it's sad. The young ones only exemplify the direction of where our country is headed and you're right, it all starts at home. ;)

.....

The parents need to teach them what "commitment" means.

(http://www.relaystationmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/oh-happy-day.jpg)
Come on guys, celebrate this Josh McNeil commitment.  He's done nothing wrong.

It is not 100% the kids fault. When they commit the coaches continue to recruit. The coaches must not know what a commitment is either. The only way to stop this is an early signing period.

Coaches keep recruiting for depth reasons. I don't remember CNS ever dropping a player after that player had committed.

July 21, 2012


Andrew Bone
TideSports.com Recruiting Analyst

Josh McNeil, four-star tight end from Hillside High School in Durham, N.C., committed to the University of Alabama late Friday night after visiting Tuscaloosa this week.

"It has been Alabama for a long time," said McNeil. "I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision. I didn't want to rush it. I was always going to commit to Alabama. It was my dream offer.

"I told the coaching staff yesterday while I was on my visit. I decided to hold it off until last night. The coaches were very happy I was choosing Alabama. It feels really good to be committed. I am ready to get there and prove to everyone that O.J. Howard and I are the best tight end combo ever. We are already being called the Tide Towers."

McNeil talked more of why he committed to the 2011 BCS National Champions. He also talked of what he and O.J. Howard bring to the class of 2013.

"The offer was my dream school," McNeil said. "I always wanted to play for coach Saban. You have to find the right school for you. It's not always what you want in your heart. That's why I took some visits. Just talking to coach Saban was a dream come true. It was almost like talking to the President of the United States.

"Alabama hasn't really had an athletic tight end. O.J. and I are bringing a new tradition of tight ends to the program. I think bringing in a pair of athletic tight ends will bring more championships to the program."

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound prospect talked about his time in Tuscaloosa.

"When I went down there I just hung out with the players," McNeil said. "I asked them why they picked Alabama. I was just down there having fun. I really enjoyed myself.

"Coach Rumph was another reason why I committed. He was my recruiting coach. We are very close. It's almost like a father/son relationship. He played a really big role in my recruitment. Coach Williams also recruited me. I can talk to him anytime. Alabama is a real big family. I didn't feel that way at any other school."

McNeil recognizes his strengths and areas to improve before arriving at the Capstone.

"I am athletic," he said. "I can go up and get the ball. I can still improve on my blocking and stuff like that."

McNeil is solid with his commitment to the Tide and excited about his future.

"People ask me if I am 100-percent," McNeil said. "I am not thinking about anyone else. I will be at Alabama in 2013. O.J and I are going to be like Rob Gronkowsi and Aaron Hernandez. We want to be the best tight end combo ever."

Coaches keep recruiting for depth reasons. I don't remember CNS ever dropping a player after that player had committed.

Jamos, I did not make my point very clear. I meant the opposing coaches continue to recruit even after the recruit commits to another school.