Alabama junior getting early interest

Sidell Corley potentially could be one of the top defensive prospects in the Southeast for the class of 2007.

According to his father Sidell Corley, Sr., the Mobile (Ala.) McGill-Toolen standout, who is a member of Rivals.com's 100 to watch, has received early attention from programs across the country.

"He's getting letters from every school in the SEC," the elder Corley said. "He's one of those kids that has three or four shoe boxes full of letters right now."

While it is early, the 6-foot-4, 246-pound defensive end prospect has had a few schools jump out at him, according to his father. Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame, Miami, Michigan, Florida State and Florida, along with Louisville and Mississippi State are the schools that have grabbed the attention of Corley the most at this time.

His father mentioned specifically that he liked the Gators because of their depth chart at defensive end and added that "every kid wants to go to Miami," when he mentioned the Hurricanes.

Corley has had a solid season for McGill-Toolen and has been used at tight end, fullback and middle linebacker at times, in addition to defensive end.

"In the 43 defense, he plays strongside end," his father said. "But when we go to the 33, he'll switch to middle linebacker. They also have a heavy package when they get inside the 20, where he is a blocking fullback. He is a good one, because they usually score when he's in there."

Corley also praised his son's toughness.

"He's someone that runs to the ball hard," the elder Corley said. "He's aggressive for a strongside end and very physical. He came of the field three different times with injuries last week and went right back in the game."

He added that his son is a very high-character person off the field.

"Most folks that meet him think he's a big teddy bear off the field," Corley Sr. said. "Anybody that comes across him likes him."

The younger Corley will participate in the Alabama North-South All-Star game on Dec. 23 in Troy, Ala. The annual event showcases the top junior football players in the state of Alabama.