DJ Dale's one of the hottest recruits in the South
PINSON, Ala. — Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Tennessee and Texas A&M have all offered DJ Dale in the last few weeks. It is easy to say that the 6-foot-2, 315 pound defensive tackle out of Clay-Chalkville is one of the hottest prospects in the South.
Although that have come in, in a rush, the fast-paced action has not surprised the powerful junior.
"I have been talking to those coaches more and more over the weeks before they offered, so I kind of expected the offers to come," said Dale. "None have really been that big of a surprise to me. The schools had been showing interest or talking to me before they offered."
Do not expect things to slow down for one of the best in Alabama. He has a visit to Clemson (offered last week) scheduled for March 3 and the Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs are showing a lot of interest right now.
Dale has been busy on the road evaluating schools over the past month and he has tripped to both Auburn and Tuscaloosa. He has been on the Alabama campus for a couple of camps and Junior Days, so he has a good feel what for it is like there.
"I have been able to build relationships with the coaches at Alabama and it is good to be around the people there. I like how the coaches look to build their players into better men at Alabama.
"The way they win is impressive too. Wherever I go, I want to win, so what they do plays a role."
Alabama's offensive line coach Brent Key is Dale's lead recruiter. He was talking with Karl Dunbar before he left for another job, so Dale is waiting to see who Alabama hires as a new defensive line coach.
With Auburn, Dale has seen it all. He has been to games there, unlike Alabama, and Dale likes that atmosphere.
"Game-day there is crazy and I could see myself playing there," said Dale. "It is loud, the fans are crazy and it is a great environment.
"I like how the coaches care about the players at Auburn. They push about your grades, they push you to do the right thing and I like that a lot."
While the in-state schools have both offered recently, there is another SEC West school that offered long ago. Mississippi State was the first school to offer Dale back when he was a freshman and that is part of the reason the Bulldogs stand out.
"Them offering me before anyone else does mean something to me, but there is more to my interest in them. They have a new coaching staff, but I still have a good relationship with their coaches.
"I have been over there and I can tell they still want me. The coaches picked it right up and I liked that. I have been there for games and stuff and I like the atmosphere there too."
Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State are three schools Dale is high on at this time, but he made it clear that he has no favorites. He will likely have a top five in the coming months, but he is still waiting to see who else offers and evaluating each school.
Tennessee has come one strong since Jeremy Pruitt took over. Dale has been in talks with him and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker recently. He visits Clemson next, so they could decide to offer and jump in this race too.
Dale did not grow up a true Alabama or Auburn fan. He said some in family like the Crimson Tide and Tigers, but he also has family members that are Clemson and Florida fans.
He, himself, is wide open.
"Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State are three schools I like, but I do not have any favorites," said Dale. "I have talked to those schools a lot, I have visited those schools and they are on my list.
"I am still taking my time and I not sure what I want to do yet about committing. I could commit early, but I may wait. I just have to wait and see how I feel.
"The most important thing for me is where I feel most comfortable. When I have that feeling, that is when I know I am ready to commit."
