Neighbors talks Tide offer

Alabama has offered Huntsville (Ala.) safety and Crimson Tide legacy Wesley Neighbors. The Tide joins Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt in the chase for the hard-hitting 6-foot-1, 190-pounder and immediately shot toward the top of his list.

Crimson Tide recruiter Curt Cignetti, one of Rivals.com's Top 25 recruiters nationally for the Class of 2006 while he was at North Carolina State, got in touch with Neighbors with the news last week.

"Coach Cignetti sent me a text and he told me to give him a call," Neighbors said. "We played phone tag for a little bit and finally I got in touch with him. I had been playing in a baseball tournament, so it was hard to get back in touch with him. When I called him back, we talked a little bit and (Alabama head coach) Nick Saban was there. Coach Cignetti put him on the phone with me and coach Saban offered me right there over the phone.

"I am on my way back from my baseball tournament, so I guess the written offer will be in the mail there."

Neighbors' father Wes was a standout at the University of Alabama. Grandfather Billy played for legendary coach Bear Bryant in Tuscaloosa and is in the College Football Hall of Fame.

"(The offer from the Tide) puts (Alabama) pretty much near the top or on the top," Neighbors said. "For right now, I am not going to commit anywhere. I'm just going to keep everything open. I plan on visiting Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt and Alabama again."

Neighbors acknowledged that he had a strong connection to the Alabama program.

"Every since I've been born, I've probably gone to six or seven Alabama football games a year," Neighbors said. "I just like everything about it. The crowd is always into it. It's like a religion down there. I've personally probably talked about Alabama football once or twice a day during my lifetime."

Neighbors has a good relationship with Cignetti.

"He's a good recruiter," he said. "He will text me every other day to see how I am doing. He does this every morning I guess when he wakes up. When I see what time he texts, it's like 6:30 a.m. or so."

Neighbors has respect for and interest in the Commodores and Yellow Jackets as well

"They have great programs, too," he said. "Georgia Tech went to the ACC championship game last year and Vanderbilt is on the rise. They have great academics there. When I go to school, I'm looking for something to get me going in life. I need a great education. My family tells me I need to choose a place that will help me get a great job when I get out."

Neighbors added that he doesn't have exact dates for when he will visit Tuscaloosa, Nashville and Atlanta again.

Neighbors had 95 tackles and four sacks during his junior season at Huntsville. He was an All-Region, All-City and All-Metro selection.