Stadler gives Bama a 10

Rivals250 offensive tackle Alex Stadler out of Bealeton (Va.) Liberty took his third and perhaps last official visit of the season this weekend when he went to Alabama. The 6-foot-6, 300-pounder with 5.4-second speed took in the Crimson Tide's impressive annihilation of the Florida Gators. What stuck out to Stadler about his trip to Tuscaloosa?

"It was an incredible visit and I came in knowing a little bit about it and I've come away with an appreciation for Alabama football. It's a great place," he said. "I was hosted on the trip by Kyle Bennett and he was a real down-to-earth guy. It was cool to hang out with him and a lot of the offensive linemen.

"I got there on Saturday at 12:30 and ate and went to the game. Afterwards I ate dinner with the coaches and hung out with the players. On Sunday, I saw the academic people and talked with coach Shula, Connelly and Woods. I got a lot of time with them and they all expressed a need for offensive linemen there and that stood out to me."

A big part of the four-star prospect's visit was the SEC game between the Crimson Tide and Gators.

"It was amazing and I kind of had a feeling when I got there that they would win, but instead they blew them out," he said. "Florida is no push over and they were the 5th best team in the country and Alabama rolled them. It was a great game and I really liked seeing all the fans and tailgaters. They really love their football down South. I was looking at Alabama before the visit and I guess seeing a win like that makes me realize they have a shot this year and years to come which makes me look at them a little more.

"On the field I also saw that their offensive line is extremely young and they play a lot of people early. One thing I know if I go there is that I'll see a lot of early playing time which is good. I absolutely like how they run the offense too. It's a pro-style offense and gets you ready for the NFL."

Stadler rated his trip to Alabama a 10.

"It'd be hard not to give the visit a 10 because of the whole atmosphere, it's unlike anything I've experienced before," he said. "It ranks right up there with the other schools I'm looking at. The atmosphere and nightlife were different, but in a good way.

"Right now I'd say those three schools (Alabama, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech) are up there for me. I've got to sit down and talk with my coach and parents. I might still take the last two officials, but I don't know who I'd go to if I take them."

As for his season, the No. 13 offensive tackle in the country has helped Liberty to a 4-0 start with their most recent win a 28-0 crushing of Woodstock Central.

"I've done tremendously well so far this season and I've progressing a lot since last year," he said. "I can see I'm doing better with a lot of little things including my trap blocking and just finishing off my blocks."

Alex Stadler VideoClick This week the Eagles face off against Wood. Here to view this Link.