After losing 2011's top recruiter (according to 247Sports), Sal Sunseri, to Tennessee this week, Alabama is reportedly striking back by hiring their top recruiter, Lance Thompson.

You may remember him.

Thompson was Rival's Recruiter of the Year in 2008 for Alabama. You may remember that class? Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Mount Cody, Mark Baron, Don'ta Hightower, Barrett Jones, Robert Lester, Courtney Upshaw, and all that crew? It was a haul. One of the best recruiting classes of all time, actually.

At the time, losing him to Tennessee seemed like a coup of epic proportions to lose our top gun recruiter to a hated rival.

Lance Thompson has to be VERY talented for Saban to want him back after the way he left for Tennessee. He is a very good recruiter. For Alabama to continue to succeed, Saban wants recruiters who work well in his system.

Thompson does.

The fact that we lost one hired gun for recruiting, but we grab back another is smart. Almost like trading rocket armed closers in baseball, except it's recruiting closers.

Let's hope that Thompson can still recruit like he did in 2008. If so, he is a good hire. We will know for sure this week if Thompson is back on board, but if he is, then it should be good news for next year's recruiting.

Roll Tide!

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