Recruiting and legal issues highlight UA's month in review

Before Alabama head coach Nick Saban takes the podium at SEC Media Days, here is a quick "month in review" in terms of the Crimson Tide program.

Recruiting

Verbal commitment Blake Barnett, a dual-threat quarterback from California, stole the show at the high school showcase known as The Opening.

Winning Elite11 quarterback competition MVP honors, Barnett displayed his impressive skill set against the most highly touted high school players in the nation.

Congratulations to the 2014 #Elite11 MVP Blake Barnett (@BlakeBarnett_8) of Corona Santiago #KeepClimbing #RollTide pic.twitter.com/NjyKn5UunI
— Elite11 (@Elite11) July 11, 2014

UA verbals Lester Cotton and Calvin Ridley were also quite impressive at The Opening.

Click HERE for an article on both Barnett and Ridley.

In respect to the 2016 signing class, the Crimson Tide have received a total of three verbal commitments. All listed as four-star prospects per 247Sports, defensive back Shyheim Carter, defensive tackle Benito Jones, and athlete Demetris Robertson have all pledged to the Tide within the span of five days. Carter and Robertson both committed on the morning of July 15.

Legal issues

Running back Kenyan Drake and defensive lineman Jarran Reed were both arrested earlier this month.

Involved in separate incidents within roughly one week of time, Drake was arrested in the early hours of July 5 and charged with obstructing governmental operations after he crossed police tape in an attempt to retrieve his vehicle.

Reed, a highly touted junior college transfer who signed with the Crimson Tide in February, was arrested July 13 and charged with DUI.

Jersey numbers

If "who's wearing what" is important to you, Alabama has released a jersey numbers listing for all newcomers and any player who changed numbers from last season.

Trophy time

While not directly related to Alabama at this time, here's hoping the piece of hardware pictured below will be of major importance to the Crimson Tide in a matter of months.

Under the new playoff format, the College Football Playoff trophy was officially unveiled earlier this week. Personally, I think it looks like an Olympic torch...

A new era, a new trophy. pic.twitter.com/anXBuxO7uV
— CFB Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) July 14, 2014

Player representatives

As a quick reminder, the Crimson Tide football team will be represented by Landon Collins, Amari Cooper, and Christion Jones at SEC Media Days this Thursday.