re: 2013 Alabama Football Recruiting Thread - DH Decommited from UGA

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Alabama ventured out to the Pacific Northwest for its latest class of 2013 offer, with Spokane (Wash.) Mead tight end/outside linebacker Danny Mattingly being the recipient of the Crimson Tide tender. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder, who is a nephew of former Yankees first baseman and current Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, has been in communication with Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier for some time.

“I kind of expected it, just because I’ve been in contact with them for a while. I’ve talked to Coach Nussmeier and finally got a chance to talk to the head coach, Coach Saban and he told me he was offering me. Just talking to him was sweet. I’m looking forward to it, and I couldn’t ask for more in a school,” said Mattingly.

“I’m glad (Saban) took the time to talk to me. He was just talking about the program- like the school and how they treat their players down there. It was an awesome talk and he seemed like a great guy.”

Mattingly found Alabama’s recent graduation numbers particularly impressive.

“The thing that really stuck out to me is that the number of players they graduated was second only to Stanford. I think that’s really cool knowing that I could go down there and get a degree. They have good academics and a good engineering program and that’s what I want to get into.”

The Crimson Tide offered the state of Washington standout as an athlete, with linebacker and tight end being possibilities.

“The initial thing was offense, but at the same time it’s about whatever’s best for them and me. If it’s offense or defense, I’m an athlete, so I’ll go play whatever.”

The Alabama offer places the Tide in Mattingly’s top group alongside four Pac-12 programs, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame. Visits to Eugene and South Bend are set and he hopes to get to UCLA, Arizona State, and Alabama at some point this summer.

“(Alabama) has to be way up there- I’m not going to give numbers right now, because there are so many schools, but just from what I know and what they’ve told me about the program, they have to be up there.

“I’d say the other schools I communicate with the most are Oregon, ASU, UCLA, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Washington. I’ve just been to Washington so far. I’m planning on going to Oregon and Notre Dame for sure. Oregon is next weekend and then Notre Dame should be on about the 25th (of June).We’ve thrown around the idea of going down to UCLA and ASU. I’m really going to try my best to get down to Alabama this summer when I get the chance. That’s really important to me.”

With only one visit in the books, the eastern Washington product is taking a wait-and-see approach to recruiting.

“I think I’m going to be an early graduate, so I definitely want to make a decision before then. I’m just going to wait until the time feels right to me. I’m looking for the school that’s the best fit for me, whether that’s close or far. I’m looking at the coaches, like if they’re personable, the players, the academics for sure, and if I like the place.”

Mattingly has a grade of 88 from 247Sports, making him a high three-star prospect.

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