You know, RWS, we wouldn't be on Bama fans' cases about offers if they didn't try to rub it in about how they swept every recruit that were offered by both Alabama and Auburn.
Bates, according to Rivals and BOL's control of his offer list, DID have an offer from Alabama. It might not have been committable, but he was told something that was confirmed to someone. But once he committed to AU, that check mark magically disappeared. And Bama's coaches were never visiting him. They were there to help little ole Rod Woodson fill out his paperwork. Do they do that for every recruit?