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Posted on 8/31/16 at 8:28 am to TideSaint
OT Foster Sarell, the #2 ranked player in the Composite from Washington state, is trying to set up an OV for the Iron Bowl.
Posted on 8/31/16 at 8:43 am to TideSaint
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OT Foster Sarell, the #2 ranked player in the Composite from Washington state, is trying to set up an OV for the Iron Bowl.
He is getting in on all these talented OL prospects, so can we please get Super Mario to start recruiting DL for us? Heck, he was the primary on Daron Payne, so I know he can do it...
Posted on 8/31/16 at 8:51 am to ApeDeuce
I used to think the fact that Alabama uses a base 3-4 caused us to miss on a lot of potential DL prospects. But more and more schools have switched to the 3-4 and our recruiting at the position has continued to be inconsistent.
Posted on 8/31/16 at 9:29 am to CapstoneGrad06
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I used to think the fact that Alabama uses a base 3-4 caused us to miss on a lot of potential DL prospects. But more and more schools have switched to the 3-4 and our recruiting at the position has continued to be inconsistent.
The state of Alabama just hasn't produced guys like Dareus, Gilberry, etc. in the last couple years. I know we got Daron Payne and he looks like a future stud, but we've had to go out of state or JUCO to land defensive line starters lately.
The in-state guys we have gotten haven't really panned out for whatever reason. Darren Lake had a decent career, but he wasn't elite. Dee Liner never saw the field before transferring. Darius Paige had a medical condition that ended his career before it even began.
A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, Jon Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson, Josh Frazier, Terrance Cody, D'Shawn Hand, etc. were all out of state guys.
We signed Daron Payne and Anfernee Jennings in 2015 and they both show immense potential.
Last year you had Marlon Davidson (an Auburn legacy with a brother on their staff) and Quinnen Williams in the Top 20. Williams may very well end up a starter.
Now we have LaBryan Ray in this class who looks like a future All-American, but in the Top 25 Composite for the state of Alabama there are only two other defensive linemen in Ryan Johnson and Neil Farrell. Johnson is #12 and Farrell is #25.
Bottom line is the state isn't producing quality D-Linemen right now and our recruiting is reflecting that. It's always harder to snag an out of state kid.
ETA: The 2014 in-state class was laughably bad for D-Linemen.
This post was edited on 8/31/16 at 9:38 am
Posted on 8/31/16 at 9:36 am to TideSaint
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Former South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier once suggested Alabama head coach Nick Saban was “the greatest recruiter in the history of college football” for having claimed the No. 1 recruiting class in the country year after year.
Saban has delivered four national titles to Alabama and according to a story written by AL.com’s Rainer Sabin, the Crimson Tide owned Rivals.com’s top-ranked recruiting class five times between 2011 and 2016.
But in order for Saban to be labeled the greatest, there should be a coach Saban surpassed to obtain that title, right?
Sabin’s story delves into the notion that Alabama rose to the top of the recruiting world as Southern California’s dynasty began to fade in the aftermath of Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart heading to the NFL in 2006 and head coach Pete Carroll departing for the NFL shortly after in 2009. There was also the decline of the University of Florida, that also boasted a pair of national titles in 2006 and 2008.
“I think that’s what is scary for opponents,” 247Sports director of football scouting Barton Simmons told AL.com. “There are still a generation of players who have watched Alabama’s dominance who have yet to be prospects. A lot of guys we talk to grew up watching Reggie Bush or grew up watching Tim Tebow….But we have still yet to see that generation of players from outside of the southeast region that became Alabama fans just based on their success. We see that with schools like USC in the past or schools like Florida. But with Alabama, that generation is still coming of age.”
LINK
Posted on 8/31/16 at 9:43 am to TideSaint
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Alabama is on the hunt for its seventh straight recruiting championship. Join us here on SEC Country for a daily recap of Alabama recruiting news, insight on what’s happening behind the scenes, and for a glimpse at what’s coming next.
We’re doing things differently in today’s notebook.
Instead of me spewing out info that I think you may like to know, I turned to SEC Country’s readers to see what burning recruiting questions you guys had. Here are the top questions asked by our readers:
LINK
Posted on 8/31/16 at 9:43 am to TideSaint
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What are the chances of getting Dylan Moses and Marvin Wilson?
(@From @cometoBama)
Slim.
With Moses, the 5-star linebacker from IMG Academy, almost everyone in the recruiting industry, myself included, thinks he will commit to LSU. He has openly said he would like to see the Tigers win a championship and his relationship with Les Miles is stronger than every other coach in the country. He’s also originally from Baton Rouge and has said he looks up to LSU running back Leonard Fournette. Moses has also talked about wearing the prestigious No. 7 if he ends up going to LSU. If Miles is coaching the Tigers in 2017, Moses will be playing for him.
Now he did have a very sour taste in his mouth with how the administration treated Miles at the end of last season. The Tigers were completely off his top schools list because of the talk surrounding Miles and his status with the program. If that happens again this year, I can see Alabama becoming a major player for him. After all, the Tide did lead for him at one point.
With Wilson, the 5-star defensive tackle from Texas, he’s had a very up-and-down relationship with Alabama. Minutes after it was announced that Bo Davis would be resigning from Alabama, Wilson tweeted that he was no longer going to consider the Tide. He changed his stance on that several days later, but make no mistake about it, his relationship with new defensive line coach Karl Dunbar is nowhere near as strong as what it was with Davis. If Davis stayed at Alabama, the Tide would have definitely been one of the teams to beat.
I was also told by someone close to Wilson that it’s highly unlikely he is going to end up with the Tide.
Posted on 8/31/16 at 9:44 am to TideSaint
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If Alabama misses on Todd Harris and Shaun Wade, who does the Tide turn to?
(@From @JOSHB_52)
It’s not the best year for defensive backs, and that’s OK because it’s not a major position of need after signing four in the secondary in 2016. All four of them (Shyheim Carter, Jared Mayden, Nigel Knott and Aaron Robinson) have been talked about as standouts in practice in camp, so even if Alabama misses on some guys, it’s not the end of the world.
With that being said, Alabama would like to add 4-star safety Todd Harris and 5-star cornerback Shaun Wade in this year’s recruiting class, and the Tide are in a solid position for both players.
Harris is down to Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss, and he should make his decision at some point this fall or at the Under Armour All-American game in January. He said earlier this summer how an Alabama offer would shake up his recruitment, and that’s exactly what it did. He visited Tuscaloosa this summer and ended up earning the offer from the staff. If Harris didn’t receive that offer, he was likely going to commit to LSU, which was considered the longtime favorite for him. The Tigers are still squarely in the mix for him, but they do have two other elite safeties on board in 5-star commit JaCoby Stevens and 4-star commit Grant Delpit. The biggest question that needs to be answered is if Harris wants to join a trio or Alabama, which currently has one in 3-star safety Kyriq McDonald. He is not a true safety though, but the staff has told him he’s likely to get snaps there.
If Alabama misses on Harris, the options are bleak. Devon Hunter, a 4-star safety from Virginia, remains a target, but he’s higher on Virginia Tech and Florida at this point. He is going to take an official visit, though, so there’s time to catch up. If Alabama aggressively pursues in the coming months, he’s probably the likeliest candidate. DeAngelo Gibbs, a 4-star safety from Georgia, is also expected to take an official visit. The chances of landing Gibbs are slim right now as Georgia and Tennessee are really the only teams strongly in the mix for him.
When it comes to Shaun Wade, I have predicted for months now that Alabama will flip him away from Ohio State. I still feel good about the pick. As I’ve stated several times, his mother is a big Alabama fan and he has loads of family members in the Montgomery area, and that’s important. He has also said he sees no major differences between the two schools. He can get the same things he desires at Alabama, and it’s closer to his family.
If Alabama misses on Wade, Tariq Castro-Fields, a 3-star cornerback from Maryland, is likely the option. He is going to take an official visit to Tuscaloosa this fall.
Posted on 8/31/16 at 9:44 am to TideSaint
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Is there any chance with the OL from Washington (Foster Sarell)?
(From @BillBigD)
Foster Sarell is the No. 1 offensive lineman in the country, and Alabama would love to add him to its 2017 class, but it’s going to be a major uphill battle.
He may (keyword here) take an official visit to Tuscaloosa. If he doesn’t do that, I see no way the Tide land him. From talking to people in the know about his recruitment, while he has mentioned Alabama before in interviews, the interest level in the Tide is not super strong. He is more likely going to stay on the West Coast and commit to either Washington or Stanford. Notre Dame should also be considered one of the favorites.
Even without landing Sarell, Alabama’s offensive line haul is pretty outstanding: 5-star Alex Leatherwood, 4-star Elliot Baker, 4-star guard Kendall Randolph and 3-star guard Hunter Brannon are all committed.
Posted on 8/31/16 at 9:44 am to TideSaint
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If Alabama adds another LB, who do you think it will be?
(From @footballrecc)
Alabama has 3 linebackers committed — VanDarius Cowan, Markail Benton and Gary Johnson — and the Tide would like to add at least one more to those 4-star recruits.
Jarez Parks is the likeliest addition to the trio mentioned above. Parks is being recruited at the JACK position, which is a hybrid of outside linebacker and defensive end. He visited Tuscaloosa this summer and had commitment on his mind. He held off to take more time with his decision. But talking to someone close to him, Alabama is the team to beat for him at this time. Florida and Florida State are also in the mix.
If Alabama also adds a true linebacker to its class, 4-star prospect Jacob Phillips is a name to know. Alabama is definitely a team that is trending for Phillips, but space may be an issue. It’s unclear right now whether Alabama would take five linebackers.
Posted on 8/31/16 at 9:45 am to TideSaint
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With Isaiah Buggs having Bama in his top 4, what’s the latest on him?
(From @PolkTpolk638)
Buggs is a top defensive line target for Alabama, but he has not visited Tuscaloosa yet. That’s obviously an issue for the Tide’s chances of landing him. LSU and Auburn are definitely the teams to beat right now.
He did tell me recently that he has plans to take an official visit to Tuscaloosa this fall, but no date has been set yet. What also helps Alabama’s chances is the fact that he is now planning on making a commitment on National Signing Day. He was originally going to announce this fall.
If he ends up visiting Alabama, the Tide will become a big factor.
Posted on 8/31/16 at 10:05 am to TideSaint
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Pensacola (Fla.) Washington five-star offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood has been committed to Alabama for nearly 15 months. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound prospect also visited USC this summer with plans to possibly return for an official visit this fall despite his pledge to the Crimson Tide. On Saturday, Leatherwood will be on hand to watch both teams face off in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium.
Recruits are allowed to receive tickets to the neutral site game, but contact with the coaching staffs is not permitted due to the game being played off campus.
The 247Sports Composite, an industry generated average, currently ranks Leatherwood as the nation's No. 5 overall prospect in the 2017 class.
LINK
Posted on 8/31/16 at 10:05 am to TideSaint
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Alabama commit Alex Leatherwood, a 2017 five-star offensive tackle, has a pair of official visits set in stone, he confirms to BamaOnLine.
The 6-foot-6, 327-pounder will be in Ann Arbor to see Michigan take on Wisconsin on Oct. 1, as well as Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl in November.
Leatherwood also plans to be in Arlington this coming weekend to see his Crimson Tide take on USC in its season opener.
What's next for the Tide? Make sure you're in the loop by signing up for our FREE BamaOnLine Newsletter.
The elite tackle, who has been committed to Alabama since June 2015, will take all five official visits before it's all said and done.
Currently the teams that appear to be rivaling the Tide the most for Leatherwood's signature are Florida, Michigan and USC.
Leatherwood is rated the No. 2 offensive tackle and the No. 5 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
LINK
Posted on 8/31/16 at 10:29 am to TideSaint
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Running back Najee Harris is set to enter his senior high school season sitting atop the 2017 composite recruiting rankings.
Expectations couldn't be greater for the 5-star California playmaker, who pledged to Alabama as a sophomore. Harris, who rushed for 5,007 yards and 59 touchdowns during the past two years, has drawn more hype than any prospect at the position since current LSU Tigers and Heisman Trophy contender Leonard Fournette.
His success at Antioch High School—located less than an hour's drive away from Oakland—includes six 200-yard rushing efforts in 2015, per MaxPreps. Though the final game of Harris' junior campaign ended with a playoff defeat, he dominated the matchup with 390 yards and six scores on 39 carries.
Harris, who also holds scholarship offers from heavyweight universities such as Ohio State, Michigan, UCLA and USC, is widely viewed as a talent who can follow the footsteps of past celebrated Crimson Tide running backs. Derrick Henry, Eddie Lacy, Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and T.J. Yeldon are among those who've set the bar high in Tuscaloosa throughout head coach Nick Saban's tenure.
Considered the cornerstone of what could become a seventh consecutive top-ranked Alabama recruiting class, Harris warrants closer examination as he prepares for his final prep season. Our latest B/R recruiting breakdown focuses on this coveted backfield standout.
The Basics
High School: Antioch (Antioch, California)
Size: 6'3", 226 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 1 running back; No. 1 overall
Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama on April 18, 2015
Prospect Assessment
-Humble attitude and soft-spoken demeanor contrast an aggressive, violent style of play.
-Physical measurements exceed those of multiple blue-chip defensive ends. He approaches the senior high school size of 2015 Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry (6'3", 240 lbs).
-Carries substantial pounds for a prospect at his position but doesn't have "bad weight"; physique defined more by length than bulk. More muscle mass won't compromise athleticism.
-Stature and stamina make him a true closer during late stages of a game; wears down opponents and simply seems stronger than defenders in the fourth quarter.
-Upright runner who finishes plays with forward momentum.
-Rare lateral balance and downfield lean for an athlete of his size.
-Exemplary receiving skills; plucks passes with arm extension and soft hands. ... Strengthens case for every-down duties.
-Beats linebackers at top of routes with precise footwork; stronger attributes as a receiver than several pass-catchers in 2017 cycle that are considered 4-star prospects.
-Authoritative downhill runner but also supplies wiggle in the open field; can alter course with finesse moves that don't result in costly deceleration.
-No hesitation from the point of hand-off; surveys developing lanes midstride and attacks accordingly.
-Ability to identify and exploit seams sets him apart; doesn't require initial daylight to do damage.
-Surges north-south even when swarmed in backfield; won't lose yards moving horizontally and can shed tackle attempts to salvage plays.
For instance, last fall Harris received the football at the 36-yard line and proceeded toward the right side of his offensive line. With defensive efforts squarely focused on stopping him, five opponents surrounded him approximately two yards behind the line of scrimmage.
Never one to surrender a snap, Harris pivots with a hard plant on his right foot before bursting off that leg through a tackle and bolting toward the opposite sideline. Another broken tackle—this one from his left—leaves him with three players to beat in a footrace toward the end zone.
Just like that, a two-yard loss becomes a 31-yard touchdown. These are the kind of carries that sustain drives, drain clock and rip the heart out of an opponent.
In the clip below, he picks up the first down before encountering a well-positioned safety at midfield. Though Harris has just shrugged off multiple defenders with a north-south charge, a sudden cut to his left leaves the safety grasping for air and opens the field for him to feast.
He then picks up speed to sprint past the remaining opponents for a 65-yard score. This particular attempt provides evidence of Harris' complete package, as strong initial strides lead to broken tackles, followed by a devastating lateral shift and quickness to close for the score.
Long-Term Outlook
Alabama annually boasts one of the nation's most intimidating offensive backfields, and Harris will encounter significant competition. Sophomores Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough were both 5-star recruits in high school; freshman B.J. Emmons was rated No. 2 overall among running backs in the 2016 cycle; 4-star rusher Brian Robinson is a fellow member of the 2017 class.
Other programs offer a clearer path to playing time, but prospects such as Najee Harris don't shy away from even their finest contemporaries in the pursuit of reps. He may need to wait in line for No. 1 duties—a rite of passage performed regularly by top prospects in Tuscaloosa—but his physique, vision and versatility should combine to create a compelling case for instant consideration in Saban's running back rotation.
If health remains intact, Harris has the makings to become Alabama's latest Heisman Trophy candidate as soon as he secures high-volume touches.
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Posted on 8/31/16 at 10:59 am to TideSaint
IIRC correctly Bo could leave after this year because he was a part of the 2014 class. I hope he has a great year and would not be upset with the injuries that plagued him if he bolted. I think with what we have returning it would not hurt us and it would definitely help in keeping Harris.
Posted on 8/31/16 at 11:02 am to TideSaint
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It’s not the best year for defensive backs, and that’s OK because it’s not a major position of need
I know we are deep but it still worries me. I keep seeing mock drafts and projections with Marlon top half even top ten next spring. If he has a big year like most are expecting I think MH will be gone. Also would not be surprised to see someone like T Brown go as well if he thought he could get out by the 2nd round we a solid year.
Posted on 8/31/16 at 12:53 pm to TideSaint
Speaking of in-state defensive linemen, remember this name: Coynis Miller. He is a Class of 2018 recruit from Birmingham we offered last month. He transferred to Jackson-Olin before this season and has been playing both ways. He had 3 rushing TDs on Friday at 6'4" 275 pounds.
Here are his Sophomore highlights (he played for East Lawrence in Trinity):
LINK
Here are his Sophomore highlights (he played for East Lawrence in Trinity):
LINK
Posted on 8/31/16 at 1:02 pm to TideSaint
Another meh year in-state for DTs in 2018. Miller, Porter, and Thomas are pretty much it.
Posted on 8/31/16 at 1:07 pm to CapstoneGrad06
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Another meh year in-state for DTs in 2018. Miller, Porter, and Thomas are pretty much it.
Next year's in-state class, regardless of position, is meh. We are going to have to really recruit nationally to end up with a Top 3 class.
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