re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition

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Allan Walters – Quarterback – Class of 2018

Allan Walters is one of the top quarterback recruits in the country for 2018, and through two games at The Peddie School, he has backed up that lofty ranking, with two huge games in back to back weeks. Walters has shown improved arm strength and decision making this year, looking comfortable in the new offense.

According to Walters, he has no leaders at this time, but Rutgers is recruiting him the hardest, followed by Missouri, Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, West Virginia, Ole Miss, and Alabama in no particular order.

With regards to Rutgers, Coach Mehringer and Coach Ash are the primary recruiters for Walters, and he said he has built a great relationship with them.

“Coach Mehringer and I talk a lot,” he told Rutgers247. “I have a great relationship with him and I am really comfortable with him and the rest of the coaches.”

Walters is very clear on what he is looking for in his college of choice. “I am looking for a great business school, good relationships with the coaches, and feeling comfortable with the university as a whole.”

One thing that he isn’t clear on is whether or not he wants to play in a pro-style offense or a spread offense, as his skillset can fit either offense well.

Talking more about Rutgers, Walters said, “I love how it is close to home and I love the new staff.”

Like Jahan Dotson mentioned yesterday in part one of the article, Walters echoed the idea that the two may be a package deal and try and play in college together.

“Jahan and I talk a lot about playing together at the next level,” he said. “It is something we are strongly considering and we have already talked about schools where we could do that.”

Right now, Walters does not have a timeline for his decision and the only visit he has planned is to be at Rutgers for the game versus Iowa this weekend.

Coach Maello’s Take: “Allan is absolutely wide open right now. On the field, he is capable of playing in a pro style or a power spread offense. He is deceptively athletic. He probably runs in the 4.7 range and when he takes off he moves well. We don’t have a ton of designed runs for him in our offense but if we wanted to, we feel really confident that he could do that. He had 56 rushing yards in week one and really showed his athleticism in that game. In the past year, he’s made such improvement in his footwork and mechanics and has allowed his game to take off to the next level. He’s a tremendously hard worker and a great leader.”

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Townsend says two other SEC schools are pursuing harder

Chadarius Townsend grew up wanting to play for Alabama. When asked what it means to him that he can call himself an Alabama commit, Townsend said he achieved one of his biggest goals.

Townsend, a 4-star athlete from Tanner (Ala.) High School, is still interested in other schools, though. Florida and Mississippi State are recruiting Townsend harder than Alabama at this time.

“They both keep in contact with me,” Townsend said. “Mississippi State probably keeps in touch with me a little more. It’s pretty much daily communication. I get messages and calls from both schools almost every day.”

It’s not Mississippi State that Alabama should worry about when it comes to Townsend sticking with his commitment. It’s Florida. There is definitely sincere interest from Townsend in the Gators. When asked what his interest level in Florida was, Townsend avoided the question.

“I’m solid with Alabama. That’s all I can say,” Townsend said with a nervous laugh. “You can’t go wrong with them. I know once I get down there that I’m going to have to work hard for a starting position.”

Both Florida and Alabama will get official visits from Townsend, although no date for either trip has been set up just yet. He will be at Alabama this weekend for the team’s game against Kent State, where I’m sure the coaching staff will get a better understanding of where Townsend stands with his recruitment.

He did say that he is 100 percent committed but is still listening to other schools. He also said that he will try to take all five official visits if other schools want to host him. In lots of cases, when commits take additional visits elsewhere, it’s because they just want to experience other schools’ game-day atmosphere and just want a free trip. I do not think it’s the case with Townsend.

Though he would not admit it, you can hear it in his voice that he is a bit disappointed that Alabama has not been in contact with him as often as Florida and Mississippi State. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is Townsend’s primary recruiter, and the coach isn’t the best when it comes to keeping in touch with recruits. Several recruits who have Kiffin as their primary recruiter have told SEC Country that they don’t hear much from Kiffin.

“I guess since the games have started, the coaches are more busy,” Townsend said. “It’s not as often as the summer. I don’t really think about it too much, honestly. I’m just trying to get my mind right and just get ready for the next level, so I don’t really think that much about them not being in contact.”

Alabama definitely wants the 6-foot, 183-pound prospect despite its lack of communication with Townsend. He is one of the fastest recruits in the Class of 2017 as he’s been clocked at 4.40 consistently in the 40-yard dash .

Even though Townsend plays quarterback for Tanner High School, he will make a position change when he gets to college. Alabama defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley would like to have him at corner and wide receivers coach Billy Napier wants Townsend in his position group.

The Tide staff is recruiting Townsend as an athlete and have given him the opportunity to choose whichever position he’d like when he gets to college.

“This is my first year playing cornerback,” Townsend said. “I haven’t played receiver in a game, obviously, but over the summer I really loved running routes. It’s kind of hard to actually say (which position I like better), but I’m really loving corner. I just have to work at it more.”

Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins is Townsend’s primary recruiter and he wants him to play corner for the Gators. Mississippi State, like Alabama, is recruiting him as an athlete.

It’s going to be hard for either school to flip Townsend considering he’s grown up an Alabama fan and his high school coach, LaRon White, played for the Crimson Tide from 1992-96. White’s office is littered with Tide memorabilia.

One thing is certain, though, Townsend is listening to other schools and Alabama needs to pick up its recruitment of him to make sure it doesn’t lose the explosive athlete.

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