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

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Four-star wideout Mark Pope, the nation’s No. 14 wide receiver in the 2018 class by 247Sports, said Alabama still leads with Miami second and Florida third. Pope plans to visit all three programs next spring before making a summer decision.

The Crystal Ball reads 100-percent for Alabama, where he almost publicly committed to last summer.

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 If LSu plays well down the stretch and Orgeron is retained, I think Moses signs with LSU. If they go in another direction, there may not be enough time for him to get acclimated with a new staff before he enrolls in January. 

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Williams has Alabama on top 

The nation’s No. 2 athlete in the Class of 2018, Xavier Williams, raised some eyebrows on Wednesday after he tweeted at Alabama quarterback commit Tua Tagovailoa that the Hawaiian standout will be throwing him touchdown passes soon.

As it turns out, Williams told SEC Country that Alabama is his leader.

“That’s the only staff I can honestly say that I talk to every day, faithfully,” Williams said. “Me and (Alabama wide receivers coach Billy) Napier talk every day. They also talk to my parents because they’re just as important in this process as I am. They’re really showing me love.”

The 4-star wide receiver from Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) said Miami and Florida are showing lots of interest in him, too, but those two programs are not doing it as well as Alabama is.

“It’s really anyone’s game, but Alabama is really winning the battle right about now,” Williams said. “I’m a blessed kid with over 30 offers, and out of the rest of those schools battling for me, Alabama is making me a priority. Miami has told me that, but Alabama is actually showing me I’m a priority for them.”

Williams is trying to make it to one of Alabama’s home games before the season ends, but his high school team is gearing up for the playoffs, so it’s looking difficult for the top-1o0 prospect to make it to Tuscaloosa.

Even without trekking to Alabama recently, Williams has been impressed with what he’s seen out of the Crimson Tide this season, especially the freshmen who have made an impact.

“Everyone claims Alabama doesn’t play freshmen, but they have freshmen on the field making plays for them,” Williams said. “That’s the big deal in my recruitment — playing early alongside receiving a great education.”

The 6-foot, 180-pound prospect is rated as the state of Florida’s No. 14 prospect in the Class of 2018.

He is planning on making a commitment next spring or sum

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Who is going to be the next to commit?

From (@JackIke16)

Alabama picked up a commitment last Sunday from 3-star tight end Major Tennison, and of course one of the first questions I received from Tide fans was, well, who’s next?

My pick for the next to commit to Alabama is 4-star defensive lineman Elijah Conliffe. Like Tennison, Conliffe was on commitment watch last weekend when he visited for the Texas A&M game, but as I said, it was more probable he’d hold off on committing while in Tuscaloosa because he’s announcing his decision via commitment video from Bleacher Report.

Conliffe told SEC Country this week that Alabama is still his top school, and a decision could be coming at any time. His mother, Kachelle Brown, also said her son has her blessing if he wanted to commit to Alabama.

“I would be comfortable if he went there,” Brown said. “I really liked the atmosphere, and I feel like he could grow there and learn a lot of things. I think he has a lot to bring to the team as well. I think they could benefit from him being there. I also think Elijah could benefit from going there and getting his degree.”

The Tide only have one defensive line commitment in 4-star prospect Akial Byers. I think Conliffe is going to be the second.

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Is Devon Hunter a legitimate possibility? 

From (@OneOneSix_116_)

Safety is one of the biggest needs for Alabama in the Class of 2017, but it happens to be the hardest position to project at this time because there’s no clear definitive prospect who has Alabama on top.

Hunter, a 4-star safety from Virginia, is one of the handful of safeties Alabama is looking at, but the Tide are on the outside looking in when it comes to which schools he’s considering. Florida, Virginia Tech and possibly North Carolina have better chances with Hunter than Alabama.

He recently talked to SEC Country about what he likes from the Gators.

“It’s amazing how those guys are playing,” Hunter said last week. “I’ve been watching them and they’re aggressive. They’re just making plays out there and getting turnovers. That’s why they call Florida ‘DBU.’ Coach (Torrian) Gray has those guys putting on a show. I love it a lot.”

Hunter is expected to take an official visit to Alabama for the Iron Bowl, but I do not expect him in the Tide’s class as of this time. If he does make it to Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl, I think Alabama’s chances will increase.

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