re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

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4* OT Marcus "Tank" Jenkins

Recruiting wrap: A number of schools in are in pursuit of Jenkins, including Florida, Louisville, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Performance: Jenkins injured his finger early in the day and blood was coming through his adidas gloves, but he kept competing and won some tough battles in the trenches. He has worked on his body and is improved shape, and Jenkins showed why he is one of the best in Alabama.

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WR Ramel Keyton

Recruiting wrap: Florida, Syracuse and Tennessee, among others, have offered. Florida is the early favorite.

Performance: Keyton just knows how to make plays on the ball. He has some of the most reliable hands you can find in a 2019 wide receiver. He led the state of Georgia in receiving last season and he seems to always make a great play at every event he attends. It was no different for him Sunday.

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4* OG Jalil Irvin

Recruiting wrap: Irvin is committed to Auburn.

Performance: Irvin came into the camp with a reputation for greatness and backed it up for the most part. The Auburn commit wasn’t the most effective lineman at the event, but he was certainly among the top five. He lost a rep or two, sure, but the matchups he won, he won in dominant fashion. Irvin has a wide base and boasts a devastating punch.

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Tyron hopper? @tyron_hopper 29m29 minutes ago
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Blessed and thankful to receive an offer from the University of Alabama ???? #RTR #RollTide

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New Alabama commit Pierce Quick of Hewitt-Trussville got a chance to speak with one of Alabama's top signees at the A-Day Game on Saturday.

Just six months ago, Quick was battling against James Clemens defensive end LaBryan Ray, a five-star prospect who signed with Alabama over Tennessee, Florida and others. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Quick, a four-star recruit in the class of 2019, had his moments against Ray and a talented Jets defensive line in the Huskies' region championship clinching win.

This was a few months before Quick received his first offer, but it made him feel like he could compete with the best. On Saturday, Quick committed to Alabama over Auburn and other SEC schools.

"It was more of a confidence booster than anything," Quick said of facing Ray. "I had faced some pretty decent guys, but no one like him and I knew that since I could at least hold my ground against him, I was at least getting better every week and it was a real confidence booster for me."

Quick and Ray are giants on the field and personable and respectable off it. It's no surprise that the two get along.

"He's the best defensive end I've ever faced," Quick said. "There's not even anybody close, really. He's insanely good. He's not a trash talker, really. He beats you and just goes on with it like he expects to do that. I like that. It was a tough battle and he gave everything he had and I gave everything I had and we both did good."

Alabama coaches saw Quick play last year for the first time against Bob Jones earlier in the season and Quick, a lifelong Crimson Tide fan, built a strong bond with offensive line coach Brent Key during the recruiting process. He says he's solid and won't take any more unofficial visits, but could take all of his officials. Still, that's a long way from now as Quick can't sign until the 2019 recruits are able.

Quick went into detail on his Alabama commitment with AL.com on Sunday.

What's it like being committed publicly now?

"I'm not even going to lie, waking up this morning and being an Alabama commit is one of the best feelings ever. It really is a dream come true."

How did the commitment process go?

"I told (offensive line) Coach (Brent) Key earlier this week that I wanted to talk to coach (Nick Saban) and I was going to commit, and then I told Coach Saban yesterday when I met with him. They were really excited and t old me they were happy to have me on board. Coach Key was especially excited because he had been recruiting me so hard. Coach Saban told me he's really happy to have me but he me know what I was committing to, the process, four quarters, offseason, all of that stuff."

Was that daunting in any way?

"No sir, that just got me more excited and ready to get there."

What's your relationship like with Coach Key?

"Coach Key makes sure to stay in contact with you. He makes sure that whatever happens, he will never lose contact with you. All of his guys will tell you that. The 2018 guys, he texts them every day. Obviously he can't text me, but he makes sure somehow to get a way for me to call him at least three times a week. He's cool, honestly. He's just a fun guy to be around and a great coach."

What do the Alabama coaches like about you?

"They always tell me how they like my long arms and the length of my arms. They tell me to stay at the weight that I am because they like how athletic I am as an offensive lineman at the weight that I'm at. They like my character and how I finish all my blocks and I play till the whistle blows."

How does your personality change from off the field to between the lines?

"I flip that switch in the game and in a game, I'm a totally different guy. I'm not going to lie - I'm mean and I get down and dirty."

At the game after you committed, do you get started targeting any other prospects?

"Not a target, but a guy that's already committed (in the 2019 class) was Trey (Sanders). That was my first time getting to meet him and it was cool to meet him. (Oxford 2019 lineman) Clay Webb wasn't there, but I'm targeting him. Really, anyone who I saw that was there, I was telling them what the right choice is."

Any other names you want to throw out there?

"I'm trying to get (Jackson-Olin defensive end) Coynis Miller on board. I'm trying to get (St. Clair County defensive tackle) Jalen Cunningham and I'm trying to get a lot of 2018 guys right now because that class is a little bit lower."

Did you let any other schools know before you announced your commitment?

"Auburn was the only school that I talked to before. They were the No. 2 school and they really were a close school and I loved Auburn, but I felt Alabama was the best fit for me and the best school, and growing up a fan of Alabama and getting to fulfill that dream, it just felt right."

What made you decide that now, two years before you graduate, is the time to commit?

"I just felt like it was the right time. I visited so many schools and seeing everything and I didn't feel like there was anywhere better than Alabama. Honestly, I want to try and make my class the best class that Coach Saban has ever got so committing this early can help me go ahead and start recruiting for my class."

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It was a big recruiting weekend for Alabama, even if it resulted in just one commitment. Hewitt-Trussville four-star 2019 offensive tackle Pierce Quick became Alabama's second commitment for that class, joining IMG Academy running back Trey Sanders. Sanders was also at the A-Day game.

Here are some other top 2018 recruits who made the trip to Tuscaloosa. Most of these prospects already have Alabama offers. This is not a complete list. Several key 2019 players also attended.

* Pleasant Grove four-star safety Myles Mason

* Austin (Decatur) four-star running back Asa Martin, who earned an Alabama offer

This one for you ma !![?]Blessed to receive an offer from The University of Alabama #RollTide pic.twitter.com/XASpjWbACa
-- 2[?]0[?] (@TheAsaMartin_) April 22, 2017

* Columbia, S.C., four-star linebacker Channing Tindall, who earned an Alabama offer

* Valdosta, Ga., four-star linebacker Zacoby McClain

* Mobile Christian four-star defensive end Andres Fox

My Bro Is About That Action. @iam__mw3o pic.twitter.com/ZsIknBYh5d
-- Andres Fox (@AndresLFox9) April 23, 2017

* Lee-Montgomery linebacker Kevontae Ruggs

* Tallahassee, Fla., four-star linebacker Amari Gainer

* Roswell, Ga., four-star TE/DE Tyneil Hopper

* Jackson-Olin four-star DL Coynis Miller

* Corvalis, Ore., four-star ATH Talanoa Hufanga (earned Alabama offer)

* Memphis, Tenn., four-star DE/OLB Jordan Davis (Alabama commit)

#Future18[?] @zayborghini_6 @6sixGod_ pic.twitter.com/I6yMnH2aPg
-- Jordan Davis!![?] (@jlpdavis99) April 22, 2017

* Miami, Fla., four-star WR Xavier Williams (Alabama commit)

* Cordele, Ga., four-star LB Quay Walker

* Alpharetta, Ga., four-star DB Jaycee Horn

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With the NFL Draft starting this Thursday, it’s always fun to look back in recent history to see trends. In our NFL Draft series, we’ll look at a few different aspects of the first round. Today, we look at the schools that have produced the most first-rounders recently. This is obviously a great recruiting tool and it’s no surprise to see that since 2011, Alabama has clearly been the leader.

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Five-star Micah Parsons had been committed to Penn State since February of last year, but the Harrisburg, Pa. star announced Sunday night that he has decided to open up his recruitment.

IN HIS OWN WORDS...

"I decommitted right before the summer because I just feel like I need to take this offseason to focus on football, my senior year, and making sure I make the right decision," Parsons said. "I took a lot of visits and a lot of people are shaming me for it and I just think I may have committed a little too early. I'm going to take the full experience to make sure I make the right decision.

"I felt like my visit to Penn State this weekend went amazing," he said. "Everything was good for me but at the end of the day it came down to family. I talked to coach Franklin in person there and over the phone today and thought this would be the best decision for right now. They're still my top school right now but I fell like I need to focus on other things right now.

"My plan right now is getting ready for the SAT, focusing on school, getting bigger, and getting ready for the Rivals Camp," said Parsons. "I think I'll take a family visit up to Penn State. Coach Franklin said he wants me to bring my whole family up there to talk to him. I'm pretty sure I'll be at the Lasch Bash too. I think I'll also go to Friday Night Lights at Ohio State. My Dad and I will probably make a trip to Alabama and Florida State. I think I'll commit on Signing Day or before the first signing period."

RIVALS' REACTION

Parsons has taken a number of visits over the past couple months and many people have been wondering if Parsons would eventually sign with Penn State on Signing Day. Ohio State emerged as the biggest contender to pull Parsons away from Penn State and he even named his new dog after Brutus, the Ohio State mascot.

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