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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 2/21/17 at 8:46 am to TideSaint
Posted on 2/21/17 at 8:46 am to TideSaint
Why one elite prospect nearly cried when Alabama offered, Lupoi’s California roots helping with top CB and more | SEC Country
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Welcome to SEC Country’s daily Roll Tide-ings, a rundown of everything happening in Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting with Chris Kirschner. Today, we discuss the latest with IMG Academy prospects Brendan “Bookie” Radley-Hiles and Reuben Unije.
Tears were almost shed when elite OL was offered by Alabama
When Reuben Unije visited Tuscaloosa last summer, he didn’t expect to leave with a scholarship offer. It wasn’t that he performed poorly at Nick Saban’s summer camp, but another elite offensive lineman in the Class of 2017 left without an offer, which was a surprise to Unije.
Unije, a 4-star prospect from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), thought there was no way he’d get an offer because he was a junior and there still was more than a year and a half to go until National Signing Day 2018. But he got one and it totally caught him off guard.
“I almost cried. It was just a really surreal moment for me,” Unije told SEC Country at the Orlando Opening regional. “Nick Saban brought me to his office, and the guy who was in there before me was older than me, in last year’s class, ranked highly, and he didn’t get offered. I came in and I didn’t think I was getting an offer because the other guy didn’t. Saban told me that he usually doesn’t offer guys that early, so I was just like, ‘Damn. My hard work is really paying off.’ It’s the best school you can get an offer from. I almost shed a tear.”
Reuben Unije transferred to IMG Academy from Johns Creek, Ga. Georgia, surprisingly, has not offered him a scholarship.
Because Alabama got in the mix early for Unije, the Crimson Tide are one of the main teams he’s strongly considering at this point in his recruitment. Unije mentioned Florida, South Carolina, UCLA, Penn State, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech as schools that have captured his attention.
Unije was named the Orlando Opening Regional Offensive Line MVP. He didn’t lose one rep this past Sunday, and that was against some top competition on the defensive line. He was invited to The Opening Finals this summer, which are held at Nike’s headquarters in Oregon.
The nation’s No. 16 offensive tackle said he’s trying to make it to Tuscaloosa this weekend for Alabama’s junior day. As of now, the Crimson Tide are in good position for Unije when it comes time to make a decision.
“Alabama is one of my top schools,” Unije said. “I mess with them heavily. They’re one of the schools who has been recruiting me strongly early in my process.”
Along with Alabama, Unije is hoping to check out Florida, South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Florida State and Southern California this spring and summer.
Those trips are going to be important because Unije isn’t taking his recruitment to signing day because he will graduate early from IMG Academy and begin his college career in January. He doesn’t know when he’ll commit just yet, but he did say that the visits he takes are going to be a very important factor in his recruitment because he needs to get that family feel at the school he ultimately picks.
Alabama offensive line coach Brent Key, Unije says, has done an excellent job at building a relationship with the 6-foot-5, 303-pound prospect thus far. Unije said Key has told him that he is one of the top offensive line priorities in the Class of 2018.
More importantly, Key has separated himself from other coaches by taking a keen interest in not only watching Unije’s film but also giving him pointers on how he can improve this season at IMG.
“I like him a lot. He’s really energetic,” Unije said of Key. “He’s one of the first coaches who watched my film. He gave me feedback on what I need to do better after watching it. I like that out of a coach. He’s already helping me, even though I’m not even on campus.”
Expect Alabama to be a finalist when Unije gets ready to make a commitment. The earlier he does decide on a school, the better it will be for that program. Unije has the personality that other recruits will rally around.
“If they keep up what they’re doing, then Alabama will most likely be in it until the end,” Unije said.
This post was edited on 2/21/17 at 8:49 am
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Posted on 2/21/17 at 8:51 am to TidalSurge1
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Lupoi’s West Coast ties helping with elite DB
Alabama outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi is originally from California. This past November when I went out to Antioch, Calif., Najee Harris’ hometown, I spoke with several coaches and players and all of them mentioned how Lupoi’s ability to connect with West Coast kids comes naturally to him. It’s one of the main reasons why Lupoi got Harris to stick with his commitment and why he helped convince a Hawaiian quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa to commit to Alabama.
There are several California prospects who Alabama is interested in the Class of 2018, and one of them is 4-star defensive back Brendan Radley-Hiles. Radley-Hiles is from Calabasas, Calif., but he ended up transferring to IMG Academy, like Unije, for his senior season.
Brendan Radley-Hiles is only 5-foot-9, so it will be interesting to see if Alabama strongly pursues him throughout his recruitment because the team usually focuses on taller defensive backs.
Alabama, along with Florida State, Nebraska, UCLA and Texas, were the schools “Bookie,” as he’s better known as, mentioned the schools that were coming after him the hardest. The Crimson Tide’s recruiting efforts are led by Lupoi, who has established himself as one of the best recruiters in college football.
“It’s really Tosh Lupoi. I talk to him the most,” Radley-Hiles told DawgNation/SEC Country”s Jeff Sentell. “That’s my guy right there. We’ve had a great relationship since I visited Alabama (this past summer). He told me that he wants me there this upcoming weekend, actually. I proved myself there and got my offer (at camp), (Lupoi) wants me to come back and show them once again why I should be there.”
If Radley-Hiles does end up committing to Alabama, he would be an anomaly in the secondary. It’s well-known that Saban loves taller prospects in the secondary. Radley-Hiles only stands at 5-foot-9 and weighs 183 pounds. There is currently no one on the Tide’s two-deep depth chart at defensive back who is shorter than 5-foot-11.
Make no mistake about it, though, Radley-Hiles is a ballplayer. He was named the defensive back MVP at the Orlando Opening Regional Camp and got invited to the Opening Finals this summer like his IMG teammate Reuben Unije.
Radley-Hiles reminds me a lot of Jamyest Williams, who signed with South Carolina in the Class of 2017. Both prospects are shorter in size, but it doesn’t make them any less talented than their defensive back counterparts.
“That’s my boy,” Radley-Hiles said of Williams. “Jamyest and I talk a lot. I have spoken to his dad a few times. We both have that ‘dog’ in us. We look at Tyrann Mathieu a lot as a comparison and an inspiration. That height doesn’t really matter when you play with all your heart.”
The 4-star prospect will announce his commitment on July 31 to honor his brother, whom he lost when he was younger. That’s where he gets the nickname “Bookie” from.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 8:53 am to TidalSurge1
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5-star RB has Alabama in top 4
Zamir White is the truth. Much like Harris and Cam Akers in the Class of 2017, White is that dude in the Class of 2018.
White, a 5-star prospect from Scotland County High School (Laurinburg, N.C.), released his top 4 on Monday night, and Alabama made the cut along with Georgia, Clemson and North Carolina. The Tigers and Bulldogs are White’s co-leaders.
Georgia is surely the team trending at the moment for White. The North Carolina native has been to Athens twice in the past three weeks. That’s significant for a player who lives around 300 miles from Georgia.
White has visited Alabama multiple times before but hasn’t been back to Tuscaloosa since October. He is expected to be back at some point this spring or summer, but the Tide have some catching up to do.
Alabama does have a commitment from 4-star running back Dameon Pierce in the Class of 2018 but would take White with zero hesitation if he wanted in. Running back is not a priority for Alabama this year because four of the team’s tailbacks are either a sophomore or freshman.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 9:28 am to TidalSurge1
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If Radley-Hiles does end up committing to Alabama, he would be an anomaly in the secondary. It’s well-known that Saban loves taller prospects in the secondary.
While this is true, 2 of Saban's favorite CBs were Javy and Cyrus.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 10:06 am to TidalSurge1
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Alabama extended an offer to three-star defensive end Vernon Jackson on Monday night, the Boling (Texas) product announced on Twitter.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder doubles as a dual-threat quarterback, rushing for 2,072 yards and 33 touchdowns, as well as passing for 836 yards and six additional scores last season.
Jackson is rated the No. 16 strong-side defensive end and the No. 445 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
Other schools involved include LSU, Oklahoma and Ole Miss.
Vernon Jackson Highlights
Posted on 2/21/17 at 10:11 am to TidalSurge1
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5-star RB has Alabama in top 4
Zamir White is the truth. Much like Harris and Cam Akers in the Class of 2017, White is that dude in the Class of 2018.
White, a 5-star prospect from Scotland County High School (Laurinburg, N.C.), released his top 4 on Monday night, and Alabama made the cut along with Georgia, Clemson and North Carolina. The Tigers and Bulldogs are White’s co-leaders.
Georgia is surely the team trending at the moment for White.
Georgia has been getting a ton of CBs for him lately.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 10:17 am to TideSaint
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Georgia has been getting a ton of CBs for him lately.
With Chubb and Michel gone after next season vs our loaded RB roster and UGA being closer to home, they'll be tough to beat for him.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 10:23 am to TidalSurge1
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With Chubb and Michel gone after next season vs our loaded RB roster and UGA being closer to home, they'll be tough to beat for him.
I wouldn't mind missing on White as long as we land Tavion Thomas. He was the top performer at the Best of the Midwest Combine in Indianapolis yesterday:
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Top running back: Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar four-star running back Tavion Thomas brings great size to the position, was fluid in drills, blocked extremely well and had some eye-popping plays as a pass catcher. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Thomas visits Alabama this weekend and besides the Crimson Tide is high on his offers from Ohio State, Wisconsin and West Virginia. The Buckeyes are the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 10:27 am to TideSaint
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I wouldn't mind missing on White as long as we land Tavion Thomas.
I agree
Posted on 2/21/17 at 10:43 am to TidalSurge1
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INDIANAPOLIS – The eighth year of the Best of the Midwest Combine featured top prospects living up to their high billing, newcomers making names for themselves as well as a pair of Big Ten four-star commits taking visits to other schools.
LINK
Posted on 2/21/17 at 10:44 am to TideSaint
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Top Five
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Tavion Thomas
Although his junior season ended three months ago, Thomas’ film is apparently just making the rounds because his offer list has nearly doubled in the last week with big-name programs like Alabama, Michigan and Ohio State making a move. He wants to play running back in college and that is where he worked out Monday, coming away with position MVP honors. Although we did not see a lot of it on junior film, Thomas was surprisingly smooth catching the football and running routes. He also proved his competitiveness during the one-on-one blocking drills with linebackers, driving several guys out of the play and showing a high motor.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 10:45 am to TideSaint
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News and Notes
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... Three-star athlete Tavion Thomas, Scates’ teammate at Dayton Dunbar, is one of the hottest Midwest prospects over the last week. He just came away from a visit to Ohio State over the weekend where he received an offer from the Buckeyes, then picked another offer up from their rival Michigan following Monday’s camp. After this weekend’s upcoming visit to Alabama, Thomas wants to get out and see Georgia, Iowa and Rutgers in-person. It was obvious in talking with him that the offer from the in-state Buckeyes wowed him, but Thomas said he wants to take his time and make sure he gets to know the schools before he makes his college decision.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 10:46 am to TideSaint
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1. ALABAMA
This class: Isaiah Buggs (five-star), LaBryan Ray (four-star)
Analysis: It's not a big surprise that Alabama tops this list. The Crimson Tide's defensive front year in and year out is one of the best in the country and they've certainly reloaded with his 2017 class. Buggs is a versatile defensive lineman from the junior college ranks that is ideally suited for Alabama's 3-4 front. He has the size to hold up against the run and bump down to the inside if needed but also the athleticism to hold the edge. Ray is a similar type of player that is more athletic but not as physically mature.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 1:13 pm to TideSaint
This is from Boz
Macsiah is bringin' it
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So far Mac Jones looks better than Tua so I'm hearing.
Macsiah is bringin' it
Posted on 2/21/17 at 1:44 pm to Cobrasize
He's only been on campus a week.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 1:55 pm to TideSaint
I thought about that, but I figured this would stir folks up. Mac looks thinner than AJ was Posted on 2/21/17 at 4:11 pm to Cobrasize
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Alabama extended a Tuesday offer to four-star safety and Texas A&M commit Jordan Moore of Yoakum (Texas), he announced on Twitter.
Moore is the twin brother of four-star receiver and IMG Academy product Joshua Moore, who the Crimson Tide offered late last month.
The 6-foot, 173-pound safety committed to the Aggies on Christmas Eve over Texas, among others.
Recently, Moore has seen a number of offers come his way, including Florida and Oregon.
Last season, Moore compiled 54 tackles and 11 interceptions, of which he returned five for touchdowns.
Moore is rated the No. 23 safety and the No. 273 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
Jordan Moore Highlights
Posted on 2/22/17 at 10:08 am to TideSaint
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Alabama has extended an offer to three-star offensive tackle Jerome Carvin on Tuesday night, he announced on Twitter.
The Cordova (Tenn.) product has seen a number of new offers come his way this month including Tennessee, South Carolina and Mississippi State.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder visited Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl in November.
Carvin is rated the No. 78 offensive tackle and the No. 931 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
Currently, the 247Sports Crystal Ball reads 50-50 between Kentucky and Tennessee.
Jerome Carvin Highlights
Posted on 2/22/17 at 11:40 am to TideSaint
Sanders remains 100 percent committed to Alabama | SEC Country
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In this new age of recruiting where it seems like the majority of recruits will de-commit from a program at least once before signing with their school of choice, 5-star Alabama commit Trey Sanders is hoping to buck that trend.
Sanders, the nation’s No. 1 overall athlete in the Class of 2019 from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), has been committed to the Crimson Tide since last A-Day and hasn’t once thought about changing his mind. He has visited other schools, though, but it hasn’t made him reconsider his choice.
“I am 100 percent committed to Alabama, but I am still taking my visits, though,” Sanders told SEC Country at the Orlando Opening regional. “Alabama is a great program with a great atmosphere. Everything about Alabama is just all football. That’s where I want to be.”
One of those schools he just visited was Miami — a school he grew up having negative feelings toward. The Hurricanes offered Sanders a scholarship this past weekend while on campus, and it’s a team he’s high on now.
“My parents grew up Florida State fans, so they always told me that I would never go to Miami,” Sanders said with a laugh. “I’ve had bad thoughts in my head about Miami since then, but when I got there, I thought differently. Miami is a great place. They’re building a great program. It’s paradise there.”
While that sure is a rosy quote for another school, Sanders didn’t get that feeling he got in Tuscaloosa last April when he committed to the Tide. He still feels like Alabama is the school that is recruiting him the strongest. He tries to talk at least once per week with Nick Saban and his primary recruiter, offensive line coach Brent Key.
The 5-star prospect will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend for Alabama’s junior day. While Miami opened his eyes a bit, Sanders still believes Tuscaloosa will be where he spends his college days.
“Alabama is still the place for me. It’s still home,” Sanders said. “Last year, when I was at A-Day, I talked to my parents about it and told them that I loved the place. I just knew Alabama was the place for me.
“When I walked out on the field for A-Day and I saw the crowd, I got chills. It’s just a huge stadium and the entire crowd was just cheering.”
This post was edited on 2/22/17 at 11:41 am
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