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

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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 5-star linebacker Teradja Mitchell. 

Mitchell in frequent contact with Alabama

Mitchell, a 5-star prospect from Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School (Virginia Beach, Va.), has been a longtime lean to Florida State, but Alabama is hoping to change that with the nation’s No. 1 inside linebacker in the Class of 2018.

Mitchell recently released his top 11 schools and Alabama did make the cut. But, the Crimson Tide have some ground to make up in Mitchell’s recruitment. Along with Florida State, Ohio State, Clemson, LSU, Virginia Tech and Penn State are viewed as the top contenders for his services.

The 6-foot-2, 232-pound prospect told SEC Country that he’s been in contact with Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi over the past few weeks.

“It’s a school I am definitely interested in, and over the past few weeks, I’ve been developing a higher interest in them after talking to them more,” Mitchell said in an interview last month. “I’m just excited to continue building a relationship with the coaches and hopefully get a visit in soon.”

Mitchell was offered by Alabama back in February 2016, but he hasn’t visited Tuscaloosa. That’s obviously an issue when it comes to the Crimson Tide’s hopes of landing the top inside linebacker in the Class of 2018.

Pruitt and Lupoi have been selling Mitchell on becoming another cog in the Alabama machine.

“Come to ‘Bama and keep winning national championships,” Mitchell said of Alabama’s message. “At first, I was just like, ‘Yeah.’ But now I see that they are all about developing players to be top notch.

“That’s one thing I look for in a program — somewhere that can develop me into the best player I can be to help me get to the league.”

Mitchell is planning on making a commitment in either November or December.

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RUNNING BACKS - B.J. Emmons ('16) vs. Najee Harris ('17)

The skinny: Emmons, who originally committed to Georgia before re-opening his process, committed to Alabama during the summer leading up to his senior season and never wavered on his word. At the time of his commitment to the Tide, Tennessee was the school who posed the most serious threat. Despite a loaded backfield, Emmons still managed to accumulate 35 carries for 173 yards and one touchdown. It will be interesting to see how much playing time he will receive in 2017. Harris was a longtime Alabama commitment who flirted with Michigan before ultimately landing in Tuscaloosa, where he will join Emmons.

Farrell’s take: The battle of two future teammates isn’t a close one, at least when it comes to ceiling out of high school. While I liked Emmons a lot and he pushed for a fifth star at one point, Harris is the best running back I’ve seen when it comes to all the tools and facets of the game since Adrian Peterson. What’s interesting is that Emmons, with his head start in the system, could keep Harris from impacting as early as expected.

Farrell’s verdict: Harris

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