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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 4/21/17 at 2:32 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 4/21/17 at 2:32 pm to TideSaint
quote:
as long as Nick Saban is in charge.
Hate this kind of thinking. He is wonderful. I'm thankful for what he's done, is doing, and will do. That said, when he retires in a few years it isn't as if Bama is going to fall off the map. They'll still be a top 5 all time program, top 5 current job, and top 5 future. It will be attractive to coaches and we won't struggle to find a capable coach. Hell, Les Miles maintained what Saban built at LSU for 6+ before the decline and he's a functional moron.
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Posted on 4/21/17 at 4:07 pm to bamasgot13
quote:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The end is near on the weeklong SEC Country road trip through the state of Alabama.
We’ve hit all the main hubs of the state: Auburn, Montgomery, Huntsville and Birmingham. We even stepped outside the Yellowhammer State to swing through Pensacola, Fla., to see top Auburn and Alabama target Jacob Copeland.
The only primary perimeter we didn’t reach was the Tuscaloosa area, which was by design because Alabama recruiting reporter Chris Kirschner will head that way following this trip for Alabama’s spring game. That leaves us with 1 more day on the road to see the remaining 3 prospects we’re scheduled to see — Taulia Tagovailoa, Jalen Cunningham and Clay Webb.
LINK
Posted on 4/21/17 at 9:54 pm to TideSaint
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First offer of the weekend out to 2019 4-star WR Trey Palmer of Kentwood (La.). If the high school sounds familiar that's because Alabama frosh DB Shyheim Carter went there.
Trey Palmer Highlights
Posted on 4/21/17 at 9:56 pm to TideSaint
Four-star OT Reuben Unije tweeted he'd be at Tennessee this weekend instead of Alabama.
Posted on 4/21/17 at 9:59 pm to TideSaint
Another offer out tonight, this one to a 2018 4-star OLB from South Carolina:
Channing Tindall Highlights
Channing Tindall Highlights
Posted on 4/21/17 at 10:08 pm to TideSaint
quote:
OXFORD, Ala. — Our weeklong recruiting journey across the state of Alabama has come to a close.
It was quite a week.
We made it to a dozen high schools throughout the Yellowhammer State — including a brief excursion to Pensacola, Fla. It allowed Alabama recruiting reporter Chris Kirschner and me to speak with some of the top 2018 and 2019 college football prospects across the state, which resulted in plenty of Alabama and Auburn scoops.
The final trek of the journey took us to see 3 prospects: 2019 dual-threat quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, 2018 defensive tackle Jalen Cunningham and 2019 offensive lineman Clay Webb.
Here are the quick-hit items from those interviews. Check back later for more in-depth updates from these visits.
LINK
Posted on 4/21/17 at 10:10 pm to TideSaint
quote:
4-star 2019 QB Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson
Kirschner: Tagovailoa and his family moved to Alabama from Hawaii about 3 weeks ago. He’s getting acclimated to Thompson High in Alabaster, Ala., and his new life on the mainland.
With his obvious connection to Alabama via his older brother Tua, the Crimson Tide have a clear advantage. Taulia and Tua are close, and Taulia would like the opportunity to follow in his older brother’s footsteps. When he received an Alabama offer last year, Taulia wanted to commit on the spot. His family told him he should hold off because he was too young at the time.
Now that he’s in Alabama, Taulia can visit Tuscaloosa, develop better relationships with the staff and perhaps become the next Tagovailoa at quarterback for Alabama. He planned to attend A-Day.
Wolk: The charming Tagovailoa smile Crimson Tide fans have grown to love with early enrollee quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can now be found just south of Birmingham, where younger brother Taulia Tagovailoa is the new quarterback at Thompson High. Taulia is new to the state — his family recently moved from Honolulu — but he has quickly fallen in love with the area, his coaches and teammates.
Taulia will likely become a big-time prospect in the coming months as programs are able to evaluate him more thoroughly, thanks to proximity. It stands to reason that Taulia will land at Alabama with his brother, but it’s really too early to call at this point. Taulia has taken a hands-off approach with his recruitment, letting his father focus on conversations with college coaches.
Posted on 4/21/17 at 10:11 pm to TideSaint
Who the hell does Alabama take in 2019 at QB?
Posted on 4/21/17 at 10:11 pm to TideSaint
quote:
3-star DT Jalen Cunningham, St. Clair County
Kirschner: Cunningham is a big-time Alabama fan. His license plate on the front of his car is the Alabama logo. On the back of his car, there’s another Alabama logo. His lanyard for his keys is Alabama-themed.
The Crimson Tide lead for Cunningham, and they have since they day he got offered. A 6-foot-5, 360-pound prospect, Cunningham is doing his due diligence, though, and putting aside his Alabama fandom to see if there’s another program that can match what Alabama has to offer. It would come as a major surprise if he ended up committing to anywhere other than Alabama. He would like to make a decision before his senior season begins this fall at St. Clair County High in Odenville, Ala.
Wolk: When Cunningham released a top 5 last week, Auburn wasn’t on the list. That’s because, at the time, Cunningham believed he hadn’t yet been offered by the Tigers. Cunningham attended Auburn’s junior day earlier this spring and left without an offer, or so he thought.
Last week, Gus Malzahn and Rodney Garner gave Cunningham a call to inform him that he did, in fact, have an Auburn offer. Cunningham said Friday that the Auburn offer will restructure his top 5. He’ll likely release an updated version of that list over the weekend. Still, Alabama remains the team to beat with Ole Miss at No. 2. There are a few programs — LSU especially — Cunningham hopes to receive offers from this spring.
An LSU offer could cause a major shakeup for Cunningham. Regarding Auburn, Cunningham said Garner wants to evaluate him a little more. Garner told him that he would be at St. Clair County’s first spring practice May 1 to continue that evaluation.
Posted on 4/21/17 at 10:13 pm to TideSaint
quote:
First offer of the weekend out to 2019 4-star WR Trey Palmer of Kentwood (La.). If the high school sounds familiar that's because Alabama frosh DB Shyheim Carter went there.
Tangipahoa Parish has some talent.
Posted on 4/21/17 at 10:13 pm to TideSaint
quote:
5-star 2019 OL Clay Webb, Oxford
Kirschner: Webb’s recruitment is shaping up to be an Iron Bowl battle. Webb’s relationship with offensive line coach Brent Key gives Alabama an advantage. Of coaches he communicates with, Webb said, Key is recruiting him the hardest. Webb also sees some of himself in Key, which he says is important.
With both of the in-state schools, Webb said he’s had feelings of wanting to commit. Like Cunningham, though, Webb wants to visit schools outside the state to see if they can match his feelings at Alabama and Auburn. If any school outside the state of Alabama has a slight chance to get his commitment, it would be Georgia. Webb’s uncle attended Georgia, and he jokes with Webb often about how he wants to see his nephew in a Bulldogs uniform. Webb planned to be in Athens for Georgia’s spring game.
But when it comes time to make a decision, the in-state schools will be the likely finalists. Of note: Webb would like to play with 2019 4-star tackle Pierce Quick, who will likely choose Alabama.
Wolk: For a while now, Webb has said he likely would not leave the state of Alabama. Auburn and Alabama remain the primary suitors, but Georgia could enter the equation if the Bulldogs have a successful G-Day visit. Webb planned to attend Georgia’s spring game instead of Alabama’s because of a conversation with Georgia offensive line coach Sam Pittman.
Webb said his closest relationship is with Alabama offensive line coach Brent Key, but he also has a strong connection with Auburn offensive line coach Herb Hand. Those relationships, he said, will make it difficult to differentiate between the schools. Webb also mentioned his close relationship with Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner, who is the only non-offensive line coach to be a major player in Webb’s recruitment.
Posted on 4/21/17 at 10:18 pm to TideSaint
quote:
It was a busy week for mammoth offensive tackle Tommy Brown as the athlete spent two days checking out the Alabama Crimson Tide.
It's already been well documented that Brown has strong ties to the Tide program. His father was on the track team years ago and he has visited the school several times. If the Tide were to offer Brown, they would tough to beat and the tackle spent a couple of days on campus earlier in the week.
"I was there Tuesday and Wednesday with a couple of my teammates (J.T. Daniels, Solomon Tuliaupupu)," Brown said. "On Tuesday, we got to campus around 10:30, sat in some meetings, toured the campus and then watched the team practice. We all met individually with coach (Nick) Saban and I also got to sit on on the offensive line team meetings.
"On Wednesday, I spent the whole day with coach (Brent) Key (OL coach). It was cool, we watched a lot of film together, my film and tape of the Bama offensive line. When we watched my film, it was mostly the bad plays and he would ask me what I did wrong and how I could fix it. Then he had me go up toe white board and draw up protections and even though I was a little nervous, I got them all right. I think he was impressed that I understood all their schemes and protections so that was good."
As for an offer, Brown said he was told to be patient.
"He knows I'm interested and knows that my dad went to Bama," Brown said. "Coach Saban and coach Key both said they need tackles and they like me but said they just want to wait until everything is right. Coach Key told me to make sure I don't commit anywhere yet and to call him if I'm getting close but I plan to take all five of my visits right now so I'm in no rush.
"I really liked it there, Bama is a special place. I like coach Key a lot and it was cool seeing him work with the offensive lineman on the team. I love the strength program they have there and that's huge for me. You spend more time with the strength coach than anyone else and Scott Coachran is known as one of the best in the country so there's a ton of pluses there."
On Thursday, Brown visited UCLA in what his first spring practice this year.
"I was with coach (Hank) Fraley (OL coach) the whole time," Brown said. "They basically let me shadow him the whole practice so I was right there with him in all the drills. I like how he coaches, he's not a yeller or screamer and doesn't get in their face unless it's a lack of effort. If someone screws up, he'll tell them what they did wrong and they show them how to fix it and I can tell the guys on the team respect that.
"They don't have a lot of depth on the line right now and they'll lose a handful of their starters so I see a real opportunity to compete for playing time as a true freshman at UCLA. Being close to home is a factor too. At one point in my recruitment, I was thinking I wanted to get away from home and wasn't look that hard at UCLA or USC but now, I think there are a lot of benefits to staying close by so I do have a high interest in UCLA."
Brown said he plans to visit UCLA again in the summer when the new football facility is done.
"I think it's going to be really nice," Brown said. "I've seen it before and it looks great. I think it's supposed to be done in June so I want to come by again and take a tour and meet with coach (Sal) Alosi. That's the one thing I haven't done on any of my visits to UCLA and like I said, the strength coach and the overall strength program is a big factor in my decision. Hopefully next time I'm there, I'll have an opportunity to meet with him."
Next up for Brown will be a visit to Oregon
"I'll be at Oregon for the spring game (Jan. 29)," Brown said. "I obviously have a lot of respect for coach (Mario) Cristobal (OL coach) from his days at Bama and all the great offensive linemen he coached and developed. He offered me the first week he got to Oregon and we talk all the time, he's really recruiting me hard right now.
"I'm excited to see how I like Eugene and how I fit in there. I'm a cold weather guy so I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I want to meet with the strength coach and see the depth chart. I always tell everyone who asks me, the two biggest factors for me in making my decision are the academics and how good the team will be, so I'll be looking at both of those areas as well."
The California Golden Bears and Washington Huskies are involved with Brown as well.
"I took a visit recently to Washington and loved it there," Brown said. "It was a great trip and they're planning to come by in the spring to see me. They haven't offered me yet but the new OL coach, Scott Huff, said he's interested and just wants more time to evaluate. He said they're only taking two tackles and he's not the kind of coach that just wants to throw out a ton of offers and I respect that.
"I'm in track right now but I told him to let me know what day he's coming by and I'll be sure to skip track that day to work out with the football team. I plan to visit Cal again as well, just not sure when. I was there in January and I'm very comfortable there.
"My cousin Gerran Brown just transferred from Washington to Cal so that's seven Mater Dei players there so it's a nice little pipeline. Like I said, I'm in no rush to commit anywhere and plan to take all my visits so hopefully by the end of the summer, I'll be able to narrow my list down and have a good idea of where I want to go and play it out from there."
LINK
Posted on 4/21/17 at 10:23 pm to TideSaint
quote:
On Monday, St. Clair County defensive tackle Jalen Cunningham took to Twitter to reveal his top five schools -- Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State, Oregon and Ole Miss.
Later that night, he was on the phone with Gus Malzahn and Rodney Garner at Auburn.
"I was confused because when I went down there for (Auburn's) Junior Day (March 4), Coach Malzahn called me down to his office to sit down and talk to him and my family," Cunningham said. "Then we went to Coach Garner's office and talked to him.
"They said they had offered me, but I didn't hear them say it. When I put out my top 5 the other day, they told me, yes, I had the offer. I just didn't know. They never specified I had it. They didn't bring it up exactly like I had an offer. They just said they were interested in me, but they cleared it up."
Now that he's aware of the Auburn offer, the Tigers are most definitely a factor for the 6-foot-5, 360-pound Cunningham.
"I'm supposed to be dropping my other top five soon," he said. "I wanted to do 10 (originally) but I already had the edit for the five. I have to put Auburn back in because I didn't know I had the offer from them... So yeah, they're in my top 5. I just love Auburn because of the coaching staff mainly, and all the players. I really love Coach Malzahn."
Cunningham is ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 38 defensive tackle in the 247Sports Composite. He said the Tigers like his size and strength and project him to play nose guard. He also has a close relationship with Garner.
"(Garner's) ability to help athletes to the next level is important," Cunningham said.
Cunningham grew up an Alabama fan, but is not letting those ties affect his recruitment.
"The main thing I love about Alabama is the relationship with the coaching staff that I have," he said. "I've been there three times in the past two months. That's important to me. Coach (Karl) Dunbar is saying I could start as a freshman because they won't have any nose guard signed by the time I get up there. I'm the only big nose guard that he wants."
Cunningham said he has been speaking to the staff at Florida State and will likely set up a visit to Tallahassee, Fla. This weekend he'll be at a Rivals camp in Atlanta. He has no timetable for a commitment.
"I'm still going through offers and trying to choose between the 15 I have," he said. "I want to get a quick relationship with the coaches. That's what I'm looking forward to doing the most."
LINK
Posted on 4/21/17 at 11:28 pm to TideSaint
6-6 345. Cunningham needs to drop 20 pounds once he makes it to campus.
Posted on 4/21/17 at 11:42 pm to CapstoneGrad06
They do but my family is from there and I can say from first hand experience there is literally nothing to do out there except hunt, fish and play ball. They within the last decade I think finally got a Walmart out there.
This post was edited on 4/21/17 at 11:44 pm
Posted on 4/22/17 at 10:23 am to labamafan
Did we just get a commitment from P Quick?
Posted on 4/22/17 at 10:25 am to phaz
Yes we did.
Posted on 4/22/17 at 10:25 am to phaz
Posted on 4/22/17 at 10:28 am to phaz
Hopefully this won't be the only time I can use these today:
Posted on 4/22/17 at 10:33 am to bamasgot13
From the Auburn thread:
quote:
KN has update on 4* LB JJ Peterson visit from earlier this week. Says still hasn't been able to talk to Peterson but spoke with some people close to AU. This was Peterson's first face to face meeting with T-WILL and apparently they really hit it off. AU feels this visit went extremely well and they are firmly in his top 3. Bama still leads but AU might be making a play for #2 over UGA. A very important relationship in our favor is Chip Lindsey and Colquitt County HC Rush Propst. The two are very close and Propst was ecstatic Lindsey got the OC job. Always helps to have the HC in your corner. Sounds like we will get an official visit in the fall. AU hoping to get him back on campus for Big Cat Weekend
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