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Posted on 2/13/17 at 9:55 pm to TideSaint
Damn, we need both of those guys
Posted on 2/13/17 at 10:00 pm to Cobrasize
They may be in. I just haven't seen it confirmed anywhere.
I really hope McKinney can practice this Spring. If Robinson can't we will be OK. We return everyone at the RB position and Najee is already on campus. Robinson's carries would be few and far between.
I really hope McKinney can practice this Spring. If Robinson can't we will be OK. We return everyone at the RB position and Najee is already on campus. Robinson's carries would be few and far between.
Posted on 2/13/17 at 10:05 pm to TideSaint
Saban needs to get in on the virtual reality stuff. Here's an article about Clemson using it to get ready for us and it's impact on college sports. It might help Hurts more than regular film study.
Fox Sports
Fox Sports
Posted on 2/14/17 at 8:31 am to TideSaint
Remaining early enrollees arrive at Alabama
BamaOnline
BamaOnline
quote:
Alabama has all 16 of its early enrollees on campus now that Mac Jones, Daniel Wright, Xavier McKinney and Brian Robinson have arrived in Tuscaloosa.
Nick Saban and staff made headlines having 12 early arrivals in January, only to welcome four more in February.
Jones, a four-star quarterback from Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles, will join five-star Tua Tagovailoa this spring to compete against incumbent starter Jalen Hurts. The trio currently makes up the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. At 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, Jones is rated the No. 12 pro-style quarterback and the No. 283 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
McKinney and Wrights’ arrivals mean the Tide has every defensive back in its 2017 class on campus this spring, joining three-star corner Kyriq McDonald. At 6-foot-1, 192 pounds, McKinney is rated the No. 6 safety and the No. 58 overall player. At 6-foot-1, 187 pounds, Wright is rated the No. 16 safety and the No. 118 overall player.
Robinson will join a loaded running back room that includes the nation’s No. 2 running back in Najee Harris, as well as Bo Scarbrough, Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs and B.J. Emmons. At 6-foot-1, 224 pounds, Robinson is rated the No. 8 running back and the No. 150 overall player.
By itself, the Tide’s 2017 early enrollees group would rank as the No. 8 class in the country. All in all, Alabama signed 26 prospects in what made up the No. 1-ranked class in the 247Sports Team Rankings for a seventh straight season.
This post was edited on 2/14/17 at 8:35 am
Posted on 2/14/17 at 8:36 am to TidalSurge1
quote:
McKinney and Wrights’ arrivals mean the Tide has every defensive back in its 2017 class on campus this spring, joining three-star corner Kyriq McDonald. At 6-foot-1, 192 pounds, McKinney is rated the No. 6 safety and the No. 58 overall player. At 6-foot-1, 187 pounds, Wright is rated the No. 16 safety and the No. 118 overall player.
Posted on 2/14/17 at 9:03 am to TideSaint
quote:
Armour-Davis does, in fact, have an Alabama offer
Look at Jalyn Armour-Davis’ ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals scouting profiles and you’ll see an Alabama offer missing. That would be a mistake, according to Armour-Davis. His recruiting profile on Scout, which is the only recruiting service to list Armour-Davis with an Alabama offer, would be the one that’s most up to date.
Armour-Davis, the state of Alabama’s No. 2 prospect, told SEC Country on Monday night that the Crimson Tide actually offered him a scholarship this past summer, but it wasn’t until two weeks ago where he 100 percent knew where he stood.
“I got (the offer) reassured with coach (Nick) Saban on signing day,” Armour-Davis said. “He just told me about all of the great things Alabama could do for me on and off the field and he just wanted to make sure that I knew I had an offer.”
Auburn is the school most associated with the 4-star prospect from St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile because the Tigers were the first team to offer him a scholarship. He told SEC Country’s Benjamin Wolk on Monday that is a reason why he loves Auburn, but it’s not the biggest factor why he likes the Tigers.
“I wouldn’t say it’s just because of that,” Armour-Davis said. “I just have a really good connection and comfort level with the school and coaches (at Auburn).”
Armour-Davis’ teammate in the Class of 2017, Stanford defensive end signee Ryan Johnson, received his first offer from Auburn, too. Johnson grew up a Tigers fan and took many visits to Auburn but decided to not attend his favorite childhood school. Offering first means a lot to some recruits, but not all.
Early playing time is another one of those factors that lots of recruits mention why they would choose a school. But Armour-Davis said that won’t really have a big impact on his decision.
Saban and Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt drilled the message home to him when they spoke on signing day that the Tide struck out on signing a cornerback in the Class of 2017, so that position will be a priority in the Class of 2018.
The 6-foot, 160-pound prospect said that doesn’t really change anything when it comes to what he thinks about Alabama.
“I believe it will help some, but I’m not going to choose a school because of playing time,” Armour-Davis said. “It’ll just be whenever I have the certain feeling of me being home.”
Along with Auburn, Florida, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Memphis have all offered Armour-Davis. It’s early, but it’s likely that this will be an Alabama-Auburn race when it comes time to make a final decision.
Armour-Davis said he wants to narrow his list to a top 5 soon. Expect the two in-state schools to make that cut.
LINK
This post was edited on 2/14/17 at 9:05 am
Posted on 2/14/17 at 9:46 am to TideSaint
A week or so ago SEC Country (at least I think it was them; can't find it now) put out a story regarding Auburn's 2017 recruiting class and how it closes the gap on Alabama. Now, I know what you are thinking (because I certainly was): "How in the hell does one lose ground after signing the second best class of ALL-TIME to another program that finished ranked #9 in just 2017?"
Well, the good folks over at Al.com have put out a series comparing the position groups signed by both Alabama and Auburn and declared a "winner" for each.
I'll post them over the next several posts.
Well, the good folks over at Al.com have put out a series comparing the position groups signed by both Alabama and Auburn and declared a "winner" for each.
I'll post them over the next several posts.
Posted on 2/14/17 at 9:47 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama and Auburn each strengthened their secondary units with multiple signees.
But which school signed a better group? Let's take a look
ALABAMA
Class: Daniel Wright, Xavier McKinney, Kyriq McDonald
247Sports composite rankings: Two four-stars, one three-star
Glance: Alabama flipped Wright from Florida State and got McKinney to re-commit on a day where everyone thought he would choose Clemson. McDonald is shorter at about 5-foot-10, but can be a playmaker on special teams. Wright and McKinney are physical safeties. Alabama didn't sign a cornerback in this group.
VS.
AUBURN
Class: Malcolm Askew, Traivon Leonard, Jordyn Peters, Carlito Gonzalez
247Sports composite rankings: One four-star, three three-stars
Glance: Askew is a high school quarterback who could play cornerback or nickel (extra DB in packages with more than four DBs) and Leonard is a pure corner. Peters and Gonzalez are safeties. Gonzalez is more physical at this stage, but Peters is long and lean with a lot of room to fill out.
WINNER: Auburn, slightly. Alabama may have a couple of higher-ranked recruits, but Auburn hit its needs better, getting a couple of cornerbacks and a couple of safeties while Alabama missed on some cornerback targets this year.
LINK
Posted on 2/14/17 at 9:48 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama and Auburn each strengthened their linebacker units with multiple signees.
But which school signed a better group? Let's take a look
ALABAMA
Class: Dylan Moses, Christopher Allen, VanDarius Cowan, Markail Benton
247Sports composite rankings: One five-star, three four-stars
Glance: Moses held an Alabama offer since he was a middle-schooler and Alabama was able to sign the nation's No. 13 overall prospect over LSU, and the Crimson Tide also got Allen out of Louisiana. Alabama flipped Cowan from Florida State and beat out Auburn for Benton. Moses is a versatile linebacker that could play any position, but he, Cowan and Benton are likely inside linebackers with Allen as a JACK. Moses enrolled early.
VS.
AUBURN
Class: K.J. Britt, T.D. Moultry, Chandler Wooten
247Sports composite rankings: Two four-stars, one three-star
Glance: Moultry is the headliner, as he's ranked as a five-star by one individual service. He's a big hitter who Auburn jumped in on early and held off challenges from schools like Alabama. He excels at rushing the passer and could play the BUCK (hybrid end/linebacker) like Carl Lawson did. Britt had multiple power 5 offers and is slated to play inside, while Wooten is an outside linebacker. Britt and Wooten enrolled early.
WINNER: Alabama, though I think Moultry ends up being the highest NFL Draft pick of this bunch. But Alabama's depth here prevails, with the biggest win being with the recruitment of Benton. Alabama landed the four-star out of Auburn's backyard.
LINK
Posted on 2/14/17 at 9:49 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama and Auburn each strengthened their defensive lines with multiple signees.
But which school signed a better group? Let's take a look
ALABAMA
Class: Isaiah Buggs, LaBryan Ray, Phidarian Mathis
247Sports composite rankings: One five-star, two four-stars
Glance: Alabama hit some immediate needs with three players who could play right away. The Crimson Tide signed Buggs, the nation's No. 2 junior college recruit, over LSU and plucked another Louisiana recruit in Mathis. Buggs is already on campus and projects as an end. Mathis is likely a tackle. Ray was the No. 1 player in Alabama and No. 26 nationally. He could play as an end or inside. He chose Alabama on Signing Day over Ole Miss, Tennessee and Florida.
VS.
AUBURN
Class: Markaviest Bryant, Tyrone Truesdell, Alec Jackson
247Sports composite: One four-star, two three-stars
Glance: Bryant was Auburn's biggest Signing Day pickup, as the rush end chose the Tigers over LSU and Georgia. Truesdell didn't get offered until right before Signing Day after the Tigers missed out on Mobile four-star Ryan Johnson, who chose Stanford. Jackson is an underrated prospect who could blossom as an interior lineman when he adds more weight to his 6-foot-5 frame. T.D. Moultry could grow into an end, but he's listed as a linebacker so we'll keep him in that group.
WINNER: Alabama. The Crimson Tide landed a top JUCO prospect and again got the state's top prospect. All three are in position to play early. Auburn signed some talent, but this group may be better in two or three years than in 2017. Bryant needs to add weight, but could be an elite SEC pass rusher.
LINK
Posted on 2/14/17 at 9:50 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama and Auburn each strengthened their offensive lines with multiple signees.
But which school signed a better group? Let's take a look
ALABAMA
Class: Alex Leatherwood, Elliot Baker, Jedrick Wills, Kendall Randolph
247Sports composite rankings: One five-star, three four-stars
Glance: Alabama got the nation's No. 4 overall prospect in Leatherwood and the early enrollee will compete for a starting spot right away. So will Baker, the nation's No. 4 JUCO prospect. Both are on campus. Wills is a five-star in at least one service and Randolph is one of the top players in the state who chose Alabama over Auburn. Of note, Cullman's Hunter Brannon is not factored in because he has not been listed as a signee. He is committed and eligible to be a "blueshirt" and still join the Crimson Tide this fall on scholarship, but the scholarship would count toward 2018. Leatherwood and Baker are tackles and so is Wills, though he could play inside. Randolph has always been a tackle but is set on playing an interior position.
VS.
AUBURN
Class: Calvin Ashley, Nick Brahms, Austin Troxell
247Sports composite: One five-star, two four-stars
Glance: Auburn's top dog here is Ashley, a five-star who committed before his junior year and stuck with the Tigers. Auburn also landed Brahms and Troxell early in the recruiting process. Ashley and Troxell are tackles while Brahms is an interior lineman. Brahms is already on campus but likely won't go through spring practice due to injury.
WINNER: Alabama, as the Crimson Tide signed perhaps the top offensive line group in the country. Auburn isn't far behind, though, but the Tigers have two signees (Brahms - leg, Troxell - knee) who are recovering from serious injuries that cost them all or most of their senior seasons. Troxell has torn the right ACL in his knee twice.
It will be interesting to look back on this group in three to four years because offensive line is usually the hardest to predict.
LINK
Posted on 2/14/17 at 9:51 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama and Auburn each bolstered depth with multiple receiver signees.
But which school signed a better group? Let's take a look
ALABAMA
Class: Jerry Jeudy, Devonta Smith, Henry Ruggs III, Tyrell Shavers, Chadarius Townsend (ATH), Major Tennison (TE), Kedrick James (TE)
247Sports composite rankings: One five-star, four four-star (WR), one four-star, one three-star (TE)
Glance: This is a loaded class for Alabama and one it needed after missing on some receiver targets last year. Jeudy is a composite five-star, while Ruggs and Smith are ranked as five-star recruits in at least one service. Alabama signed four of the nation's top 12 receivers and Townsend is listed here (though he's an athlete on recruiting services) because he said he would start out on offense for the Crimson Tide. Alabama added two tight ends in early enrollee Tennison and James. Among the receivers, Jeudy and Shavers are already on campus.
VS.
AUBURN
Class: Noah Igbinoghene, JaTarvious Whitlow (ATH), Salvatore Cannella (TE), John Samuel Shanker (TE)
247Sports composite: One four-star, one three-star (WR), two three-stars (TE)
Glance: Auburn didn't need to sign as many receivers here after getting four last year. The Tigers targeted track star Igbinoghene out of Hewitt-Trussville this season and landed him after offering in November. The Tigers got a surprise signee in Whitlow after issuing him a committable offer in the days leading up to Signing Day. He was a quarterback and Class 2A Back of the Year at LaFayette, but will play receiver at Auburn. The Tigers got a JUCO tight end in Cannella, who is already on campus, and expected to contribute from the get-go. Shenker is a project and former Auburn baseball commit.
WINNER: Alabama in a landslide when looking at this as a whole. The Crimson Tide signed the best group of receivers in the country and at least two should contribute in 2017. Auburn won this position group last year as the Tigers signed more.
Looking at the tight end spot, give a slight edge to Auburn with Cannella being ready to play right away after a big junior college freshman season (29 catches, 443 yards, 7 touchdowns). He'll be counted on while Alabama can ease Tennison and James in with three returning tight ends.
LINK
Posted on 2/14/17 at 9:52 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama and Auburn each bolstered depth with multiple running back signees.
But which school signed a better group? Let's take a look
ALABAMA
Class: Najee Harris, Brian Robinson
247Sports composite rankings: One five-star, one four-star
Glance: Harris was ranked as the nation's No. 1 player for most of the last two years. Robinson is the top running back in the state of Alabama. Harris is the No. 2 running back nationally and Robinson checks in at No. 8. Harris can do it all, and Robinson led Hillcrest to an unbeaten regular season. He rushed for a Class 6A record 447 yards in a game as a junior. Harris is on campus and Robinson is expected to be on campus next week for the start of Spring 2.
VS.
AUBURN
Class: Devan Barrett, Alaric Williams
247Sports composite: Two four-stars
Glance: Barrett is the No. 11 running back nationally and is a home run threat out of the backfield. Williams is the nation's No. 10 athlete. Auburn recruited him as a running back and when healthy, he was one of the top players in the state. But, he could also get a look on defense eventually and has said he's open to playing defense. Both signed with Auburn last week.
WINNER: Alabama. While Barrett and Williams are elite recruits in their own right, Robinson is a complete back as a rusher and blocker, and Harris is one of the best running back recruits in some time. Scout and Rivals kept Harris as the No. 1 recruit overall and he's been compared to Adrian Peterson.
LINK
Posted on 2/14/17 at 9:53 am to TideSaint
quote:
It's the most important and highlighted position on the field, and Alabama and Auburn took steps to solidify the quarterback spot in this year's recruiting class.
But which school signed a better group? Let's take a look
ALABAMA
Class: Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones
247Sports composite rankings: One five-star, one four-star
Glance: Tagovailoa is the country's No. 32 overall prospect and top dual-threat quarterback. He didn't take any other official visits despite Alabama having a true freshman starter last season. He is already on campus. Jones flipped from Kentucky to Alabama even after Tagovailoa committed and also didn't take other visits. Jones, the No. 12 pro-style quarterback, is set to enroll at Alabama on Feb. 13.
VS.
AUBURN
Class: Jarrett Stidham, Malik Willis
247Sports composite: One five-star, one three-star
Glance: Stidham played as a freshman at Baylor in 2015 and was a top quarterback recruit in that class. He took online classes to stay eligible after leaving Baylor last summer and enrolled at Auburn this spring and expectations are for him to win the starting position. Willis is the nation's No. 21 athlete, but quarterbacked Roswell to a berth in the Georgia 7A state championship. He decommitted from Virginia Tech on Dec. 29 and committed to Auburn the next day. He is already on campus.
WINNER: Auburn. Tagovailoa is an accomplished prep quarterback and deserves his five-star ranking. Stidham was ranked No. 38 overall in 2015 in the 247Sports composite (No. 13 in 247 individual). His experience at the college level gives Auburn the edge. Stidham threw for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman at Baylor in 2015 and he carries high expectations going into this spring and fall.
LINK
Posted on 2/14/17 at 10:17 am to TideSaint
quote:
WINNER: Auburn, slightly. Alabama may have a couple of higher-ranked recruits, but Auburn hit its needs better, getting a couple of cornerbacks and a couple of safeties while Alabama missed on some cornerback targets this year.
This might be the dumbest thing I've read in a while. Its a good thing that HS safeties can't play corner in college and vice versa.
Posted on 2/14/17 at 10:36 am to Bamad
quote:
This might be the dumbest thing I've read in a while. Its a good thing that HS safeties can't play corner in college and vice versa.
Yeah I was laughing at that one. Our two safeties are ranked way higher than anyone they signed, yet they get the edge.
Posted on 2/14/17 at 10:37 am to TideSaint
quote:
LSU lured Tommie Robinson from Southern Cal this week, hiring the former Central-Phenix City and Troy standout as the Bayou Bengals' running backs coach, recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach.
Will Robinson's Alabama roots and connection to his hometown pay immediate dividends in recruiting?
Alabama's No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2018, according to 247sports, is Central-Phenix City receiver Justyn Ross, an uncommitted 6-foot-3 receiver who appears to be a classic Alabama vs. Auburn battle, although he has offers from LSU, Georgia and a bevy of other Power 5 schools. Robinson's Phenix City roots should make LSU a player in Ross' recruitment.
Robinson was ranked as the nation's second-best recruiter by 247sports for his work on Southern Cal's 2017 signing class.
"I grew up in the SEC and Alabama," Robinson said. "I am looking forward to this challenge. We all know the strength of this conference."
This is Robison's first coaching stop in the SEC during a 32-year career, although is Alabama roots mean it won't be unfamiliar territory. He has served as an assistant coach at Texas, Miami (Fla.) and Southern Cal, as well on the staff for the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys.
"Recruiting, my philosophy is work. Just hard work," Robinson said. "Find out what it's going to take to get the kid and go and get the kid. It's being relentless. Do our homework, do a great job of evaluating a kid and doing a great job of going out and building a relationship.
"I don't think there's any magic dust or secret potion in recruiting," he continued. "I just think it comes down to work. We have enough to sell here at LSU. This is a place you can recruit kids from throughout the country. We'll work hard and we'll put forth the effort and we'll go get kids."
LINK
Posted on 2/14/17 at 10:38 am to TideSaint
quote:
First-year Oxford wrestling coach Matt Hicks understandably worried about whether he’d have the services of heavyweight Clay Webb this season.
Webb – a 6-foot-3 sophomore who already has football scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State and Georgia – tipped the scales at more than 320 pounds last fall as a bull-dozing offensive lineman for a Yellow Jackets’ team that won its first 10 games for the first time since 1993.
AHSAA wrestling rules set a weight limit of 285 pounds for heavyweight wrestlers. The math appeared daunting: How could a 320-pounder drop nearly 40 pounds?
“I just ate less,” Webb said. “More salads.”
The weight miraculously melted off Webb’s frame, and he’s again emerged as one of the state’s elite heavyweight wrestlers. He has lost just once this season entering this week’s AHSAA Super Sectional tournament in Montgomery.
“He never acted like weight was an issue,” Hicks said. “He said, ‘Coach, I cut weight really easily.’ I’ve never had a kid cut weight like he did.”
Webb will be part of a loaded heavyweight class in the Class 6A Super Sectional in Montgomery, alongside Stanhope Elmore’s Jacob Andrews, Pinson Valley’s Taylor Rhodes and Wetumpka’s Trent Holley, who is the only wrestler to beat Webb this season. “Whoever wins it, he earned it,” Hicks said.
The AHSAA’s wrestling season has now entered its postseason, with Super Regionals set for Friday and Saturday in Birmingham and Montgomery and the 2017 AHSAA Wrestling Championships set for Huntsville’s Propst Arena from Feb. 16-18.
Webb finished third at last year’s state tournament and has only once loss this season, so he’s clearly one of the favorites at this weekend’s Super Regional in Montgomery.
“He’s not your typical heavyweight. He’s fast, he’s agile, he’s strong,” said Hicks, adding that Webb bench-presses 435 pounds. “He’s light on his feet, (and) that’s funny to say about a 285-pound kid.
“He’s everything you could ask for in a heavyweight. There’s not enough praise I could give him.”
Webb realizes that his athletic future likely lies with football, not wrestling. Huntingdon College in Montgomery, which competes in non-scholarship Division III, is the only Alabama college with a wrestling team.
The skills Webb needs to excel in wrestling – powerful hands, nimble footwork and leverage to slam another heavyweight onto his back – translate seamlessly to the football field.
“I love wrestling. I love everything about it,” Webb said, “but I don’t know if I’ll be able to compete in college. I haven’t gotten and looks in wrestling. It teaches character. It makes you be able to trust in yourself and your ability. … I always trying to be the best I can.”
Beyond Hicks’ imposing physical attributes, Hicks said the teen’s attitude and humility sets him apart.
“He deserves whatever success he has,” Hicks said. “He’s keeps his mouth shut and keeps his ears open, and that will take you wherever you want to go.”
LINK
Webb holds an Alabama offer at OG and is already a 5-star.
Posted on 2/14/17 at 10:40 am to TideSaint
I hope Bama can land Armour-Davis. Bama needs to get the pipeline to St. Paul's reestablish.
Any idea on how many DB Bama will take in this class? I'm guessing 5-6. 3-4 CB and 2 S.
Any idea on how many DB Bama will take in this class? I'm guessing 5-6. 3-4 CB and 2 S.
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