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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 5/21/17 at 2:34 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 5/21/17 at 2:34 pm to TideSaint
quote:
May has been a good, wait, a great month for B.J. Ojulari. This spring as coaches have stopped by Marietta (Ga.) to watch spring practice, many have been impressed and offered the 2020 defensive end.
The rising sophomore is 6-feet, 3-inches tall, he weighs 210 pounds and he has the length, frame and athleticism coaches really like. He started at offensive tackle as a freshman last fall, but his future is on the defensive line.
TCU got it all started May 3. Georgia offered May 20. In between, Auburn, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh and Syracuse offered Ojulari.
It has been a lot to take in. Like it would be for any freshman in high school.
"I am very happy and I can't believe I have these offers already," said Ojulari. "I am very surprised. I am just trying to handle it like a professional. It is a lot to take it, but I am very excited about it."
Georgia had him in Athens (Ga.) Saturday for the second time in the last couple of months. Ojulari's first trip to visit Georgia was for a spring practice. This time he left with an offer.
"Coach [Dell] McGee (running backs) told me about the offer first, then he took me to coach [Kirby] Smart (head coach) and told me that I have an offer from Georgia too.
"I like the campus at Georgia and I really like how they use their outside linebackers and defensive ends. I sat down with coach [Kevin] Sherrer (outside linebackers) on this visit and he showed me their plan and how I could fit into their defense."
Ojulari plans to take part in numerous camps this summer, but the only definite right now is Georgia.
Georgia Tech will likely see Ojulari on their campus soon too. He has already visited the Atlanta campus a handful of times, more than any other school and he likes the area the school is located in.
"I love how the stadium is in the heart of Atlanta and how everything is right there in the city," said Ojulari. "I do not know how they use guys like me in their system, so I want to learn about that. They definitely offer a great education, so I like that a lot too."
The only other school to host this young edge rusher is North Carolina State. Ojulari was there for the Miami game in the fall and he liked what he saw.
"The stadium was nice and I like the construction they were doing to upgrade their facilities. I watched Bradley Chubb play and I like how he played and I like how they used him. Those things stood out to me when I was up there."
Who will Ojulari visit next? Who will be the next to offer? It could be a busy June him. He plans to be out on the road, many times with his brother Azeez Ojulari, a top 2018 prospect and the older brother is helping ease the younger Ojulari into the process.
"Azeez just tells me to remain humble and that I have to handle all of this," said Ojulari. "He will help me with my decision because I am watching him go through this now and he will make his decision before I make mine. I am learning off him right now and he is helping me."
Help him, the older brother will and influence him, that is possible too, but they are far enough apart that this is no package deal. Each will make their own decisions.
The freshman knows he has plenty of time to make his mind up.
"I am just getting out, taking these visits looking for the right fit. I want to find a good environment, I want to find the place I fit in best and I am looking for a school that I can come in and contribute at. Of course I am looking for a great education too.
"That is what I will be looking for as I get out more and take these visits."
Ojulari has no favorites at this time.
LINK
We've offered the older brother and got a CB for him a few weeks ago.
2
Posted on 5/21/17 at 2:47 pm to TideSaint
quote:
MOULTRIE, Ga., — According to 4-star linebacker JJ Peterson of Colquitt County High, he isn’t the first one in his family to have athletic ability.
“They all had talent … and they didn’t make it,’ he said. “To me, I’ve got to make it. I tell myself, I’m not going to fail.”
Peterson, the No. 1 outside linebacker in the 247Sports Composite, is the No. 35 overall recruit in the industry generated 247Sports Composite. He’s a top Auburn target and currently lists the Tigers No. 2 behind his leader, Alabama.
In the past year, Peterson has faced life-altering challenges, including the birth of his daughter and the death of his grand-father. He lost his dad to Lupus when he was a child.
“I try to keep the grind going,” Peterson said.
At Auburn, he has found a father-like figure of sorts in linebackers coach Travis Williams, the college coach he said he is closer with more than any.
“That’s my man,” Peterson said. “He came up like I did.”
Williams’ message to Peterson?
“His message is, he wants me to come see it, chill, get a feel for it,” Peterson said. “He ain't telling me like Georgia, telling me to commit, stuff like that. I don’t like that. At all.”
According to Peterson, he plans to visit Alabama, Auburn and FSU after school gets out. Possibly Oregon, too. We’ve since confirmed the Tigers expect to have him at Big Cat Weekend on June 3.
What stands out with the Tide?
“I just like the family atmosphere and all the players,” Peterson said. “I get along with them real good. Some of them have backgrounds like me.”
Click play to hear Peterson’s full interview with the SEC Recruiting Buzz podcast on Vsporto.com.
LINK with podcast
Posted on 5/21/17 at 2:49 pm to TideSaint
Justin Fields plays for Cam Newton's 7 on 7 team and admits he grew up an Auburn fan.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 6:56 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Justin Fields plays for Cam Newton's 7 on 7 team and admits he grew up an Auburn fan.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
Who would down vote this?
Posted on 5/21/17 at 6:57 pm to TideSaint
Hank South on Jaycee Horn:
quote:
Bama turned up the heat on him in the middle of the South Carolina stuff. Pruitt saw him the same day. Bama's the favorite.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 7:43 pm to TideSaint
From a dude on BOL:
quote:
Spoke with 2 guys yesterday at my boy's football end of season party. They both are from Thompson and know Christian Tutt well. They fully expect him to choose Bama. They said that was what he told them the last time they spoke. It has been a few weeks but they don't think things have changed since then. Just an FYI.
Posted on 5/21/17 at 10:27 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Justin Fields plays for Cam Newton's 7 on 7 team and admits he grew up an Auburn fan. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
-Played for an Auburn alum FB team
- Grew up AU fan
-Key need for AU
Pretty sure this is about the safest Alabama lock I've ever seen. Auburn doesn't stand a chance
Posted on 5/22/17 at 12:01 am to TideSaint
quote:
Pinson Valley also has an incoming freshman athlete that power 5 college coaches know about.
His nickname is "Kool-Aid." That's all I've got.
I want to hear more about Kool Aid.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 12:02 am to GenesChin
quote:
-Played for an Auburn alum FB team
- Grew up AU fan
-Key need for AU
Pretty sure this is about the safest Alabama lock I've ever seen. Auburn doesn't stand a chance
Posted on 5/22/17 at 9:52 am to TideSaint
From the Auburn board:
quote:
KN also has update on 4* Joey Gatewood, everyone's favorite QB prospect
Rhett Lashlee was something like a father figure to Gatewood and even tho Lindsey is different than Lashlee, Gatewood could see him being the same thing. He was a bit "blindsided" at first when Lindsey told him they were going to recruit a 2nd QB but after the transfers he admits that we have to find another QB. Gatewood apparently is now cool with it and seems pretty solid. Plenty of schools like Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss and Oregon are still after him and apparently Ohio State has opened up communications. Told him they have 5* Emory Jones committed but if anything were to happen they wanted to stay in touch. Of those Gatewood said the school he's most intrigued by is Alabama because their history. Apparently Bama coaches have told him his offer is legit and they like his fit, so sounds like he plans on camping there this summer. Lindsey is aware of him talking with other schools but seems fine with it and comfortable with Gatewood sticking. Gatewood mentions that Lindsey's offense reminds him a bunch of what he runs now at his high school
KN seems to think Gatewood is about as solid as it gets but I will admit a bit nervous he is so interested in Bama. I am a bit surprised they would take him a QB target but I am guessing since they have two guys basically ready to play now they can give Gatewood time to develop. I know there are very mixed feelings on here about him but if Bama, Ohio State & UGA are all after him that tends to show that plenty think he has tremendous upside. Will be interesting to see what happens after his Bama visit this summer
Another note, KN says that AU did visit Emory Jones over the break as well. Everyone seems to think he's pretty solid to Ohio State but sounds like we might also be trying to make a run at him as well. Either Field or Jones would be a great pickup but personally I think Jones is a bit overrated. I want Fields if we can get him
This post was edited on 5/22/17 at 9:53 am
Posted on 5/22/17 at 9:54 am to TideSaint
quote:
LSU made the top four for Georgia offensive tackle James Ohonba, one of the nation's premier prospects at his position.
The Tigers joined USC, Michigan and Alabama in Ohonba's top group, according to his tweet on Thursday evening.
TOP 4[?][?] pic.twitter.com/6YUk6Pmf6D
-- mDUD [?] (@JamesOhonba) May 18, 2017
The state of Georgia has been a priority for the LSU staff under Ed Orgeron's leadership, and the talent-rich state has been fruitful for the Tigers. As of now, LSU has yet to receive a commitment from a projected offensive tackle for the 2018 class, which is a major need position, as the LSU staff looks to improve its athleticism and depth at the position.
At 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, Ohonba certainly has the build of a collegiate lineman, and his game shows a mean streak and the athleticism to man the edge at the next level. Ohonba picked up his offer from LSU on April 25.
LINK
Posted on 5/22/17 at 9:58 am to TideSaint
quote:
JJ Peterson still has Alabama on top of his recruitment
RIVERDALE, Ga. — JJ Peterson didn’t grow up with his father. His mother wasn’t around much either. He’ll be the first to tell you that his childhood wasn’t great. He’ll tell you about some of his family members and friends getting caught up with drugs, gangs and a shooting that claimed the life of an elderly man, too.
He’ll also talk about the love of his life, his baby daughter Alexandria Peterson, with a smile on his face. He’ll also tell you all about what Colquitt County coach Rush Propst, or “dad,” has done for him. All of the coaches who want the nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker to commit to their respective school should thank Propst for guiding Peterson these past few years.
Propst, wearing dark sunglasses and a grey Nike bucket hat, couldn’t hold back the emotion when talking about his star linebacker.
“I love him like he’s my own son,” Propst told SEC Country. “I have tears in my eyes because I just love him so much.”
The legendary high school football coach rates Peterson as one of the top 2 athletes, along with former Florida wide receiver Chad Jackson, he’s coached in his nearly 30 years of coaching. More importantly than that, Propst can see that Peterson wants to provide for his daughter the way his father didn’t for him growing up.
“She’s going to be treated like a queen, as she should be,” Propst said of Alexandria. “I’ve got three daughters. I know how daddies are with their daughters. JJ is a very good daddy. First off, she’s adorable. I take her from him most of the time. I know what that bond is like between a father and daughter. I know JJ, like me, is scared to death about her growing up the same way he did. He has the control to not let that happen.”
And Peterson is trying to accomplish that.
“She motivates me so much,” Peterson said. “If I go to college, she goes to college, too. I don’t want her to grow up in the environment that I grew up in. I was raised very badly.”
Propst added: “He just wants to grow up in a normal household. He sees how me and my wife are. He wants to grow up in that same environment. He wants to be a good husband one day and a great father. He wants to be able to provide for his family one day, too. He’s headed in the right direction.”
Propst said this past week was the 4-star recruit’s best week of practice since he’s been at Colquitt County. He credited that to Peterson finally realizing that he has these opportunities to get a free education and play high-level college football. His top schools right now are Alabama, which is his leader, and Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan and Oregon trailing the Crimson Tide. The Tigers and Ducks are in his top 3, but Propst thinks that there really isn’t a true list.
But Alabama is clearly on Peterson’s mind. The Crimson Tide have led for the South Georgia standout for several months now.
“I love Alabama. I love all of their coaches and they treat me very well,” Peterson said. “They are recruiting me very, very hard. The one thing that stands out is how close of a team they are and how they do everything together as a team. It’s not about individuals there. The whole team stands out.”
Auburn has been gaining ground on Alabama because of Peterson’s close relationship with Tigers linebackers coach Travis Williams. Peterson will return to Auburn for Big Cat weekend on June 3. Before then, he’s expected to spend two days in Tuscaloosa for camp. He will also visit Georgia in mid-June and possibly Florida State in July. Oregon could get a visit when Peterson is there in late June and early July for Nike’s The Opening camp. Propst and Peterson are also working on setting up a trip to Michigan. The Wolverines are coming after him hard.
While Alabama may be the favorite right now, Propst thinks no one should count out any school just yet.
“This recruitment is a long ways from being over,” Propst said. “Auburn is still in it. We’re going to take him to Georgia and Florida State and he’s probably going to end up visiting Michigan, too. Oregon is in the mix. Those are probably the six. I don’t think you can eliminate any of those schools right now, in my opinion.”
One advantage Alabama and Auburn have over the other schools in the mix is Propst’s connection to Tide defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and Tigers offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. Both coaches previously worked under Propst at Hoover (Ala.) High School before taking jobs on the collegiate level.
Peterson was clear, though, that just because Propst may be friends with both coaches, that doesn’t mean he’s pushing him to go to one of the two schools. He has, however, told Peterson about what he should expect if he chooses the Crimson Tide.
“Alabama appeals to a lot of kids because of their tradition and how they get things done,” Propst said. “Everything Nick does is first class. There’s no secret that coach [Nick] Saban is the best in the business. There’s an extremely competitive edge you get by being there because JJ knows if that’s the school he chooses, there will be four players at his position that are as good as he is.”
Peterson has dreamed about what it would be like to walk across the stage and shake the commissioner of the NFL’s hand one day. There’s one man who he hopes is there with him on that day: Propst.
“He has done so much for me,” Peterson said. “He continues to do a lot for me. He is like a dad to me. I am thankful for so much. It’s not even one thing I can say. He does so much for me. That’s like my dad.”
Yeah Rush, your family life is the epitome of "normal."
This post was edited on 5/22/17 at 9:59 am
Posted on 5/22/17 at 10:01 am to TideSaint
quote:
Top DE puts Auburn in top 5
Auburn’s defensive line recruiting cycle is beginning to take shape.
Rodney Garner has a proven track record of piecing together star-studded defensive line groups. He already has junior college commit Daquan Newkirk on board out of Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. Garner has been seen all over the place on the trail during the evaluation period.
One of his major wants: Caleb Tannor, the 3-star defensive end from Miller Grove (Ga.).
Tannor has been a regular on the Plains since the Tigers offered on March 23. He’s attended Auburn twice since then, including a spring game appearance in which he was one of the latest prospects to stay into the evening.
He released an all-SEC top 5 on Sunday night made up of Auburn, Georgia, Florida, LSU and Tennessee.
pic.twitter.com/SZufpsjlGo
— Caleb Tannor 2??1??® (@cvleb10) May 22, 2017
Alabama was the notable name left of the list. Tannor said as recently as Auburn’s A-Day game that Auburn, Alabama and Georgia were the three schools he’d “been thinking about the most.” With no Crimson Tide on the list, that would appear to be good news for both Auburn and Georgia.
As of his most recent Auburn visit, the Tigers are particularly in a safe place.
“I like it. I like it a lot. … It’s going to be a hard decision,” Tannor said last month. “I like him (Rodney Garner). He says, if I come prepared to play, he’s going to play me as a freshman. So I’m just going to try to see what I can do if I come in here ready to play.”
Tannor wants to have a final decision before the start of his senior season.
LINK
Posted on 5/22/17 at 10:02 am to TideSaint
quote:
National Signing Day is more than eight months away, but all 14 SEC schools are collecting as many prospects as they can for the 2018 recruiting class.
So, how will your favorite team stack up with the rest of the SEC? Here’s a way-too-early look at how each team will fare in the 2018 SEC recruiting rankings, subject to the whims of 17- and 18-year-olds.
LINK
Posted on 5/22/17 at 10:02 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama
Current commitments: 2
Projected SEC rank: 1
Projection last month: 1
Overview: For the past seven years, the Crimson Tide landed the nation’s top recruiting class. We’ll have to get much closer to National Signing Day before we can project anything but another first-place finish for Nick Saban and staff.
It’s tempting to be alarmed at Alabama only having two recruits committed at this point. But, as SEC Country’s Chris Kirschner points out, there are plenty of high-profile recruits interested in coming to Tuscaloosa.
History suggests Alabama will be near the top of the heap when we start counting recruits in February.
They must know something we don't.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 10:04 am to TideSaint
The rest of their projections:
quote:
2. LSU
3. Tennessee
4. Florida
5. Abuurn
6. Texas A&M
7. Georgia
8. Arkansas
9. Kentucky
10. Mississippi State
11. South Carolina
12. Missouri
13. Vanderbilt
14. Ole Miss
This post was edited on 5/22/17 at 10:05 am
Posted on 5/22/17 at 10:13 am to TideSaint
quote:
When the proposed 72-hour December early signing period became official this month, coaches, fans and pundits alike sounded off on the pros and cons of the rules. Many came to the conclusion that giving prospects the chance to lock in their spots nearly two months earlier would be a positive and take away some of the pressure and distractions leading up to the traditional National Signing Day on the first Wednesday in February.
While it’s all well and good for adults to speculate on how it can benefit recruits, the recruits themselves have yet to be educated on why the new period was enacted and how it will impact them.
“They don’t really tell us what’s going on,” Rivals250 tight end Leonard Taylor said. “They tell the coaches and the coaches are supposed to tell us but I think we should be more involved for sure when they’re coming up with rules that impact us.”
Taylor said he’s in favor of the rule, as did several other prospects surveyed about it. However, most said it’s not something they would likely utilize in their own recruitments.
“I definitely wouldn’t be an early signee,” Stephen Herron, a 2019 Rivals100 defensive end, said. “Just the fact that I did my research and I thought about what if something happened where all the coaches got fired after bowl season? Then you’re [stuck], you can’t go through that. I’ll definitely take earlier official visits and I’ll go with that rule, but I don’t know about the early signing day.”
Herron said that while he’s well-versed in the new rule, the same can’t be said for many recruits.
“I feel like a lot of these dudes out here just know football,” Herron said. “They don’t know the background of football, so probably 75 percent of these dudes don’t know what it is.”
Class of 2019 Rivals100 Cincinnati (Ohio) Walnut DT Jowon Briggs is in that group that Herron described. Despite having offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame and others, he doesn’t keep up on college football and didn’t know about the new rule.
The same goes for Rivals250 defensive back Kalon Gervin, who thought the rule just applied to early enrollees.
“I didn’t know you could sign if you don’t graduate early – that’s nice,” Gervin said when informed of the change. “I didn’t know that. I might think about that to get that over with.”
Three-star Michigan defensive end commit Aidan Hutchinson said he is aware of the rule and will consider signing early, but felt the changes might be in place to benefit schools more than prospects.
“I don’t really know many of the advantages of it,” Hutchinson said. “I guess you could sign early and get it out of the way, but I think it’s better for the school. The coaches would know that they have a solid commitment I guess? I don’t know — we’ll have to see how that plays out in December.”
As the signing period gets closer, knowledge is bound to spread. But one thing is for sure, prospects are resolute in saying they won’t be pressured to sign in December.
“I don’t really pay much attention to it because it doesn’t affect me,” four-star defensive lineman Tyreke Smith said. “ I’ll make my decision when I feel comfortable making it. I’m going to sign when I feel like I’m ready to sign and when I’m ready to go.”
LINK
Posted on 5/22/17 at 10:14 am to TideSaint
quote:
O’FALLON, Ill. -- There is no higher honor for a football player than to earn the respect of his follow competitors. So we asked some of the participants at Sunday’s Rivals 3 Stripe Camp presented by adidas in St. Louis to talk about which players impressed them most that they battled all day.
LINK
The majority of the next 20 or so posts are going to come from this event.
A bunch of our targets competed in it over the weekend, including Pierce Quick and Paul Tyson.
Posted on 5/22/17 at 10:15 am to TideSaint
quote:
BEST QUARTERBACK
“Connor Noland was a smooth quarterback. He made some nice throws, he showed good feet and he was an efficient passer.” - 3-star QB Kaleb Eleby, Maryland Heights (Missouri) Pattonville
“Seth Carlisle had a good arm and he really was accurate. He made a lot of good passes and he looked good.” 2019 Rivals100 WR Lance Wilhoite, Nashville (Tenn.) Franklin Road Academy
“Quincy Patterson was good. He can put the ball anywhere on the field and I can tell he’s a dual-threat quarterback as well.” – 2019 QB Paul Tyson, Trussville (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville
“Derek Green. He threw a couple balls to me that were in a good spot. I think Brett Gabbert did pretty well, too. He’s my quarterback and I saw him make some good throws too.” – Rivals100 WR Kamryn Babb, St. Louis Christian Brothers
This post was edited on 5/22/17 at 10:17 am
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