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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:31 am to TideSaint
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:31 am to TideSaint
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3. Terrace Marshall, Parkway, 2018
Marshall has consistently improved his game, ultimately developing into a well-rounded receiver capable of beating defenders in the short, intermediate and deep passing game. Marshall's size-and-speed combination give him a lot of upside, although he's fairly college-ready in his development right now.
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Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:32 am to TideSaint
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2. Devonta Smith, Amite, 2017
Devonta Smith is not only one of the top receivers I evaluated during this stretch, he graded out as the best cornerback prospect, too. Currently enrolled at Alabama, once he adds the strength and mass he needs to succeed at that level, I expect him to become one of the key elements for the Crimson Tide offensive attack. Smith is the best route runner to come out of the state since Jarvis Landry.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:34 am to TideSaint
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Quanderrius Robinson enters this sophomore season at Jackson-Olin with one or two career tackles and one college football offer (thanks, Auburn!).
Robinson's emergence into college football recruiting is far from not normal, given his lack of playing time and experience on the high school level. But his measurables are just as atypical. At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds. Robinson is also energetic and coachable. And he's gearing up for a big fall.
So for the third time in as many seasons, Jackson-Olin enters the fall with another SEC recruit. Not long ago, the Mustangs were one of the losing programs in Birmingham City Schools. No more.
Linebacker TD Moultry (Class of 2017), now at Auburn, created the winning foundation. Defensive end/Wildcat quarterback Coynis Miller (Class of 2018) aims this season to continue the tradition. Meanwhile, Robinson and others will be charged with making sure SEC schools continue to stop by the campus to scout big-time talent.
It's quite a burden for Robinson, who this offseason moved from outside linebacker to free safety. But he loves challenges.
"One minute, I'm sitting right here, watching players play," said Robinson, who last season was a backup to Moultry and Montez Coleman. "Good players. Next thing I know, I'm one of the players they expect to make big plays.
"I'll get my chance."
So far, so good for Robinson, who performed well enough last month in front of Auburn coaches to earn his first college football scholarship offer.
Entering the trip, Robinson said he was nervous. But one of his coaches told him to treat the private workout like another football practice at Jackson-Olin. He did, plus more.
Robinson said he has a habit of starting slow. Cold feet, his size 13 cleats looking instead of reacting.
Not during the Auburn workout. Backpedaling. Flipping of the hips. Changing directions. He did it all. And fast.
"I was happy, I was impressed by what I did," Robinson said. "Never thought I'd do something like that. I was kind of crying. I tried not to cry, but I had never experienced anything like that before."
The next day, Robinson worked out at Alabama. He didn't leave with an offer, but he left with plenty to ponder. Some of the drills have helped his backpedaling, drills he shared with teammates back in Birmingham.
And he got a better sense of what it takes to play college football. "Everything has to be urgent," he said. "There's no walking."
Even during a high school workout.
"We were doing a drill, right. ... Backpedal, flip your hips, flip backwards then run back out the opposite way. I was a little bit too slow to get out there. (A coach told him) 'Come on. We're on a fast tempo. You got to hurry up, especially if you're thinking about coming to Alabama, or any college.'
"It's a quick tempo. Auburn is too, but it was slower than Alabama."
Robinson is still learning to play free safety, a position he switched to because of Jackson-Olin's need at the position. He's being recruited as an outside linebacker.
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He'll get an Alabama offer eventually.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:36 am to TideSaint
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Ask Asa Martin what his hometown is and he'll proudly tell you Courtland.
Martin is a four-star, 2018 running back at Austin High in Decatur, but he grew up about 21 miles west in the tiny, football-rich town of Courtland in Lawrence County.
"Growing up in Courtland, there ain't much to do around there, so me and my cousins played football out in the front yard," said Martin, the No. 4 player on AL.com's A-List of the state's top senior recruits.
Martin's family is part of Courtland's gridiron legacy. His uncle, Bruce Jones, was an All-American defensive back at UNA and a seventh-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 1986. Another uncle, Quinton Harris, played on both the offensive and defensive lines at UAB from 2003-06. A cousin, Eddrick Harris, was a defensive back at UNA from 2012-16. Cousin Eddquerion Harris is a redshirt-junior defensive tackle for the Lions.
"It means a lot," said Martin, who along with his mom and younger brother, moved to Decatur prior to his sixth-grade year. "I try to mention Courtland as much as I can; it's where I'm from. I've got so much respect for the town and the people as a whole. It's always going to be a part of me."
Family and football are intertwined for Martin. He dreams of making it to the NFL so that he can help give his mom, Sharay Harris, and brother, Austin sophomore Austin Harris, a better life. Another driving force when Martin takes the field is the memory of his grandmother, Velvet Ann Harris, who died before his eighth-grade year.
"I was always questioning 'why?' and stuff like that, but I've dealt with it in my ways," Martin said of his grandmother's death. "I've used that as motivation, as well."
Martin's strong ties to family and home - whether it be Courtland or Decatur - made his decision to play his junior season at IMG Academy in Florida difficult. During his one season at the Bradenton-based powerhouse, Martin ran for 372 yards and four touchdowns while seeing far less action than his sophomore year at Austin (1,374 yards and 12 TDs; he also played defense). Still, Martin felt the experience paid off. He left as a budding recruit weighing in at about 175 pounds, and returned at about 190 with a four-star rating.
For Martin, moving back to Alabama was an easy choice.
"Because I had already went (to IMG) and got everything I needed out of it," he said. "I just wanted to come back and enjoy my senior year."
Sharay was certainly happy about Martin's homecoming. She had experienced sleepless nights and "a lot of crying."
"Coming back was exciting for him," Sharay said. "He wanted to get ahead, grab his stars and get all the offers. I'm not saying he couldn't have got them here, but him just going out and going against more talent, it gave him a broader group to go up against. I think he handled it pretty well."
Martin said he kept in touch with Austin players while in Florida and that he tried to return to watch Black Bears games if he had an off week at IMG. That helped when it came time for his return.
"I felt like I was welcomed back with open arms," he said.
Austin eighth-year coach Jeremy Perkins was pleased with the way Martin was able to reunite with his old teammates.
"He's handled it with maturity," Perkins said. "The guys welcomed him back. But he's had to come back and earn his way. He's had to prove that he's the guy. He's had to work hard. He's come back ready to go. I think he's excited about it. The players are excited about him being back."
Martin will soon make another decision regarding a move. He's set to commit Thursday, choosing between Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Clemson.
"This has been like ... I don't know how he does it. I'm overwhelmed," Sharay said of the attention Martin has received as the nation's No. 10-rated running back.
Martin, meanwhile, has been a cool customer, according to Sharay.
"It's not like you'll say, 'Hey! There's a kid with all these offers,'" she said. "If you didn't know Asa, you wouldn't be able to point him out in a crowd to say that he's that kid.
"He's real calm and laid back; very intelligent. If he sets his mind to something, he really likes to go after it."
Martin plans to graduate in December and enroll for the college spring semester, marking the next step in a journey that began with a kid playing midget-league quarterback on the fields of Courtland.
"They switched me to running back when I was 10 or 11," Martin said. "I was mad about it; I didn't want to play running back. It all worked out for the best."
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Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:39 am to TideSaint
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A strong spring helped Hoover junior receiver George Pickens establish himself as one of the state's top 2019 recruits.
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound Pickens also made a big decision, committing to Auburn after performing well at a camp.
Pickens doesn't have much varsity experience. Last year, he starred in junior varsity games on Monday and also gave the first team defense some practice competition.
"He did some really nice things during practice," Hoover coach Josh Niblett said. "He ran a lot of (scout team) look against our 1D (first team defense) and they struggled stopping him."
Pickens will be a starter this fall at the Z-receiver position, opposite fellow Auburn commit Shedrick Jackson. But Niblett said they would try to use Pickens to create mismatches anywhere they can.
Hoover, the defending Class 7A champions, visits Georgia power Grayson in Loganville, Ga., on Friday to open the season.
"George's ball skills are second to none," Niblett said. "He's got good speed. He's got good length. For a guy who can play the ball in the air like he can, it's pretty amazing.
"Growing up, you could always tell that George has tried to work on his skill. That's what has given him a chance to be a difference-maker on the field."
Pickens' brother, Chris Humes, played for Auburn offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey at Spain Park. Many commitments this early in someone's high school career don't last. However, Niblett feels Pickens made the wise decision.
"I thought he was smart," Niblett said. "You're going to play at Auburn and if that's where you want to play, go play. Now, you can relax and concentrate on being the best high school player you can be, enjoy your junior and senior year and you don't have to worry about the stress of people bugging you all the time."
Even after last season, where Pickens didn't get much varsity experience, Niblett got the word out. Pickens then earned his major offers with strong performances in camps and spring practice.
Now, the four-star recruit is Auburn's first class of 2019 pledge.
He's also not the only talented receiver for the Bucs. Niblett said senior Martavius Hollifield is behind Pickens and senior Shaw Niblett is behind Jackson on the outside.
He mentioned inside receivers Jacquez Allen, Zach Elam, Jack Henry Milligan, Tim Booker, Xavier Long and Nick Davis as having chances to play this fall.
"This group's got a chance to be really special," Niblett said.
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I know he's committed to Auburn, but I don't think this kid's recruitment is even close to being over. He really wanted an Alabama offer but didn't get one at camp. He committed to Auburn two days later.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:41 am to TideSaint
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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. It’s Tuesday, and we’re talking the latest with an Alabama running back target announcing his commitment this Thursday.
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Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:42 am to TideSaint
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Asa Martin committing this Thursday
I visited Asa Martin at Austin High School (Decatur, Ala.) in April just days prior to him picking up an offer from the Crimson Tide when he visited for A-Day. He told me at the time that he didn’t think he would be a good fit in Alabama’s offense.
“I just don’t really know. … I just don’t think it really fits my style very much,” Martin told SEC Country in April. “The style of running back I am, I don’t really feel like I fit into that style of offense.
“I’m more like of an open-type, shotgun offense. Spread style.”
Those comments would favor Auburn’s offense. The No. 10 running back in the Class of 2018 per the 247Sports composite ratings is down to Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Florida. Most believe his decision will come down to the two in-state programs. He’ll announce his commitment this Thursday at 11 a.m. ET.
Martin has since backtracked on his comments on the Crimson Tide’s offense. He’s visited Tuscaloosa several times since April and has had numerous conversations with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll about how he plans on using Martin if he chose Alabama. Not only can Martin run between the tackles, but he can bounce it outside and catch the ball out of the backfield.
Austin High School coach Jeremy Perkins thinks Martin can fit in any offensive scheme.
“I think he has the skillset to do so many different things,” Perkins told SEC Country. “Whichever offense he chooses, I know he can be a great downhill runner. He can run the zone and stretch plays. He does that for us. He can fit in the spread system where he’s running more power, sweeps and inside-outside zones out of the shotgun. He fits in any system. There’s a lot of variety in his game.”
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:43 am to TideSaint
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Asa Martin — is there room for him on the roster?
When fans, reporters and those who closely analyze recruiting at Alabama, especially at the running back position, some are quick to point out that the Crimson Tide have five running backs on the roster who are fully capable of being the man when called upon.
But, there’s a very good chance Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris leave for the NFL after this season. That would leave just three running backs in Tuscaloosa. Even if one or both stay for another season, Perkins believes Alabama’s depth at running back for Martin is a non-issue.
“I think if it was an issue for him, he wouldn’t have Alabama as one of his top four teams,” Perkins said. “Some would argue Alabama is one of his top two teams. If it was an issue, we would have had a conversation about it. He’s a competitor. He’s not shying away from competition. He never has done that.”
Martin transferred to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) for his junior season before returning to Austin for his senior season. He split carries with 2019 Alabama running back commit Trey Sanders while there, and it wasn’t an issue for Martin. He felt like he achieved what he wanted to do at IMG — get bigger (gained more than 20 pounds) and have a year of college-like prep away from home. That’s why he returned to Alabama.
His recruitment took off while at IMG and has only gotten more hectic this offseason. Perkins feels like Martin is so coveted because of his ability to do multiple things in any offense.
“I think it’s the overall package with Asa,” Perkins said. “His versatility makes him someone you want on your team. He’s a very competitive young man. He doesn’t back down from anyone. He will work hard to be the best. He’s a special player. There’s not anything that he can’t do.”
Perkins hasn’t asked Martin which school he’s choosing on Thursday, and he’s not going to pester him about it. He believes Martin will only tell his mother about his decision before Thursday. His teammates and assistant coaches haven’t been told of his decision and won’t be informed, Perkins said.
There’s confidence on both sides — Alabama and Auburn. The Tide have felt confident they were going to land Martin for several months now, while the Tigers have grown increasingly confident in the last several weeks. This decision could truly go either way on Thursday.
“What everyone thinks they know out there, it’s not coming from him,” Perkins said. “Your guess is as good as mine. He has kept this really close to the vest.”
If Martin does choose Auburn, Perkins believes Martin is going to shut down his recruitment to focus on the season because he’s an early enrollee.
“The plan is for him to be done, but with recruiting how it is today, I wouldn’t put my John Hancock on that or bet the house.
“I think he has taken the due diligence needed to make this decision. I think he’s going to feel very comfortable with this. His plan is that when he makes his commitment that the school he picks will be the place he signs, but who knows what the future holds.”
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:44 am to TideSaint
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In this South Carolina recruiting look, SEC Country takes its first look at the top 20 prospects from the state’s Class of 2018.
They’re also the favorite for the top overall prospect in the class.
How does this SEC Country list stack up against the rankings by the 247Sports composite and Rivals? There are quite a few differences.
LINK
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:45 am to TideSaint
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The recruiting inside the state of Tennessee has trended upward over the past 10-15 years. This has been of large benefit to the Tennessee program.
The Nashville area continues to grow and become a hotbed for top-tier SEC talent. Memphis is full of athletes and the Knoxville area produced some top players in the Class 0f 2018.
Even former Tennessee and Hall of Fame coach Phillip Fulmer said it just means more to win with homegrown talent.
Coach Butch Jones has put in a lot of time and effort into recruiting the Volunteer State this cycle. The fruits of his labor have paid off with the Vols reeling in many of the top in-state players.
SEC Country has studied the prospects from Tennessee and ranked the top 20 players in the Class of 2018.
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Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:46 am to TideSaint
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14. 3-star DT Emmit Gooden (6-4, 310 pounds), Arkansas
Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema likes linemen on both sides of the ball a certain way: big and hard to move around.
Gooden brings the Razorbacks exactly that with his size. He has the frame to get into a college weight room and really become a strong player at the next level.
I've seen his name mentioned by a few people over the last two weeks in case we miss on other DT targets.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:47 am to TideSaint
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4. 4-star DE Jordan Davis (6-5, 238 pounds), Alabama
Any time a defensive lineman receives a committable offer from the Crimson Tide, it’s noteworthy.
Davis’ pass rushing skills off the edge might even be better than Greg Emerson’s at the moment. Alabama coach Nick Saban must be able to envision the big, athletic frame as a productive SEC pass rusher down the line.
Davis plays for Southwind High School in Memphis. He plays against some of the most athletic players in the South and his play stands out from the rest.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:48 am to TideSaint
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After evaluating the high school football talent throughout Louisiana during various camps, 7-on-7 competition, drills on campus and watching film, SEC Country is ready to unveil its inaugural prospect rankings for the Class of 2018.
Naturally, LSU holds commitments from a bevy of the talent included in the top 30 and is squarely in the mix with those who remain uncommitted at the time of these rankings.
Note: These rankings will be adjusted after the high school football season begins later this month. These evaluations are based on offseason workouts from February through July, including 7-on-7 competition and tournaments, Nike’s The Opening regional camps and Finals, as well various prospect camps across the state, including three held at LSU in June.
Without further ado, here are the top 30 prospects in Louisiana for 2018:
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Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:51 am to TideSaint
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16. Slade Bolden, 3-star ATH (5-11, 195); Alabama commit
My first encounter with Slade Bolden came in 2014 in a playoff game in Covington. Bolden was entering his second month —yes, month — as West Monroe’s quarterback after being thrust into the position late in his freshman season. That year, Bolden led his team to the Class 5A championships.
Bolden plays a Tim Tebow-esque role for West Monroe, but will be a slot receiver/all-purpose back at the next level. He clocked a 4.47 40 laser time at Alabama’s camp in mid-July after he worked back into shape following baseball season. He has sure hands and usually possesses the edge when it comes to athletic ability.
As a running back, he is hard to contain when he gets a head of steam. As a receiver, he runs precise routes and can reel in any ball thrown in his vicinity.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:52 am to TideSaint
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2. Kelvin Joseph, 4-star DB (6-1, 191); LSU commit
Kelvin Joseph burst onto the scene when he committed to LSU 18 months ago, but since then has quickly stolen and held on to the title as the top defensive back in an always-loaded Louisiana crop.
Joseph makes a living out of being physical in coverage. His muscular build makes him a mismatch for less-physical receivers and his fearlessness gives him an edge to never give up on a play. Joseph has the ability to play both cornerback and safety, which is why I consider him a pure defensive back. At safety, Joseph shines with his ability to patrol center field and deliver knockout blows to receivers all over the field or in the run game. Joseph can stand to improve some technical parts of his game, but he could easily make a Day 1 impact at LSU at a bevy of different positions.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:53 am to TideSaint
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1. Terrace Marshall Jr., 5-star WR (6-3, 192); uncommitted
Terrace Marshall takes the cake as the No. 1 prospect in the top 30, which should come as no surprise to those who follow the recruiting game.
Marshall is as polished a wide receiver to come out of The Boot since Jarvis Landry back in 2011. He is a superb route-runner with good hands and his frame allows him to beat up on smaller defensive backs. He has no hesitation about snatching balls over the middle. What impresses me the most is the strides he has made off the field. Last summer, the 5-star receiver was benched during a 7-on-7 tournament in Dallas. After putting in work during the offseason, Marshall had a monstrous junior season and has since dominated the competition. He’s the top prospect in the state and top wideout in the country, and I credit the ferocity he’s played with since last July as a reason why.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:54 am to TideSaint
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Welcome to SEC Country’s daily Eye on the Tigers, a rundown of everything happening in LSU Tigers recruiting, with Sam Spiegelman. Today, we discuss Kelvin Joseph, LSU’s longest-tenured 2018 commitment and the face of the defensive backs group in this recruiting cycle. Joseph dishes on the future of one-time commit Nadab Joseph and how the Tigers secondary class will look come February.
LINK
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:55 am to TideSaint
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Kelvin Joseph blindsided by Nadab Joseph’s de-commitment
HARVEY, La. — Nadab Joseph made the surprising decision to de-commit from LSU earlier this month. Even one of his closest friends was caught off-guard.
Kelvin Joseph, who has grown very close with Nadab through unofficial visits to LSU’s campus over the past two summers, did not see his recruitment unfolding the way it did. There’s time, though.
Kelvin can understand Nadab’s de-commitment from a recruit’s vantage point, and at the same time, is holding out hope for a reunion in LSU’s 2018 class in the fall.
“I don’t know. I was shocked,” Joseph told SEC Country, on Nadab’s decision to reopen his recruitment. “I didn’t see any signs from him, but he’s weighing out of his options and hopefully, he rejoins the family. I think that LSU can [get him back]. I think they can.”
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Joseph remains solid in his pledge to the Tigers. That’s a credit to defensive backs coach Corey Raymond, who has steered him back to LSU when he was wavering on his commitment over the past 2 1/2 years.
How has Raymond been successful? A personal touch — not only with the All-American defensive back, but to those closest to him.
“They’ve got to talk to him and get close with him [Nadab] and his family and his coaches,” Joseph said. “They hit me up and they talk to my people. They talk to my coaches and go all around to make sure that they can get me. It’s not just me that they talk to, you know what I mean.”
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:57 am to TideSaint
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Kelvin Joseph down to 5; LSU remains in great shape
Joseph has steadily been cementing his commitment to LSU in recent months. His best friend and 5-star point guard Javonte Smart had something to do with it.
But in order to ensure he’s fully confident in that decision, the Under Armour All-American defensive back will make five official visits before dotting the line of his letter of intent. LSU, Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Kansas will each host Joseph one last time in the fall before he finalizes his plans.
“Well, I just talked to my family and prayed on it, and I felt that God blessed me with a lot of options and I felt that I should pick the best,” Joseph told SEC Country. “I want to visit and make sure the decision that I made is right for me going ahead.”
Alabama has been a team that Joseph was trending toward this time a year ago. He’s made several visits over the past two years and will return again when the Tide plays LSU on Nov. 4.
Florida — which recently added a commitment from 4-star Louisiana receiver Ja’Marr Chase — has made a strong push after adding Baton Rouge native Brad Davis to the coaching staff. Joseph will make his first visit to Gainesville, Fla., when the Gators play LSU on Oct. 7.
Joseph has made one visit to Kansas — in the spring — but will return in the fall for an official when the Jayhawks play West Virginia. Two of his closest friends, 4-star receiver Devonta Jason and 4-star corner Corione Harris, are committed to Kansas.
Joseph remains unclear when he’ll officially visit LSU or Florida State at this point, but both are sure to receive visits.
“Those are the schools that hit me up every day,” he said. “They’re the schools that show me that they need me.”
The interesting twist here: Three of Joseph’s five official visits will include LSU games. That’s one game in Baton Rouge and two on the road at Florida and ‘Bama. There was some planning behind that decision.
Joseph plans on taking in how LSU’s secondary looks this season and the team in general. Based on that and his relationship with Raymond, he deems his chances of sticking with the Tigers pretty high at this stage.
“I think it’s a good chance,” he said. “I want to see how the season plays out for them and how the rotation looks and how the coaches are doing. I’m going to look into everything.
“I have a good feeling that I’ll be there. Now, it’s getting to the end and I’ve got to make sure that this is really for me and if I’m going to fit.”
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:58 am to TideSaint
Just catching up on a few things I missed this weekend:
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We offered him too.
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Mississippi State has landed a big-time recruit in 5-star defensive end Charles Moore, who announced his commitment Saturday on Twitter.
The 2019 prospect out of Louisville, Miss. is ranked the No. 1 recruit in the state, along with being the No. 27 overall in the nation. Moore is ranked as the No. 3 strong-side defensive end in the class, as well.
Moore was one of, if not the top targets of coach Dan Mullen and Mississippi State. He held offers from rival Ole Miss and fellow SEC member Georgia among others.
LINK
We offered him too.
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