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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 8/22/17 at 3:09 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 8/22/17 at 3:09 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Arkansas staff sends handwritten letters to TE Luke Ford
Arkansas lost the commitment of tight end Luke Ford in June. It was a tough blow for the 2018 class.
Ford, from Carterville, Ill., was Arkansas’ highest-rated commit at the time and still would be. He is the No. 2 tight end in the class according to the 247Sports composite. His ranking has been elevated since Rivals recently tabbed him as the No. 1 tight end nationally.
The Razorbacks are still hopeful the breakup was only temporary. Every member of the coaching staff sent handwritten letters to Ford, which he received Monday. At least two additional letters were sent to Ford’s parents, Timothy and Lisa.
Ford posted a thank you to the staff via Twitter on Monday afternoon. A few hours later, coach Bret Bielema released a tweet of his own that read, “Love the U.S. Post Office #WoooPig #TEU.”
LINK
Bielema.
1
Posted on 8/22/17 at 3:11 pm to TideSaint
2019 Rivals100 RB Quavaris Crouch keeping "my eye open" this season
A RB class of Trey Sanders and Crouch would be fantastic.
quote:
Recruitment takes a backseat to the season for many major prospects. That much is clear with 2019 Rivals100 running back Quavaris Crouch. The Charlotte (N.C.) Harding University star had an amazing season opener and, while he has de-emphasized recruitment a bit, he isn't completely shutting down for the season.
IN HIS OWN WORDS…
"I haven't been trying to stay in touch with many coaches right now," Crouch said. "I'm trying to stay together with my team right now. I still keep my eye open for systems I can run through. Teams that run pro-style, downhill offenses are where I really feel like I excel the most. I like schools like Georgia, Florida State, and other downhill teams. I keep N.C. State, Clemson, South Carolina, Alabama, and all those schools in mind because I still have two years to make my decision so you never know what could happen. I'm taking it really slow and allowing everything to hit me.
"I'm going to go to the Florida State and Alabama game that's coming up," he said. "That's going to be a big game. We play mostly Friday games so I'll be on the move on Saturday's trying to see some games. I want to see what fits and me and how they run their offense."
On his most recent visit: "I really enjoyed the visit to Michigan because I got to bond with the players and it let feel how it would be to be a real college athlete," said Crouch. "They were just showing me the day to day things they did. That was the best I've had so far because I just want people to tell me how to get better and prepare me for life.
"Quinn Nordin, Khaleke Hudson, and Chris Evans made a big impression on me," he said. "Chris Evans is a really great guy and he actually helped me a lot with trying to stay focused when things aren’t going right. I really liked the atmosphere and the players."
On playing defensive end this season: "It's a big difference playing defensive end," Crouch said. "You're playing with some bigger boys so I had to learn how to get their hands off me and how to make the quarterback get the ball out of his hands as fast as possible."
On fellow North Carolina running back and UGA commit Zamir White: "I saw what Zamir did the other night (over 300-yards on less than 20 touches and three touchdowns)," he said. "I knew they weren't going to shut him down. I was rooting for him. I like him a lot and I look up to him a little bit. I'll be trying to get in touch with him."
RIVALS' REACTION
Crouch is generally pretty open about what is happening in his recruitment so everybody should take him at his word when he says he is taking things slowly. Expect Crouch to continue taking visits throughout the season with the most likely destinations being Georgia, South Carolina, Clemson, and N.C. State after he checks out the upcoming Alabama and Florida State game. An early decision isn't in the cards here but Crouch may declare an early favorite and wait to announce a commitment.
As far as his performance on Friday night, Crouch was outstanding and could be a major prospect on the defensive side of the ball as well. A true workhorse running back, Crouch gets better as the game goes on and can break off big runs while pounding the interior of the defense. His multi-sack performance at defensive end along with a fumble recovery offers a level of confirmation that it isn't unreasonable to think Crouch could up listed as an athlete instead of a running back.
A RB class of Trey Sanders and Crouch would be fantastic.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 3:18 pm to TideSaint
Seeing as there appears to be some growing confidence on the Auburn front regarding Asa Martin I decided to look at some of the RBs we've offered that could potentially be fall back options if we miss on Martin.
It doesn't look good.
It doesn't look good.
This post was edited on 8/22/17 at 3:19 pm
Posted on 8/22/17 at 3:23 pm to TideSaint
We need to find a sleeper.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 3:24 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Seeing as there appears to be some growing confidence on the Auburn front regarding Asa Martin I decided to look at some of the RBs we've offered that could potentially be fall back options if we miss on Martin.
It doesn't look good.
It's not entirely bleak.
Najee, Jacobs, and Robinson get the bulk next year, but you would like to have another one in the wings learning, growing, and improving for 2019 and beyond.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 3:28 pm to bamasgot13
quote:
It's not entirely bleak.
Oh what we currently have on the roster is fine. I'm talking strictly Class of 2018 prospects.
quote:
but you would like to have another one in the wings learning, growing, and improving for 2019 and beyond.
The problem is we've only offered 11 running backs in this class, Asa Martin included, and almost all of them are committed elsewhere.
The ones who aren't are Harold Joiner(
), James Cook (Georgia bound eventually), some 3-star kid named Devon Lawrence from North Carolina and a 3-star dude from Tampa who is ranked #183 overall in the state of Florida. Not exactly an ideal situation. Posted on 8/22/17 at 3:54 pm to TideSaint
I will say Slade Bolden looks big enough to handle the load as an every down back, but I don't think that would suit his talents in the best way possible.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 3:59 pm to TideSaint
quote:
I will say Slade Bolden looks big enough to handle the load as an every down back, but I don't think that would suit his talents in the best way possible.
agree here. i don't know if he can handle load like Stanford had McCaffery do, but I think he could be a Kenyan Drake type for us and spell the 2 lead backs with 6-8 carries and a couple of catches a game
Posted on 8/22/17 at 4:56 pm to TideSaint
quote:
It doesn't look good.
Harold Joiner it is.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 5:09 pm to CapstoneGrad06
Lord no. He won't ever play RB in the SEC
Posted on 8/22/17 at 7:19 pm to Cobrasize
quote:what's the knock on joiner again? I've not been following recruiting with my usual diligence this year. Just looking at his profile, he's the number 5 rb in the class and has 29 offers including us, Auburn, LSU, etc.. is ranked higher than Martin in 247 composite
Lord no. He won't ever play RB in the SEC
This post was edited on 8/22/17 at 7:53 pm
Posted on 8/22/17 at 7:44 pm to Cobrasize
To be honest, Zamir White is still a legit possibility. It was thought when he committed to Uga that his recruitment was FAR from over.
It's Alabama. And it's the running back position. We'll sign somebody really good, even if we have to flip whoever it is.
It's Alabama. And it's the running back position. We'll sign somebody really good, even if we have to flip whoever it is.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 7:44 pm to narddogg81
Just watched his junior film. Nothing on that made me say 'he will never be a sec running back'. He's a tall back and runs kinda upright, so looks like leg tackles are quite effective on him (same could be said about Derrick Henry). He doesn't seem to push the pile as much as you would like for a back that big, but he also always seems to fall forward for the extra few yards. Looks like a good receiver, runs well after the catch. Long strider that deceptively covers a lot of ground, has some subtle shake in the open field. He doesn't have that 4th gear like Henry, where he's running away from the DBS when he gets going. Looks pretty good at getting skinny and making his initial cut. Hard to estimate speed on backs like him, but looks like maybe a mid 4.6 kinda guy. He doesn't look like a RB who's gonna set any sec records, but a year after getting najeee Harris (best looking RB coming out of hs since and probably including fournette) he's not a bad depth guy. Really just kinda looks like a poor man's Derrick Henry to me. Plus if he doesn't work out at RB hes got the frame and ranginess to make a good lb.
This post was edited on 8/22/17 at 7:48 pm
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:25 pm to Cobrasize
quote:
Lord no. He won't ever play RB in the SEC
We've had some linebacker types that turned out to be pretty good RBs.
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:27 pm to narddogg81
ESPN has him running a 4.76 in the 40. He doesn't want to compete for the running back job, he wants it given to him. He would be a good Hback or linebacker, but he refuses to play another position. If you got him on campus and then switched his position, he would be a disaster in the locker room.
I'd rather take a chance on a lower ranked kid than have this guy. I'm wrong 90%of the time, so just take my opinion with a grain of salt
I'd rather take a chance on a lower ranked kid than have this guy. I'm wrong 90%of the time, so just take my opinion with a grain of salt
Posted on 8/22/17 at 8:58 pm to Cobrasize
quote:I've seen some freaky weird 40 times on kids this year. Justyn Ross is listed as like a 4.89, and yet is a highly ranked wr that we are actively recruiting. I doubt Saban is after a wr that legitimately runs as slow as a lineman. I don't trust any high school 40 times, I would rather watch him and trust my eyes
ESPN has him running a 4.76 in the 40.
This post was edited on 8/22/17 at 8:59 pm
Posted on 8/23/17 at 8:15 am to narddogg81
quote:
Welcome to SEC Country’s daily Roll Tide-ings, a rundown of everything happening in Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting with Chris Kirschner. Today, we talk the latest with a top Alabama target set to announce his commitment this weekend.
Posted on 8/23/17 at 8:16 am to Rizzy
quote:
Vernon Jackson set to commit this Saturday
Vernon Jackson only played three games of junior varsity for Boling (Texas) High School before he was called up to the varsity team. Boling’s starting defensive end went down with a season-ending knee injury and there was no hesitation that Jackson would be the replacement.
Since then, Jackson has turned into one of the best recruits in the country and a major Alabama inside linebacker target. He’ll announce his commitment this Saturday and all signs are pointing toward the Crimson Tide.
“He’s special and freaky,” Boling coach Kevin Urbanek told SEC Country. “He’s 6-foot-3 and weighs over 240 pounds, but he moves like a skill kid. You watch him on film sometimes and you just ask yourself how he made that cut or how he does what he does at that size. He’s a special freak. That’s what I call him.”
Jackson is rated by 247Sports as a 3-star prospect and the nation’s No. 26 athlete in the 2018 class, which is absurd when you watch his film. The reason for the low ranking is Jackson didn’t attend any recruiting camps this summer. He keeps a low profile with the media, so he doesn’t get seen or heard from a lot.
Some fans may yawn over Alabama likely getting a 3-star prospect on Saturday when he makes his decision around 2 p.m. ET, but this would be a really good pickup for the Tide. Alabama has considered Jackson a priority for several months now.
“I don’t know how 25 guys are rated ahead of him,” Urbanek said of Jackson’s ranking. “I would really like to see those guys. I know if there are that many players rated above him, I would really like to meet them. He’s such a special kid, so if someone is ahead of him, how special is that guy?”
Jackson plays quarterback and free safety for Boling, which makes him a very intriguing prospect.
There aren’t many recruits in the country who play quarterback but are getting looks at linebacker in the SEC. Schools have shown interest in Jackson at quarterback, running back, H-back, tight end, defensive end and linebacker.
As a junior, Jackson competed 57 of 97 attempts for 836 yards and 6 scores, along with another 2,072 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground. He rushed for more than 500 yards and scored 7 touchdowns in the third round of the playoffs.
“You just don’t see many kids his size that can do the athletic things he can do,” Urbanek said. “Everyone comes here and asks me where I see him playing. I always tell them that is their job. You can put him wherever you want. You want him to be a D-lineman? You can put 40 pounds on him. You want him to be an inside or outside linebacker? He can do it.”
Not only is he gifted on the field, but he also holds a 3.8 GPA and is a warrior in the weight room. He can squat 600 pounds. Twitter went crazy when Penn State running back Saquon Barkley squatted 525 pounds five times. A senior in high school is already doing that. Imagine what Jackson can do when he follows a proper diet and starts Scott Cochran’s weight program, if he chooses Alabama.
The Crimson Tide started looking like Jackson’s eventual pick after a trip to Tuscaloosa last month. He stayed on campus for three days, which was his first time visiting the school. He loved it.
“He went there this summer and felt that connection with the staff,” Urbanek said. “I think when he went there this summer that he got that feeling, and we always talk with coaches about what he’s looking for in schools. He’s looking for that place where he just knows like he belongs. I think that was the thing with him when he went there.”
When he makes his commitment this Saturday, Urbanek said don’t expect him to be one of those recruits who continues flirting with other schools.
“Personally, I think he’s going to be done,” Urbanek said. “I think he’s ready to make his commitment and get this done. He’s one of those kids that when he tells you he’s going to do something, that’s what he’s going to do. When he makes his decision on Saturday, that’s it.”
ABC 13 Houston is expected to livestream Jackson’s ceremony this Saturday. When SEC Country gets the link, we will post it on our site.
Posted on 8/23/17 at 8:16 am to Rizzy
quote:
Quick note on Asa Martin
Asa Martin, a 4-star running back from Austin High School (Decatur, Ala.), will make his commitment this Thursday. For several months I’ve predicted Martin to commit to Alabama.
I am changing my prediction.
When Martin makes his commitment on Thursday, I expect Auburn to be the choice. I am hearing loads of confidence on the Auburn side of things and the Tigers have continued to gain traction by the day.
We still have one more day to go until his decision, which is an eternity in recruiting, so my prediction can change. But, right now, I’m thinking Auburn is going to land the state’s top running back
Posted on 8/23/17 at 8:28 am to Rizzy
quote:
When Martin makes his commitment on Thursday, I expect Auburn to be the choice.
Wow.
Talk about a shot to the nuts.
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