re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

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We already supposedly like him a LOT, FWIW.

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QUARTERBACK

1. Kellen Mond, Texas A&M

2. Jake Fromm, Georgia

3. Keytaon Thompson, Mississippi State

4. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

5. Myles Brennan, LSU

Farrell’s take: Mond is perfect for what Texas A&M asks of its quarterback. Fromm will push Jacob Eason quickly and has the skillset to excel in a pro-style offense. Thompson could be Dan Mullen’s next great quarterback. Tagovailoa is a better pure passer than Jalen Hurts and could be the long-term passing solution. Finally, Brennan has the smarts and downfield vision to perhaps help a rough quarterback system at LSU and excel under Matt Canada.

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WIDE RECEIVER

1. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

2. OrTre Smith, South Carolina

3. Jhamon Ausbon, Texas A&M

4. Mark Webb, Georgia

5. Henry Ruggs, Alabama

Farrell’s take: Jeudy’s catch-and-run ability will be perfect as Hurts develops as a passer. South Carolina will utilize Smith’s size and big hands well. Ausbon has size and sneaky speed and could be that big receiver a la Mike Evans (okay slightly smaller) as a go-to guy. Webb’s downfield speed will be needed and utilized by Georgia. Ruggs, out of the slot or outside, can be an extension of the Crimson Tide rushing attack.

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OFFENSIVE LINE

1. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

2. Trey Smith, Tennessee

3. Isaiah Wilson, Georgia

4. Calvin Ashley, Auburn

5. Austin Deculus, LSU

Farrell’s take: Leatherwood’s size and improved technique should allow him to excel either inside or outside early, and is perfect for the Alabama offense. Smith is a much-needed athletic and physical lineman who will bring aggression to the Vols. Wilson’s size and run blocking is perfect for Sam Pittman’s scheme at Georgia. Ashley could play inside or outside and is an excellent seal blocker for Auburn’s rushing attack. Deculus is a mauler who will be great for LSU’s power run attack.

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DEFENSIVE TACKLE

1. Tyler Shelvin, LSU

2. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama

3. Elijah Conliffe, Florida

4. MJ Webb, South Carolina

5. Noah Elliss, Mississippi State

Farrell’s take: Shelvin’s ability as a zero technique or as a pocket pushing 3-tech will be welcome at LSU. Mathis has the athleticism to be the next gap-shooting star in Bama’s system. Conliffe could be a big outside guy or work exclusively inside in the Gators scheme and they have done well with big athletes. Webb will hold up blockers to allow the linebackers to run free for the Gamecocks. Elliss is a pocket crusher who will work well with outside talent like Jeffrey Simmons.

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SAFETY

1. JaCoby Stevens, LSU

2. Grant Delpit, LSU

3. Xavier McKinney, Alabama

4. Richard LeCounte, Georgia

5. Maleik Gray, Tennessee

Farrell’s take: Stevens and Delpit are both rangy, close well and have excellent athleticism. McKinney can play safety or even some corner if needed so his versatility fits Alabama's system well. LeCounte is physical and a ball hawk who can play aggressively and close to the line of scrimmage. Gray could grow into a linebacker but if he doesn’t he’s going to make a ton of plays as a big strong safety in the Vols' scheme.

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1. G.O.A.T. BY POSITION

Tom Brady is the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.). He’s the best quarterback I’ve ever seen and I’ve been watching football since I was 6-years-old. That means, in my mind, Michigan has bragging rights at that position.

Here’s what programs can brag on having the G.O.A.T. at each position when it comes to NFL greatness since 1976.

Quarterback: Tom Brady, Michigan – Now with five Super Bowl wins, Brady gets the nod over Joe Montana (Notre Dame), Dan Marino (Pitt), Peyton Manning (Tennessee), John Elway (Stanford) and others.

Running Back: Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State – This is a close one, at least for me, with Eric Dickerson (SMU), Walter Payton (Jackson State) and Emmitt Smith (Florida) also in the conversation. Marshall Faulk (San Diego State) also gets a shout-out as does Earl Campbell (Texas) but Sanders was the best and most electric of them all.

Wide Receiver: Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State – Where are the Delta Devils fans out there? This one isn’t close at all with Randy Moss (Marshall) being the only one comparable that I’ve seen. Time will tell if Julio Jones (Alabama) can approach these two.

Tight End: Tony Gonzalez, Cal – The former college football and basketball star is the best I’ve ever seen. Rob Gronkowski (Arizona) is up there as well, and he is still working on his numbers and impact. Kellen Winslow (Missouri) was also great.

Offensive Line: John Hannah, Alabama – The former Roll Tide and New England Patriots star is followed closely by Anthony Munoz (USC), Bruce Matthews (USC) and Orlando Pace (Ohio State).

Defensive End: Reggie White, Tennessee – “The Minister of Defense” edges out Bruce Smith (Virginia Tech) for No. 1 here in my book, so brag on Vols fans.

Defensive Tackle: Joe Green, North Texas – “Mean Joe” was incredible, followed closely by Randy White (Maryland). Many of the greats at the position were before my time but I remember being awed by these two.

Linebacker: Lawrence Taylor, North Carolina – Is there any question here? Taylor changed the way the position was played and is well ahead of Ray Lewis (Miami), Jack Lambert (Kent State) and Mike Singletary (Baylor).

Cornerback: Deion Sanders, Florida State – Sanders, although a reluctant tackler, gets the nod over Rod Woodson (Purdue) and Charles Woodson (Michigan) at least for me.

Safety: Ronnie Lott, USC – The Trojans get on the board here with the amazing Lott who had his broken pinkie finger amputated in 1986 rather than miss time with reconstructive surgery. He gets my nod over Ed Reed (Miami) and Brian Dawkins (Clemson). And no, I don’t have Troy Polamalu in the same category as Lott, Reed and Dawkins.

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