re: 2017 Football Recruiting Thread ["N$D Bryant" Edition]

Alright people we are officially one week away from NSD. We have 20 committed though Bill Taylor will take a blueshirt so with a target of 25 we can sign 6 players. I honestly don't know who the last 1-2 guys will be but here's where we stand right now

Top Targets
4* S Devon Hunter (Committed to VT last week but staff might still visit. Trying to get him on campus this last weekend but seems like a real long shot)
4* WR Oliver Martin (Was supposed to visit this past weekend but Ohio State got him instead. I think AU still trying to get him on campus this weekend but seems doubtful now)
4* DE Markaviest Bryant (UGA/AU/LSU battle, Dawgs still the leaders but some think that both set of Tigers have a decent shot at this. AU gets his last official visit)
4* DE Ryan Johnson (AU/STAN battle, was accepted to Stanford last week plans on having decision either Friday or Monday)
4* LB Tyler Taylor (AU/LSU battle, with LSU trending due to playing time opportunities still mom likes AU & Taylor close with T-WILL. Should have decision this week)
4* OT Kai-Leon Herbert (AU/UF/MIA battle. Some think AU is already out of it)
3* TE John Samuel Shenker (received AU offer this week and plans to officially visit this weekend)

Names to Watch
3* OT Jordan Tucker (recently committed to UNC but could be a late target for AU)
3* OG Poutasi Poutasi (doesn't have AU offer but with OL list dwindling could receive a late offer)
3* FB Chase Lasater (seemed set to commit until Lindsey was hired, now probably won't get commitable offer)
3* WR Jafar Armstrong (Mizzou commit that recently has gotten attention from AU staff. Unless he visits this weekend doubt anything comes of it)
3* TE Kemari Averett (Mixed reports on whether or not the Louisville commit will officially visit this weekend)
3* WR Marlon Williams (Former USC commit that was getting some attention from AU but recent reports make it seem unlikely Tigers push)
3* OL Matthew Tanner (JUCO OL that AU has had talks with, another possible late OL target)

I imagine some more late names might pop up especially at WR. With back counting on the chopping block I think AU will try hard to fill all 6 spots but we will see. Will be interesting to see who all makes officials this weekend. As of now the only NSD announcement with AU involved would be Markaviest Bryant so this will probably be one of the more quiet signing days under Malzahn unless something happens over the weekend. At this point doubt we end up with a top 10 class due to losing Hunter late but would have a shot at it if we land trio of Taylor/Johnson/Bryant. I like our chances with Johnson & Taylor but gonna need a big weekend to get Bryant

FYI I won't be able to run the NSD thread this year because there will be stretches throughout the day I won't be available. But I do plan on running the 2018 football recruiting thread so will have a post up for that sometime in the afternoon on NSD