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re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition
Posted on 10/19/16 at 1:58 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 10/19/16 at 1:58 pm to TideSaint
quote:
More than three months ago, Plaquemine, Louisiana, safety Todd Harris had the recruiting world in the palm of his hand when he held a press conference during which many expected him to end his recruiting process.
The 4-star prospect sat in the Plaquemine High School gym with the hats of three schools in front of him—Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss.
The final result: Harris pulled out a Plaquemine hat. He then committed to his high school. While Harris received heat from critics on social media, Plaquemine head coach Paul Distefano immediately took full responsibility for the publicity stunt.
Since then, Harris has been relatively quiet with the ultimate plans of his recruiting. That includes official visits, potential favorites and even sleeper teams that may have a shot on national signing day.
On Tuesday, after taking part in his Under Armour jersey presentation, Harris chatted with Bleacher Report and gave an update on his recruitment status.
In short, don't expect any major moves any time soon. He's considering announcing his verbal commitment during the Under Armour All-America Game on Jan. 1. Until then, he's doing his own research in an effort to make one decision—and one decision only.
"I'm just waiting, because when I do decide, I want to be 100 percent committed to that school," Harris said. "I still have to see what's my parents' opinions are on what schools I have in mind as well."
Harris has yet to take an official visit and said they most likely will take place immediately after his senior season. Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and in-state LSU are among the schools that have a chance at an official visit. None of those, he emphasized, are set in stone.
All four SEC schools have something that intrigues the 6'0", 185-pounder. The next few weeks will be big on the field for all of the schools, and Harris said he will be watching.
"All have great programs and great coaches," he said. "All the schools are competing for the national championship every year."
Harris is a safety with a cornerback's coverage skills and a linebacker's tackling ability. He's an athlete with the versatility that every coach wants in a guy in the secondary. Add the fact that Harris returned a kickoff 76 yards for a touchdown last week against Livonia High School, and the options on how to use him on the field are heightened.
He entered his senior season averaging 82.5 tackles and 19 pass breakups in two varsity seasons. He has 53 tackles, nine pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery this season, according to Andrew Lopez of NOLA.com.
Harris has 12 reported offers, according to Scout.com, and is ranked No. 79 overall in the 2017 class.
Harris said he is excited about the future with next-level football, but for now, his focus is on helping Plaquemine make the playoffs. The team is 4-3 on the year and riding a three-game winning streak entering Friday's clash with Woodlawn High School out of nearby Baton Rouge.
Harris has seen athletes commit, then decommit, and he said that while he understands every athlete has their reasoning, he doesn't want to be placed in that category.
"I'm going to commit, and that's going to be it," he said. "I'm not going to flip decisions."
Harris added that wherever he goes, he's looking to compete immediately. Playing in the Under Armour All-America Game will give him a chance to show his skills against some of the college football household names of the future.
"It's a blessing. It shows how much of hard work, sweat and dedication I have put into the game of football," Harris said of the Under Armour invitation. "It makes me more proud because my parents are so pleased and happy with me. They've supported me throughout my whole life no matter what."
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Posted on 10/19/16 at 2:02 pm to TideSaint
quote:
More than 4,000 miles west of Tuscaloosa, an integral part of Alabama's offensive future flourishes for Hawaiian heavyweight St. Louis High School.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, orchestrating the same offensive attack that once starred Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, decimates defenses with dual-threat capabilities that make him among the most coveted recruits in the 2017 class.
He threw 33 touchdowns and just three interceptions as a junior, tallied 2,583 passing yards and 576 rushing yards (6.6 per attempt) last fall. Midway through his senior season, Tagovailoa is now less than 500 yards shy of the all-time career state passing record (8,001), according to Hawaii Prep World.
Considered a relatively unknown commodity earlier this cycle, he earned an invitation to Elite 11 finals after attending an Oakland, California, regional showcase. He proceeded to impress peers and coaches alike en route to The Opening, where Tagovailoa earned Elite 11 MVP honors and overall seven-on-seven tournament MVP recognition.
This six-week stretch of pressure-packed competition lasted from late May through early July, helping alleviate concerns about his ability to adapt to the Crimson Tide offense.
"After what I've seen from him [at Elite 11 finals in Los Angeles] and being with him [at The Opening], I'm so impressed with him and I think the sky is the limit for him," Elite 11 instructor Matt James told Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani. "If he gets in that offense and he does what he did here, watch out."
Now well underway with his final prep season before joining forces with Alabama head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, Tagovailoa warrants a greater spotlight than ever. Let's dig in here with our latest B/R breakdown.
The Basics
High School: St. Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Size: 6'1", 216 lbs
Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama on May 2
Prospect Assessment
-He was undoubtedly the most galvanizing figure we've seen emerge in Elite 11 process.
-Seven-on-seven teammates at The Opening became supporters immediately but this sentiment wasn't exclusive to them. Tagovailoa led a bible study during the event and alpha players were drawn to him.
--star receiver KJ Hamler (from Detroit area): "Tua is the happiest, most energetic person I've ever met in my life."
-Answered the bell in a big way for Elite 11 staff, who challenged Tagovailoa to retrain himself fundamentally to flourish from under center. He posted the top "Pro Day" score at Elite 11 finals.
-Exudes a quiet confidence expressed through calmness in the pocket and an almost constant smirk across his face; the kind of guy you want 10 teammates to turn to in the huddle during crunch time.
-Some quarterback recruits—even blue-chip prospects—noticeably force themselves to show leadership. It occurs naturally in this case and he's comfortable as pressure mounts.
-A serious rushing threat who can bolt by defenders off the edge and routinely evade pressure by rotating beyond the pocket.
-Also shreds opponents without bringing his fleet feet into the equation. Tagovailoa, a left-handed thrower, implements a blend of velocity and touch that others struggle to master at this stage of their career.
-Whether he's targeting a running back behind scrimmage or a receiver streaking 40 yards downfield, pass attempts are crisp and consistent, with limited wobble to impede trajectory.
-Though Tagovailoa doesn't possess prototypical 5-star size; he carries an excellent physique at 6'1" with a strong base.
-Quick response to defensive alignment combines with a rapid release, allowing him to flick darts downfield with limited time.
-Launches accurate long-distance attempts that measure up against the best quarterbacks in this class.
Tagovailoa doesn't simply rely on physical gifts, looking off defenders during the initial progressions of a play before adjusting his sight line to sling it toward an intended target.
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