re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition

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Who didn’t show up and why

Najee Harris, Alabama 5-star running back commit, Antioch, Calif. — It was reported late Friday night by MaxPreps that the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit was expected to be at Alabama this weekend for the Texas A&M game, and it was going to be an official visit. He ended up not making it. According to a source close to Harris’ recruitment, the Alabama commit did make it to the airport, but it wasn’t in time for his red-eye flight out of California. This is obviously a blow because of Michigan making a serious push to flip his commitment; however, it’s likely Harris will take his official visit to Alabama for the Iron Bowl, according to the source.

Michigan has two home games remaining: Maryland on Nov. 5 and Indiana on Nov. 19. Antioch High School plays on Nov. 5, so the Harris clan can’t travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., that day. That leaves a possible Nov. 19 date to see Michigan. He can also elect to take his visit to Michigan after the season, too. The dead period begins on Dec. 12, and because he is an early enrollee, all of his official visits must happen before that date. It’s highly unlikely he will take all five visits just because there’s not much free time.

As of today, I expect Harris to stick with his commitment.

Cam Akers, 5-star running back, Clinton, Miss. — Akers, the former Alabama commit, was also expected in Tuscaloosa for an official visit, but he didn’t make it due to fatigue from all his travel lately, according to his father, Conni Akers. Akers is expected back at Alabama at some point this fall, but it remains a long shot for the Tide to regain his commitment. The only way I can see Akers in this class is if Harris decides to flip.

Jhavonte Dean, Alabama 3-star junior college cornerback commit, Brenham, Texas — Dean told SEC Country he didn’t make it to Alabama for his official visit due to a scheduling conflict. The commit has not been on Alabama’s campus this fall, but he hasn’t been on any college campus other than Blinn College, which is where he attends. Dean remains a solid commitment and has no plans at visiting any other school.

Chris Allen, 4-star linebacker, Baton Rouge, La. — Unlike the recruits above, Allen was not going to Tuscaloosa for an official visit. He was going to pay his own way there, but he opted to stay in Baton Rouge and visit LSU instead. He had to take the ACT in the morning and couldn’t make it to Tuscaloosa in time. It’s a two-team race for his commitment — Alabama and LSU — so the Tigers hosting him instead of the Tide should be considered a minor win. I was recently told, though, that Alabama likes where it stands with Allen and is confident in getting his commitment.

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