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

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'Alabama impressed me a lot,' four-star Louisiana safety Todd Harris says

Not long after Alabama landed commitments from four-star safeties Daniel Wright and Xavier McKinney, Plaquemine, La., four-star defensive back Todd Harris wondered if he still would be recruited by the Crimson Tide.

The answer was yes. Harris, a 6-foot, 180-pound safety ranked No. 80 nationally, talked to secondary coach Derrick Ansley and was reassured that Alabama was still recruiting him.

"The message he gave me was that they were still recruiting me because I can play so many different positions," Harris said Sunday. "That's why I was on the recruiting board, because of that fact."

Harris took his official visit to Alabama this weekend. He visited LSU last weekend and will go to TCU next weekend. Harris earned his Alabama offer with a strong camp performance last July.

Alabama also has an early enrollee in the secondary with James Clemens standout Kyriq McDonald, but a final piece of the puzzle there could come from Harris, last week's visitor Christopher Henderson, a four-star cornerback from Miami or possibly even three-star cornerback Ameer Speed, a Jacksonville, Fla., standout who does not have an Alabama offer yet but did get a visit from head coach Nick Saban last week.

"Most definitely (they made me feel like a priority)," Harris said. "It wasn't anything like they were pressuring me, but they said I could be a nice asset to the secondary. They can use me because I can play so many different positions. I definitely know I could be a valuable asset in the Alabama secondary."

Harris' host was Kentwood, La., native Shyheim Carter, who just finished his freshman season at Alabama. The two played on the same 7-on-7 team two years ago.

Harris said that other visit highlights included riding golf carts at Saban's house, interacting with players and eating dinner and breakfast with Saban.

"It was all good stuff," Harris said. "If you don't want to work, it's not the place for you. The coaches have the best interest for you. Basically, if you don't want to put in that work, 'Bama's not the place for you."

Harris connected with Alabama commits Dylan Moses (early enrollee) and Christopher Allen, who are Louisiana natives, and other targets and players from the state, which is shaped like a boot.

"They're trying to turn that thing to a Boot thing," Harris said. "They've got a lot of Boot guys and have a lot of Boot guys who have been very successful at Alabama. It'll definitely feel like home."

Harris said Saban and Ansley talked mostly about playing the STAR (nickel) position or safety.

"Coach Saban said I could probably play corner, but he had not seen my sophomore tape yet," Harris said. "That's when I played cornerback. I can definitely play safety and play the STAR position for sure."

But Harris doesn't have a leader going into the home stretch.

"I'm still undecided," Harris said. "I know Alabama impressed me a lot after this visit. I'm going to get back to Louisiana and talk to my parents and pray about everything. With that being said, I still have a visit to TCU left. I'm not going to make my decision so early when I still have a visit left. I should know my decision by Sunday and I'll sign on Signing Day."

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