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

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AUBURN, Ala. — Coynis Miller has been to Auburn more than any other program.

Yet, until Tuesday, the top defensive tackle target had never consumed a Tigers’ practice. That was something Miller — already high on Auburn — wanted to see to help re-affirm any positive feelings he had about the Tigers.

Miller, joined by Auburn signee and high school teammate Tadarian Moultry, arrived at Auburn on Sunday night and will leave early Wednesday morning. On Tuesday, he took in his first Auburn practice.

“I really wanted to see them practice. This is my first one, and I liked it. The players really got after it, and the coaches were really getting after them,” Miller told SEC Country.

Miller was impressed by the work of versatile defensive lineman Derrick Brown who he has spent time with during his three-day trip. Miller, now at 6-foot-3 and 297 pounds, sees a little bit of himself in Brown when it comes to strength and athleticism.

What struck Miller most during Auburn’s practice, however, was what sticks out to most defensive linemen at their first practice: Rodney Garner’s tenacity.

“Coach G, he’s a great coach. He’ll push you hard and make sure you do everything right. I liked seeing that,” Miller said. “It’s good. It pushes players to be better. He’d push me to where I want to be, and that’d be really good for me.”

When Miller leaves Auburn on Wednesday, he’ll return to Birmingham before making a Thursday trip to Tuscaloosa to take in his first Alabama practice, as well. Unlike the Auburn visit, Miller will only be in Tuscaloosa for the day.

Those two schools — with the efforts of DL coaches Rodney Garner and Brent Key — have been at the forefront of the in-state lineman’s recruitment. They will both undoubtedly be in it until the end, which will likely be after Miller’s senior season at Jackson-Olin.

“Auburn’s just recruiting me hard. They want me to be a player here. I’m trying to find out if this is where I want to be. Coach Garner and I talk a good bit,” Miller said. “Alabama really wants me. They’re showing high interest. Coach Key, if he’s not calling, he’s texting me every day. We have a great relationship.”

That Auburn-Alabama battle is an everyday experience in the Miller household.

Miller grew up a Crimson Tide fan, though he insists that will have “absolutely nothing” to do with his ultimate decision. His father is also an Alabama fan. As for mom, she roots for the Tigers.

Miller joked that she’s the one that usually makes the big decisions around the house, but this one is on Miller’s shoulders.

“Mom usually does, but this one’s on me,” Miller said with a laugh.

Despite the noticeable in-state pull for Alabama’s No. 8 overall prospect, it’s not just an Iron Bowl recruiting contest.

Miller’s high school coach Tim Vakakes said in the fall that, unlike with Moultry, out-of-state programs feel like they have a legitimate chance with Miller. The defensive line prospect said as much Tuesday, mentioning LSU, Clemson, Ole Miss and Florida as non-Alabama schools that stick out to him.

“It’s a big chance I could go out of state. It’s about where I fit,” Miller said.

Miller recently went to Baton Rouge for a visit and was quite impressed. He plans to make it to Clemson soon and Florida — for the first time — over the summer.

As for a decision, it’ll come after his senior season, but he’ll start to narrow in on official top schools a little before that.

“I’ll probably narrow it down, if not before the season, during it,” Miller said.

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The hunt for Alabama's 2018 quarterback continues, this time with four-star Cal commit Adrian Martinez reporting an offer from the Crimson Tide.

Truly honored to have been offered a scholarship to play for The University of Alabama!! #RTR18 pic.twitter.com/OCKx2munIC
— Adrian Martinez (@MartinezTheQB) March 30, 2017

A product of Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West, Martinez has been committed to the Golden Bears since November, but has continued garnering heavy interest. Georgia, Tennessee and Arizona State all offered in the last three weeks.

At 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, Martinez is rated the No. 12 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 262 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

Martinez appears to be keeping his options open despite already being committed. With family in Georgia, the four-star signal caller could soon make a visit to the South.

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BUFORD, Ga. -- In late February, four-star cornerback Christian Tutt of Thomson (Ga.) visited Florida State for a junior day. Upon leaving that visit, he named a top three, in no order, of Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State.

"That is still the case," Tutt said on Sunday at the Atlanta Nike Opening Regional.

Tutt has a May 30th decision date circles on his calendar. He plans to announce at an event in Thomson (Ga.).

Between now and when that date rolls around, he is hoping to take a few more trips.

"I am hoping to visit Alabama for A-Day. I also plan to get back up to Florida State for spring [game]," Tutt said. "My hope, my plan is to get back to Ohio State too, but I don't know when that might be, maybe over my spring break."

The 5-foot-10.5, 193-pound defensive back then spoke on his relationship with each of those schools and their staffs.

"My best relationship is probably at Alabama," Tutt said. "With [defensive coordinator] Coach [Jeremy] Pruitt and [defensive backs] Coach [Derrick] Ansley. I talk to them a lot.

"I also talk to [Ohio State head] Coach [Urban] Meyer and [cornerbacks] Coach [Kerry] Coombs too as well as [Florida State head] Coach Jimbo [Fisher] and [defensive coordinator] Coach [Charles] Kelly too," Tutt said. "All three of those schools, I just have a great relationship with them. I am just looking to keep building that bond with them."

Another school that remains lurking in his recruitment is in-state Georgia. In fact, Tutt arrived at Sunday's Nike event wearing a Georgia Bulldogs throwover.

"Georgia is still in it," Tutt said. "I was planning on visiting there [Saturday] but I couldn't make it up. I am talking with [head coach] Kirby [Smart] and [defensive coordinator] Coach [Mel] Tucker as well as [tight ends coach] Shane Beamer. I talk to all of them."

Towards the lattter part of the interview, the Peach State standout gave up the goods on where things stand if his decision was March 30th instead of May 30th.

"Right now it is probably between 'Bama and Florida State," Tutt admitted. "Ohio State is probably not going to make it. But it is really out of Alabama and Florida State right now."

Distance is one factor benefiting the Crimson Tide and Seminoles.

"My mom and dad want to be close, where they don't have to fly up every Saturday," Tutt said. "It plays a big role in it. I just want to stay down south and play good football."

He then spoke a bit more about each of the two schools standing out.

Alabama: "They have great tradition, a great, winning program."

Florida State: "They also have great tradition. They are on the come up as well."

"I really think I can go into each one and grow as a player and a student-athlete," Tutt added.

"Great competition, great coaches and a good opportunity to come in and play early since I am going to be a mid-year," Tutt included as criteria that will help him decide on his ultimate destination.

Four schools are represented on the 247Sports.com Crystal Ball with Georgia claiming the most predictions. Alabama and FSU each claim a prediction.

Tutt is ranked as the No. 151 prospect and No. 17 cornerback in the nation.

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In-state QB prospect gets the Alabama offer he’s dreamed about

James Foster has dreamed about playing for the Crimson Tide since he was a little kid. Now, he’s one step closer to doing so.

Foster, a 3-star quarterback from Lanier High School (Montgomery, Ala.), picked up an offer from Alabama over the weekend while on a visit to Tuscaloosa. Although he was offered a scholarship from Nick Saban himself, Foster confirmed that he’ll have to come to summer camp to have it become committable. The majority of quarterbacks who are offered by Alabama have to do this because the team puts the prospects through specific drills and tests their knowledge with different play calls and defensive schemes.

Nonetheless, having the opportunity to perform in front of Saban in a few months has Foster excited.

“I grew up a fan of Alabama,” Foster told SEC Country. “It’s my dream school and now I have that offer. Growing up, that was the only place I really wanted to go. I could really see myself going there.”

Alabama is not Foster’s leader, however, perhaps because the offer is not committable. Missouri still is on top for Foster. The Tigers have been recruiting him since the 10th grade and he nearly committed to Missouri while on a visit to Columbia in January. Georgia and Tennessee also are in the mix for Foster.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound prospect had a chance to sit in the quarterback meeting with Brian Daboll, Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa this past weekend. The main takeaways Foster observed from that opportunity were Alabama looks like it will run more plays from under center this season and Hurts’ knowledge of the playbook is impressive.

“I think Jalen Hurts is going to be really nice this season,” Foster said. “He knows the offense up and down. He’s so prepared. He’s going to have another great season. He’s a leader. Coach would ask Tua and Mac something and if they didn’t know the answer, Jalen would know it. He knew everything. You can tell he’s the starter.”

Foster talked to Hurts and Jones on Saturday and both told him that if he chose Alabama, he should be prepared to come in and work hard. Foster noticed that Alabama has a thick playbook with lots of hand signals.

While Foster is listed as a dual-threat prospect, he does operate under center sometimes at Lanier High School. Saban actually told Foster that he liked that he was a “quarterback first” and not just an athlete who can throw the ball, too.

He would like to play in an offense like Alabama’s because he feels like it translates well to the NFL.

“I think it would get me more prepared for the next level,” Foster said.

Foster, who has been timed at 4.63 seconds in the 40-yard dash and can throw the ball 75 yards in the air, is planning to make a commitment this summer. If given the green light by Alabama after he attends the team’s camp this summer, it’s hard to see him turning down the opportunity to play for his dream school.

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