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

Posted on 3/30/17 at 10:33 am to TideSaint

Posted by TideSaint

Hill Country

Member since Sep 2008

75916 posts

Posted on 3/30/17 at 10:33 am to TideSaint

quote:
Reuben Unije knows that Alabama signed a large class of players at his position in the last recruiting cycle.

It hasn't stopped him from showing major interest in the Crimson Tide, and it has been reciprocated.

"I like Alabama a lot," Unije said Sunday at the Atlanta Opening Regional. "I just got off phone with (offensive line) Coach (Brent) Key yesterday. I'll be up at 'Bama sometime next week (today, actually, March 30, per 247Sports) to watch a practice and see how everything is at 'Bama."

Unije is a 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive tackle from Johns Creek, Ga., who is now at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Unije is the nation's No. 173 overall prospect and No. 13 offensive tackle.

Alabama signed four offensive tackles last year though one, Kendall Randolph from Madison, has already mentioned that he'll likely be a guard.

"Coach Key and I have a really strong, good relationship," Unije said. "We text or talk almost every day. I really like coach Key.

"I talked to him about (signing four tackles last class). Coach Key said they play the best five. If four of the best five are tackles, two of them are going to go to guard. I plan on being one of the best five and my job is to show I'm the best tackle whenever I'm on the field."

Unije, a four-star recruit, has offers from the likes of Tennessee, Florida and Arkansas as well. He said he's looking at every school that offers him and hasn't begun to narrow things down yet. But Alabama is certainly a program that sticks out.

"I love it," Unije said. "What's not to like about Alabama's program? They do everything to the top. Top program, Class A, class act, everything. Alabama's the school other schools look up to when they try to make their program right."

Unije plans to graduate early and said transferring to the IMG Academy has brought his game to another level. He said he wants to major in business or something related to pre-pharmacy.

"(I'm looking for) just how I fit in the scheme, the coaches, the environment and how I feel," Unije said. "(Also), the alumni. I need connections. Connections are the key to the world."

Other key visitors for Thursday's practice

-Jackson-Olin four-star defensive lineman Coynis Miller

-Centennial, Calif., four-star quarterback Tanner McKee

-Hewitt-Trussville 2019 offensive lineman Pierce Quick

-In another note, Alabama offered Fresno, Calif., quarterback Adrian Martinez on Thursday. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound Martinez is the nation's No. 12 dual-threat quarterback. He committed to California last November.

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Posted by TideSaint

Hill Country

Member since Sep 2008

75916 posts

Posted on 3/30/17 at 10:35 am to TideSaint

quote:
Alabama and Auburn are both in pursuit of elite defensive end Brenton Cox, but the Tide and Tigers have some work to do.

During Nike's The Opening Atlanta regional camp last weekend, Cox told AL.com that Georgia and Ohio State are recruiting him harder than any other school.

"I'm just trying to play early," said the 6-foot-4, 247-pounder from Stockbridge, Ga.

Cox is one of the highest-rated recruits in the nation. The 247Sports Composite ranks him as a four-star prospect, the No. 54 overall player and the No. 4 strong-side defensive end. He said he tallied more than 75 tackles last season including 30 sacks.

Aside from Georgia and Ohio State, Cox said Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina are in the mix.

Cox took his first visit to Auburn last week and spent three days on the Plains. He was able to attend spring practice where he caught up with defensive line coach Rodney Garner and his friend, redshirt freshman Antwuan Jackson Jr.

"I'd never been up there, but I know Coach Garner, and he's a real good d-line coach," Cox said. "It was a good thing watching him coach that d-line. I actually know Antwuan Jackson, just seeing him get coached up.

"It was good. Nothing really in Auburn but the team. Everybody talks to each other. You've got good food out there. A place called Halftime I ate at."

Cox is planning a series of visits to see spring games at South Carolina (April 1), Auburn (April 8), Ohio State (April 22) and Georgia (April 22). As for Alabama, he likes the defensive scheme the Crimson Tide run.

"I'd be in a 3-4 defense," he said. "Coach Tosh (Lupoi), he's a real good coach. I actually went to a camp and that's when I got the offer. He taught me some new moves I'll use today, actually... I'm just going to compete."

At The Opening Atlanta, Cox ran the 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds, the shuttle in 4.45, he threw the powerball 39.5 feet and had a vertical jump of 28.6 inches.

"I'm definitely fast," he said. "(Coaches like) my speed, length and athleticism."

Auburn currently has one defensive lineman committed to its 2018 recruiting class -- three-star prospect Daquan Newkirk of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Alabama also has one, Jordan Davis of Southward High School in Memphis, Tenn. Both are consensus three-star prospects.