re: 2020 FB Recruiting & Roster

quote:

---

Blake Barnett is an example of the kind of thing I'm worried about. People who put themselves above all else

---

Blake Barnett was our best recruiter while he was a recruit, and did what was asked of him while on campus. I never heard a word about him being a problem or anything of the sort. He simply transferred upon losing the job, and countered the narrative that he was 'nervous' in game 1.

If he was your son, would you tell him to ride pine for his entire, yet finite, CFB career and significantly decrease his chances of ever earning a living at the sport? If you would, that makes you a bad father.

Sometimes a decision should be made on principles, and I'm as old school as the next guy. But sometimes decisions should be made based on what's best for you and your family, and 1 NFL contract can change the lives of generations, not only Blake himself.

Blake Barnett made the best decision for himself and his family, and owes no one associated with the University of Alabama an apology.

quote:

---

Like to see Damien Harris, Julio Jones, Amari Cooper types. 

---

Those guys were never asked to ride pine for what was likely the rest of their eligibility.

quote:

---

Blake Barnett was our best recruiter while he was a recruit, and did what was asked of him while on campus. I never heard a word about him being a problem or anything of the sort. He simply transferred upon losing the job, and countered the narrative that he was 'nervous' in game 1.

If he was your son, would you tell him to ride pine for his entire, yet finite, CFB career and significantly decrease his chances of ever earning a living at the sport? If you would, that makes you a bad father.

Sometimes a decision should be made on principles, and I'm as old school as the next guy. But sometimes decisions should be made based on what's best for you and your family, and 1 NFL contract can change the lives of generations, not only Blake himself.

Blake Barnett made the best decision for himself and his family, and owes no one associated with the University of Alabama an apology.

---

Blake Barnett's dad was a helicopter parent, and the fact he only cared what was good for him was the point.

I'm not sure where you get that he wouldn't have ever started. Jalen struggled later on in the year when we could have used a legit passer. And we already know Saban would have taken such an option if available.

Never mind the fact he ended up not playing at all at the school he transferred too intitaly and had to transfer again. So on top of everything else, I'm not even sure where you get the idea that he actually did make the best decision for himself. He made a selfish decision because he didn't get what he wanted when he wanted it.

I'll guess we'll just have to disagree on thinking a guy leaving after the 4th game of a season isn't an issue or concern for future recruits.

And fine, ignore the point about the people mentioned. Jonathan Allen - are you happy now? There is a long list of such players, and when they started had nothing to do with it.

quote:

---

Blake Barnett's dad was a helicopter parent, and the fact he only cared what was good for him was the point.

---

You called out Blake Barnett, not his dad, when you said the following:

quote:

---

Blake Barnett is an example of the kind of thing I'm worried about. People who put themselves above all else don't tend to work out, and it's not generally the kind of attitude you want on the team.

---

______

quote:

---

I'm not sure where you get that he wouldn't have ever started.

---

I'm not saying he'd never have started. I'm saying he lost the job to a player younger than him, and from his perspective at the time, any sane person would conclude that his likely future playing time was slim to none.

quote:

---

So on top of everything else, I'm not even sure where you get the idea that he actually did make the best decision for himself.

---

Blake Barnett started at USF, and he had a great first half of the season until he got injured - and his injujry was the biggest reason USF's season tanked. I also listen to A LOT of CFB podcasts, and some well-respected analysts and commentators believe, with continued growth and development of his game, that he has a chance to get drafted at the end of his career. And the only way to get there is to play. Matt Cassell is the exception, not the rule.

Barnett's dad is likely a douche and a helicopter parent, yes. But Barnett himself has just been trying to get on the field. And any QB should do the same, as there's only one ball and QB is only one position. The days of teams hoarding multiple great QB prospects on their roster is gone, and each CFB player should go out and get his. We're talking about millions of dollars here, and arguing that Barnett's only morally correct decision was to ride pine and wait it out is antiquated, misguided, and just a plain stupid financial decision.

CFB IS MINOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL AND THE ONE PATH TO THE NFL, AND ANY INSINUATION THAT IT ISN'T IS LUDICROUS.

quote:

---

I'll guess we'll just have to disagree on thinking a guy leaving after the 4th game of a season isn't an issue or concern for future recruits.

---

No, it's not. The only difference is that roster management has changed. But I guarantee you this: Nick Saban will benefit more from the portal (or transfers in general) than he'll lose to it. Take that to the bank.

quote:

---

You called out Blake Barnett, not his dad, when you said the following:

---

I talked about what happened...and somoene's dad was the entire thing that started this.

quote:

---

I'm not saying he'd never have started. I'm saying he lost the job to a player younger than him, and from his perspective at the time, any sane person would conclude that his likely future playing time was slim to none.
Blake Barnett started at USF, and he had a great first half of the season until he got injured - and his injujry was the biggest reason USF's season tanked. I also listen to A LOT of CFB podcasts, and some well-respected analysts and commentators believe, with continued growth and development of his game, that he has a chance to get drafted at the end of his career. And the only way to get there is to play. Matt Cassell is the exception, not the rule.

Barnett's dad is likely a douche and a helicopter parent, yes. But Barnett himself has just been trying to get on the field. And any QB should do the same, as there's only one ball and QB is only one position. The days of teams hoarding multiple great QB prospects on their roster is gone, and each CFB player should go out and get his. We're talking about millions of dollars here, and arguing that Barnett's only morally correct decision was to ride pine and wait it out is antiquated, misguided, and just a plain stupid financial decision.

---

You mean like Jalen did? Difference being, Jalen stuck it out, made an awesome redemption story for himself and will be loved by Alabama fans forever.

On the other hand, Blake was selfish and took the first out he could. If hadn't been selfish, had stayed with the team and contributed the way Jalen did, I wouldn't be posting about it.

quote:

---

CFB IS MINOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL AND THE ONE PATH TO THE NFL, AND ANY INSINUATION THAT IT ISN'T IS LUDICROUS.

---

1% of players in CFB make it to the NFL. Even with all the talent Alabama has, it's about 10% IIRC.

But I'm not sure what the hell this has to do with the conversation. Even if you call what Blake did smart and all that other shite you've convinced yourself of, the fact of the matter is - you still do not want players who do that.

#GBO?? #GoTerps?? #RollTide?? #GigEm ???? #GOLDblooded20?? LINK ]Recruiting news and notes for Alabama, Auburn and UAB Posted Jun 5, 2019 Lanett athlete Kristian Story By Josh Bean | jbean@al.com

quote:

---

Lanett athlete Kristian Story -- a high school quarterback who projects as a receiver or defensive back I college -- announced on Twitter that he plans to commit on July 18.

Story previously narrowed his list to five finalists: Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU, Notre Dame and Tennessee. He was previously committed to Tennessee as a sophomore before backing away from that verbal pledge.

Story, a 6-foot-2, 205-pounder and the son of Lanett coach Clifford Story, threw for 2,424 yards, ran for another 1,207 yards and accounted for 56 touchdowns last season as Lanett finished 10-2 and lost to Maplesville in the Class 1A quarterfinals.

---

.
I Will be committing on July 18th! #GBO #GoTerps #RollTide #GigEm #GOLDblooded20

LINK ]Built By BamaOnLine Podcast: Who's in and out for Alabama's OL By Travis Reier Jun 5,
With left tackle Jonah Williams and center Ross Pierschbacher off to the NFL, Alabama must replace a pair of important offensive line starters. Join Charlie Potter, Hank South and Travis Reier as they go in-depth on the Crimson Tide's front five.
at time
mark:
0:00 - yada, yada, yada, yada
2:08 - One item of Emphasis Charlie - Spring meetings (alcohol sales) Hank - #of top visitors the beginning of June...
5:21 - (Hank) Are you on commitment watch 247? is there a player or 2 that may pop pretty soon - Always players who come to camp and have a go, and they decide to pop.. Will Anderson, names Bama leader and visiting this weekend *Jack. So many OLB's ???.
8:25 - Who is coming in from the new class? This class is almost as impressive as the Dline. Evan Neal may be best OLineman Saban have ever signed!!! Smaller class of Oline in 2020. 3 or 4 expected. 2019 Early enrollees were able to get on the field and contribute all seem to LOOK the part.
13:10 - All seem to have tackle experience and all were moving around and playing various places.
15:00 - in spring warm ups at least 7 guys were snapping the ball
15:50 - Returning guys - D.Brown suspension. Wills and Leatherwood seem to be bookend Tackles; Womack should be able to move to Guard (shoulder injury). Ekikor/Lashley/Tommy Brown had good springs.
18:00 - Center - Is Chris Owen the guy? Is the guy to beat!!! Nothing in spring indicates his job is in jeopardy.
19:58 - Guards well the 5 1st days of camp - Leatherwood Ekikor Owens Womack Wills
21:16 - someone not Neal = who could make a move - Dalcourt, Quick or T Brown/Scott Lashley.
23:00 - Discussion of Tommy Brown - if Bama gets up in games will see Brown and Lashley to be on the field a lot getting game time reps
24:15 - FSU Grad Transfer - (linked strongly to Bama) waiting period - pretty clear Bama is the landing spot... once he clears the last class that ends in July.
26:00 - normally Oline concerns are at Tackle, but that seems to have changed to interior. Tackle depth is not a problem.. If Wills were to get injured, Womack would pop right out to Tackle and move on.
(remember lost 6 oline last year and added 5 more in new recruits) the experience is what may be missing. Lots of Depth on Oline.
28:33 - wrap up Mailbox? when will 1st commit for 2021 class...who??
May well be one in June... OLB Dylan Brooks Hansley High School in Roanoke, Alabama; QB Jalen Milroe, Tompkins HS in Katy Tx; ATH Xavian Story, Graceville, FL; Neon's son seems excited about Bama Offer

LINK ]College Football Five-Star Recruit Tracker Hayden Winks

quote:

---

This is a running tracker with updates on rankings, measurables, forty times, videos, notes, depth chart projections, and more. You can either bookmark this page or follow me on Twitter (@HaydenWinks) for updates. All rankings are derived from the 247Sports Composite Board.

2020 Class

Five-star commits by school: Clemson (5), Alabama (2), Georgia (2), LSU (2), Oklahoma (1), Miami (1), Ohio State (2), Texas A&M (1), Notre Dame (1), Stanford (1). ... Updated on 6/5/2019.

---

Continued below...

LINK ]College Football Five-Star Recruit Tracker Hayden Winks

quote:

---

Rank 5-Star Wide Receivers Size Quick Notes
5 Julian Fleming 6’2/205 Ohio State commit - 4.63 forty
15 Demond Demas 6’3/182 Texas A&M commit - 4.43 forty
19 Rakim Jarrett 6’0/208 LSU commit
25 Johnny Wilson 6’6/220 Oregon, Wash., USC, others - 4.59 forty
29 Jordan Johnson 6’2/180 Notre Dame commit

WR Commit Notes: Ohio State’s Julian Fleming has size, athleticism, and is known in recruiting circles to be highly competitive. The Buckeyes’ receiver depth chart is always loaded, but Fleming should contribute right away and start within two years. … Texas A&M’s Demond Demas is an incredible athlete with major leaping ability and speed. At 6-foot-3, Demas will be one of the best size/speed receivers as a freshman. … LSU’s Rakim Jarrett is a thick receiver with more room to grow, but he can still win with athletic movements. Jarrett is a freshman contributor and is likely a future WR1. … Notre Dame’s Jordan Johnson may not truly elite physical traits like some of the other of five-star receivers, but Johnson has great separation skills. If Johnson can get good quarterback play, he should have no issue producing early.

Rank 5-Star Tight Ends Size Quick Notes
11 Darnell Washington 6’8/248 Georgia, Alabama - 4.78 forty
12 Arik Gilbert 6’6/245 Georgia (favorite) - 4.83 forty

Rank 5-Star OFF Linemen Size Quick Notes
8 Paris Johnson 6’8/295 Ohio State commit - 5.07 forty, 4.53 short shuttle
20 Broderick Jones 6’5/275 Georgia commit
24 Myles Hinton 6’6/308 Stanford commit

---

Continued below...

LINK ]Alabama's Top 25 Most Important Players for 2019: No. 21
By Charlie Potter

quote:

---

For a fifth consecutive offseason, BamaOnLine is counting down Alabama’s top 25 most important players ahead of the Crimson Tide’s fast-approaching fall camp and 2019 football season.

We continue our rankings with senior safety Jared Mayden at No. 21.

*** Breakdown of Alabama’s Top-25 Most Important Players for 2019: Two things went into consideration in this breakdown. One was how much the player would see the field this fall. With that condition, the list is primarily made up of starters. The second aspect is the player’s importance to the team, meaning if they are replacing a starter at a key position and how hard it would be to replace them should something occur to force them out of commission.
MAYDEN PROFILE
Height: 6-foot Weight: 200 pounds
Hometown: Sachse, Texas High School: Sachse

247Sports Composite ranking: 4-star (2016)
- No. 145 nationally
- No. 13 cornerback
- No. 23 in state of Texas

2019 OUTLOOK

After providing depth in 2017, Mayden was the Crimson Tide’s sixth defensive back a year ago, playing safety alongside Deionte Thompson at safety while Xavier McKinney moved down to Money. As a junior, Mayden appeared in 13 games and totaled 18 tackles, including one sack (-8 yards) and two pass breakups. He made headlines for a targeting penalty against Auburn that forced the dime starter to sit out the first half of the SEC Championship Game against Georgia.

But Mayden hopes to be known for more than a targeting foul in 2019. With Thompson entering the 2019 NFL Draft, Alabama has an opening at the safety position opposite McKinney. Mayden filled that role in the spring -- an area where the Tide lacked depth. With five defensive backs joining the program late last month, there will continue to be competition this summer and during preseason camp, but Mayden remains in good shape to claim the starting spot for his final year in crimson.

“Jared has really done a nice job for us,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said this spring. “He really showed up well in the (first) scrimmage. He’s played really well, did a good job of tackling, played with more toughness in the game. He’s been pretty consistent. I think he has a pretty good understanding of what is expected of him. I’ve been very encouraged with his progress and very happy with his performance so far.”

WHY NO. 21?

Mayden is one of five defensive backs on this list. The other four either have more experience as starters or simply more experience overall. That isn’t to say Mayden’s role is less important than the players to be named. It’s just that his role is less concrete after 15 spring practices.

Would it surprise me to see the senior start 13-15 games this fall? Not at all. He gained valuable experience last year as the sixth man of the secondary and, by all accounts, put together a good spring. But at the same time, Mayden’s place in the secondary seems the most up for grabs. Alabama welcomed players like Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams to campus last week, and both of the summer enrollees came to Tuscaloosa, Ala., with expectations to play in their first seasons.

If Mayden can hold them off this summer and fall, he will deserve a higher ranking than No. 21 when we revisit the Top 25 Most Important Players for 2019. But as it stands right now, we give the senior the same number he will be wearing in his final year with the Crimson Tide, which doesn’t seem like it should be a real sentence that I just typed. Mayden, Trevon Diggs and Shyheim Carter will all be seniors this fall, and it seems like they just went through their first practices.
WHAT SAY YOU?

*** Below are the players that are ranked below Mayden at No. 21.
25. PKs Joseph Bulovas and Will Reichard
24. QBs Mac Jones and Taulia Tagovailoa
23. OL Matt Womack
22. WR DeVonta Smith

---

Visit No. 2 to Alabama is in the books for Rivals100 linebacker Phillip Webb
. He was back in Tuscaloosa Tuesday for about half the day and this was different from his first trip. He got to see the coaches in action, see players going through meetings and really get a better idea of a day would be like there as a student-athlete.