re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

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What's with a three page thread on Moton over a CB prediction?

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Do you think ATM would be a threat for Waller if Murray goes to Oregon? He didn't mention ATM as an offer he really wanted, but we all know how quickly that could change.

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the Lions moved Big Mike Williams to Tackle

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There's a lot of moving parts, but it looks as though Oregon is holding out on offering Waller until Murray makes a decision. As Justin Hopkins spells out in this AAVIP report, Murray's mother is now cancer-free, so that could affect distance, and the the Oregon staff feels they have a shot there. Doesn't seem like either staff is overly confident right now, but that's a change from what was perceived as an A&M slam dunk for most of the process. Not to mention that it's looking like Kyle Allen could be A&M's starter as a true freshman. Not easy to unseat an entrenched starter, no matter how good you are.

It would be easier for UA to overcome Ohio State than Oregon for Waller, IMO. Ohio State is also taking a long look at Joe Burrow and there are already four Crystal Ball picks for him to the Buckeyes. Not to mention many feel that they will make a big run at and potentially land Torrance Gibson.

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Why in the hell would they do that?

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The recruiting process is starting to come to an end for 2015 Jefferson City (Mo.) Helias tight end Hale Hentges. Before it does, though, he made one last visit to the in-state school just 30 minutes to the north.

"It was a return trip," the No. 164-ranked player in the nation said. "We got to see a lot more of the campus and the journalism school, which I was interested in. Got to talk to the coaches again and saw a little bit of their plans for the tight ends and their offense and things like that."

The use of the tight end in Mizzou's offense has been a central focus for onlookers when analyzing the Tigers' recruitment of Hentges. Last year the Tigers completed nine passes to tight ends all season.

Compare that with the other schools visited by Hentges over the last few months: Michigan completed 70 passes to tight ends. Florida State completed 35. Ohio State completed 34. Alabama, which was the only school other than Mizzou to receive two visits, completed 27. Michigan State completed 23. Auburn completed 12. Oklahoma completed three.

What does it all mean for Hentges? After talking more with the Mizzou coaches today about the offense going forward he said he feels comfortable with the role of the tight end in Columbia.

"You saw a little bit last year," said the No. 2-ranked player in the state of Missouri. "Eric Waters played a little bit at the tight end position and he did some stuff with his hand on the ground. That's really what I wanted to see. Just to make sure that they're going to keep doing that. I think they have it in progress. It helps if you have a lot of tight ends in the room so if one guy gets hurt you can do that. They need to just keep getting tight ends."

Making his second trip to Columbia in the last few months, Hentges was able to experience a different side of Mizzou than his previous visit. Asked if anything really stood out on this trip, he answered quickly.

"Just really the campus. We got to see that really in-depth for the first time and see what a nice campus it really is. Most people just drive right through. Past the stadium or wherever they're going in Columbia and it's kind of hard to get a good feel for it. It's really nice when you take the time to look at it thoroughly," said Hentges.

Having had the opportunity to visit eight schools over the winter and spring, Hentges said it is going to make the decision process both harder and easier.

"You know it makes it harder because every school is really nice. You can see yourself playing at literally almost every place, but it's kind of like what feeling is the best," he explained. "What feeling do you have that's the greatest with each school that makes it so you can see yourself there. That's something that you have to get out and see. See all the different schools and get the feeling from being on campus. It makes it harder, but then again it makes it easier."

At this point Hentges does not plan to take any more visits. That means the next step for the Helias Crusader is to sit down with his family and come to a decision. There is no set-in-stone time frame, but a decision should happen around the start of the summer.

"I'm just going to kind of take a little break here and really sit back on it and think. I'll just try to get a really good idea if I need to go see anything else or if I'm ready."

When sitting down and breaking down each school and visit, Hentges will be looking at a few specific factors.

"How the offense is going to use tight ends. How the coaches are. Are they really personable? Do they really care about your development as a player?," he said. "The strength staff is important because you're going to be with them all the time. The tradition of the program and winning because everyone is happy when your winning. You want to get a good experience there. Those are some of the main things I think."

One other factor that may play a small role in Mizzou's favor is Hentges friendship with Drew Lock. Lock made a point to say he would be trying to get Hentges and Alex Ofodile to join him in Columbia and, according to Hentges, he has.

"Yes, we have talked about it," he said when asked if Lock has talked with him much about playing together. "It would be nice to already have friends at the school of your choice, but I still have to keep in mind that it's about what is best for me in this process."

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Four-star tight end Will Gragg announced Monday evening that he would be taking five official visits to Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU, Florida State and Texas this fall. The one program most expected to see included on that list, the instate Arkansas Razorbacks, wasn't there.

On Tuesday, Gragg spoke to HawgSports.com about where the Hogs stand as of today and why they won't be receiving an official visit this season.

"Of course Arkansas is still in the mix," said Gragg, whose older brother Chris played for Arkansas from 2008-12. "Like I've said, I've been up there for five years and I just want to explore some other places and see some different sights. They're definitely still a player. That's no question.

"I talked to them about it way before I announced it. We talked about my officials months ago. (Barry Lunney Jr.) and Coach (Bret) Bielema always say they would like me to change it, but they understand where I'm coming from.

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