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re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition
Posted on 5/21/14 at 11:31 am to TideSaint
Posted on 5/21/14 at 11:31 am to TideSaint
quote:
OL
Commitments – 4-star Lester Cotton, 4-star Richie Petitbon, 4-star Dallas Warmack
Top Targets – 4-star Matthew Burrell, 4-star Drew Richmond, 4-star Javon Patterson
Grade – A
After focusing on offensive tackles in the 2014 class, the interior positions along the offensive line are among the biggest needs in the 2015 cycle.
With early pledges from three players—Lester Cotton, Richie Petitbon and Dallas Warmack—ranked among the nation's top 10 guards in this class, the Tide have already hit a home run at that position.
The focus in filling out the rest of the class will likely shift to adding at least one quality tackle.
Some tackles to focus on in the summer include Martez Ivey, Drew Richmond and Matthew Burrell.
Ivey is a Florida native and is perceived to be a lean to the home-standing Gators.
As Power recently mentioned, Saban is aggressively pursuing Richmond—even contacting him while he was at the NFL draft earlier this month.
"He just told me he wanted to see me up there in a couple of years coming from Alabama," Richmond said. "He was up there with Cyrus (Kouandjio) and Ha Ha (Clinton-Dix). I was excited to talk to Coach Saban while he was at the draft. That was special."
Burrell hails from the same area in Virginia that has seen the Tide land Jonathan Allen and Da'Shawn Hand in the last two years. With those connections, he's someone to keep an eye on if and when he visits Tuscaloosa.
1
Posted on 5/21/14 at 11:32 am to TideSaint
quote:
DL
Commitments – 3-star DE Anfernee Jennings, 4-star DT Jonathan Ledbetter
Top Targets – 5-star DE Byron Cowart, 5-star DE CeCe Jefferson, 5-star DT Daron Payne, 5-star DT Trent Thompson, 5-star DT Tim Settle
Grade – B
Another area of focus in this class is reloading along the defensive line.
The Tide have a commitment from in-state standout Anfernee Jennings, who is a candidate to line up at defensive end.
The top targets to join him on the edges are a pair of 5-star standouts from the Sunshine State—Byron Cowart and CeCe Jefferson.
The Florida Gators are considered the favorites for both Cowart and Jefferson, but both players have the Tide in the top group of schools, and each made visits to Tuscaloosa earlier in the spring.
At defensive tackle, Georgia native Jonathan Ledbetter is listed as a commitment. However, he's still considering schools such as Georgia and Auburn. While Ledbetter's long-term status remains up in the air, the focus for the Tide remains on pursuing some of the nation's most elite prospects at defensive tackle. Birmingham native Daron Payne is a critical battle that will be waged with rival Auburn.
Bo Davis will likely take a big swing at out-of-state standouts such as Trent Thompson and Tim Settle. Thompson is a lean to Georgia while Settle is similar to Burrell with his Virginia roots and connections to Hand and Allen.
Posted on 5/21/14 at 11:32 am to TideSaint
quote:
LB
Commitments – 4-star ILB Leo Lewis, 4-star OLB Mekhi Brown, 3-star OLB Christian Bell
Top Targets – 4-star ILB Joshua McMillon, 5-star OLB Malik Jefferson, 4-star OLB Justin Hilliard
Grade – A
Even though the Tide loaded up on linebackers in the 2014 class, they have already struck gold with that position with three pledges in this cycle.
Leo Lewis is rated as the nation's top inside linebacker while Mekhi Brown and Christian Bell are rangy players who could line up on the outside and even slide down and play defensive end in certain situations.
With that kind of talent already on board, expect the Tide to swing for the fences with elite linebacker prospects.
Tennessee product Joshua McMillon and Ohio native Justin Hilliard are a pair of out-of-state standouts to watch over the summer.
Posted on 5/21/14 at 11:33 am to TideSaint
quote:
DB
Commitments – 4-star CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, 3-star CB Montrell Custis, 4-star S Deionte Thompson, 4-star S Shawn Burgess-Becker
Top Targets – 5-star CB Kendall Sheffield, 4-star S Jamal Peters
Grade – A
Similar to the situation at linebacker, Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart have already assembled a star-studded class in the secondary.
The crown jewel of the class to date is 5-star corner Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is ranked as the nation's fourth-best corner. Getting Georgia native Montrell Custis to flip from Kentucky was another savvy pickup for a player who may be underrated as a 3-star.
At safety, the duo of Deionte Thompson and Shawn Burgess-Becker is top-notch.
This class could be complete as is. However, adding another corner could be a possibility. Possibilities there include Kendall Sheffield and Florida State commitment Tyrek Cole.
Posted on 5/21/14 at 11:35 am to TideSaint
quote:
MADISON - Alabama has made it clear it isn't backing off of Kerryon Johnson.
Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele was the only college coach in attendance Friday night at Madison Academy for the Auburn commit's spring game. Steele wasn't there to see just Johnson -- rising junior Malik Miller already holds offers from Alabama and Auburn -- but his appearance was another reminder that Alabama isn't giving up on the four-star prospect, despite his April 15th commitment to Auburn.
"They haven't let up at all," Johnson said. "They've respected the commitment, but they haven't let up at all."
Florida State, Johnson's favorite school growing up, hasn't backed off either. The 6-foot, 200-pound running back said Friday night he could take unofficial visits to both this summer, but more likely would take officials the two schools, plus Auburn, in the fall. "You never know what can happen, so I'll still take them," he said.
Even with Alabama and Florida State pushing hard for him, Johnson is firmly committed to Auburn. He is pushing hard for Southside-Gadsden offensive lineman Tyler Carr to join him at Auburn -- "He's huge, he has really good feet and really good hands," Johnson said -- and is excited about how successful head coach Gus Malzahn and Co. have been on the recruiting trail.
"They have a ton of momentum," the four-star prospect said. "Ever since the Iron Bowl win, I think that's what really shifted. Even losing the national championship, people in Alabama want to stay in this state. It used to be Alabama, now it's Auburn. They have so much momentum it's unbelievable."
Auburn has 14 players already committed and the nation's third-best recruiting class, according to 247Composite. Auburn landed one of its biggest targets last Thursday when Georgia Military College running back Jovon Robinson, who is the nation's top junior college player, verbally committed to the Tigers.
Not every recruit would receive that news well if put in Johnson's position. Another top recruit might have been annoyed or even discouraged to see a five-star prospect at his same position commit to the same school.
But Johnson was immediately excited about Robinson's decision. He tweeted," We got Jovon too???? Lawd running game so good."
"I was extremely happy," he said. "I've watched his highlight tape numerous times and I think he's an explosive guy. He's very powerful and has really good feet."
He isn't worried about how he'll fit into what could be a crowded backfield when he'd arrive in 2015. Johnson and Robinson will join a group that already includes Peyton Barber, who redshirted last season, and five-star running back Roc Thomas, who will enroll this summer. It's an extremely talented group, possibly one of the most talented in the country, and Johnson feels it'll work because each running back brings something different.
"Roc is electrifying; he can break a play open in a matter of seconds. Before you even blink, he's gone," he said. "Jovon is more of a power guy but he has some wheels on him. He's stout, but he's a ball. I think I bring the big play ability along with Roc, but also can split out and give them that kind of feel because I've done it in high school."
Watch Johnson in the video above discuss sitting out his spring game, how his rehabilitation is going and watching rising junior teammate Malik Miller.
Posted on 5/21/14 at 11:36 am to TideSaint
For Kerryon Johnson:
Everyone wants to play for Auburn though.
quote:
The University of Alabama accounts for 10 percent of Rivals.com's latest Top 100 rankings.
The rankings, released Monday afternoon, feature 10 Alabama commits in the Top 100. Even more impressive is the fact that five of those commitments are in the Top 50. By comparison, Auburn has two commitments in Rivals' Top 100.
Leading the way for Alabama is Minkah Fitzpatrick, a five-star defensive back from St. Peter's Prep in New Jersey, who is rated the ninth-best player in the country by Rivals. Not far behind Fitzpatrick were Monarch (Fla.) wide receiver Calvin Ridley at No. 17 and Tucker (Ga.) defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter at No. 24.
Rivals' rankings show just how deep and diverse Alabama's recruiting class already is. Alabama, which has the nation's top recruiting class thus far, has two defensive backs in the Top 100 in Fitzpatrick and West Orange-Stark's Deionte Thompson, who is ranked No. 59. The Crimson Tide have two offensive linemen in the Top 60 in Central-Tuscaloosa offensive lineman Lester Cotton (No. 34) and Gonzaga (D.C.) offensive lineman Richie Petitbon (No. 57).
Other Alabama commitments to make the list were: Carver (Ga.) defensive end Mekhi Brown (No. 46), Brookhaven (Miss.) linebacker Leo Lewis (No. 71), Monarch (Fla.) athlete Shawn Burgess-Becker (No. 81) and Vigor running back Desherrius Flowers (No. 97).
Auburn had only two commitments made the list, though both are top in-state prospects. Madison Academy running back Kerryon Johnson, who said Friday Alabama is still pushing for him, is the top-rated Tigers commit at No. 52. Recent Auburn commit and Hoover linebacker Darrell Williams just made the cut at No. 100.
Shades Valley defensive lineman Daron Payne took a dip in the latest Rivals rankings, but is still the top-rated player in the state of Alabama. Payne, who is primarily considering Alabama and Auburn, dropped five spots to No. 12 in the country.
Southside-Gadsden offensive lineman Tyler Carr, who remains uncommitted, dropped 36 spots to No. 66 in the latest rankings.
Everyone wants to play for Auburn though.
Posted on 5/21/14 at 11:48 am to TideSaint
Their momentum must be why they are kicking our arse in recruiting.
Posted on 5/21/14 at 12:07 pm to TreyAnastasio
quote:
2015 Mesquite Poteet athlete DeAndre McNeal has made a big splash this spring, earning offers from Alabama, among others. Wednesday, he pulled in an offer from a school a little bit closer to home.
McNeal said, via Twitter, that Oklahoma State was the most recent school to extend an offer, adding to several other Big 12 schools already in hand. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, McNeal has run in the 10.9-second range in the 100-meter dash, and has shown versatility as a running back, wide receiver and H-back, while he's worked as an edge rusher for Poteet this spring.
McNeal is also the teammate of Malik Jefferson, arguably the top prospect in Texas.
Posted on 5/21/14 at 12:08 pm to TreyAnastasio
That's what I was thinking. A lot of wishful thinking on the part of KJ and Tre Williams
Posted on 5/21/14 at 12:11 pm to sarc
quote:
Alabama has offered Tampa (Fla.) Sickles four-star athlete Ray-Ray McCloud III.
McCloud, who is a member of the Top247, could be used as a running back, wide receiver, or defensive back.
The Florida Gators currently lead his Crystal Ball with 58% of predictions.
Offered by Alabama !!!! #blessed #RollTide #sec ??
? Gutta??an RMIII ™ (@RM3_legendz19xx) May 21, 2014
Posted on 5/21/14 at 12:15 pm to sarc
Posted on 5/21/14 at 12:55 pm to TideSaint
quote:
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Citing it as "another one in the win column in terms of big-time programs wanting him to play for them," Cretin-Derham Hall head coach Mike Scanlan confirmed that Alabama offered his star defensive end, Jashon Cornell.
Cornell is from Saint Paul, Minnesota, but that hasn't stopped programs all over the country from putting the full court press on the touted recruit, rated as a 5-star by 247Sports and ESPN. Scanlan estimated at least 30 offers for the 6-foot-3, 265-pound Cornell. Alabama assistant Bobby Williams visited the school on Tuesday with an offer.
"Stanford, Michigan, Michigan State, Florida, Florida State, Miami," Scanlan said of other schools interested. "You name it, just about anybody that plays big-time football has found their way to take a look at him."
Scanlan said Auburn has sent Cornell mail, but he wasn't aware of an offer. Alabama has sent more mail to Scanlan, which he passes along to Cornell.
"He's pretty low key guy," Scanlan said. "I know he was excited because you don't get any better programs than Alabama's, but he's fairly matter of fact about it.
"Whatever was going on internally, he hid pretty well."
Cornell hasn't set any visits for the summer yet, according to Scanlan, but he has one factor in his favor.
"I know everybody wants him down or on their campus," Scanlan said. "I don't know what his plans are. I do know Mom works for Delta airlines so one of the perks is you get to fly inexpensively for yourself and family, which would be Jashon. I know they're (looking) at going just about anywhere - best opportunity educationally and athletically."
Scanlan has been coaching for 25 years and he said Cornell "might be the best offensive or defensive lineman that we've had."
That's very high praise, given that Scanlan has coached NFL all-pro Matt Birk and 11-year NFL player Corbin Lacina, who is now the offensive coordinator at Cretin-Derham Hall.
"He's 265 (pounds) and he moves like a sprinter," Scanlan said. "He's got that nice enviable combination of size and speed.
"We've had some guys that have played on Sunday. He's got a long ways to go, but he's pretty good. He's as physical as those guys were, maybe even more so, because they were late bloomers."
Colleges are looking at Cornell as a defensive end or outside linebacker. Scanlan also needs to use him on offense - "or, otherwise we're pretty pedestrian in some areas" - and may put him at tight end or H-back. Cornell used to play basketball and moves well with good hands.
"He's a pretty nifty kid," Scanlan said.
Scanlan said he wasn't sure when Cornell would make a college decision.
"I'd certainly like him to do it much sooner (than before the season)," Scanlan said. "I think he still likes the attention. It still hasn't gotten old for Jashon."
SCOUT: 4-star, No. 56 overall
ESPN: 5-star, No. 16 overall
RIVALS: 4-star, No. 76 overall
247SPORTS: 5-star, No. 32 overall
Posted on 5/21/14 at 12:57 pm to Rizzy
MS 16' DL Benito Jones
quote:
Alabama coach Nick Saban offering a scholarship didn't surprise Benito Jones.
The 6-foot-2, 273-pound defensive tackle from Wayne County High School in Mississippi already had scholarship offers from Ole Miss and Mississippi State. An SEC offer isn't anything new for the four-star rising junior.
But the offer from Alabama, the school Jones grew up rooting for, ranks higher than any of his previous offers. The Alabama head coach offered Jones May 13th.
"It feels great to have an offer from them," Jones said. "That's a school I really want to go to.
"They are the top one I want to go to."
Jones, who is rated No. 82 in the country by 247Composite, will be one of the most recruited class of 2016 recruits out of Mississippi. He's already a known commodity within the state because of his strong play the last two years. He's been compared to current Houston Texans defensive tackle Jerell Powe, a Wayne County alum, for his high upside and burst.
Alabama has the early lead for him, while in-state SEC schools Ole Miss and Mississippi State are second and third, respectively, in the pecking order. Jones attended Ole Miss' 'Grove Bowl' spring game and Ole Miss coaches promised to not let up on recruiting him.
Another factor going in Alabama's favor, though, is his friendship with Brookhaven linebacker Leo Lewis, who is committed to Alabama. Jones said the two talk a lot and that Lewis has already pitched him on how great the school is.
He won't make a decision for more than a year - he expects to make it after his senior football season - but he's already facing some pressure to stay in the Magnolia State.
"A lot of people don't want me to leave the state," he said. "But I'm going to go where I want to go."
Jones plans on attending as many football camps as he can this summer. The plan right now is to go to Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Tennessee.
Posted on 5/21/14 at 1:35 pm to Rizzy
Wayne County usually means academic concerns. Hopefully that will not be the case here though.
Posted on 5/21/14 at 2:11 pm to NewtonCoTide646
BOL has a Five who could flip:
Jovon Robinson
Rico McGraw
Kerryon Johnson
Terry Godwin
Jovon Durante
Jovon Robinson
Rico McGraw
Kerryon Johnson
Terry Godwin
Jovon Durante
This post was edited on 5/21/14 at 2:12 pm
Posted on 5/21/14 at 2:27 pm to Rizzy
quote:
BOL has a Five who could flip:
Jovon Robinson
Rico McGraw
Kerryon Johnson
Terry Godwin
Jovon Durante
Godwin and Durante are the two I think we have the best shot at IMO.
Posted on 5/21/14 at 2:28 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Today Florida State assistant coach Lawrence Dawsey is at Monarch high school in Pompano Beach, FL to visit 4-star wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Ridley, who’s ranked as the nation’s 6th best player at his position, committed to Alabama in mid-March, but that hasn’t ended contact between Ridley and the ‘Noles staff.
FSU has also remained in contact and has continued to pursue 5-star cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick. Coincidentally, Fitzpatrick and Ridley committed to Alabama on the same day. FSU visited the New Jersey defensive back in early May and are expected to see him again within the next week.
Posted on 5/21/14 at 2:31 pm to TideSaint
Does it not seem Bama and FSU go after basically all the same recruits? fricking coattail riding bitches. 
Posted on 5/21/14 at 2:33 pm to Alabamya
quote:
Does it not seem Bama and FSU go after basically all the same recruits? fricking coattail riding bitches.
It doesn't seem so bad this year now that they don't have Craig or Pruitt, but yeah they have been a pain in our arse for a few years now.
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