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re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition
Posted on 7/1/14 at 11:24 pm to MontyFranklyn
Posted on 7/1/14 at 11:24 pm to MontyFranklyn
This post was edited on 7/1/14 at 11:25 pm
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Posted on 7/2/14 at 1:07 am to BuccWildBammer
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Alabama leads for top Mississippi safety Jamal Peters
Bassfield, Miss., safety Jamal Peters has Alabama at No. 1
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Highly-ranked safety Jamal Peters released his top 5 on Tuesday, and Alabama was No. 1 on the list.
Peters is a 4-star recruit from Bassfield, Miss., and the No. 3-ranked safety nationally in the 247Sports composite. Peters is regarded as the top player from Mississippi.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Peters had Alabama at No. 1 followed by Mississippi State, Florida State, Ole Miss and LSU.
"Alabama is really doing a great job as far as doing the things they need to do," Bassfield head coach Lance Mancuso told AL.com. "Jamal's extremely impressed with everything there in Tuscaloosa. It's basically going to come down to what he thinks is the best fit for him and where he's going to be the most happy playing out his college career."
Alabama offered Peters in February. Of 13 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions, 62 percent have Peters pegged to Mississippi State.
"He's an outstanding talent," Mancuso said. "He's got all the tools to be a really great football player. He's a very dynamic player. He's going to be a special kid on the next level."
Mancuso said he wasn't yet aware of any official visits that Peters has set up, but figures that Alabama will get one. He said that Peters is a big family guy who is real close with his parents and brother, and will make a decision when he's ready and comfortable.
"One thing that he really likes is that Alabama hasn't forced him and a lot of these schools really haven't (forced him)," Mancuso said. "That's a big positive for him."
LINK
Posted on 7/2/14 at 1:11 am to chattabama
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One position on Alabama's roster is going to dictate whether or not the Crimson Tide will get back to the peak of the college football world, and it is one that is depending on fresh faces to up the level of the competition.
Quarterback, right?
Florida State transfer Jacob Coker has joined the battle with Blake Sims and Cooper Bateman this summer, complete with an ever-inflating reputation.
Coker only completed 21 of 41 passes in Tallahassee for one touchdown and one pick. The 6'5", 230-pounder showed in limited action that he has a big arm and can make plays on the run, but having a definitive opinion on him one way or the other seems like a big stretch.
He's a mystery.
Luckily for Alabama, its title hopes aren't resting on Coker's performance.
The secondary is a much more pressing issue.
One look at the stat sheet, and you'll think that the Crimson Tide's pass defense wasn't an issue. After all, 180.3 yards per game is pretty good. Good enough to finish in the second spot in the SEC and 11th in the country, anyway. But against teams that could actually throw—even teams that hadn't proved it like Oklahoma—the Tide got lit up like a Christmas tree.
Butch Dill/Associated Press
Alabama head coach Nick Saban (left) and DC Kirby Smart
Even Auburn—a team that was run-first, run-second and run-third—had a reasonable amount of success through the air against the Tide defense from an efficiency standpoint (160.93). It also missed two huge opportunities on blown coverages on poorly thrown balls to Ricardo Louis in the first and fourth quarters.
Deion Belue fought through injury on one side of the defensive backfield last year, and the other side had a revolving door of starters including Eddie Jackson, Bradley Sylve and Cyrus Jones—all of whom return in 2014. Sophomore Maurice Smith and true freshmen Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey will all be in the mix as well.
The cornerback position needs to be settled early in fall camp.
The uncertainty came back to bite Alabama in a big way last year, and they can't afford that again in 2014. If that means trotting out youngsters Brown and Humphrey—which I think will happen—to take their lumps, so be it. Learning what not to do is the most important lesson young players can learn. If they're the future of the position, let them learn.
Alabama S Landon Collins
At safety, Landon Collins is entrenched at the strong safety spot, and the versatility he showed playing both spots in a pinch last year will be invaluable to the Crimson Tide defense. Jarrick Williams, who played nickel and safety last year, will likely move into more of a full-time role at free safety.
That unit as a whole is the most important hurdle for head coach Nick Saban to overcome if he wants to bring another title to T-Town.
Florida should be able to pass much better under first-year coordinator Kurt Roper. Ole Miss' offense is extremely dangerous when it clicks. Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin has proven throughout his career that he can produce prolific air attacks regardless of the quarterback. Tennessee's wide receivers could rival any in the SEC by season's end. Another year of work for Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall should open up the Tigers passing game more.
The margin for error isn't as thin this year as it has been in years past, but until we see the College Football Playoff selection committee in action, it'd be tenuous for any team to be on the playoff bubble without a conference title in its trophy case.
Coker has an insurance policy in the form of a deep and talented backfield and a wildly talented wide receiving corps. The secondary doesn't have that luxury.
Because of that, Alabama's title hopes rest at the back end of its defense.
LINK
This post was edited on 7/2/14 at 1:13 am
Posted on 7/2/14 at 1:13 am to chattabama
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Alabama commit Minkah Fitzpatrick has strong showing at Rutgers 7-on-7 camp
Minkah Fitzpatrick had a big showing in a recent 7-on-7 tournament
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick is rated as one of Alabama's top class of 2015 commitments and as one of the top prospects in the country.
He did everything to back up those rankings in a passing camp at Rutgers University over the weekend, reportedly.
Fitzpatrick, a Rivals.com 5-star from Jersey City, N.J., was his "usual dominant self," according to Rivals.com staffers in attendance.
Fitzpatrick played safety and receiver at the 7-on-7 event.
"Fitzpatrick also baited a number of quarterbacks into bad throws the he either intercepted or batted down. Fitzpatrick also played wide receiver and was one of the most productive offensive players for his team," according to Rivals.
Check out the Rivals.com report of the event, which featured several top prospects from the Northeast.
Fitzpatrick told Scout.com that he's considering visits to Florida State and South Carolina, but nothing is set in stone.
Fitzpatrick committed to Alabama during A-Day weekend in April.
LINK
Posted on 7/2/14 at 1:17 am to chattabama
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Kirby Smart = the smartest assistant coach in college football
It may be conventional wisdom, but every once in a while, it has to be said. Kirby Smart is the smartest assistant coach in college football.
Because he’s the highest-paid assistant coach in college football? Not exactly, although he’s worth every penny.
Because he directs the defense that’s been the foundation of three national championships? Not entirely, although earning and keeping Nick Saban’s trust isn’t easy.
No, the Alabama defensive coordinator is the smartest assistant coach in college football for a much simpler reason. He’s still an assistant coach.
In other words, he’s content to put all of his time, effort and energy into doing the job he has instead of chasing a job he doesn’t have or worrying that his career clock is ticking.
Smart man.
Some people may have been surprised when Smart, in a Halley's Comet of a radio interview, told 680 The Fan in Atlanta that he could be content finishing his career as a coordinator if the right head coaching opportunity never presented itself. That’s not likely, but it was refreshing to hear Smart say it.
Even better was the reason behind it.
“My family’s so happy in Tuscaloosa,” Smart said. “My wife loves it. We’ve got 6-year-old twins and a 2-year-old. We’ve been very fortunate. I moved seven times the first seven years I coached. The last, I guess, eight, going on eight, I’ve been in the same place, and my kids only know one place. So for us that’s very comfortable.”
Or as comfortable as an assistant can be working for a head coach with the exacting standards and expectations of Saban. Throw in Smart’s two years working for Bobby Bowden at Florida State, and it’s hard to imagine an assistant more ready to run his own program.
But there’s a difference between ready and “antsy,” a word Smart used in that interview, and he understands the difference.
Look at the most accomplished head coaches in the SEC and how old they were when they got their first top jobs. Les Miles was 47 when he took over at Oklahoma State. Mark Richt was 41 when he started at Georgia. Steve Spurrier was 38 as a first-time head coach with the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits, but he didn’t become a college head coach till he was 42 at Duke.
Saban was 38 when he took over at Toledo, but after one year there, he went back to the NFL as an assistant for four more years. He was 43 when Michigan State gave him another head coaching opportunity.
So there’s no reason for Smart to be in a hurry. He’s already got one of the best jobs in college football working for one of the best mentors in the business. Best of all, he knows it.
LINK
Posted on 7/2/14 at 1:21 am to chattabama
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162 of the nation's top prospects, including 10 Alabama commits will head out to Beaverton, Oregon for The Opening next week. On Tuesday 247Sports Director of Scouting, Barton Simmons, listed ten prospects who could push for 5-star status including Alabama commits Deionte Thompson and Richie Petitbon.
On Thompson, Simmons writes, "He had one of the best camp performances by a safety of the year in Houston at the NFTC to put the Alabama commit firmly in five-star striking distance."
Similar to Thompson, Simmons says that Petitbon is coming off of a strong offseason camp circuit.
"Spectators have been raving about his NFTC performance in D.C. earlier this spring. If Petitbon replicates that in Oregon it may be hard to keep the Alabama commit out of the five-star ranks."
Thompson currently ranks as the no. 40 overall prospect according to 247Sports, while Petitbon checks in at no. 54.
LINK
Posted on 7/2/14 at 1:27 am to chattabama
Texas Tech, UCLA, Miami, and Bama are recruiting DeAndre McNeal the hardest.
8300
8300
This post was edited on 7/2/14 at 1:44 am
Posted on 7/2/14 at 8:00 am to BuccWildBammer
Oh and btw she said that Coop is so focused that he seems different right now.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 10:25 am to MontyFranklyn
Good
Posted on 7/2/14 at 10:35 am to BIGJLAW
@AndrewJBone 55s
Four-star LB Adonis Thomas (@_SimplyThatGuy5) to announce decision on August 1. #Alabama or #Florida. Final visit to Bama on July 13.
Four-star LB Adonis Thomas (@_SimplyThatGuy5) to announce decision on August 1. #Alabama or #Florida. Final visit to Bama on July 13.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:22 am to TreyAnastasio
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Will commit Montrell Custis recruit for Alabama at The Opening? 'You'd best believe I would'
Montrell Custis committed to Alabama in April
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Montrell Custis grew up rooting for Alabama, marveling at the success of head coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.
So when the Crimson Tide offered in early April, it was only natural that the Hampton, Ga., defensive back would switch his pledge from Kentucky to Alabama. After talking it over with his family, he did just that on April 14.
"Great football program and education-wise, it's one of the best in the country," Custis said. "The graduation rate is pretty high. Me and my family keyed on graduation rate.
"I always grew up an Alabama fan. When they offered me, I couldn't help but take it."
Montrell Custis is going to The Opening this coming up weekend (photo 247Sports)
The 6-foot, 175-pound Custis is rated as 3-star on the 247Sports composite rankings, though 247Sports and Scout rate Custis as a 4-star recruit.
He's going to The Opening in Oregon over the weekend to compete with the best prospects in the country. There, he's hoping to make a bigger name for himself.
"One of the things I'm looking forward is to compete," Custis said. "Right now I'm labeled as an underrated football player. I don't really get into stuff like that, but I want to show everybody that I'm not the underdog. I want to get in there and show my skills.
"I don't really worry about stars. All I really worry about is just playing football."
Custis has made multiple visits to Tuscaloosa since then. Right now, he's focused on recruiting even more top talent in Georgia to help out the Crimson Tide's No. 1 recruiting class.
He mentioned 5-star receiver Preston Williams, a teammate of his at Lovejoy High School who is committed to Tennessee, as a top target. He also mentioned Hogansville, Ga., athlete and Georgia commit Terry Godwin, Georgia commit and receiver Christian Owens and top-rated defensive tackle Trent Thompson as some of his targets. Thompson has not committed, but the 247Sports No. 1 prospect is thought to be a Georgia lean.
"I've been trying to recruit some guys," Custis said. "I'm very well known in the Georgia area, so I know all the big-time guys."
When asked if he'd push Alabama on fellow recruits at The Opening, Custis said, "Yes sir. You'd best believe I would." Custis is one of 10 Alabama commitments participating at the Opening.
Custis said he is 100 percent committed to Alabama and that he could graduate in December if he needed to do so.
Currently, he's training to get bigger, stronger and faster and working on his technique. He's labeled as a cornerback, but said he could play anywhere in the secondary. Alabama coaches like his versatility.
"They like basically my size, my length, my speed and athleticism, my brains, my IQ," Custis said.
"They say the best people will play. They've been telling me that they've been playing a bunch of freshman. If I can come in there and figure things out, I can get a chance."
LINK
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:40 am to chattabama
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The 247Sports Crystal Ball currently points to Alabama as one of the favorites to land several of its targets in the 2016 class, several of whom recently have seen their Crystal Ball picks shift toward the Tide.
Here’s a look at some of the players who have seen the Tide surge in their Crystal Ball this offseason.
Next posts coming from here LINK
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:40 am to chattabama
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RASHAN GARY
Defensive tackle
Scotch Plains Fanwood High School, Scotch Plains, N.J.
Crystal Ball picks: 91% Alabama, 9% Penn State
Gary, who ranks as the no. 5 overall prospect in the 2016 cycle according to 247Sports holds offers from the Tide, Florida, Florida State, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, USC, and others. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder will be one of three 2016 prospects at The Opening next week. He's yet to visit the Capstone, but hopes to make his way south later this month. The Tide have accounted for the last ten picks in Gary's Crystal Ball, dating back to late April.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:40 am to chattabama
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LYNDELL WILSON
Outside linebacker
Carver High School, Montgomery, Ala.
Crystal Ball picks: Alabama 82%, Auburn 18%
Wilson ranks as the state of Alabama's top 2016 prospect and hails from the high school that has produced Alabama linebacker Shaun Hamilton and Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson in recent years. Wilson has taken visits to Alabama, Auburn, and Tennessee this offseason, most recently visiting the Tide on June 14. Alabama accounts for the last 13 picks in his Crystal Ball, with two coming in the last month.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:41 am to chattabama
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KAREEM WALKER
Running back
De Paul Catholic, Wayne, N.J.
Crystal Ball picks: Alabama 80%, Penn State 20%
Alabama extended an offer to the nation's no. 2 2016 running back on February 18. Since that time Walker has expressed interest in visiting Tuscaloosa and has listed high interest in both the Crimson Tide and Penn State. Earlier this summer he visited Florida State for the Seminoles' camp. The last four picks in his Crystal Ball are in favor of Alabama.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:41 am to chattabama
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BEN DAVIS
Outside linebacker
Gordo High School, Gordo, Ala.
Crystal Ball picks: Alabama 100%
All nine of the predictions in Davis' Crystal Ball are in favor of the Tide. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder, is the son of all-time Crimson Tide tackles leader, Wayne Davis. Alabama extended an offer to the Tide legacy on June 7 following an impressive showing at the first camp session of the summer.
This post was edited on 7/2/14 at 11:48 am
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:42 am to chattabama
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SHYHEIM CARTER
Cornerback
Kentwood High School, Kentwood, La.
Crystal Ball picks: Alabama 56%, LSU 44%
Alabama made a surge in Carter's Crystal Ball in June, following his multi-day camp stop in Tuscaloosa and subsequent offer from the Crimson Tide. LSU held 100% of the picks prior to Carter camping at Alabama, but since then, the Tide account for five of the last six picks. Carter ranks as the no. 28 overall prospect and no. 1 cornerback in the 2016 cycle according to 247Sports.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:42 am to chattabama
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DENZEL MITCHELL
Running back
Hamilton High School, Hamilton, Ala.
Crystal Ball picks: Alabama 75%, Arkansas 25%
Mitchell has moved back to his native Hamilton, Ala. this offseason after starting his high school career at Jonesboro, Ark. The 5-foot-10, 197-pounder ranks as the no. 4 running back in the 2016 cycle according to 247Sports. He holds offers from Arkansas, Arkansas State, and Ole Miss and plans to camp at Alabama in July. The Tide account for the last three picks in Mitchell's Crystal Ball.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:42 am to chattabama
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DEMETRIS ROBERTSON
Athlete
Savannah Country Day School, Savannah, Ga.
Crystal Ball picks: Alabama 86%, Georgia 14%
Robertson, who is one of the more explosive prospects in the 2016 cycle, has a top two of Alabama and UCLA. The 6-foot-1, 165-pounder last visited Tuscaloosa on March 1 for a junior day- when he was offered. The last six picks in Robertson's Crystal Ball are for Alabama.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:43 am to chattabama
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JEREMIAH MOON
Outside linebacker
Hoover High School, Hoover, Ala.
Crystal Ball picks: Alabama 100%
Moon is the next in line at the powerhouse Hoover program, that has sent several prospects to Tuscaloosa, most recently 5-star cornerback Marlon Humphrey. The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder is also a Tide legacy, with his uncle Darius Gilbert being an Alabama linebacker in the early 2000's. Auburn, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Ole Miss have offered Moon
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