re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

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Who will commit next? The latest recruiting news on Top 10 uncommitted in-state recruits

Who might commit to a school in July? AL.com takes a look at the latest recruiting news and possible decisions with the Top 10 uncommitted in-state recruits.

Daron Payne, DT, Shades Valley

Schools: Alabama, Auburn

Decision date: Near National Signing Day

Skinny: It is still a waiting game for the five-star defensive tackle. Payne wants to wait until after his football season to make a decision. Alabama and Auburn are the top two schools for the 6-foot-3, 330-pound prospect. Payne is currently in Oregon competing in The Opening.

Richard McBryde, LB, Charles Henderson

Schools: Auburn, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida

Decision date: Summer

Recruiting skinny: McBryde would have been the likely pick to be the next big in-state recruit to commit, but he told AL.com Tuesday that he wants to wait until after his senior season. Auburn is starting to put the pressure on the four-star linebacker, though, so keep an eye out for whether he sticks with waiting.

Nick Gibson, RB, Pinson Valley

Schools: Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi State

Decision date: Likely July

Recruiting skinny: Mississippi State looks to be in the driver's seat for one of the state's top running backs. Gibson has been eyeing a decision for some time now and could commit to the Bulldogs when he visits the school's Starkville campus for the Big Dawg camp next Friday. Alabama is the other school to keep an eye on, but it's unclear how aggressive the Crimson Tide has been recruiting him.

Keith Mixon, RB, Shades Valley

Schools: Mississippi State, Auburn and Clemson

Decision date: Possibly in July

Recruiting skinny: Mixon recently told 247Sports that he could pick a school this month after originally wanting to commit after his senior season. Mississippi State, Arkansas State and South Alabama are the main options for the speedy running back. An Alabama scholarship offer could change everything, but the Crimson Tide haven't offered yet.

Brandon Kennedy, OL, Wetumpka

Schools: Alabama, Auburn

Decision date: July

Recruiting skinny: Kennedy, who is rated the nation's top center by Rivals.com, is primarily considering Alabama and Auburn. He has scholarship offers from both and could make a decision this month. Alabama is the prohibitive favorite to land Kennedy, especially with spots filling up on the offensive line at Auburn. Pay attention to where Kennedy visits, if anywhere, in the next few weeks.

Darryl Williams, OL, Bessemer City

Schools: Auburn, Florida State, Kentucky and Mississippi State

Decision date: Maybe summer

Recruiting skinny: Williams made plans to announce his decision on June 26, but later canceled the announcement. Auburn was considered the team to beat for Williams, but the Tigers appear to have other targets higher up on their board. Kentucky and Mississippi State are the top schools if Williams makes a decision soon, but don't count out Auburn if Williams decides to wait and hold off on committing.

Bradrick Shaw, RB, Hoover

Schools: Alabama, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt

Decision date: TBD

Recruiting skinny: Not much has changed with Shaw in the last month. He participated at a summer camp at Mississippi State, and could return to the school for its Big Dawg camp. MSU and Vanderbilt are considered the teams to beat for Shaw, but the three-star running back is taking the recruiting process slow.

Traveon Samuel, ATH, Central-Phenix City

Schools: Auburn, South Carolina and Florida State

Decision date: December

Recruiting skinny: Auburn is still the heavy favorite to land Samuel, per the 247Sports' Crystal Ball feature, though Samuel said recently that Auburn, South Carolina and Florida State were his top schools. Samuel will likely wait until after his senior season to make a decision.

Amonte Caban, LB, Smiths Station

Schools: Mississippi State, Tennessee, Clemson, South Carolina and Kentucky

Decision date: Summer

Recruiting skinny: Mississippi State is the team to beat for the 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker. Caban has said in the past he'd like to make a decision this summer, but hasn't set a definitive date yet. Clemson and Tennessee are two other schools to watch with Caban.

Jauntavius Johnson, DL, Lincoln

Schools: Auburn, Alabama, Louisville and Southern Miss

Decision date: Summer

Recruiting skinny: Johnson hasn't been heard from much since naming Auburn his leader while on campus in May. All eight predictions on 247Sports' Crystal Ball feature have him pegged to the Tigers. Alabama is also firmly in the picture after offering him a scholarship June 14. Look for him to decide this summer between Auburn and Alabama.

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Gerry Hamilton ?@HamiltonESPN 1h
#Alabama QB Blake Barnett is throwing darts out here at #TheOpening pool play.

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Tom VanHaaren ?@TomVH 1h
Blake Barnett has looked good so far, throwing the ball in some tight spaces. He has been as good as advertised so far

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The Opening parents open up on kids' recruitments

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Lance Barnett, father of Alabama four-star QB commit Blake Barnett

“The facilities were very impressive (at Alabama). But we tried to tell Blake from the start don’t pick the school based on facilities. Pick it on the staff and what you’re feeling there and what you want your future to become. That’s the whole package. Bama fit that to a tee for Blake. The coaching staff was extremely impressive. Coach (Nick) Saban and coach (Lane) Kiffin did an outstanding job with their pitch to Blake. They knew what he wanted to focus on after football - Communications. I believe Alabama is number two in the country in Communications. It was a fit. And you can’t argue with the success they’ve had.

Extremely impressed with coach Kiffin. He actually took some time and watched film and what he’s going to bring to the offense. That would suit Blake’s skills. You can’t argue with his success as well. Matt Barkley, Matt Leinhart, all great quarterbacks. Great system. It seemed like a great fit for Blake. We were trying to get him more into a pro-style offense because his goal is to get to the NFL. In our opinion it was a perfect fit in what coach Kiffin is bringing to the Alabama offense. Absolutely (Saban) led the charge. We were told it was a record six times. No recruit has ever met with coach Saban six times. Very, very impressive. Every detail covered. It was an amazing experience.

I’m proud of Blake for doing the difficult thing. When he decided to visit Oregon we made it known to him that he needed to call Notre Dame and he did. He talked to coach (Brian) Kelly and he talked to (quarterbacks) coach (Matt) LaFleur and told them he wanted to visit (Oregon). When he decided to commit (it was) the same thing. It’s a difficult conversation to have for a young 17,18-year old kid. Same thing. When he decided Oregon was not an option for him he called (quarterbacks) coach (Scott) Frost and thanked him for the way he treated him and spending the time with him. Hopefully he would be able to play for him one day. If not at the college level then maybe at the pro level. So I’m proud of him for doing that way. It’s unbelievable.

At this time last year I don’t think anyone knew who Blake Barnett was. We were hoping someone would put him in their database or look at him let alone a college recruiting him. It’s truly been a blessed experience. We’ve met some fabulous people along the way. Its just been so exciting and a lot of fun. It’s been hard work on Blake’s side of it. Just good people involved in this sport and that’s what makes it fun and exciting. Oregon (recruited Barnett the hardest) but they did it in such a professional manner. Right after Blake committed they reached out to him in December and said ‘hey, we’re really interested in you. We understand that you’re committed to Notre Dame but if there’s ever any wavering or an opportunity for us please reach out to us.’ They did that maybe every month. They’d just make the phone call. I would say over the past two to three months it started to escalate. But always in a professional manner. Once Blake decided that he might want to take a look at some other options he went out (for a visit). I would say (in) May, but he tried to stay committed to Notre Dame. (Oregon) came through in the spring. A lot of coaches came through in the spring. To be honest with you a lot of coaches that approached Blake in January, February and March and he told them he was not interested. Like Tennessee, Florida, Missouri. Those were coaches that were actually very interested in him and he told them I’m committed to Notre Dame and they respectfully honored that. Well, its funny. (Before the Southeast visits) Oregon was absolutely the team to beat. Blake visited Oregon by himself. We went over the de-commit from Notre Dame. Got a message from coach Kiffin. Coach Kiffin actually offered in February. Same thing. He was committed to Notre Dame so they respectfully honored that. When he de-committed they immediately jumped in. We just mentioned to Blake, as parents, to go and visit. He kind of rushed the Notre Dame (original commitment) decision. It’s a great school, great education, great program. It was early. I think he just got caught up in the emotions of it. We tried to walk him through the process. The distance from home, the weather. But you know a 17-year old kid that’s impressed and he’s excited. I couldn’t disagree with that. Notre Dame is a great school. But I just think in the end it wasn’t the fit Blake was looking for.

The campus is beautiful at Alabama. I was absolutely blown away by the staff and how every detail is covered. And it wasn’t just football. That was so impressive. Coach Saban was really into developing the kids on and off the field. Did a tremendous job presenting that. In my opinion better than any coach we had met. Really sunk with Blake as far as developing him and his future. Quarterback and eventually after school as well. (Alabama) is a machine. We you see it and go there and spend time there you know it. You understand why they usually have the No. 1 recruiting class because they have such a great package. It’s a great school. It’s a great facility. The campus is beautiful. You can’t argue with the success they’ve had on the field. Coach Saban is very, very impressive. With coach Kiffin in the mix, you can’t ask for more than that.”

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Josh Newberg ?@joshnewberg247 33m
Calvin Ridley is probably the best WR at The Opening. The Bama commit will visit #FSU next week & again in the fall

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It would have been nice if Bartow would have thought to use some paragraphs.

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