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re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:34 am to TideSaint
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:34 am to TideSaint
quote:
55. 4-star OG Richie Petitbon
Height/Weight: 6'4", 301 lbs
High School: Gonzaga College High School; Washington, D.C.
247Sports Ranking: No. 5 OG/No. 55 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 85/100
Committed to: Alabama on April 4, 2014
Richie Petitbon picked the Crimson Tide after several campus visits to other colleges. He journeyed to an array of universities throughout his junior year, including Virginia Tech, Penn State, Boston College and Maryland, where his father played college football.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Set to become a third-generation Division I football player, Petitbon possesses in-game intelligence and uses it to exploit opponents. He displays excellent anticipation in various settings, an attribute that really shined at The Opening when Petitbon was asked to pass-protect in one-on-one situations
He doesn't waste steps and moves downfield with a purpose while spearheading the rushing attack. I worry about his ability to initially counter top-tier SEC defensive linemen in short-yardage situations due to a level of strength (16/20) that's still developing.
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Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:35 am to TideSaint
quote:
43. 4-star OG Lester Cotton
Height/Weight: 6'4", 325 lbs
High School: Central High School; Tuscaloosa, Alabama
247Sports Ranking: No. 3 OG/No. 43 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Committed to: Alabama on Feb. 1, 2014
Lester Cotton committed to Alabama as a junior and has remained a steadfast member of Roll Tide Nation ever since. Due to proximity, he's likely visited campus more than any member of the current Crimson Tide class. Prior to pledging, he fielded offers from the likes of USC, Auburn and Ole Miss.
Bleacher Report Analysis
No one graded higher in terms of "strength" than Cotton during our evaluation. He earned 20/20 in that facet, and it carries over into run blocking, as he bludgeons opponents with brute force and directs the flow of traffic in the trenches.
Aside from overbearing physicality, Cotton carries himself well in pass protection. He maintains excellent balance and keeps foes off-kilter by dishing out a devastating punch at the onset. Cotton could command early collegiate reps, regardless of the deep roster at Alabama.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:38 am to TideSaint
quote:sounds good to me. we need some overbearing physicality and devastating punch on the oline again, been lacking for 2 years.
No one graded higher in terms of "strength" than Cotton during our evaluation. He earned 20/20 in that facet, and it carries over into run blocking, as he bludgeons opponents with brute force and directs the flow of traffic in the trenches. Aside from overbearing physicality, Cotton carries himself well in pass protection. He maintains excellent balance and keeps foes off-kilter by dishing out a devastating punch at the onset
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:43 am to narddogg81
quote:
41. 4-star DT Daron Payne
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 325 lbs
High School: Shades Valley High; Birmingham, Alabama
247 Ranking: No. 5 DT/No. 41 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Committed to: Alabama on Jan. 2, 2015
Daron Payne was another player whose recruitment came down to in-state rivals Alabama and Auburn.
Payne committed to the Tide during the Under Armour All-America Game, but he hasn’t ruled out taking another visit to Auburn before signing day.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Payne’s game is all about strength and power. I saw him at the Birmingham Nike camp last spring, and he put on a show in one-on-one drills, where multiple linemen ended up on their rear ends after trying to slow him down. He’s an ideal fit as a run-stuffing nose in a 3-4 scheme.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:47 am to TideSaint
UGA friend just texted me and said their new OC just met with Ridley and have planned to meet again. You guys hearing anything on Ridley?
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:50 am to TideSaint
quote:
35. 4-star S Deionte Thompson
Height/Weight: 6'2", 181 lbs
High School: West Orange-Stark High; Orange, Texas
247 Ranking: No. 2 S/No. 35 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 94/100
Committed to: Alabama on Feb. 23, 2013
Deionte Thompson attended Alabama's Junior Day back in February 2013.
When he earned an offer on that trip, he immediately committed and became the first pledge of what is now the nation's top class.
He remained firm in that commitment and enrolled early in Tuscaloosa this January.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Thompson is a flat-out playmaker, as evidenced by the fact that he had 11 interceptions over the course of his sophomore and junior seasons. He was also a standout receiver during his prep career, which illustrates his ability to attack the ball in the air when he's on defense. His range and athleticism should fit well in Nick Saban's secondary.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:51 am to TideSaint
quote:
32. 5-star RB Damien Harris
Height/Weight: 5'11", 205 lbs
High School: Madison Southern High School; Berea, Kentucky
247Sports Ranking: No. 2 RB/No. 32 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Committed to: Alabama on Jan. 9, 2015
A surprise to some, Harris spurned his home state and will head further south to play for the mighty Crimson Tide. Alabama is known for producing top tier running backs, and there is no doubt Harris will be next in line as one of the best to play the position for Nick Saban.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Unique anticipation is what separates Damien Harris from multiple running backs who feature comparable measurements. He never looks lost on a rushing attempt, even when blocking efforts break down; he earned a 19/20 for vision.
Harris has the ability to reverse field in open space and essentially create his own rushing lane, though those opportunities will be much tougher to come by in college. Upon identifying a point of attack, he exploits it with elite burst and square pad level.
He operates with admirable ball security and should only continue to improve as a receiver. Harris, who rushed for 6,717 yards and 111 touchdowns in high school, will be squarely in the mix to secure early reps during his first collegiate training camp.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:52 am to TideSaint
quote:
23. 5-star CB Minkah Fitzpatrick
Height/Weight: 6'1", 198 lbs
High School: Saint Peter's Prep; Jersey City, New Jersey
247Sports Ranking: No. 5 CB/No. 23 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 92/100
Committed to: Alabama on April 19, 2014
Nick Saban identified Minkah Fitzpatrick as one of the elite prospects in the 2015 cycle early in the process, and his diligence in recruiting the New Jersey native paid off when he committed to the Tide in April.
However, Florida State has continued to pursue Fitzpatrick—who officially visited Tallahassee in October—after his commitment, but his pledge to the Tide appears to be solid.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Fitzpatrick is an elite athlete who has the skill set to play receiver in college. However, his package of size and athleticism at corner is what makes him a special prospect. He hits like a linebacker in run support and has the hips of an offensive skill player. He'll fit in well at a place like Alabama that has players with the prototypical NFL body types at every position.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:53 am to TideSaint
quote:
18. 5-star CB Kendall Sheffield
Height/Weight: 6'0", 181 lbs
High School: Fort Bend Marshall High; Missouri City, Texas
247Sports Ranking: No. 3 CB/No. 18 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 93/100
Committed to: Alabama on Jan. 2, 2015
Kendall Sheffield is one of the top prospects in the hotbed of the state of Texas.
The 6'0", 181-pounder was coveted by the likes of Texas A&M, Alabama and Florida State, as noted by Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.
Sheffield committed to the Crimson Tide at the Under Armour All-America Game, and his pledge gives Nick Saban another huge victory from a secondary standout from the Lone Star State.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Speed is the name of the game with Sheffield, who may be the nation's fastest corner prospect. His athleticism is off the charts in situations where he has to jump or move in quick bursts to recover on plays when he's beaten off the line or out of a receiver's break. He's also displayed a willingness to take on blocks in the run game, and he's a sound tackler in open space. Overall, Sheffield is one of the nation's elite athletes in the 2015 cycle.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:53 am to TideSaint
quote:
13. 5-star QB Blake Barnett
Height/Weight: 6'4.5", 200 lbs
High School: Santiago High School; Corona, California
247Sports Ranking: No. 2 pro-style QB/No. 13 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 90/100
Enrolled at: Alabama
The Crimson Tide landed Blake Barnett despite growing belief that he was headed to Oregon. His initial commitment occurred last November, when Barnett pledged to Notre Dame. He paid a visit to the Ducks after decommitting but eventually chose Alabama in June.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Barnett took over as the starter at Santiago as a junior and quickly accrued heavy recruiting interest. His elite blend of size and speed is savored by collegiate offensive coordinators, and he displays a deep understanding of how to dissect defenses.
His natural leadership skills were on display at The Opening, where many elite recruits gravitated toward him. He teamed up with future Crimson Tide teammate Calvin Ridley to win a seven-on-seven tournament title and stole the show with Elite 11 MVP honors.
His most pivotal improvements will occur in downfield accuracy, as defenders are still often able to disrupt the location of those attempts. Barnett may also be the best of this group when it comes to firing passes while rolling out, adding a new wrinkle to Lane Kiffin's attack in Tuscaloosa.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:54 am to TideSaint
quote:
11. 5-star WR Calvin Ridley
Height/Weight: 6'0", 170 lbs
High School: Monarch High School; Pompano Beach, Florida
247Sports Ranking: No. 1 WR/No. 11 overall
Bleacher Report Score: 95/100
Committed to: Alabama on April 19, 2014
Calvin Ridley committed to the Crimson Tide along with high school teammate Shawn Burgess-Becker while both players attended Alabama's Spring Game action. Miami and Florida State have never called off the hunt, but he appears on track to compete in Tuscaloosa.
Bleacher Report Analysis
Ridley, already 20 years old, has an advantage in physical maturation, an edge which showed up en route to overall MVP honors at The Opening. Even the most elite defensive backs struggled to stay with him in coverage, a credit to his route-running (19/20) and release (20/20).
His quickness (14/15) is coupled with sheer physicality, including a vicious stiff-arm Ridley unveils from time to time. The game film is filled with highlight plays, and he is clearly ready for a new challenge.
It awaits him at Alabama, where offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is looking to fill the mighty-big shoes left behind by NFL-bound receiver Amari Cooper. Ridley will be counted on immediately to help pick up some of the slack.
"Calvin is pretty incredible, isn't he?" 5-star Alabama quarterback and early enrollee Blake Barnett asked me last summer. "He's such a talented receiver. ... I can't wait to get to work with him in Tuscaloosa."
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:57 am to tider04
quote:
You guys hearing anything on Ridley?
BOL said he was solid this morning when they mentioned Cristobal and Napier visiting him and SBB.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 11:11 am to TideSaint
BOL is reporting that Alabama's Director of Player Personnel, Kerry Stephenson, visited Prince this morning.
Edgewood Academy coach Robby Carr says Kirby Smart is visiting him next week and has invited Prince to personally visit Alabama and meet Saban in person.
It appears Alabama may start to push for him after all.
Edgewood Academy coach Robby Carr says Kirby Smart is visiting him next week and has invited Prince to personally visit Alabama and meet Saban in person.
It appears Alabama may start to push for him after all.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 11:30 am to TideSaint
Yeah there was this from this morning:
@AndrewJBone: #Alabama one of the first schools to visit four-star DE Prince Tega Wanogho today. An offer had not been extended yet. @TideSports
But there was an interview with his high school coach this morning - LINK - in which he says he's being recruited by pretty much everyone but Bama and FSU
Also says he makes good grades but won't take ACT until next month. That would make me nervous about signing him on NSD
@AndrewJBone: #Alabama one of the first schools to visit four-star DE Prince Tega Wanogho today. An offer had not been extended yet. @TideSports
But there was an interview with his high school coach this morning - LINK - in which he says he's being recruited by pretty much everyone but Bama and FSU
Also says he makes good grades but won't take ACT until next month. That would make me nervous about signing him on NSD
Posted on 1/15/15 at 11:31 am to TideSaint
quote:
Posted by TideSaintSaban and Bo Davis will make in-home visits to Lester Cotton (long trip ) and Kendall Sheffield tomorrow. Saban and Cristobal will make an in-home visit to Minkah Fitzpatrick on Monday. Napier and Cristobal are scheduled to visit Ridley and SBB early next week. They will check in with Darnell "The Phone Thief" Salomon as well.
I'm not sure if I want the Sleeper Creeper on our team. Stealing is one thing, breaking into a strange woman's room and watching her sleep sounds weird as hell.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 11:33 am to TideSaint
quote:
No one graded higher in terms of "strength" than Cotton during our evaluation. He earned 20/20 in that facet, and it carries over into run blocking, as he bludgeons opponents with brute force and directs the flow of traffic in the trenches.
Lester Cotton might be my favorite recruit in this cycle. Him and Ridley
Posted on 1/15/15 at 11:39 am to SECSolomonGrundy
Lucky CB'd CeCe Jefferson to Auburn FWIW.
Posted on 1/15/15 at 11:42 am to TideSaint
CeCe and Cowart are getting CB's to AU 
Posted on 1/15/15 at 12:11 pm to Rizzy
Posted on 1/15/15 at 12:19 pm to chattabama
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