Started By
Message
re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition
Posted on 2/28/14 at 8:48 am to TideSaint
Posted on 2/28/14 at 8:48 am to TideSaint
quote:
Derrick Henry
Perhaps no underclassman enters the spring with more fanfare than rising sophomore running back Derrick Henry.
After a slow start to his freshman season, the 6’3”, 238-pound Henry exploded in the Sugar Bowl loss against Oklahoma by accounting for 161 yards of total offense and two scores on just nine touches.
Henry will carry that momentum into spring with an eye on pushing T.J. Yeldon for carries as the lead back in the Tide’s offense.
Regardless of the outcome in that battle, it’s important for Henry to keep his foot on the gas and continue to establish himself as one of the Tide’s most valuable offensive weapons.
1
Posted on 2/28/14 at 8:49 am to TideSaint
quote:
Grant Hill
Mario Cristobal’s offensive line unit must replace a pair of starters, and the group as a whole has work to do in establishing the type of continuity the Tide have enjoyed up front in previous years.
Considering the line’s struggles toward the end of the 2013 season, it’s a safe bet that every spot will be up for grabs entering the spring.
Rising sophomore Grant Hill, who Cyrus Kouandjio described to Gribble as a “man-child,” saw meaningful reps last season.
With that type of experience already under his belt, expect Hill to contend for a starting spot in 2014.
Posted on 2/28/14 at 8:49 am to TideSaint
quote:
Quarterbacks
With the heavily anticipated summer arrival of Florida State quarterback transfer Jacob Coker, the remaining five participants in the quarterback battle have the spring stage left to mount a push for the starting job.
Senior Blake Sims has the experience of being in the program, but whether he can complement his running ability to be efficient enough as a passer remains to be seen.
However, don't expect his seniority to help him in this derby, either. As Gribble detailed, Saban spoke about the quarterback situation for 2014 during one of his weekly radio appearances last October and was noncommittal on the idea of handing over the reins to Sims.
"Not at all," Saban said. "Not at all."
Sophomore Alec Morris and redshirt freshman Cooper Bateman possess all the physical tools necessary to become SEC-caliber passers. Incoming freshman David Cornwell also fits the bill physically, but his first spring at the college level will likely entail fully recovering from a torn ACL suffered during his senior season at the prep level.
Redshirt freshman Parker McLeod is a quarterback who possesses the game-manager elements that have been a staple of Saban’s past successes at the position.
While all five passers have characteristics that bring something different to the table, the pending arrival of Coker puts pressure on all of them to prove their abilities this spring. Whether or not one of them seizes the opportunity to make a statement will top the list of the most intriguing storylines of spring practice at the Capstone.
Posted on 2/28/14 at 8:52 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama will welcome in another impressive contingent of elite recruits from around the country on Saturday as it hosts its second Junior Day event of the year. While Alabama's earlier Junior Day event at the beginning of February was dominated by in-state prospects, this weekend's event will have a more national flavor as prospects from around the country make their way to Tuscaloosa to meet with coaches and tour the campus.
Headlining the weekend will be five players who have earned five-star ratings from the major recruiting services, including the nation's No. 1 running back prospect, Berea, Kentucky star Damien Harris. The 5-foot-11, 206-pound star exploded as a junior at Madison Southern High School where he rushed for 2,621 yards and 42 touchdowns. Harris is being pursued by major programs all over the country, including Ohio State, Michigan and Auburn.
Tennessee-committed wide receiver Preston Williams will be in Tuscaloosa, where his father Antoneyo Williams once played for the Crimson Tide. Williams is ranked the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation for the class of 2015 by 247Sports and despite his early commitment to the Vols has continued to visit other schools.
Joining Williams will be another elite wide receiver, Tarpon Springs, Florida star George Campbell. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound star lines up on both sides of the ball for his East Lake High School squad and is rated the nation's No. 1 athlete prospect by the 247Composite rankings.
Two of the nation's top defensive linemen will also be in attendance, as 5-star prospects Trent Thompson and Byron Cowart both make their way to Tuscaloosa. Thompson, a 6-foot-4, 292-pound defensive tackle is rated the top prospect at his position by multiple recruiting services and is coming off a visit to Auburn last weekend where the Tigers made a big impression on the elite lineman. Cowart, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end, is rated the No. 4 end in the nation by the 247Composite rankings and holds nearly 30 early offers. Cowart recently listed Florida, Oregon and Auburn as his early standouts in the recruiting process and the Crimson Tide will hope to join that group after this weekend.
One of the nation's top linebackers will be on the guest list as well as Georgia star Roquan Smith is expected to attend. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound star is rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports and is rated by the service as the No. 5 outside linebacker in the nation. Joining Smith will be another top linebacker prospect, Murfreesboro, Tennessee star Josh Smith, who picked up offers from Alabama and Auburn earlier this month.
Texas running back commit Jordan Stevenson is among a sizable group of backs to pick up a scholarship offer from Alabama in recent weeks and Stevenson will visit Tuscaloosa this weekend to learn more about the Tide. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound back rated a four-star prospect by the major recruiting services, has been committed to Texas since last October but has continued to receive from other schools, including Arkansas.
Tight end has been a top priority for Alabama in the 2015 and the Tide will host two of the country's best in Georgia star Jalen Wilkerson and Tennessee native Jackson Harris. Wilkerson, a 6-foot-4, 227-pound star, holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, and Florida State among others, while Harris, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound star from Columbia, Tennessee holds a four-star rating from the major services and
Two defensive stars from out of state will make the trip to Alabama on Saturday as well. Cornerback Micah Abernathy from powerhouse Georgia program Norcross will make the trip along with North Carolina defensive tackle Sterling Johnson. The duo will be joined by four-star offensive guard Richie Petitbon from Washington D.C., one of the top interior linemen in the nation for the class of 2015.
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:05 am to TideSaint
quote:
Atlanta-Mays offensive guard Dallas Warmack was one of four 2015 prospects who committed to Alabama before his junior year. For the younger brother of Crimson Tide All-American and Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick Chance Warmack, it was a natural choice.
But Warmack isn't through looking around. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound three-star prospect visited Auburn last weekend for Junior Day and said the Tigers are still recruiting him hard.
"They say that I'm a high-priority on their board for interior linemen," he told 247Sports on Wednesday. "It's a great coaching staff. What they built together in that short amount of time was pretty good. Just imagine if they get another good recruiting class what they'll do."
Later Wednesday night, Warmack told AL.com he still considers himself "pretty solid" to Alabama, but said that he's "considering" Auburn and a couple other schools.
"I'm still committed to Alabama; I'm just looking around a little," said Warmack, who has been committed to Alabama since July. "They got two centers and three guards (in the 2014 class). I don't feel too comfortable about that."
At Auburn, Warmack said he met with head coach Gus Malzahn, offensive line coach J.B. Grimes and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee.
"It was great," he said of the visit. "They're telling me if I come there, I could get early (playing time). They want me at center and I could be a three- or four-year starter."
Warmack said he plans to go to Tuscaloosa this weekend, then South Carolina in two weeks and Texas sometime after that. If he did change his mind and ultimately decided to go to Auburn, he said he believes his brother would support him -- but not without a little ribbing.
"He'd give me a hard time a little," Warmack said, "but at the end of the day, he would say it's my decision."
This post was edited on 2/28/14 at 9:07 am
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:09 am to TideSaint
2016 Madison Academy RB Malik Miller pic from the aftermath of the Iron Bowl:
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:14 am to TideSaint
Am I the only one here today? 
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:17 am to TideSaint
Im here
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:17 am to TreyAnastasio
quote:
Im here
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:19 am to TideSaint
Free content from BOL:
quote:
Alabama will host its second junior day of the year on Saturday and thus, dozens of top prospects will make their way to the Capstone for an in-depth look at the Crimson Tide program. The Tide's previous junior day on February 1 yielded commitments from Top247 prospects Lester Cotton and Daylon Charlot. The Alabama staff will look to make another favorable impression on this incoming group of visitors.
Five-star visitors
Out-of-state five-stars will headline the weekend, among them being Tampa area standouts George Campbell and Byron Cowart. The duo are scheduled to be making the trip together. Look for offensive coordinator and area recruiter Lane Kiffin and the rest of the Alabama staff maximize the opportunity roll out the red carpet for the Sunshine State five-stars. In-state Florida leads in both Campbell and Cowart's Crystal Ball with the Gators currently holding 79% and 95% of the picks, respectively.
The nation's top-ranked prospect in the 247Sports Composite, Trent Thompson, is also expected to be in Tuscaloosa. The five-star defensive tackle from Albany (Ga.) Westover has a top group of Georgia, Florida State, and Auburn heading into the trip, with the Bulldogs holding the edge. Thompson has made it no secret that his mother's opinion will be pivotal in his recruitment, so the Tide will be looking to impress her as well, should she make the trip.
Even though Alabama has been recruiting five-star running back Damien Harris for some time, this will be the Kentucky standout's first visit to the Capstone. The five-star was one of eight running backs to receive an offer from the Crimson Tide last week. Harris, who like George Campbell is a former Michigan commitment, has the Wolverines, Ohio State, Kentucky, Auburn, and others in the mix for his services.
Warmack set to return
Alabama commitment Dallas Warmack is no stranger to the Tide program, as he's been a regular in Tuscaloosa dating back to his middle school days. The brother of former Crimson Tide All-American Chance Warmack committed to Alabama in July over Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and others. That hasn't stopped teams from pursuing the younger Warmack, though, with a visit to Auburn occurring last weekend. The Atlanta native will make the trip over with both of his parents and its safe to assume his status will be among the topics discussed.
Peach State well represented
Alabama has heavily targeted the state of Georgia thus far in the 2015 cycle and several Peach State prospects are expected to be in Tuscaloosa. Montezuma (Ga.) Macon County top 100 linebacker Roquan Smith will make his first trip to the Capstone. The Tide are one of several top programs to offer Smith in the last few months. Currently, Georgia holds the edge in his Crystal Ball over Auburn.
Three Georgia cornerback prospects with Tide offers plan on making the trip with Norcross (Ga.) Greater Atlanta Christian teammates Darius Slayton and Micah Abernathy along with Hampton (Ga.) Lovejoy corner and Kentucky commit, Montrell Custis crossing the boarder into the Yellowhammer State. Slayton, Abernathy, and Custis were all offered by the Tide within a week's span and present the taller type of cornerback coveted by Nick Saban and Kirby Smart.
Douglas (Ga.) Coffee County tight end Jalen Wilkerson is also scheduled to visit as is Fairburn (Ga.) Creekside guard Venzell Boulware.
Out of state four-stars
Four additional out-of-state four-stars set to visit are Clayton (N.C.) Cleveland defensive tackle Sterling Johnson, Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln wide receiver John Burt, Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Oakland linebacker Josh Smith, and Columbia (Tenn.) Columbia Central tight end Jackson Harris.
Johnson, who has some connections to UNC, as his mother works there, will be making the trip south on Friday. Burt is one of the top receiver prospects in Florida and visited Texas last weekend. Both Smith and Harris' Crystal Balls read in favor of Vanderbilt at the moment.
State of Alabama represented
The Tide's first junior day was in-state heavy with several Alabama natives in attendance. This weekend expected to be more of an out-of-state affair, but there are still a few Alabama natives expected in Gadsden (Ala.) Southside offensive lineman Tyler Carr, Florence (Ala.) linebacker Darius Smith, Opelika (Ala.) defensive end Quandeski Whitlow and Clay-Chalkville teammates Terelle West and Kendall Jones among those expected.
2016 standouts expected
A very talented group of 2016 prospects will also be in town. Tampa (Fla.) Blake defensive end Shavar Manuel is a new name on the radar as of late and has already received offers from Clemson, Florida, Kentucky, Miami, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Manuel, who had 19 sacks in 2013 lists Florida and Miami as his favorites and could make the trip with Campbell and Cowart.
Four top 2016 signal callers with early offers are scheduled to attend. Crawfordville (Fla.) Wakulla quarterback Feleipe Franks already has over ten offers including Florida State, Florida, Clemson, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and North Carolina and is expected to be among the state and nation's top signal callers. Marietta (Ga. Walton quarterback Josh White and West Monroe (La.) signal caller Jon Randall Belton both have early offers from Mississippi State. Shreveport (La.) Calvaray Baptist quarterback Shea Patterson is already committed to Arizona and has offers from Clemson, TCU, and Louisiana Tech.
Savannah (Ga.) Savannah Country Day School athlete Demetris Robertson should be one of Georgia's top rising juniors and has offers from Georgia, Clemson, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Texas A&M.
A few prospects initially slated to attend include wide receiver Preston Williams, offensive lineman Richie Petitbon, linebacker Justin Hilliard, and running back Jordan Stevenson. Williams is unable to visit due to a track meet on Saturday. He will visit Georgia on Monday and plans to visit Alabama at a later date. Petitbon is currently on a retreat with his school and plans on attending A-Day in April and the Tide remain in good shape. Hilliard opted to visit Notre Dame this weekend. Look for Stevenson to also likely visit at a later date.
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:24 am to TideSaint
quote:
Jarrett Stidham is originally from Kentucky and he lives only a few hours away from Texas A&M. The quarterback knows SEC football, and SEC football apparently knows him pretty well too.
Eight of the SEC’s 14 programs have offered him a scholarship, and the ones that haven’t either have QBs already committed or the offense doesn’t quite fit Stidham’s talents. He is a five-star prospect and the No. 2 dual-threat QB in the nation behind Torrance Gibson, another huge SEC QB target. Granted, Stidham is from Texas and the home-state schools have made quite an impression. The chance to put up ungodly numbers in the Big 12 is another serious possibility for Stidham, with schools like Baylor, Texas Tech and Oklahoma zeroing in on him. But Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and Texas A&M all made his top 10 schools list earlier this month, and Florida has offered since.
The one that really sticks out is Alabama, as the Crimson Tide have been looking for a quarterback since Ricky Town dropped the ‘Tide in January. Stidham is now just as big a target for Alabama as California native Josh Rosen–who is rated more highly by recruiting services. Stidham camped at Alabama last summer, but when Town committed, the communication dried up. But things have ramped back up.
“Back in the summer I went and camped there for a couple of days, and I thought I did pretty well actually,” Stidham told Saturday Down South. “I thought I was going to pick up an offer in the summer. We sat down with coach Saban and he told me he wanted to watch more of my film. And coach (Doug) Nussmeier, when he was there, he said the same thing about wanting to keep watching my film. Once they got Ricky (Town) I hadn’t heard much from them, except for some letters and stuff. Once Ricky switched to USC, only a few days later Coach (Billy) Napier from Bama messaged me and told me he wanted to visit me the next day and then they offered me. He wanted to talk to me about their situation.
“It is very flattering. It’s definitely kind of crazy. Growing up I always wanted to play for the best team in the country and win championships and Alabama has proven itself. It all definitely opens your eyes.”
Even though Stidham is from Kentucky and now lives in Texas, he emphasized that he doesn’t have any deep ties to any of the schools. He’s well aware of what Johnny Manziel did as a dual-threat QB at Texas A&M, as well as what Robert Griffin III did at Baylor. He also pointed out that he has not felt pressured by the coaching staffs of any of the schools to hurry things up and come on board. He said most of the schools have actually told him to take his time.
What Stidham may not realize, because of his rather humble nature, is that he has a lot more leverage than most quarterback prospects. While many three- and four-star QBs have only three or four true options, and coaching staffs know it … Stidham has dozens of options.
Stidham is an interesting case when it comes to the quarterback position. His 4.57-second 40-yard dash time makes him quite a weapon, and it is the reason he played receiver as a sophomore and caught 50 passes for 819 yards and 11 touchdowns. When he switched full time to quarterback his junior year, he threw for 2,613 yards and 30 TDs to only 5 interceptions. He also rushed for 821 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He also brings another key intangible.
“I’d like to think that I never look at the negative side of things,” Stidham told SDS. “I’m one of the most upbeat people around … I just kind of try to make jokes and make everything more easy going, even before games. Sometimes before games, everybody looks like they’re at a funeral, but I like to have a good time and put a smile on people’s faces. I figure if I’m in a bad mood one day, one of my teammates might see that and it isn’t good for us. But if you’re in a good mood, you can almost be like the Energizer Bunny of the team. People will hop onto that bandwagon.”
Stidham brings a lot to the table. Fans at Alabama and other SEC schools hope he brings it to their campus.
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:26 am to TideSaint
Someone needs to convince Campbell that he will be a top 3 pick if he is willing to play corner. Dude just cant catch.
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:29 am to TideSaint
quote:
Am I the only one here today?
I just like to watch.
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:31 am to TideSaint
I don't have a good feeling about the younger Warmack. He had high praise for Georgia, then commits to Alabama out of the blue. Now he's enamored with Auburn.
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:41 am to Garfield
quote:
I just like to watch.
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:43 am to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
I don't have a good feeling about the younger Warmack. He had high praise for Georgia, then commits to Alabama out of the blue. Now he's enamored with Auburn.
I just can't believe that bullshite pitch of "you're not good enough to play at Bama, come here instead" actually works.
It would piss me off if I was a recruit and someone told me that.
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:54 am to TideSaint
Posted on 2/28/14 at 10:00 am to TideSaint
If they buy it, its the truth.
Posted on 2/28/14 at 10:00 am to TideSaint
I have 0 fricks to give for Miller
Give me Jovon
Give me Jovon
Posted on 2/28/14 at 10:04 am to BuccWildBammer
quote:
I have 0 fricks to give for Miller.
Give me Jovon.
I wouldn't go that far. He's probably going to be a 5-star RB in the Class of 2016. Jovon Robinson may be gone before he even steps foot on campus.
Page 77 of 867
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News