re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

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Tyrone Wheatley, Junior

2. Top tight end target Tyrone Wheatley Jr., whose father Wheatley, Sr. recently took a position at his alma mater Michigan on Jim Harbaugh’s staff after coaching running backs for the Buffalo Bills, took his official visit to Alabama this past weekend. It was a return trip to Tuscaloosa for the Michigan legacy, who has officially visited USC (December 12th), and has trips planned to UCLA this weekend and Oregon on the 3oth. The above has been his top four. Will he visit Michigan? It could happen but has not been scheduled.

Wheatley really enjoyed the campus in Tuscaloosa and meeting with some of the professors of the Capstone’s renowned business school. The New York Native enjoyed meeting with UA head coach Nick Saban, who told the 6-6 260-pounder whether the preference was tight end or defensive end, the opportunity presented would be his (Wheatley’s) as to which side of the football he chose to begin his career should UA be the choice of the Michigan legacy on signing day. Saban also explained the philosophy of his program in detail.

The real highlight for the elite athlete was the southern hospitality and the people he met, including his player host rising junior tight end Brandon Greene of Ellenwood, Georgia. He also enjoyed interacting with current Crimson Tiders such as junior defensive end Jonathan Allen, and returning senior linebackers Reggie Ragland and Denzell Devall.

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4. Helias High School tight end Hale Hentges has been committed to the University of Alabama since May 25th 2014. The Jefferson, Missouri, native, an Under Armour All-American, has been considered solid in his pledge even with in-state Missouri continuing to recruit him very hard. As Hentges said to INTEL following his verbal commitment to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide:

“I have a very high comfort level with my position coach Bobby Williams,” Hentges revealed in May. “We talked every week for almost two to three months. He was always very straight with me, and you don’t always get that with everyone. I always appreciated that.

“Plus, he has done a great job developing players at my position like Michael Williams and Brad Smelley.”

A key factor that attracted Hentges to Alabama was the offensive style of play.

“You know, I wanted to play in a pro-style offense that featured multiple tight ends,” Hentges stated. “”I know that Alabama does that. Coach Williams has shown me that they want to get the tight ends more involved.

He actually showed me some film from spring practices with the tight ends getting more touches and that gave me an idea of how they want to get the tight ends more involved, which was very important.”

Hentges, who caught 67 passes for 981 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior in 2013, had a very strong senior season and believes he will bring a versatile skill set to the Alabama offense starting in 2015.

“The coaches like me as more of an H-Back right now,” Hentges detailed. “But they also like the fact that I am skilled enough to be either (an H-Back or In-Line Tight End).

“I think I will be able to stretch the field really well and I high-point the ball, using my abilities as a basketball player to go up and get the football,” he continued. “I also do a good job blocking and I feel that makes me very valuable and versatile as a player.

“I really need to get faster (clocks a 4.85 in the 40) and more lean,” Hentges admitted. “I want to do a better job with nutrition and improve my overall strength. My blocking also needs to continue to get better.”

Following his two unofficial visits to the University of Alabama, on March 31st and April 16th, Hentges felt very strongly about his decision to choose the University of Alabama. The Show-Me state standout was very comfortable with the coaching staff, and is very excited to be under the tutelage of Bobby Williams and UA head coach Nick Saban.

“I felt at home (after the two visits) and was really sold on the program,” Hentges said. “I am thrilled and honored with the opportunity to play for Coach Bobby Williams and a legendary coach like Nick Saban. I respect the world of them.

“Coach Saban is a really good person and really wants the best for his players,” the elite tight end continued. “He was very welcoming and I am just honored to be given the opportunity to play for a national brand like Alabama. I felt as though as badly as I wanted to go there (UA), they (Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide staff) wanted me there, too.

“I really enjoyed my time spent with the coaches (on his visits),” Hentges further explained. “I visited 15 campuses and Alabama has the best I have ever seen. It is so nice and the fans are really into the football program, which is great. The visits were a really good experience.

“As of right now, my recruitment is over. I don’t plan on taking any other official visits except to Alabama. It is where I want to be and I have found the right place.”

But Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel is not conceding Hentges yet. It was confirmed today that Helias head coach Phil Pitts has been hired to the Missouri staff in a shrewd move by Pinkel. The former Missouri lineman spent the last ten seasons at Helias, starting as an assistant then moving his way up to the Crusaders’ head coaching position in 2011. He took over for Chris Hentges after Hentges stepped down. Pitts took Helias to the state finals in 2012 and 2013, falling to Webb City both on both occasions.

Will this have an effect on Hentges recruitment? It will be something to monitor, though the 6-5 230-pounder has always been a priority for the Tide staff at a need position. Hentges is slated to officially visit Tuscaloosa this weekend, and look for Nick Saban, Bobby Williams and the entire staff to attempt to solidify the elite tight end’s pledge and lock him up to sign with UA on February 4th…stay tuned!

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If Hentges flips to mizzou, what the hell do we do at TE?

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The coach said Prince was informed by the UA staff that Alabama stood at 27 commitments and might not have a scholarship available for the elite left tackle.

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