re: Class of 2016 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Waiting On Demetris Robertson Edition

All of the three stars are belong to us.

Did any of you watch his highlight video? If not, sit down, get some popcorn, and enjoy. His highlight video is about as good as Reuben Foster's was. Rodney Orr on TI said that coaches are saying he's about to blow up. Apparently, we like him a lot. Enjoy....

Rashaan Evans 2.0 --> LINK

If Alton Robinson, Darel Middleton, Danny Dalton, and Erroll Thompson are 3 stars, then:

A) The recruiting services have taken leave of their senses. AND

B) PLEASE SIGN MORE 3 STARS!

Some of you guys need to quit being so married to the "star" system. Especially pre-Summer camp circuit.

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We sure are after a lot of 3-stars in this class though.

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Was thinking the same thing. Either the services haven't caught up with our evals this year, or something else is going on. It's a weird cycle, but I'm sure Bama will end up with a top 5 class loaded with, primarily, 4 & 5*s

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One of the nation's top linebacker recruits will come off the board early next month when 4-star Virginia native Jaquan Yulee will announce his commitment.

The 6'3" 240-pounder is the nation's No. 6 inside linebacker prospect and the No. 152 player overall in the class of 2016.

He will choose from five finalists: Alabama, Florida State, North Carolina, Michigan State and Virginia Tech.

How do the odds shake out for each of the schools in the running for Yulee?

Let's break down where each program currently stands in the race to land him and imagine the odds each will have for signing the young linebacker.

Michigan State: 20-1

Michigan State jumped into the race for Yulee when they offered him two months ago.

Since head coach Mark Dantonio arrived in East Lansing nearly a decade ago, the Spartans program has evolved into a defensive juggernaut.

While the Spartans have a need at linebacker in the 2016 class, they already have a pledge from 3-star Ohio native Joe Bachie—who committed to the Spartans a few weeks ago.

Taking that into account—along with the fact that Yulee has yet to make a visit to East Lansing—makes the Spartans a long shot in the race to land his pledge.

Florida State: 15-1

Perhaps no out-of-state school has had more recent success in pulling studs out of the state of Virginia than Florida State.

Considering that linebacker is a priority for the Seminoles in the 2016 cycle, coach Jimbo Fisher and his staff would love to add Yulee to that list.

However, three of the 'Noles 14 commitments in 2016 are from linebackers—with another pair of athletes in Jamal Couch and Jamel Cook who could end up as linebackers at the next level.

It's important to note that none of their current commits project as a true inside linebacker, but that may not matter in the end.

Similar to Michigan State's chances, the 'Noles have yet to get Yulee on campus. Considering his other three finalists have hosted him before, FSU seems to be on the outside looking in with Yulee's recruitment.

Virginia Tech 10-1

Virginia Tech has struggled to keep elite prospects in-state recently due to schools such as Clemson, Florida State and Ohio State, among others, raiding its territory.

The Hokies were the first school to offer Yulee back in 2012, which has given them a chance to build a strong relationship with the No. 4 player in the state of Virginia.

As noted by Evan G. Watkins of 247Sports, Yulee has a strong bond with Hokies tight ends coach Bryan Stinespring.

However, the recent momentum has his recruitment seeming to be favoring the out-of-state schools. Even if the Hokies are unable to earn his commitment in June, expect them to fight tooth-and-nail to land him on signing day.

North Carolina: 7-1

Heading into spring, North Carolina was the school that was trending heavily with Yulee.

In fact, the Tar Heels are still the heavy favorite, according to his Crystal Ball page.

"North Carolina is still my school, no matter what," Yulee told Ryan Bartow of 247Sports (via Ross Martin of 247Sports). "They were there and they are still my grandma's favorite school right now out of everybody."

Considering that UNC had one of the nation's worst defenses in 2014, Yulee would figure to be a candidate to make an instant impact under new Tar Heels defensive coordinator Gene Chizik.

Additionally, the Tar Heels have geography in their favor, as Chapel Hill is actually closer to his hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia, than Blacksburg is.

Coach Larry Fedora and his staff are hoping that those factors lead Yulee to select the Tar Heels next month.

Alabama: 5-1

With five consecutive top-rated recruiting classes under his belt, head coach Nick Saban has established himself as the nation's premier recruiter.

Alabama was able to get Yulee on campus in March, and he named the Tide his leader shortly afterward, as noted by Shane Youngblood of 247Sports.

Youngblood also notes that Yulee has already scheduled a return trip for one of the Tide's camps during the summer—which could be an indicator of the direction he's leaning with his upcoming announcement.

Alabama has a need for inside linebackers and a stout tradition of producing NFL prospects at that position.

Given that the Tide have zeroed in on Yulee as a priority prospect, it's hard to bet on Saban and his staff surrendering their lead in the days leading up to his announcement.

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We offered an 2017 OT from Tennessee today:

OT Isaiah Stokes Highlights

Kendell Jones (the #1 DT on our board) committed to Bama!

Brian Perroni said that Jones has not officially committed to Bama, but Alabama is considered the favorite.

ETA: Looks like Rivals swept in to try to ruin another kid's moment.

Jones is a fricking beast. They better not have fricked us out of landing him.