Started By
Message
3
Posted on 12/23/15 at 4:47 am to TideSaint
Free SEC Country Content
quote:
There is still a long road ahead of 4-star running back/inside linebacker Devin White before he ultimately decides which college he will attend. But after LSU made its pitch, there is good reason to believe the hometown Tigers will be very much in the mix.
White recapped his Dec. 11 official visit to LSU to Geaux247’s Sonny Shipp and said his time in Baton Rouge, La., had a unique feel to it.
With the emphasis not on football, White said the LSU coaching staff appealed to the other factors he’ll consider when he makes his decision.
“For LSU to really show me the family side of it all, that was an awesome recruiting job, especially for me since I am so big on family. They did it right,” White said.
We should find out how well LSU did early in January.
White is expected to make his decision before Jan. 7, according to Shipp, and will choose from the two schools he took official visits to — LSU and Arkansas — as well as Ole Miss and Alabama.
The 4-star running back from North Webster High School (Springhill, La.) is rated as Louisiana’s No. 7 player and the No. 5 athlete in the country.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 4:48 am to TideSaint
Free SEC Country Content
quote:
As Alabama prepares for its College Football Playoff semifinal game against Michigan State, the Crimson Tide are also gearing up for a late push toward National Signing Day.
Currently, Alabama has the nation’s No. 4 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. The Crimson Tide are in the mix for some of the country’s top prospects and could finish with the best class come February.
Here is a rundown of the top five biggest recruiting battles that ‘Bama will face over the next six weeks, including the Tide’s chances of securing commitments from the top recruits.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 4:49 am to TideSaint
quote:
5 biggest recruiting battles
Ben Davis
Ranking: 5 stars
Position: ILB
Measurements: 6-foot-3, 240 pounds
Hometown: Gordo High School (Gordo, Ala.)
Schools to beat: UGA
The nation’s No. 1 inside linebacker will have a lot to live up to if he does decide to become a member of the Crimson Tide.
His father just so happens to be Wayne Davis, Alabama’s all-time leading tackler. Davis played for Alabama from 1983-1986 and finished with 327 tackles.
Throughout Ben’s recruitment, Alabama was viewed as a slam dunk to land his commitment, but just a couple of weeks ago, he shocked many in the recruiting world when he publicly named UGA as his leader and Alabama No. 2. The main reason why UGA was named his top school is because of his relationship with new Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart, who was his primary recruiter when he was the defensive coordinator at Alabama.
Davis has already taken an official visit to UGA and has one set up to Alabama for the weekend before National Signing Day. Right now, it seems like those two schools will be fighting it out to land the Alabama legacy’s signature in February.
Prediction: Alabama
Posted on 12/23/15 at 4:49 am to TideSaint
quote:
Lyndell “Mack” Wilson
Ranking: 5 stars
Position: OLB
Measurements: 6-foot-2, 220 pounds
Hometown: Carver High School (Montgomery, Ala.)
Schools to beat: UGA and Florida
The nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker has had an interesting recruitment to date.
Wilson has made it very clear that his dream school has always been Alabama. He’s also told SEC Country that he believes Alabama has the best college football program in the country, yet he has publicly declared Florida as his leader.
That should not scare off Alabama fans, however. Sources close to Wilson’s recruitment strongly believe that Alabama will be the school he chooses when he does decide to announce his commitment.
But another school could get in the mix at the last minute, and that college is UGA. Like Davis above, his relationship with Kirby Smart is strong — he may have the strongest relationship to Smart in this year’s recruiting class. Smart has recruited Wilson since his freshman year, and Wilson views him as a father figure. Shortly after Smart was named the head coach at UGA, Wilson automatically put the Bulldogs in his top five and now will take an official visit there in January.
In the end, I believe his affinity toward the Crimson Tide will be too much for the other schools to overcome.
Prediction: Alabama
Posted on 12/23/15 at 4:50 am to TideSaint
quote:
Mecole Hardman, Jr.
Ranking: 5 stars
Position: ATH
Measurements: 5-foot-10, 175 pounds
Hometown: Elbert County High School (Bowman, Ga.)
Schools to beat: UGA and Tennessee
Mecole Hardman, Jr. keeps his favorite school tight to the vest. It’s unlikely he will publicly name a leader before National Signing Day, but we do know one school that is at least in his top three. That school is Alabama.
Hardman took an unofficial visit to Alabama for the LSU game on Nov. 7 and had nothing but positive things to say after that trip. He has told SEC Country that there isn’t a school that compares from purely a game-day atmosphere than Alabama.
Alabama also has the Jeremy Pruitt factor going for it. Hardman has made it known that Pruitt may be the coach he is closest to in college football. When the Crimson Tide decided to replace Kirby Smart’s vacant defensive coordinator position with Pruitt, Alabama became an even bigger factor in Hardman’s recruitment. After all, the 5-star prospect pretty much made a public plea to UGA for keeping Pruitt in place as the team’s defensive coordinator.
Ultimately, I do think Hardman is going to stay close to home and sign with UGA when he makes his decision on National Signing Day. Alabama may finish a close second, but there are no silver medals when it comes to recruiting.
Prediction: UGA
Posted on 12/23/15 at 4:50 am to TideSaint
quote:
Demetris Robertson
Ranking: 5 stars
Position: ATH
Measurements: 6-foot-1, 175 pounds
Hometown: Savannah Christian Prep (Savannah, Ga.)
Schools to beat: UGA, Stanford, Ohio State and Notre Dame
As of now, it looks like there’s a five-team race to land the nation’s No. 2 athlete. Alabama, UGA, Stanford, Ohio State and Notre Dame all seem to like their chances when it comes to landing Robertson’s signature.
At this moment, it looks like Alabama and UGA seem to have the best chance of landing him, though. Robertson, who was at one point committed to Alabama, never stopped considering the Crimson Tide despite de-committing from the school in April.
One of the biggest reasons why Robertson decided to commit to Alabama in the first place was because of his relationship with Kirby Smart. That now helps UGA’s chances of landing him. But it should be noted that D-Rob is close with Alabama coach Nick Saban, too.
In the end, I don’t think Robertson will re-commit to the Tide, unlike the next guy on this list.
Prediction: UGA
Posted on 12/23/15 at 4:51 am to TideSaint
quote:
Shyheim Carter, Sr.
Ranking: 4 stars
Position: CB
Measurements: 6-foot, 190 pounds
Hometown: Kentwood High School (Kentwood, La.)
Schools to beat: Ole Miss
Shyheim Carter was once committed to Alabama, and I think he is bound to be a member of the Crimson Tide’s recruiting class once again.
SEC Country had a chance to visit Carter at his school in Louisiana, and during that trip, he made it crystal clear that “(Alabama defensive coordinator) Jeremy Pruitt is one of the greatest men.”
Alabama is going to have some stiff competition with Ole Miss, though. Carter has two children, and he said that Mississippi was the only school to show him that they truly cared about his kids. The Rebels’ staff would not only write him handwritten letters but also his children. Carter is planning on bringing his children with him the next time he visits Oxford.
I still think the Crimson Tide hold the edge over the Rebels because of his love for Pruitt.
Prediction: Alabama
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:04 am to TideSaint
So they have us landing Davis, Wilson and Carter while missing on Hardman and Robertson.
I personally think if Hardman goes to UGA, then Robertson comes to Alabama and vice versa.
Either way that's a good haul.
I personally think if Hardman goes to UGA, then Robertson comes to Alabama and vice versa.
Either way that's a good haul.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:06 am to TideSaint
Free SEC Country Content
I guess they did a Recruiting Battle article for multiple teams. I've linked the LSU one above. They have Rashard Lawrence signing with LSU but I found this one interesting:
I guess they did a Recruiting Battle article for multiple teams. I've linked the LSU one above. They have Rashard Lawrence signing with LSU but I found this one interesting:
quote:
4. Devin White, 4-star RB, 6-foot, 258 pounds (North Webster High School, Springhill, La.)
Schools to beat: Arkansas, Ole Miss and Alabama
One of the top uncommitted running backs in the nation, White is generating a tremendous amount of interest from most of the SEC.
White officially visited LSU on Dec. 11 after taking an official to Arkansas on Dec. 4. The bruising running back has visits planned to both Alabama (Jan. 22) and Ole Miss (Jan. 29) before he’ll finally make a decision.
White has been quiet over the past couple of weeks as he focuses in on his decision. LSU does not have a running back committed to its 2016 recruiting class, so luring White to remain home should be among the team’s highest priorities. However, with so much depth already on the roster at the position, White may have concerns about playing time down the road.
He is considered the No. 5 athlete in the nation and a top-100 overall player.
Prediction: Ole Miss
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:10 am to TideSaint
SEC Country Article on Tennessee's Recruiting Battles
They have Jonathan Kongbo sticking with Tennessee.
They have Jonathan Kongbo sticking with Tennessee.
quote:
1. Derrick Brown, 5-star DT, 6-foot-4, 318 pounds (Lanier High School, Buford, Ga.)
Schools to beat: Alabama, Auburn, UGA and Mississippi State
This will be a challenge for Tennessee. Brown has shown strong recent interest in Alabama following his official visit there. However, UGA is thought to be in the lead. The Vols seem to be trailing but they will get the final say in his recruitment with a Jan. 29 official visit, just before National Signing Day. Brown is the No. 3 defensive tackle in the nation and No. 1 prospect in Georgia.
Prediction: UGA
This post was edited on 12/23/15 at 5:11 am
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:12 am to TideSaint
They must have different writers doing each school because this one was in there too:
This was in the "Honorable Mention" section of the article and it is very, very interesting:
I wonder where they think he goes instead...
quote:
3. Mecole Hardman Jr., 5-star ATH, 5-10, 175 pounds (Elbert County High School, Elberton, Ga.)
Schools to beat: Alabama and UGA
Again, this will be a tough prospect for the Vols to secure with UGA surging after the recent hire of Kirby Smart as its head coach. Hardman Jr., also has strong ties to Alabama via defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who recruited Hardman while coaching for the Bulldogs. Tennessee’s best hope, like Brown, is that final official visit from Hardman Jr. on Jan. 29. Hardman Jr. is the No. 1 athlete prospect in the nation and No. 2 prospect in Georgia.
Prediction: Alabama
This was in the "Honorable Mention" section of the article and it is very, very interesting:
quote:
The Vols won’t give up on safety Nigel Warrior from Peachtree Ridge High School (Suwanee, Ga.). However that seems like a longshot, even though the 5-11, 188-pound prospect’s father, Dale Carter, starred at Tennessee. Still, Warrior plans on visiting on Jan. 29 so the Vols at least have a chance.
I wonder where they think he goes instead...
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:14 am to TideSaint
SEC Country's Florida Predictions
This one mirrors the Alabama article:
This one mirrors the Alabama article:
quote:
2. Lyndell Wilson, 5-star LB, 6-2, 220 pounds (Montgomery, Ala./Carver High School)
Schools to beat: Alabama and UGA
Wilson named Florida his top school in late September and still maintains the Gators lead for him. But many question if his interest is legitimate. And if it is, will it be enough to get him to leave his home state? Alabama has long been Wilson’s dream school, and earlier this month he called it the best program in college football. Gators defensive coordinator Geoff Collins is recruiting Wilson relentlessly, and he has two close friends committed to Florida in defensive backs Antonio Nelson and Jeawon Taylor. Still, it’s hard to go into Alabama and land a 5-star recruit Nick Saban wants.
Prediction: Alabama
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:15 am to TideSaint
SEC Country's Georgia Predictions
quote:
Derrick Brown, 5-star DT, 6-foot-4, 315 pounds (Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, Ga.)
Schools to beat: Auburn, Alabama and Tennessee
There has been significant jockeying in the high-stakes race for Brown over the last 24 hours. The uncertainty regarding the retention of defensive line coach Tracy Rocker had UGA looking like a longshot for Brown. Now that he’s been retained for the 2016 season, UGA returns to a more favorable position for Brown. The 5-star prospect makes sure to point out he’s still wide open, but the general sense here is he’ll decide between UGA, Auburn and Tennessee. His recent visit to Alabama only complicated the issue. The fact he kept coming back to UGA for so many unofficial visits during the season shows a lot.
Prediction: UGA (with Rocker)
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:15 am to TideSaint
quote:
Demetris Robertson, 5-star ATH, 6-1, 175 pounds, (Savannah Christian, Savannah, Ga.)
Schools to beat: Stanford and Alabama
The race for Robertson seems like a three-way steel cage match. Stanford is in one corner and that’s his stated leader, but that carries an asterisk. Robertson — a sharp student who takes AP classes — still needs to be accepted into Stanford. He’s also never been to Palo Alto, Calif., either. The Crimson Tide also lurks in the ring. Robertson was committed to Alabama for almost a year. The Kirby Smart factor had a lot to do with that situation and he’ll now be recruiting him to UGA. That’s a big plus. That said, the cards on the table seem to change weekly for Robertson. He’s going to have a very tough decision.
Prediction: Stanford (upon admittance) over UGA
So the Alabama guy thinks Robertson is going to Georgia and the Georgia guy thinks Robertson is going to Stanford.
This post was edited on 12/23/15 at 5:17 am
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:16 am to TideSaint
quote:
Ben Davis, 5-star ILB, 6-3, 240 (Gordo High School, Gordo, Ala.)
Schools to beat: Alabama and LSU
UGA leads here and that’s a bit of a surprise given that Davis is the son of the all-time leading tackler in Alabama football history. Davis is as good as it gets at the position and can line up all over the defense and make plays. Some coaches at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic labeled him the best they had ever seen. That makes sense given he’s the nation’s top prospect at his position. Davis has a great relationship with Smart and his UGA lead recruiter is Sherrer. He was blown away by his UGA official visit this year and already connects well with the current UGA commits. Yet there’s that whole “Sweet Home Alabama” thing to overcome. If he comes back to UGA in January for an unofficial visit, that shows UGA really has a shot.
Prediction: Alabama over UGA
This post was edited on 12/23/15 at 5:17 am
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:18 am to TideSaint
quote:
Other huge UGA recruiting battles of note: 4-star DT Michail Carter (UGA vs. Alabama); 4-star DB Shyheim Carter, Sr. (Alabama, Ole Miss, UGA); 5-star ATH Mecole Hardman, Jr. (UGA vs. Alabama); 4-star LB Jaleel Laguins (UGA commit but Alabama, Florida and LSU loom large), 3-star DL David Marshall (UGA vs. Auburn); 5-star TE Isaac Nauta (UGA vs. Michigan); 4-star OL E.J. Price (UGA, Auburn, Michigan State, USC); 3-star WR Tyler Simmons (UGA, Alabama, Cal); 4-star RB Devwah Whaley (UGA, Arkansas, Texas); 5-star OLB Lyndell “Mack” Wilson (UGA, Alabama, Florida)
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:20 am to TideSaint
SEC Country's Auburn Predictions
So all three articles that mentioned Brown (Alabama, Georgia and Auburn) predict him to sign with Georgia.
ETA: FWIW, the Auburn guy predicted Michigan to land Rashan Gary.
quote:
Derrick Brown, 5-star defensive tackle, Buford, Ga.
Schools to beat: Alabama, Tennessee, UGA and Mississippi State
Days ago, Brown denounced Auburn as his leader, contrary to an earlier report. But the Tigers still have a shot to land Georgia’s top-rated prospect. Alabama, Tennessee, UGA and Mississippi State are a handful of other schools that could land his signature, too. Brown is slated to take official visits to UGA, Auburn and Tennessee in January. He officially visited Alabama just days before the start of the NCAA recruiting dead period.
Prediction: UGA
So all three articles that mentioned Brown (Alabama, Georgia and Auburn) predict him to sign with Georgia.
ETA: FWIW, the Auburn guy predicted Michigan to land Rashan Gary.
This post was edited on 12/23/15 at 5:23 am
Posted on 12/23/15 at 5:22 am to TideSaint
The one school I was particularly interested in seeing them predict, Ole Miss, doesn't have an article.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 6:37 am to TideSaint
Page 549 of 869
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News