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re: Class of 2016 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Waiting On Demetris Robertson Edition
Posted on 12/29/15 at 12:42 am to TideSaint
Posted on 12/29/15 at 12:42 am to TideSaint
Free SEC Country Content
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Alabama boasts one of the premier defensive lines in the country, one that includes notable former five-stars in Daron Payne, A’Shawn Robinson and Da’Shawn Hand.
But it also includes several rotational players, many of whom weren’t as highly-rated as their counterparts but have still welcomed successful college careers.
Bottom line: Alabama produces quality defensive lineman. And that notion stuck with 3-star defensive end Aaron Sterling, who committed to Alabama on Christmas.
The 6-foot-1, 270-pound junior from Stone Mountain, Ga., points to the achievement of the defensive lineman before him as a guiding factor in his recruitment.
“That was very important,” Sterling told SEC Country. “They have a high success rate of sending kids to the draft.”
And with that comes much turnover. Alabama will likely lose a handful of current defensive lineman to the NFL Draft over the next two years, including potentially three this year in Robinson, Jarran Reed and Jonathan Allen.
Their departures could open the door for Sterling and others.
“I was talking to (outside linebackers coach) Tosh Lupoi and he said they needed some immediate defensive lineman coming in because they’ll have five going to the draft,” Sterling said.
Sterling, who’s reported five offers, says his decision wasn’t all that close. Lupoi had been actively recruiting him since August. More recently, newly hired defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt became involved upon succeeding Kirby Smart.
He is rated as the No. 55 prospect in Georgia in the Class of 2017.
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Posted on 12/29/15 at 12:44 am to TideSaint
Free SEC Country Content
Well isn't this article just full of fricking sunshine.
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Xavier McKinney is one of the top players at the Elite Juniors Classic in metro Atlanta. The 4-star prospect out of Roswell High School (Ga.) committed to Alabama in September. Kirby Smart was a big reason why.
Now that Smart is the next coach at UGA, he’s made keeping McKinney in-state a priority. He said he heard from him right around Christmas.
“He’s coming at me pretty aggressively,” McKinney said. “Of course, he wants me to flip and go to Georgia. I know he wants me to go down there and get a visit. I do plan on doing that.”
McKinney, the nation’s no. 8 safety for 2017, said he will likely visit UGA soon. He never took a trip to UGA while he was an uncommitted recruit.
“Probably next month,” McKinney said. “I haven’t worked that out with my family yet. I have got to see what Georgia is like first. I don’t even know what it is like so once I go up there I will see what it is like and take it from there.”
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound safety said Smart is also coming hard after LeAnthony Williams, Jr. Williams, a 4-star cornerback, rates as the nation’s No. 15 cornerback for 2017.
McKinney said that he has yet to hear from new Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. He said that UGA recruiting coordinator and receivers coach Bryan McClendon — now a member of Will Muschamp’s South Carolina coaching staff — was his primary recruiter at UGA.
McKinney said the atmosphere was the main reason he committed to Alabama, and that wouldn’t change with Smart at UGA.
“It felt like a place where I was at home and I could spend the next four years playing football at,” McKinney said. “It is going to take a lot for another school to get my attention away from Alabama.”
Who is recruiting him hard right now aside from Smart? McKinney said he hasn’t heard from Alabama much, but that Clemson was still going after him intently. Florida is also now in the picture.
He put the Tigers as his No. 2 school at this time. He said UGA would currently be “No. 3 or No. 4” among his top schools.
“I really don’t know about UGA yet because I haven’t been up there yet,” McKinney said.
Well isn't this article just full of fricking sunshine.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 12:45 am to TideSaint
Free SEC Country Content
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Contrary to other media reports, Shyheim Carter does not have a final three of Alabama, Georgia and Ole Miss. He did say that those three schools are recruiting him the hardest, though.
Carter, a 4-star cornerback from Kentwood (La.) High School, who is at the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Fla. told SEC Country that UGA is a school that he can see himself signing with because of Kirby Smart.
“Before he left Alabama, we had a good relationship,” Carter said. “I can see myself playing at Georgia.”
The 6-foot, 190-pounder was originally committed to Alabama before backing off his pledge in August. One of the biggest reasons for that commitment was because of Smart.
But Alabama could get back in the mix now that Jeremy Pruitt is in the fold as defensive coordinator. Carter has made it clear that he considers Pruitt “one of the best men around.”
For Ole Miss: Carter has told SEC Country in the past that the school has not only treated him the right way but also his two children.
Carter is rated as the nation’s No. 5 cornerback and is the No. 4 overall prospect in Louisiana.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 12:46 am to TideSaint
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Cavin Ridley, the brother of Alabama star wide receiver Calvin Ridley, is down to a final two.
Ridley, a 4-star wide receiver from Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High School, told SEC Country that Alabama and South Carolina are his two finalists. He told us what each program is telling him.
On Alabama: “They recruit hard. They’re telling me I can get it and get the ball rolling and try to be just as good as my brother.”
On South Carolina: “(South Carolina defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson) has been telling me to just get it cracking. There’s nothing better than doing what your brother is doing.”
The 6-foot-2, 198-pounder has not decided on when he’ll announce his commitment, but it could come as soon as Saturday at the Under Armour All-America game.
As of right now, a decision on where he’ll play college football has not been made.
“In my mind, I really don’t (know where I’ll play),” Ridley said. “I’m just praying to God that everything goes well and I pick a school that I really like.”
Ridley is ranked as the nation’s No. 32 receiver and is the No. 25 overall prospect in the state of Florida.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 12:47 am to TideSaint
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One of the top receivers in the country is down to his final two.
Keith Gavin, a 4-star wide receiver from Wakulla High School (Crawfordville, Fla.), told SEC Country that his final two schools are Alabama and Florida State. He told us what he likes about each of the two programs.
On Florida State: “It was always my dream school to go to. I only stay 20 minutes down the road and all of my family is there at home.”
On Alabama: “When I went to Alabama for the first time, I fell in love with campus, the team and the coaches. Everyone is like a big family. I feel like I can fit in so perfectly.”
The 6-foot-3, 211-pounder will take an official visit to Alabama on Jan. 15 and Florida State on the 22nd. He said there’s no way any other program will get in the mix.
“It’s going to come down to those two,” he said. “Those are the only teams that I want to go to. I’m not going to waste any others’ time.”
Gavin is rated as the nation’s No. 22 wide receiver and the No. 18 prospect in the state of Florida.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 12:48 am to TideSaint
Free SEC Country Content with Video
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ORLANDO, Fla. — Lyndell Wilson, a 5-star recruit, narrowed his recruitment to three finalists on Christmas.
While Florida still remained atop his leaderboard, the Gators don’t have much of an edge for the nation’s No. 1-ranked outside linebacker from Montgomery (Ala.) Carver High School.
“I feel like it’s all even now,” Wilson told SEC Country. “Florida is my No. 1, but I’m leaning towards no one right now.”
The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder said Florida and Alabama are tied, while UGA is a distant third. He plans to visit all three schools in January.
“It’s 40-40-20,” said Wilson, who plans to announce on signing day.
In the video above, Wilson answers the following questions:
What does he like about Florida, Alabama and Georgia?
How are his relationships with the coaches at those schools?
Will the close bond with Kirby Smart be enough to bring him to UGA?
Can he see himself leaving the state of Alabama?
Posted on 12/29/15 at 12:53 am to TideSaint
Already discussed but here is the story:
Free Al.com Content
Free Al.com Content
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One of the state's top junior prospects will finish his career at the IMG Academy.
Will Ignont, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker, confirmed his transfer from Buckhorn to the Bradenton, Fla., school on Twitter.
Ignont is a four-star recruit with around 20 offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and other national programs.
According to its website, IMG Academy features some of the top prospects in the country as a boarding school that emphasizes "elite academics with world-class athletic training."
Recent prospects from the state of Alabama who transferred there include running back Bo Scarbrough, now at Alabama and former Auburn High defensive back Spencer Perry.
Top IMG Academy prospects this year include quarterback Shea Patterson and tight end Isaac Nauta, both five-star recruits who were recruited by Nick Saban and Alabama.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 2:55 am to TideSaint
Trouble? Man yea your arse in the gump hanging around the wrong people that's the issue.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 3:00 am to Tide or Die87
When do practices start?
Posted on 12/29/15 at 3:37 am to Tide or Die87
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When do practices start?
Tomorrow through Friday. Game is Saturday.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 4:53 am to TideSaint
Free Bleacher Report Content
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — If there's one thing that University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban doesn't like about the postseason, conference championships included, it's that the teams participating are put in a disadvantage in recruiting.
Of course, having a nice ring or two to show off afterward doesn't hurt, though.
While Alabama is preparing to face Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl on Thursday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN), many potential future Crimson Tide players are taking their next big steps as well while participating in all-star games.
Specifically, practices have already started for the Under Armour All-America Game (Saturday, noon, ESPN2), while next week it'll be the U.S. Army All-American Bowl (Jan. 9, noon, NBC).
Although the announcement schedules for both will be fluid, so far it appears things will be pretty quiet for Alabama, with most of its targets opting to wait for national signing day to announce their collegiate destinations.
Nevertheless, here are some of the players Crimson Tide fans need to keep an eye on.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 4:54 am to TideSaint
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Ben Davis and Mack Wilson, Linebackers, Under Armour All-America Game
Not only are Ben Davis and Lyndell "Mack" Wilson considered the two best prospects in the state of Alabama, but according to 247Sports, they're the top players at their positions nationally. Davis is an interior linebacker, and Wilson plays on the outside.
They could end up playing together in college, but outgoing defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is also trying to take them with him to Georgia. When Jeremy Pruitt was with the Bulldogs, he was recruiting both of them, so they're already familiar with the Crimson Tide's next defensive coordinator.
"We had a conversation about it," Smart said at a Cotton Bowl press conference Monday morning. "We understand the strains and the stresses. Sure, it's tough at times to know that we're recruiting the same kids. But we're also both professionals.
"He's worked in the NFL. That's part of it. We understand that. It's not a negative. It's not a, go bash each other. Ultimately, those kids have to decide what's best for them and to each his own."
Wilson announced a top three of Florida, Alabama and Georgia on Christmas Day, and he'll take official visits before national signing day, with the Gators getting the last shot.
Davis is a legacy, as his father Wayne is Alabama's career tackles leader, and it's no secret he hopes his son ends up with the Crimson Tide.
However, after Smart was named Georgia's head coach, Davis said the Bulldogs had a slight lead to sign him.
Working in Alabama's favor is that Davis, the MVP of this year's Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, has already made his official visit to Athens. His last three visits will be, in order, Notre Dame, Auburn and Alabama.
This post was edited on 12/29/15 at 4:55 am
Posted on 12/29/15 at 4:55 am to TideSaint
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Ahmmon Richards, Wide Receiver, U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Ahmmon Richards is a 6'5" self-described playmaker who was the first player to decommit from Miami after the program fired Al Golden. Although he hasn't completely ruled out the Hurricanes, Richards is thought to be a heavy Alabama lean.
"I had a really close relationship with Coach Golden and his staff," he recently told USA Today. "When he got fired, I was taken aback. We had built that relationship over two years, and it was someplace I really wanted to go. When he left, I don't know who the new coach will be. I decided to reopen and look at all options one more time."
Richards is expected to announce his choice on national signing day. His final official visits will be, in order, Miami, Alabama and Tennessee.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 4:55 am to TideSaint
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Nigel Knott, Cornerback, Under Armour All-America Game
The one glaring spot where Alabama hasn't signed a top-notch player yet is cornerback, and there's some obvious concern after it made a late offer to Kristian Fulton (Metairie, La.) on Christmas Eve.
LSU is clearly the team to beat for Fulton, but the Tigers have already landed 5-star prospect Saivion Smith. Fulton doesn't have an official visit to Alabama scheduled yet but is hoping to make a mid-week trip at some point to Tuscaloosa.
The two players it's been long after are Nigel Knott and 4-star Shyheim Carter, who along with Fulton are playing in the Under Armour Game. Alabama appears to be in pretty good position with Knott and appears to be competing with Georgia for Carter but needs to land at least one, if not two, cornerbacks.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 4:56 am to TideSaint
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Rashan Gary, Defensive Tackle, Under Armour All-America Game
Rashan Gary is a player to watch if for no other reason than he's considered the consensus top recruit in the nation and was recently named USA Today's Defensive Player of the Year.
He had 13.5 sacks and 55 tackles in nine games, forced four fumbles and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown this season at Paramus Catholic in New Jersey. Gary is listed at 6'4", 290 pounds, and he can run the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds.
Alabama is in the mix for Gary, but the school to beat is Michigan, where his former coach, Chris Partridge, is the Wolverines' new director of recruiting operations.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 4:56 am to TideSaint
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Michail Carter and Rashard Lawrence, Defensive Tackles, Under Armour All-America Game
Alabama is looking to retool the defensive line and has already landed three prize defensive tackles in Kendell Jones, Raekwon Davis and Quinnen Williams, but anyone who has seen the Crimson Tide play this season knows the kind of numbers coveted.
Michail Carter is thought to be Georgia bound, but it'll be interesting to see if Pruitt might be able to make him think twice about it.
With Lawrence, Alabama is trying to pull another top recruit out of the state of Louisiana, which is never easy to do, but the Crimson Tide have had recent success.
Both situations will be interesting to watch as national signing day, Feb. 3, approaches.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 4:58 am to TideSaint
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High School All-Star Games
Under Armour All-America Game
Name Pos. Hometown
Alabama Commits
Kendell Jones DT Killeen (Texas) Shoemaker
B.J. Emmons RB Morganton (N.C.) Freedom
Deonte Brown OG Decatur (Ala.) Austin
Chris Owens OG Arlington (Texas) Lamar
Alabama Targets
Ben Davis ILB Gordo (Ala.)
Mack Wilson OLB Montgomery (Ala.) Carver
Rashard Lawrence DT Monroe (La.) Neville
Kristian Fulton CB Metaire (La.) Archbishop Rummel
Nate Craig-Myers WR Tampa (Fla.) Catholic
Shyheim Carter CB Kentwood (La.)
Nigel Knott CB Madison (Miss.) Germantown
A.J. Brown WR Starkville (Miss.)
Terrell Hall DE Washington (D.C.) St. John’s College
Dontavious Jackson ILB Houston (Texas) Alief Elsik
Keith Gavin WR Crawfordville (Fla.) Wakulla
Jauan Williams OT Washington (D.C.) Archbishop Carroll
Cavin Ridley WR Deerfield Beach (Fla.)
U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Alabama Commits
Raekwon Davis DL Meridian (Miss.)
Alabama Targets
Derrick Brown DL Buford (Ga.) Lanier
Isaac Nauta TE IMG Academy (Fla.)
Mecole Hardman DB Elberton (Ga.) Elbert County
Demetris Robertson WR Savannah (Ga.), Savannah Christian Prep
Jeffery Simmons DL Macon (Miss.) Noxubee
Devin Asiasi TE Concord (Calif.) De La Salle
Nigel Warrior DB Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge
Ahmmon Richards WR West Palm Beach (Fla.) Wellington
Posted on 12/29/15 at 5:00 am to TideSaint
Free Bleacher Report Content
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While LSU typically is tough to beat out for prospects in the state of Louisiana, Alabama is one out-of-state school that has enjoyed some success recruiting the Pelican State.
Tide head coach Nick Saban has lured studs, such as safety Landon Collins, running back Eddie Lacy and current offensive lineman Cameron Robinson, over the years.
Last week, the Tide offered a pair of top Louisiana recruits in the 2016 class.
First, Alabama offered 3-star linebacker and current Arkansas commit De’jon Harris.
According to BamaOnline's Hank South, Harris—who has been committed to the Razorbacks since May—will take an official visit to Alabama next month.
As for what he’s looking for on that visit, Harris wants to learn more about the Tide’s program in the classroom and get more familiar with the coaching staff.
“Academics play a big part in my family,” Harris told South. “The facilities, I heard Bama redid them. I just want to sit down and meet the coaching staff and the community and see if I’ll be comfortable (there) for three to four years.”
Another Pelican State stud Saban and his staff are hoping to lure to Tuscaloosa is 4-star corner Kristian Fulton.
Fellow SEC programs such as Arkansas, Florida, LSU and Texas A&M are currently pursuing Fulton, who rates as the nation’s No. 4 corner and the No. 34 player overall in the 2016 cycle.
Predictions consider the Tigers the heavy favorites for Fulton, but it will be interesting to see if the Tide can make a late run at one of the nation’s top corners.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 6:17 am to TideSaint
I just looked at tennessee's class on 247 and it is not what it usually is. It's pretty terrible. Without Jonathan Kongbo they would be in some shite.
Posted on 12/29/15 at 6:29 am to South Alabama Tide
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I just looked at tennessee's class on 247 and it is not what it usually is. It's pretty terrible. Without Jonathan Kongbo they would be in some shite.
They don't have all those legacies in this class.
Warrior is the only one I can think of and he probably won't be going there.
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