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

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Derrik Allen, five-star CB, Marietta, Ga. (uncommitted) — “Alabama’s defense is going to hold out. It will be a close game, though.”

Malcolm Askew, four-star ATH, McCalla, Ala. (uncommitted) — “35-27, Clemson. Alabama struggles against mobile quarterbacks, and Clemson is an underdog, once again. Dabo (Swinney) and the Tiger family deserves this perfect season.”

Markail Benton, four-star LB, Phenix City, Ala. (uncommitted) — “24-17 Alabama. I think that it’s going to be a slow start because Clemson’s defense will stop Alabama’s running game for a while, but they’re going to start to wear down, and that’s when Bama’s going to kick in.”

Trey Blount, four-star WR, Atlanta (uncommitted) — “31-24 Alabama all the way. Overall, the physicality of Alabama’s defensive and offensive front will control the game. I believe Alabama’s secondary will cause some turnovers and their offense will capitalize on those turnovers.”

Derrick Brown, five-star DT, Buford, Ga. (uncommitted) — “Roll Tide Roll.”

Zerrick Cooper, four-star QB, Jonesboro, Ga. (committed to Clemson) — “I have Clemson by seven, but they have to come to play.”

Ben Davis, five-star LB, Gordo, Ala. (uncommitted) — “35-14, Alabama wins. Bama’s defense is going to stop the QB, and I don’t think Clemson will be able to shoot down Alabama’s running and passing game.”

Jake Fromm, four-star QB, Warner Robins, Ga. (committed to Alabama) — “Alabama wins this one 34-13 and dominates the championship game. The defense will play lights out, and Jake Coker will have a great game.”

DeAngelo Gibbs, five-star cornerback, Suwanee, Ga. (uncommitted) — “It will be a close, hard fought game. It’s hard to answer, but my gut feeling is Bama.”

Mecole Hardman, five-star ATH, Bowman, Ga. (uncommitted) — “Alabama 35-21. I think Alabama is too much for Clemson.”

Will Ignont, four-star LB, Bradenton, Fla. (uncommitted) — “31-24, Alabama. Clemson’s offense is very good. I think they will hang on all game. It will be a good one.”

Shawn Jennings, three-star ATH Dadeville, Ala. (committed to Alabama) — “31-21, Alabama. Defense wins championships.”

Netori Johnson, four-star OL, Ellenwood, Ga. (committed to Alabama) — “24-14, Alabama wins, because Alabama is going to stop the run. They will give up some points in the passing game, though.”

Jack Jones, four-star WR, Long Beach, Calif: (uncommitted): “I really like the way Clemson plays. I watched a little bit of the Alabama game. It was a dominant game, so I turned it off. But I like the way Clemson plays. I feel like they play with an attitude. It’s going to be a good one. They’re both in the championship for a reason.”

Jared Mayden, four-star CB, Sachse, Texas (uncommitted) — “Alabama will either win by 10 or Clemson wins by a game-winning field goal. I just don’t see it being a blowout game.”

Nate McBride, four-star LB, Vidalia, Ga. (uncommitted) — “28-7, Bama, because their defense overmatches Clemson’s offense. Clemson’s defense is good but won’t be able to hold Derrick Henry and Jake Coker.”

Jeffrey McCulloch, four-star LB, Houston, Texas (uncommitted) — “Alabama 28, Clemson 17. Alabama will get redemption (from last year’s playoff loss).”

Xavier McKinney, four-star S, Roswell, Ga. (committed to Alabama) — “Man, it’s going to be a tough, tough game, but I got to go with my team. Alabama will win 27-24. They will show more heart in the final quarter.”

Connor Murphy, four-star DE, Phoenix (uncommitted) — “Alabama wins 31-14 because Clemson hasn’t offered me yet,” Murphy laughed. “Roll Tide!”

Jeffrey Okudah, five-star safety, South Grand Prairie, Texas (uncommitted) — “21-10 Alabama. … just kidding, 100-0 Alabama.”

Chandler Reeves, three-star OL, McDonough, Ga. (committed to Clemson) — “Clemson wins 31-28. I think Alabama’s defense is going to be tough, but we’ll be able to put up some points, and then our defense is going to be strong in the second half when the game is tight.”

Jeffery Simmons, four-star DE, Macon, Miss. (uncommitted) — “I think Alabama will win 49-14 because that defense Alabama has will not give up too many points.”

Trey Smith, four-star OL, Jackson, Miss. (uncommitted) — “It’s going to be a classic college football championship game. It’s extremely difficult to choose either one, but I’ll say Alabama edges out a win by a touchdown.”

Aaron Sterling, three-star DE, Stephenson, Ga. (committed to Alabama) — “Alabama wins 31-17 because Alabama has a very strong defense and have lots of weapons on offense.”

Marcus Tatum, three-star OL, Daytona Beach, Fla. (uncommitted) — “Alabama dominates 35-7. They’re too nasty up front.”

Chadarius Townsend, four-star ATH, Tanner, Ala. (committed to Alabama) — “Alabama wins 24-13.”

Christian Tutt, five-star CB, Bradenton, Fla. (uncommitted) — “Alabama wins 28-14 because their defense is too good for Clemson.”

Marvin Wilson, five-star DT, Houston, Texas (uncommitted) — “Bama by 14.”

Isaiah Wilson, five-star OL, Brooklyn, N.Y. (uncommitted) — “It’s going to be a great game — old-fashioned Alabama football vs. the playmakers of Clemson. I think Derrick Henry carries the Tide to a close win, field goal or less.”

All rankings are courtesy of the 247Sports composite.

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saying Bama may still be in it for the young man's mother

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SAN ANTONIO, Texas — When Mecole Hardman, Jr. listed Alabama as his leader last week, it was a big surprise..

Hardman, the nation’s No. 1 athlete, told SEC Country after the U.S. Army All-American Bowl that college football fans can expect another shocker out of him this weekend.

“I got a surprise for you guys. I got a surprise. I don’t know what it is right now, but I’ll have a surprise on the 15th,” Hardman said. “We’ll see then.”

The five-star prospect from Elbert County High School in Georgia has been one to have fun with reporters in his recruitment, and this could be another example of that.

The 5-foot-10, 169-pounder does not have an official visit set for this weekend, and he could take one to either Georgia, Alabama or Tennessee. He could name a co-leader with Alabama, or he could just not have any surprise at all. The possibilities with Hardman are endless.

Most in the recruiting industry feel like his decision will come down to either Alabama or Georgia. He says his decision won’t be made until Feb 3.

“On signing day, I’m going to wake up and say this is the school I’m going to,” Hardman said. “That’s when I’ll know.”

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Coincidentally, Kiffin nearly worked for Saban back in 2007 when Saban became the Alabama coach. A few days after USC's 55-19 victory against Oklahoma for the BCS title, Saban -- who watched the game from the Orange Bowl sideline -- asked Kiffin to be the Tide's offensive coordinator.

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