re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition

Askew just committed to the Barn, kinda glad he won't be coming to Bama.

I guarantee you he will decommit at some point. He needs to feel special and he won't get that by being committed.

Leatherwood visited Auburn today. Will probably visit us tomorrow.

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Chris Kirschner ?@ChrisK_AJC 5h5 hours ago
2018 WR who has said #Alabama leads for him

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Mark Pope is nearing his college decision.

The 2018 wide receiver from Miami Southridge told SEC Country he plans to make an early commitment this summer.

“I just want to get it out the way,” Pope said.

The 6-foot-1, 165-pound will choose between Florida and Alabama. He also holds offers from Georgia, Miami and Tennessee.

“With Florida, I like the offense they run, the players, the facilities. I love everything about Florida,” Pope said.

“I visited Alabama and talked to Calvin Ridley. I want to come in and do what he did his freshman year, have an impact right away.”

Pope said proximity to home helps Florida’s chances, as does his teammate, Gators tight end commit Kemore Gamble.

“Kemore is like a brother to me,” Pope said. “Being here with him would be real fun.”

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Mark Pope article

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Tyreke Johnson will release a top five soon, and Alabama will be on the U.S. Army All-American’s list.

“All of their guys are NFL ready. At the end of the day, it’s about getting to the NFL,” Johnson said. “Alabama recruits NFL-ready guys. They coach them up a little bit and teach them some things, but they really are NFL ready when they get to college. Calvin Ridley could have started in the NFL this year and so could Derrick Henry.”

Georgia and UCLA are two other schools that are likely to be on Johnson’s top five. Both of those schools have NFL-caliber players on their rosters but not as many as Alabama, Johnson acknowledged. The state of Florida’s No. 1 prospect in the 2018 class said he’s looking for a school that has as many NFL prospects on the roster as possible, and he would not mind the competition.

“You want to go to a school that already has a bunch of players going to the league over a school that you may play at right away,” Johnson said.

Another thing Alabama has going for itself: Tide defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is one of the coaches that believed in Johnson from a young age. Pruitt has been recruiting Johnson ever since his first run at Alabama, where he coached from 2007-12, and Johnson said it means a lot to him that the coach has seen his potential for years.

“Coach Pruitt and I have been homies ever since he was at Alabama the first time around and then he went to Florida State and Georgia. “I would love to play for Pruitt.”

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LINK

Message board rumors swirling that Kendell Jones may never qualify.

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AUBURN, Ala. — Alabama was Will Ignont’s leader prior to Auburn’s Big Cat recruiting event Saturday. That’s no longer the case. The four-star linebacker from Buckhorn High School (New Market, Ala.) told SEC Country that Alabama, Auburn and Georgia are tied atop his list.

“I’m so torn between all three of those schools,” Ignont said. “They’re all great schools. They’re all equal for me right now.”

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That sucks.

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For most of his recruitment, Auburn was the presumed favorite to land Ignont’s commitment, and it appears that the Tigers have gained significant momentum.

He talked about the main differences between Alabama and Auburn.

“Alabama is more business-based,” Ignont said. I feel like they’re on a strict schedule and everything they do is for a specific reason.

“At Auburn, it’s a lot more fun and the coaches are looser. They’re going to coach the hell out of their players — don’t get me wrong. But I feel like, you’re going to have a lot of fun at Auburn if you play here.”

One of the main concerns Ignont had about Auburn was the possibility of the coaching staff not being in place next season. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn is on the hot seat, but Ignont’s concerns about that seem to have diminished.

“I feel like Auburn is going to be very special this year,” Ignont said. “I think they have great players and have enough talent to compete with everyone in the SEC. Auburn will be fine this year.”

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Coach the hell out of their players? I think they coach the talent out of their linebackers.

At least we agree on one thing:

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“Coach Malzahn kind of acts like a high school coach, ....

The Under Armour All-American will be back on Alabama’s campus this upcoming week, and he says it’s a chance for the Tide to regain a lead over the Tigers and Bulldogs.

“Every unofficial visit I take at this point is very important,” Ignont said. “I really can’t say at this point what Alabama can do to be the lone leader.”

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Message board rumors swirling that Kendell Jones may never qualify.

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When did his grades become an issue? Did he just quit after signing day?

He seems torn, but still wants to make a decision soon. At Auburn he would likely have earlier playing time. At Alabama, he'd probably have better coaching (just based on our ability to produce first round linebackers). I understand that it's a difficult decision, but frick Auburn with a cactus.

Next are updates from day two of elite11