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

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Take Two is back this week tackling a handful of issues in the college football landscape.

Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and a local expert from the Rivals.com network of team sites.

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TIDE BACK ON TOP

Storyline: Surprise, surprise. Alabama is back on the top of the team recruiting rankings.

The Crimson Tide have won seven of the last nine recruiting titles and their path to eight of 10 is realistic after they recently overtook Ohio State. Two five-stars in running back Najee Harris and JUCO offensive lineman Elliot Baker are now committed. Alabama has 11 four-star commitments, more than any other team in the country.

And Nick Saban’s program is involved with numerous five-stars from around the country. On and on, Alabama goes, where it stops, nobody knows.

First take: “Alabama has a great chance to finish on top of the Rivals.com team recruiting rankings once again in 2017. Alabama should continue to hold strong in the top five all the way through Signing Day. Will they rank No. 1? A lot depends on how they finish, and if they are able to hang on to prize commitments in the class including Najee Harris, the No.2 overall player in the Rivals100.

“The good news for the Crimson Tide is many of their top targets remain in play. They have great chance to sign Rivals100 wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Jerry Jeudy. Five-star defensive backs AJ Terrell, Shaun Wade and Lamont Wade have heavy interest in Alabama. The Crimson Tide can also close very strong in-state with top targets in five-star wide receiver Nico Collins, four-star defensive end LaBryan Ray, four-star defensive Ryan Johnson, four-star wide receiver Henry Ruggs, four-star offensive tackle Austin Troxell and four-star offensive tackle Kendall Randolphall still in play.” – Andrew Bone, TideSports.com

Second take: “It will be tough for others to beat Alabama. Ohio State has limited numbers this year. They’re going to have to nail every one of them whereas Alabama is going to take a deeper class. You want to say yes, there are schools that have a chance, especially LSU would have a chance if Les Miles wins the West and beats Saban head-to-head. Alabama is always the team to beat until someone knocks them off and right now Ohio State has a smaller margin of error because they’re not taking as many kids.” - Farrell

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I WAS IMPRESSED BY

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Class of 2019 running back Trey Sanders is committed to Alabama but showed up to Tallahassee to work out. Sanders boasts a college-ready body and looked incredibly smooth in drills. He showcased his burst during one-on-ones and stood out in what was a fairly loaded position group.

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Alabama-based wide receiver Seth Williams worked out on each of the first two days of camp and seemed to get better as the event progressed. Williams, who carries offers from Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss, has great length and reliable hands. On Thursday, he impressed FSU coaches with precise routes and the ability to catch passes that are not quite on the mark. Williams extends well and is skilled at using his size to his advantage.

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With the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented By Under Armour in the rearview mirror, everyone wants to know two things – how well the prospects their team is recruiting performed and, where are the uncommitted prospects going? All this week, we’ve covered the first part with position rankings, ups and downs, All-Farrell teams and the like. Now we have the latter covered as well with my educated guesses.

Important Note: It’s June 17, a game hasn’t been played in the 2016 season, coaches haven’t been fired and assistant coaches haven’t moved around like chess pieces on the board. Don’t hold me to these (unless I get them right). Here are my predictions for the uncommitted defenders who competed at the Georgia Dome.

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Georgia offensive lineman Reuben Unije earns Alabama offer and admits to nearly committing to Nick Saban
John Garcia, Jr.

Alabama hosted its OL/DL camp Saturday and one of the few to walk away with an offer was Georgia offensive lineman Reuben Unije. The spring and summer circuit has upped the recruitment of class of 2018 offensive tackle Reuben Unije to a torrid pace with recent offers from Florida, Virginia Tech and others in a short span. On Saturday, it was the defending national champions who came calling during a trip to Alabama as the Alpharetta (Ga.) John's Creek standout was there to compete at its OL/DL camp Saturday.

"We got there early, got a tour and started competing. Once we started flexing I was in my zone," he said. "Then I had my one-on-ones and I was going against all JUCO kids and I was doing me, doing what I do.

"It was reassuring because I know I can play at the next level, dominating these junior college guys."

Amid going against college prospects, the 16-year-old Unije gained confidence and felt scholarship news on the horizon.
"I had a clue because [defensive coordinator ]coach [Jeremy] Pruitt said they were gonna offer me," he said. "Then they called me up to Coach [Nick] Saban's office and he said, 'we want to offer you.'"

The emerging talent nearly pulled the trigger right then and there.
"What would make you not commit to Alabama? That's the real question," he said, laughing. Though he held back, he took in everything Saban detailed about his skill and the recruiting process itself.

"The things a lot of schools emphasize is how athletic I am and they said they loved that," Unije said. "There's a lot of big people but not many are athletic like me. My speed is good, my hands are good, all of that. It's just my second year playing football so I should have a high ceiling."

Soccer was the rising-junior's primary sport most of his life as his mother feared significant injury in football. It changed as high school began and now few in the Peach State's class of 2018 have become as coveted by college programs.
It was the initial Tuscaloosa experience.

"I just liked the facility, it was nice," he said. "The coaches were very energetic, they are good coaches and it was a good overall experience. 'Bama is awesome, it's a class-A school, so they're up there (but) no school really leads. NC State was my first offer, Alabama I love, Florida I love, Virginia Tech, Mizzou, they're all pretty equal."

Unije, who plans on camping at Florida State sometime soon, has no timetable for a verbal commitment at this time.

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