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Posted on 7/9/16 at 10:53 am to We_R_The_Tide
The RT spot could be very interesting next year. I'd assume Jonah will move to LT. Baker, Leatherwood, Lashley. Maybe Womack if he continues to progress as he did in year one. Will be a lot of comp. That's a good thing!
Posted on 7/9/16 at 10:56 am to phaz
Howard and Greene are gone after this year, so is Ball who has played TE the last 2 years, but moved back to the DL this year.
Bama would only have 3 scholarship TE after this year, any chance Bama will take 2 TE in this class.
Bama would only have 3 scholarship TE after this year, any chance Bama will take 2 TE in this class.
Posted on 7/9/16 at 10:59 am to TideSaint
quote:
BEAVERTON, Ore. — Friday afternoon at The Opening Finals saw players break up into a camp-like setting to work on position-specific drills and 1-on-1s. Here are our observations from watching the linebackers work out at the Nike World Headquarters.
Alpha Dog
Alabama running back commitment Najee Harris started off slow as he was nursing a slight PCL injury, but came back strong in one-on-ones leaving a couple of linebackers on skates. Harris then defeated the nation’s top linebacker in Dylan Moses in the cat and mouse contest showing excellent vision and displaying his ability beyond his tag as just a North-South runner. Harris looks the part of an SEC running back and will contend for early playing time at the college level.
Next 3
Chase Hayden - The three-star running back from Tennessee was untouchable in one-on-ones, flashing quick change of direction. The 5-foot-10, 189 pounder posted a 137.22 Nike Football Rating on Friday morning. A Vols legacy, Hayden is currently trending to Arkansas on the 247Sports Crystal Ball.
D'Andre Swift - The nation’s top all-purpose back showed why he’s ranked No. 1. Swift has good vision and cutback ability, putting Kenney Britt on his back in the first rep of one-on-ones. The Philadelphia product is extremely light on his feet and has a compact frame with quick burst.
J.K. Dobbins - The Ohio State commit followed up being the Nike Football Ratings Champion with a strong afternoon. The nation’s No. 3 all-purpose back can do it all with the ball in his hands. What the 5-foot-9, 199-pounder lacks in size, he makes up with his tremendous downhill running ability. Dobbins told me he's not just an elusive, edge runner and he showed that today.
Emptying the Notebook
- Anthony McFarland Jr. looks the part of an athletic scat back, but struggled slightly running routes during drills. He still showed flashy speed and the ability to make plays in space. The four-star back from Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic will win most foot races to the perimeter.
- Following his flashy commitment on Friday, new FSU pledge Khalan Laborn exposed 2019 linebacker Owen Pappoe — who will be a highly-rated player in the cycle — in the cat-and-mouse contest. The Seminoles commit is agile and has an elite ability to shed would-be tacklers.
- Three-star APB Darrian Felix struggled in one-on-ones. The 5-foot-11, 189-pounder could potentially project to receiver in college. He's currently trending 50-50 between Miami and Oregon.
- Cam Akers lost some battles to three-star linebacker Kenney Britt, but was brilliant in the morning, placing third in the Nike Football Ratings Championship and earning a fifth star. Akers is an elite back with a sturdy build and top-end speed. The one-time Tide commit who plays quarterback in high school, will make a major impact at the college level.
-LSU commit Clyde Edwards-Heliare had a strong day in competition displaying quick first step and excellent vision. He won more often than not in one-on-ones.
LINK
Posted on 7/9/16 at 11:05 am to TideSaint
quote:
BEAVERTON, Ore. — Friday afternoon at The Opening Finals saw players break up into a camp-like setting to work on position-specific drills and 1-on-1s. Here are our observations from watching the defensive linemen work out at the Nike World Headquarters.
Alpha Dog
Marvin Wilson (Bellaire, Texas/Episcopal) - The 6-foot-4, 329-pound lineman came into 1-on-1's with a target on his back, and he did not disappoint. Wilson blew past Texas Tech commitment Jack Anderson, was too much for Longhorns' commitment Xavier Newman to handle, and was not seen losing a rep during the competition. His size, strength and ability to keep working allowed Wilson to overpower some of the top offensive linemen in the country. The Crystal Ball favors LSU, and Ed Orgeron has to be licking his chops at the possibility of adding this five-star interior defensive lineman to his roster.
Next 3
- Tyler Shelvin (Crowley, La./Notre Dame)
Another big body that gave elite offensive linemen issues was Shelvin. The 323-pound prospect already has incredible raw strength and is able to drive Cesar Ruiz, arguably the top interior blocker in the event, into the pocket fairly easily. The key to Shelvin's development will be keeping his weight in check, but once again, Orgeron appears to be cleaning up at his position.
- Jordan Williams (Virginia Beach, Va./Frank W. Cox)
One who really impressed off the edge was Williams. At almost 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Williams really has an outstanding frame and displayed good explosiveness off the ball on Friday. Williams won four reps in a row, not by pure speed, but by working half-man, using his hands well, and ripping through. That move should really develop well once he learns how to use his growing explosiveness to his advantage.
- Chase Young (Hyattsville, Mary./DeMatha Catholic)
The most impressive wingspan of any of the edge rushers belonged to Young, and he looks like he could easily add thirty pounds or more to his 6-5 frame. Young was disruptive at times, dominant at others, and even on the reps he lost, he had his hands up in the air, an instinctive move that could lead to passes being batted down. The Buckeyes have the edge in the Crystal Ball predictions for Young, whose upside is through the roof.
Emptying the Notebook
- Duke edge rusher commitment Drew Jordan (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) just missed the cut here, as he won several reps and reminded me of 2016 prospect Erick Fowler with his similar size and ability to line up wide and cause issues.
- Jay Tufele (South Jordan, Utah/Bingham) was probably the most comfortable player during drills, and he also gave 2018 offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer (Atlanta/Pace Academy) a rude awakening.
- LaBryan Ray (Madison, Ala./James Clemens) was the most impressive-looking lineman on the hoof, and the only prospect who was seen beating Alex Leatherwood on a rep.
LINK
Posted on 7/9/16 at 11:13 am to TideSaint
quote:
The Opening is always home to some of the fastest high school football players in the country. And when the fastest of the fast lined up to race, the winner was East St. Louis (IL) product Jeff Thomas.
Thomas won the five-man heat of the players who ran the fastest 40-yard dash times at The Opening Friday (seen above), besting Salvon Ahmed, Darnay Holmes, Donovan Johnson and Chris Henderson. It’s that kind of speed — Thomas clocked 4.38 prior to the final heat — that has made Thomas such a valued commodity on the recruiting trail.
Thomas recently named Alabama as his leader (VIP), though the Crimson Tide will have to fight off schools like Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State and Missouri for his commitment.
LINK with Video
Posted on 7/9/16 at 11:23 am to TideSaint
quote:
- Chase Young (Hyattsville, Mary./DeMatha Catholic)
The most impressive wingspan of any of the edge rushers belonged to Young, and he looks like he could easily add thirty pounds or more to his 6-5 frame. Young was disruptive at times, dominant at others, and even on the reps he lost, he had his hands up in the air, an instinctive move that could lead to passes being batted down. The Buckeyes have the edge in the Crystal Ball predictions for Young, whose upside is through the roof.
People love his potential, but he certainly isn't there yet IMO.
Is Wilson a legit 330? I haven't seen him up close. Does he carry it well or will he drop a good bit in college and be like 310?
Posted on 7/9/16 at 11:30 am to Buckeye06
quote:
BEAVERTON, Ore. — Najee Harris, the prized running back commit for Alabama, has continued to visit other schools, but that could be coming to an end.
Well, at least for the near future.
Harris told SEC Country at The Opening, a premier football camp for the nation’s top high school players held at Nike’s world headquarters, that there’s a good possibility that he won’t take any more visits for the rest of the summer.
“I’ve been away from my team for so long so I don’t think I’m going to be doing too much stuff,” Harris said. “I want to spend time with my team because it’s a new team. I’ve been gone a lot, so I want to get to know them before we play.”
That’s the news Alabama loves to hear. Harris has visited Ohio State, Southern California, UCLA and Washington since committing more than a year ago, and he has said that the visits to other schools won’t stop.
The nation’s No. 1 overall player wants to be clear about his desire to visit other schools not named Alabama.
“Can I enjoy my recruiting process?” Harris rhetorically asked. “That’s the only thing I can say. I am just trying to enjoy this because you’re going to wake up the next day and be back to the grind.”
Harris has gotten to spend quality time with several Alabama commits this week at The Opening. In Alabama’s Class of 2017, Harris said he’s closest with both quarterback commitments Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones, 5-star offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood and 4-star linebacker VanDarius Cowan. Jones is the only one out of that group that isn’t in Oregon this week.
“All of them are my guys. Every single one of them,” Harris said. “We’re all really cool with each other. We all love to compete and we watch out for each other. We’re not big-headed or anything like that.”
Big-headed is not the adjective anyone would use to describe Harris. Though he’s the nation’s top recruit, Harris hates the attention that title brings. He jokingly slammed down his jacket when he was approached for an interview. He then put the jacket on, zipped it up to his chin and put his hood on so no one would spot him.
After his high school games, Harris does not talk to television cameras without his offensive line behind him. The attention he receives helps his teammates get recognized, and he said that’s his favorite part of the recruiting process.
“I like helping other people,” Harris said with a smile. “Every time I make a play, score a touchdown or gain some yards, it’s not just about me. It’s about my team. I would be very conceited if I just took all of the credit. I have to have my offensive linemen with me.”
That love he has for his teammates explains why Harris is thinking about ending his recruiting tour for the future. The time he’s on a college campus is less time he can spend with his teammates, and that means something to Harris.
Harris has not thought about official visits just yet. He said it’s even a possibility that he takes zero official visits this fall.
“I want to spend time with my team right now,” Harris said. “I’ve been taking too much time away from them. I’m not thinking about that.”
Harris’ desire to be the best teammate possible may ultimately help Alabama’s chances of keeping the best player in the country committed.
LINK
Posted on 7/9/16 at 11:54 am to TideSaint
quote:
Smith a “Roll Tide fan through and through”
Trey Smith, the nation’s No. 1 offensive tackle, according to 247Sports, has been an Alabama fan since kindergarten.
“I’m definitely a Roll Tide fan through and through,” Smith told SEC Country at The Opening, a premier camp for the nation’s top high school football players held at Nike’s world headquarters.
Smith vividly remembers when he was in kindergarten going to Bryant-Denny Stadium with his teacher and son, who was a manager for the team.
“We go down there and I’m like 5 or 6 years old and we go into the locker room because we had access so I got to talk to players and coaches,” Smith said. “It was the whole nine yards. From then on, I’ve been a huge fan.”
Naturally, because of him paying close attention to Alabama for pretty much his entire life, the Crimson Tide has a good chance at landing Smith when he makes a commitment this December before enrolling early.
“They stand pretty high on my list,” Smith said. “The Crimson Tide’s process works obviously. They send so many players to the league. Every time I go down there, they show me the left tackle film from Andre Smith to big Cam (Robinson). The film is impressive. Pretty much every left tackle there has been drafted in the first round. Even D.J. Fluker who played right tackle was taken in the first round.”
The 6-foot-6, 299-pound prospect said Alabama is recruiting him very hard despite the Tide having commitments from 5-star tackle Alex Leatherwood and the nation’s No. 1 junior college tackle Elliot Baker.
At one point, Smith said competition at his position did matter to him. If a school had multiple tackle commitments, it would hurt its chances at landing him. He’s had a complete 180 from that mindset.
“There’s going to be competition at any school, and I’m just starting to realize that,” Smith said. “Before, I had that mindset where it bothered me. Now, I just look at it as more competition and it’s whatever to me. I don’t mind.”
Smith will release his list of top 6 schools Saturday, so will Alabama make the cut? He didn’t want to give away any spoilers but he did give it away with his answer.
“I think they have a pretty good chance at making the list,” Smith laughed.
My thoughts: After speaking with Smith, I really like Alabama’s chances of landing him. So much so that I’m now predicting him to commit to Alabama come December. Speaking with someone close to him Friday, the source said the Crimson Tide should be considered the favorite here.
LINK
The author of this article is the guy who CB'd Smith to Alabama last night.
Posted on 7/9/16 at 11:55 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama commits recruiting top players
During my interview with Harris, he joked that VanDarius Cowan and Alex Leatherwood have asked so many players to join them at Alabama this week.
Leatherwood told SEC Country that he’s been working hard on Trey Smith, Cesar Ruiz (named Alabama his leader Thursday) and Marvin Wilson. Cowan and Leatherwood have been instrumental in plenty of Alabama’s commitments’ decisions thus far. Expect them to continue to pitch Alabama all weekend.
Posted on 7/9/16 at 11:55 am to Buckeye06
Had Wilson come to Alabama a couple years ago, he'd probably play close to 330. If he were to sign with us this year (BIG IF), we'd probably drop him to the low 300's. I'd imagine LSU would do the same. We've been shredded enough by the quick Spread teams, and are trying to get quicker on the front 7 (already are to a large extent).
Posted on 7/9/16 at 12:47 pm to Bama3714
Posted on 7/9/16 at 1:28 pm to Cobrasize
VanCarius Cowan tweets & Tua retweets.
quote:
VanDarius Cowan ?? ?? ?@vandarius98 5h5 hours ago My brothers man ??????
Posted on 7/9/16 at 2:03 pm to jatebe
Who is the guy with the two toned dreads next to Shavers?
Posted on 7/9/16 at 2:16 pm to Tide or Die87
That's Xavier Mckinney
Posted on 7/9/16 at 2:22 pm to Tide or Die87
Tua seems like a Russell Wilson clone. (they even look alike)
Amazing how much better Kiffin has been at identifying QB prospects. BB8, Hurts, and Tua are all a step in the right direction over what Bama had been getting.
Amazing how much better Kiffin has been at identifying QB prospects. BB8, Hurts, and Tua are all a step in the right direction over what Bama had been getting.
Posted on 7/9/16 at 2:41 pm to PowHound
quote:
BB8, Hurts, and Tua are all a step in the right direction over what Bama had been getting.
Absolutely. Hard to believe it's taken so long.
Posted on 7/9/16 at 4:48 pm to Fells
Do you guys think Tre Williams regrets going to the barn? He has not lived up to 5 star status and I just wonder if that's because of aub coaching.
Posted on 7/9/16 at 5:15 pm to South Alabama Tide
Shaun Wade says Cowan, Mac, and Najee are recruiting him to Alabama.
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