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

Any idea who the potential big-time flip is that TWatts alluded to on BOL?

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T Rich3

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Hey man. Where have you been? You haven't posted on TSWSNBN in a long time.

Don't know where to put this. Thought it was funny

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Kirby Smart: "None of you have been privy to a Nick Saban staff meeting. But when you're there, you have to hold hands sometimes." 38 32

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I wouldn't count on Maurice Smith being around this Fall. Sounds like our coaches were blindsided by him deciding to transfer. They were a bit shocked.

Some comments from Michael Felder from some of our commits and targets at The Opening. Pretty good stuff. He really likes Shavers a lot. Shavers kept making big receptions in the 7 on 7 and never seemed to get mentioned for it on TV for some odd reason.

Alex Leatherwood helped Alabama get to tug of war finals and as the Pac-12 was besting Bama the big OL realized his team was about to lose. Then Alex Leatherwood went from his anchor spot, reached around VanDarius Cowan to pick up Cowan, grab rope ahead of him & resecure his hold. Then Alex Leatherwood just pulled the Bama team for a win, dragging Pac-12 over the line while carrying VanDarius Cowan with him.

Alex Leatherwood worked out at G and T and won just about all of his battles from both spots. He can expand vs speed & play power at G.

Jeff Thomas, shorter WR who is remarkably explosive. Won the 40 at the event & he can turn it on at anytime to create separation.

Tyrell Shavers, I think he is an elite WR, should be closer to Top 5 at position. Some crisp routes, strong hands & intimidating size at WR.

Jerry Jeudy showed up big time as a kid who runs well, solid route running and he snags consistently.

VanDarius Cowan is a stud. Kid is huge & is working to match his athleticism w control over game so things play slower & he shuts guys down.

Najee Harris, what a special football player. So big, but has a tremendous lightness in his feet that allows him to cut, start/stop & go.

Najee Harris is just amazing. He makes people miss when he has no pads on. With pads on, going to be scary b/c he can run through you.

LaBryan Ray has really quick, light feet w violent hands. Learning to package moves behind the initial shocking of his OL to separate.

Cesar Ruiz, got some nasty to go w the solid technique he has as a center. Seeing him show that side truly was a treat for this week.

Najee Harris, great hands out of the backfield. Runs solid routes and was a consistent safety valve as QBs went through reads & checked down.

Tua Tagovailoa continued to show improvement. Won @Elite11 MVP & showed great comfort as pocket passer just building on Oakland & LA success.

Markail Benton, great mover in coverage and has length that disrupts throwing lanes of QB and forces denials that will help DL get to QB.

Tyrell Shavers made it easy for Robison and Tua to find him by getting open easily. I think he is 1 of the top 5 WRs in the country.

Anthony McFarland is super versatile. Built like RB, has RB and WR skills, great hands and great take off to create space to be a target.

Shaun Wade, love the long CB and how he is so comfortable in zone looks being patient and letting QB show him where to go.

DeVonta Smith, freak athlete who was a beast at the dunk contest, showed real speed just smoking people on some skinny posts.

Trey Smith is an elite OT as long as he plays his technique. Trust technique, not guessing what DL is going to do, and he is tough to beat.

Marvin Wilson, top DT in 2017 class, had moments where he got coaches excited & proved to be a Real Life Goon, consistency will be job 1.

Chase Young is quick off the ball & really soaked up coaching from Chuck Wylie, who helped him add some power & spin move to his speed game.

Baron Browning, another stud athlete at LB, kid understands how to control his aggression getting to RB to make a play.

Jeff Thomas was open so often. Speedy WR who won the 40, showed crisp start/stop ability, speed translates & he has great hands in traffic.

Lots of praise for our guys in this article. Here's some snippets:

Five receivers who should be rated higher

One thing I like to do is to pull up the position rankings after an event like this and see what looks out of place. Here are five receivers I think should be rated five spots higher than they are as of July 12 in the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Jerry Jeudy, No. 7: People ask what Jeudy does best, and the answer is that he has no weaknesses. His size is good at a legit 6’1, routes are strong, feel for the game and hands are plus, speed and quickness are also strengths. He’s not the best at any one thing but not having any weaknesses is a tremendous trait. Jeudy is considering Alabama and Miami, among others.
Devonta Smith, No. 10: Smith has the suddenness usually seen in shorter players, but at 6’1 he is so smooth that opponents seem not to realize how quick he really is. Oh, and his body control is excellent, allowing for acrobatic catches. Smith is considering Alabama, Miami, Nebraska and Mississippi State.

Tyrell Shavers, No. 22: At 6’6 and 202 pounds, Shavers is just filling out and keeps getting better at the position. He has smooth long speed and as he focuses more on football and less on baseball, he’ll only get better. Shavers is committed to Alabama.

I didn’t think it was possible, but Alabama’s class might be underrated

I already mentioned receiver commit Tyrell Shavers, but Vandarius Cowan at 6’4 and 226 pounds again showed that he can actually cover and does not have to be pigeonholed into a defensive end role like many think. Being able to stick at linebacker with that size entering his senior year is a five-star trait. It’s possible Cowan blows up in a college weight program and moves to defensive end, but if he ends up at 235 or 240 he can absolutely play inside linebacker in Alabama’s 3-4 defense. And JUCO offensive tackle Elliott Baker is a plug-and-play starter according to those I spoke with who have seen him in person.

Meanwhile, QB commit Tua Tagovailoa was named the MVP of the event. He told us he is committed to Alabama, but sources at the event will not be surprised if he ends up at USC. We do not believe Oregon is seriously a player despite offering.

LINK

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Meanwhile, QB commit Tua Tagovailoa was named the MVP of the event. He told us he is committed to Alabama, but sources at the event will not be surprised if he ends up at USC.

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We all need to be hoping that Jack Sears commits to USCw in a couple weeks. I think that will end all this Tua flip talk.

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Why would you ever do that exercise when you can just squat is my question?

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My guess would be to help safely adjust to a new increase in weight. Helps him to get use to it safely. Maybe do it a few days like this then without the box. Just a hunch.

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