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

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Alabama is on the hunt for its seventh straight recruiting championship. Join us here on SEC Country for a daily recap of Alabama recruiting news, insight on what’s happening behind the scenes, and for a glimpse at what’s coming next.

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Alabama maintains significant lead for Mason

One of Alabama’s top targets in the 2018 class was in Tuscaloosa on Monday, and the trip reaffirmed one thing: The Crimson Tide remains in the driver’s seat to land his commitment.

Myles Mason, a 4-star athlete from Pleasant Grove (Ala.) High School, told SEC Country that Alabama, like it’s done since his ninth grade year, leads for him. He explained why the Crimson Tide still hold the edge over Auburn, which is his No. 2 school.

“I have a great relationship with the coaches,” Mason said. “I’m also really impressed with what Alabama does outside of football with its academics. They have a lot of opportunities to succeed outside of football.”

The 6-foot-3, 197-pound prospect was invited to Alabama’s exclusive Champions Cookout this Friday by director of player personnel Jody Wright. The event is invite-only and is set up for some of the Crimson Tide’s top prospects. Mason is the only confirmed 2018 prospect for the event so far.

“It’s really big for me to be in that position,” Mason said. “It’s just a blessing to know that they are interested in me that much.”

Mason is rated as the nation’s No. 21 safety but he could end up playing wide receiver for the Crimson Tide. While he didn’t participate in camp on Monday because of an ankle injury, he has lined up at wide receiver at previous camps. He plays quarterback for his high school team, but he has no preference on which position he’d like to play in college just yet.

“Coach (Nick) Saban actually told me that if I did go to Alabama, he would let me choose whichever position I prefer,” Mason said.

The state’s No. 7 prospect said he hasn’t thought of committing to Alabama just yet because he is focused on his upcoming season, but he did say if Friday’s visit goes well, he could ultimately decide to pull the trigger and become a part of the Crimson Tide.

“It’s possible,” Mason said.

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One to watch

Monty Rice, a 3-star linebacker from James Clemens High School (Madison, Ala.), will attend Alabama’s camp Wednesday. He was also invited to the team’s cookout on Friday, but he does not know if he will attend just yet.

Rice is teammates with big Alabama targets LaBryan Ray, a 4-star defensive end, and Kyriq McDonald, a 3-star defensive back. The trio has discussed the possibility of playing together in college.

“It would be really cool,” Ray told SEC Country recently. “I’m not going to even lie about that. It would be really exciting to play with those guys for a couple of more years.”

While McDonald and Ray are takes for Alabama’s recruiting class, Rice’s status remains unclear. Alabama already has three linebacker commitments in the Class of 2017 and remain in the mix for several other top linebackers such as 5-stars Chase Young and Baron Browning and 4-star Chris Allen. It is possible though Rice becomes a take at some point, especially if both Ray and McDonald end up at Alabama, which is likely.

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Kelvin Joseph, the nation’s No. 3 cornerback in the Class of 2018, has been in Tuscaloosa since Sunday, and the visit could not have gone any better.

Joseph, a 5-star prospect who is currently committed to LSU, told SEC Country that Alabama has him thinking about reopening his recruitment.

“I’m going to talk about it (when I get home) to make sure I’m making the right decision or if I should rethink my commitment,” Joseph said. “I’m just thinking if I want to de-commit or if I should think about Alabama?”

The main difference that Joseph saw at Alabama over LSU was the 1-on-1 coaching he received in all of the drills he participated in. Joseph also got to spend some time in Nick Saban’s office to breakdown his film from the camp.

That personal coaching Joseph received from Saban has Alabama on his mind.

“I can see myself going there. It would be good,” Joseph said. “He pointed out every detail in that film to make sure I get it right. Les Miles doesn’t really come and tell you 1-on-1 how to do it on defense.”

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound prospect said he’s looking to receive that 1-on-1 coaching at the school he enrolls in, and that’s exactly what Saban and his staff showed Joseph during his 3-day trip to Alabama.

“I’ve learned a lot of different stuff this week like how to stand differently and just other techniques to help my game,” Joseph said. “They really help you become better at Alabama. At LSU, they definitely do that, but they don’t work with you in the drills like Alabama does.”

Now, obviously, the question becomes why wouldn’t Joseph just de-commit if he’s unsure of whether or not he wants to remain with the Tigers? Well, Baton Rouge is where he lives and it’s not that easy for him to leave.

“It’s just home down there,” Joseph said. “They always look out for me.”

The Scotlandville Magnet High School standout said he’s planning on bringing his parents back to Alabama in the near future, but he does not have a set date yet. He is also planning on getting back to LSU in the near future, too.

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Following The Opening earlier this month in Oregon, 247Sports has revised its Top247 player rankings.

You can see the new Top247 in its entirety HERE.

Alabama's commitments and targets both raised their stock in the ratings, and dropped.

Alabama commitments:

Najee Harris, RB, Antioch (Calif.) -- No. 3 to No. 3

Alex Leatherwood, OT, Pensacola (Fla.) Washington -- No. 7 to No. 7

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis -- No. 118 to No. 34

VanDarius Cowan, LB, Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) -- No. 141 to No. 69

Markail Benton, LB, Phenix City (Ala.) Central -- No. 47 to No. 127

Chadarius Townsend, ATH, Tanner (Ala.) -- No. 130 to No. 201

Notable Alabama targets:

Dylan Moses, LB, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy -- No. 4 to No. 4

Baron Browning, LB, Kennedale (Texas) -- No. 11 to No. 11

Marvin Wilson, DT, Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal -- No. 12 to No. 13

Devonta Smith, WR, Amite (La.) -- No. 15 to No. 15

Chase Young, DE, Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic -- No. 22 to No. 21

Jacoby Stevens, ATH, Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Oakland -- No. 25 to No. 24

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Deerfield Beach (Fla.) -- No. 87 to No. 28

Jeff Thomas , WR, East St. Louis (Ill.) -- No. 35 to No. 44

LaBryan Ray, DE, Madison (Ala.) James Clemens -- No. 45 to No. 57

AJ Terrell, CB, Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake -- No. 184 to No. 89

Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Concord (N.C.) -- No. 88 to No. 95

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