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

Such is life at an elite program in the 85 scholarship limit era.

Not sure where to begin:

1. Of course grades affect rankings. If you cant qualify you cant play; if you cant play whats the point of a ranking ? This is common sense.

2. Fans pay the bills, and keep the lights on so to say, but at the end of the day its about the young men and their development. Training hard at their craft, building relationships, and doing good in school is all about their development as young men. If you think "star rankings" are more important than their character development, and their grades then it may be time for a reality check. If they cant get it together in the classroom the last thing you want to do is reward them with a 5* ranking. Priorities, people.

3. While we can talk about evaluations, "ceilings", and where certain players rank on the big board that will always be speculation at best unless Pruitt or Saban create an account here and start giving us daily reports. With that said all we can really do is try to piece together the info we have then cross reference that info with how things have shook out in the past.

By that logic here are some past lessons learned.

"Project players" have never really had much success at Bama. Players that dont really have a position out of HS most often get beat out by those that do in this system. (at least according to my observations)

Also "undersized" players like Chris Black have not had much luck either. I think Maze is the last tiny player to really contribute. Arenas and Cyrus J. were both 200 pounds so even though Arenas 5'9 and Cyrus 5'10 were not "prototypical" they played big, and they had the muscle mass/weight to play in the SEC.

In conclusion -

Past experience would suggest that if Thomas (possibly the fastest player in the country) would absolutely be in this class already if his grades were not a concern. Ruggs does not have a higher ceiling according to "sources." lol

Word was Thomas was told to get his grades in order. My guess based on past experience, and what has been shared by industry "insiders" is that the staff would love to have Thomas.

Is there anyone really entertaining the idea that Bama would take a project player over an established player that has clocked the fastest 40 in this recruiting cycle ? lulz puleeze

Vigor
Spanish Fort
St. Pauls
Prattville
Hoover

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Tim Watts asked this question on BOL:

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You can only recruit from five in-state high schools from here to eternity. Which five Alabama high schools do you pick?


I'm not from the state of Alabama so I'm sure I'll miss a bunch of talented areas, but I'd go with Clay-Chalkville, Vigor, Spanish Fort, James Clemens and Hoover.

Thoughts?

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1) St. Paul Episcopal in Mobile- A.J. McCarron, Jacob Coker, and Mark Barron represent the entire Saban Dynasty at Alabama. They've won four National Championships and Barron has become one of the highest paid players in the league. This is a private school that recruits athletes from most talented area in Alabama. Coaches should start looking here.

2) Hoover High School- needs no explanation

3) Opelika High School- Reuben Foster and Rashaan Evans are two of our highest rated recruits ever. It's a powerhouse program that is always producing D1 talent. Plus NOTHING feels better than plucking a blue chip recruit right outta Auburn's back yard.

4) Madison Academy- This is the third year in a row they've produced a 4 star prospect. James Clemens and Bob Jones have great programs, but Madison Academy takes talented transfer from public schools every year.

5) Daphne High School- In the last ten years Daphne has produced TJ Yeldon, Ryan Anderson, and Pat White.

Our 2019 commit, Trey Sanders, recently transferred to IMG Academy and is roommates with one time commit, OT Evan Neal.

Yeah, I went with Daphne for producing three elite college football players. Spanish Fort and McGill-Toolen are programs that will win more games though.

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Yeah, I went with Daphne for producing three elite college football players. Spanish Fort and McGill-Toolen are programs that will win more games though.

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I went to Mortimer Jordan in Birmingham (Morris), but my younger siblings went to Fairhope when we moved to south Alabama.

My kids are attending St Paul's.

They are little. 2 of the 3 are girls. We will find out in about 5 years or so where we stand on HS football. If we have more boys then we will have a good shot. Considering I played QB in HS and pitched in college and the minors. But it doesn't always pan out that way. Every person is different. I'm nothing like my dad. My dad was a RB and a DB. I was a QB. My wife's side of the family were OL/DL.

Doubt my alma mater, Alabama School of Math and Science, cracks the top 5

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Lol in mobile? Nerd.

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Hey now. My 9 year old finished 3rd in the state in the Mississippi Math and Science School's math competition last fall while I was deployed.

I'd gladly allow him to attend that school as a high schooler.

He could go wherever he wanted with an education like that.