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

quote:

---

Is Robinson really set with Alabama?

Alabama has two running back commitments for its Class of 2017. One of them is the nation’s No. 1 overall player, Najee Harris, and the other is a less-mentioned prospect from Tuscaloosa, 4-star Brian Robinson.

Robinson, who plays at Hillcrest High School, which is 7 miles from Bryant-Denny Stadium, committed to Alabama in November 2015. Since then, there hasn’t been much news surrounding him. Maybe that’s because Robinson is a quiet kid, or it could be because of Harris’ commitment to the class.

SEC Country caught up with Robinson after Hillcrest’s game Friday night to see where he stands with his commitment to Alabama. When asked what his status was with Alabama, Robinson hesitated for several seconds before answering.

“I still plan on taking some official visits, but I feel like I am 100 percent set with my commitment,” Robinson said. “Anything can happen with recruiting. With Alabama being in my backyard, I have so much love for the school. I honestly doubt that the love I have for Alabama will ever change.”

I did think it was interesting for Robinson to take right around 4 seconds before saying he feels 100 percent committed. When most commits are asked that question, the usual, immediate response tends to be that they are 100 percent solid.

Robinson said Auburn, Georgia and Ole Miss are still pursuing him, but the Tigers and Bulldogs both have two running back commitments already in their respective classes. Those schools don’t seem like logical destinations at this point, unless something changes with their running back commitments.

Robinson has not set any of his official visits. The good news for Alabama is that his recruitment has died down over the past several months. While those schools remain in contact with him, he’s not receiving daily communication.

“To be honest, I don’t have as many schools coming after me anymore,” Robinson said. “I still get a little bit of interest from the schools I mentioned, but it’s slowed down a lot after my commitment. I feel like I am confident with my decision and I feel like the staff is confident in my commitment, too.”

The nation’s No. 12 running back grew up wanting to play for the Crimson Tide. Almost every single person he knows is an Alabama fan, and that definitely weighs on him as he goes through this process.

Several Alabama fans posed for pictures with Robinson after Friday night’s game. One older gentleman told Robinson how excited he was to cheer on a local star next year when he enrolls in the school. He gets those well wishes often from people in the community.

The dream to play for Alabama is what ultimately may keep one of the top prospects committed to Alabama in the end.

“It’s going to be extremely difficult for me to change my mind,” Robinson said. “I can’t even tell you what would need to happen for me to change my mind.

“Most people don’t understand the love I have for Alabama because I just don’t express it that much. Just let some time pass and I’ll be in the backfield for them.”

---

quote:

---

Junior college DB has Alabama in top 4

Johnathan Abram started four games as a true freshman for Georgia before transferring to Jones County (Ellisville, Miss.) Junior College. His defensive coordinator while he was a Bulldog? Jeremy Pruitt.

Abram, who is a Class of 2017 defensive back, told SEC Country’s Hale McGranahan over the weekend that Alabama is in his top 4 along with LSU, Tennessee and Houston. He will take an official visit to Tuscaloosa this fall.

One of the main reasons why Abram transferred from Georgia was because of Pruitt’s departure from the program. The two were very close, and it was one of the main reasons why Abram committed to Georgia in the first place.

Alabama has defensive back commitments from 3-star junior college cornerback Jhavonte Dean and 3-star defensive back Kyriq McDonald. The Tide are also recruiting 5-star Ohio State cornerback commit Shaun Wade, 5-star LSU safety commit JaCoby Stevens and 4-star safeties Todd Harris and Devon Hunter.

Abram is a name to watch if Alabama misses on some of those names above.

---

quote:

---

College football teams returned to action for the 2016 season's second slate of games this weekend, supplying further indication of which programs may be primed for a strong push toward College Football Playoff contention. There's a long way to go as immense tests await in the weeks and months to come, though we continue to learn a little more with each snap.

The same can be said about top prospects, who are now fully underway with campaigns across the country. Several northern states started high school football seasons following Labor Day, while Battle on the Border in Shreveport, Louisiana, presented a showcase for multiple powerhouses.

In the aftermath of an extensive and highly entertaining stretch of high school football, our weekly examination of premier performances continues with a look at recruits who crushed their competition.

---

quote:

---

This weekend could be a big one, recruiting-wise, as several teams are expected to host big official visits around the country. There are several 2017 athletes, however, still weighing their options. Here's a look at some of the nation's top athletes and where they stand with recruiting.

---

quote:

---

Notre Dame official visit next up for 4-star LB

Nashville, Tennessee, 4-star linebacker Jacob Phillips is one of two athletes among the state's top 10 players still uncommitted. And as he continues his five-week official visit tour and inches closer to a verbal commitment, Phillips said he feels no pressure with the process.

No pressure in choosing the right school. No pressure in making a decision during a certain timeline. And, perhaps more important to those trying to keep him close to home, no pressure in playing out of state.

"All of my top schools are kind of far, except for Alabama," said Phillips, who is considering Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Oregon. "My parents have supported me in my decisions, and it's been great having them involved with official visits."

Phillips visited Oregon on an official visit the weekend of Sept. 3 and is fresh off an official visit from Oklahoma, a visit in which he gave high marks. Notre Dame is next up this weekend, as Phillips will watch the Fighting Irish host Michigan State.

From there, Phillips will take official visits to Alabama the weekend of Sept. 24 and LSU the weekend of Oct. 1. The 6'3 ½", 225-pound athlete, ranked the nation's No. 7 inside linebacker, said he will make a verbal commitment around mid-October.

"It's just a blessing to be able to take [officials] and be able to go with my parents," he said. "All of the schools have what I want. It's just a matter of making the right decision for me."

---

quote:

---

Signing Day 2017 is drawing closer every week, but that hasn't stopped many of the programs in the SEC from showing attention to the top prospects in the class of 2018. Each week schools host many underclassman players for visits and it's likely that commitments will start rolling in soon. In this week's breakdown we take a look at each school and which 2018 prospect will be a key figure in their respective recruiting efforts.

---

quote:

---

LOS ANGELES — Five-star wide receiver Joseph Lewis knows the five schools that will get his official visits. A few of the dates are already locked in for the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Los Angeles (Calif.) Hawkins star.

“I’m going to visit Oregon, Oklahoma, I’m working on the Nebraska one because we have to reschedule that one, Alabama and I have to get Arizona set up too,” Lewis told 247Sports. “I’m going Oregon for the Washington game (October 8), I’m going to Alabama for the Auburn game (November 26), and I’m going to Oklahoma for the Baylor game (November 12).”

The trip to Alabama started to get set over an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa in July.

“Me and the coaching staff was talking and I had a good talk with Nick Saban and Coach [Lane] Kiffin. We were talking about it. I was talking to one of the tour guides and I asked what would be a good game to come here for an official. She said Auburn and another school, and I was like ‘Okay, I may want to come here for the Auburn game.’ That’s really how it got set up.”

Lewis is impressed with what the Crimson Tide have been able to accomplish of late.

“It’s a good program. It’s a prestigious program too. They have some good receivers there like Calvin Ridley and for the past couple years like Julio Jones and Amari Cooper.”

---