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

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Where does Harris stand with the Tide?

Todd Harris had said this summer that if he ended up getting an offer from Alabama, it would be a game-changer in his recruitment. He wasn’t lying.

Harris, a 4-star safety from Plaquemine (La.) High School, was seen as a near lock to LSU this summer, but getting the offer from Alabama changed things and made him reevaluate his recruitment.

“Alabama is always competing for a national championship every year,” Harris said as to why it was an important offer for him. “They have a great coaching staff. Alabama has an amazing academic program. Their fans are very, very supportive.”

The nation’s No. 8 safety will take an official visit to Alabama at some point this fall, but a date hasn’t been scheduled yet. Even without those 48 hours on campus in Tuscaloosa, he’s seen enough to say he can visualize himself in an Alabama jersey come 2017.

“That’s a school that I can see myself playing at,” Harris said. “Alabama puts DBs in the league every year. Coach Saban and coach Ansley are both great DB coaches. I know if I go to Alabama, I have people who are looking out for the best for me. They train guys for the next level, not just college.”

What bodes well for Alabama’s chances is the fact that Harris does feel comfortable at the school. It’s the main thing he’s looking for when he does choose his college, which will likely happen at the Under Armour All-America Game on Jan. 1, he said.

Alabama also presents a better opportunity for early playing time in the defensive backfield than the perceived favorite in his recruitment, LSU.

The Tigers do have two safety commits in the Class of 2017 in 5-star prospect JaCoby Stevens and 4-star recruit Grant Delpit. Alabama is drilling its depth chart into Harris’ head.

“I know they are very short on defensive backs,” Harris said. “If I go there, I know I have a chance to make an impact immediately. I know they don’t have any true safeties in the 2017 class. The board is still clear right now. It’s a great opportunity for playing time and a freshman to get out there next year and ball out.”

The Tide do have a commitment from 3-star defensive back Kyriq McDonald, who could play safety. But like McDonald, who could end up playing multiple positions for Alabama, Harris has been pitched that opportunity, too.

In addition to safety, Harris said the staff likes him at the star position, which is the extra defensive back in the team’s nickel defense. The sixth defensive back takes the position of the weak-side linebacker in Alabama’s defense.

It’s a position that intrigues Harris. When he attended Alabama’s summer camp, defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley gave Harris a quick rundown of the star position, and he ended up liking it.

“It’s not really that hard, but with me doing it for that short amount of time, like 30 minutes, it was a lot for me,” Harris said. “I think if I had more time to study and have coach coach me up, I think that position wouldn’t be too bad of a fit for me. I think it may even be a better fit for me than safety.”

Because LSU does have those two commitments at safety in its class this year, Alabama could be the lucky beneficiary when Harris commits.

He said that loaded depth charts do matter, and Alabama’s is favorable for early playing time. He also had an interesting comment about where he stands with LSU and his viewpoint on if the Tigers do happen to miss out on his commitment.

“I still feel like I am a top target for (LSU), but if they don’t get me, they do have two solid safety commitments already, so I don’t think they’re too worried,” Harris said.

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1. USC - 48 5-stars

T2. Alabama - 34 5-stars

Despite landing just one five-star player from 2002-2007, Alabama finds itself as a top-three program all-time during the Rivals era for landing five-star players, thanks in large part to the success of one Nick Saban. Since 2008 Saban has never lost more than three games in a season, and in that same time frame he secured commitments from 33 five-star players. The class of 2014 was Saban’s more impressive - he landed six such players, led by the top overall player in the country, Da’Shawn Hand, and the likes of Marlon Humphrey and Bo Scarbrough.

T2. Florida - 34 5-stars
4. Florida State - 31 5-stars
5. L5U - 23 5-stars

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Najee Harris

The biggest threat: Pac-12 schools - mainly Cal, UCLA and possibly USC - seemed like the likeliest contenders here but in the past few months that has changed. Michigan is now the biggest threat to Alabama in keeping Harris and the Wolverines don't seem to be giving up.

Why he might flip: If Michigan wins the national championship, or if Harris is convinced Jim Harbaugh's offense would be the best fit for him, then he could change his mind. If Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin gets a head coaching job and Harris isn't certain Alabama is the best fit any longer, it could happen as well. The only other factor at this point is if Harris decides staying closer to home and playing in the Pac-12 is better for him but that hasn't been an issue so far.

Why he will stick: It's Alabama. The Crimson Tide put running backs in the NFL all the time, Derrick Henry being the latest, and Harris has all the tools to be special in Tuscaloosa. At this point, there have been no serious indications that Harris is super serious about any other programs and his commitment to the Crimson Tide remains strong. - Rivals.com National recruiting analyst Adam Gorney

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Shaun Wade

The biggest threat: Alabama

Why he might flip: It was once thought that Florida, not Alabama, posed the biggest threat to Ohio State when it comes to Wade. That seems to be an old talking point at this juncture. The Tide offer Wade a chance to stay in the Southeast and compete for a championship. He's never totally ruled out the possibility of a change of heart, making Wade one to watch down the stretch.

Why he will stick: Wade has been committed to Ohio State for some time and his bond with the staff is a strong one. He's seen the campus and feels at home in Columbus. The roots he's already placed at Ohio State will be tough to pull. - Rivals.com Southeast recruiting analyst Rob Cassidy

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