Started By
Message
re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition
Posted on 10/7/16 at 10:18 am to Bama3714
Posted on 10/7/16 at 10:18 am to Bama3714
quote:
It doesn’t matter how good a team’s quarterback, wide receivers or running backs are if the offensive line can't block. There have been some exceptional offensive linemen that were rated five-stars coming out of high school and are now important players on NFL teams. Here are the top five five-star offensive linemen in the Rivals.com era.
LINK
4
Posted on 10/7/16 at 10:19 am to TideSaint
quote:
1. Tyron Smith
2. Andre Smith
Why he’s No. 2: Smith landed a multitude of awards and honors while at Alabama. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, All-SEC team and All-American in consecutive years and capped off his career with an Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top offensive lineman. The Bengals drafted Smith No. 6 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft and he has since had an up and down career. He is currently playing for the Minnesota Vikings.
Back when we met him: While Tyron Smith had a massive, lean frame as a high school prospect, Andre Smith was shorter, slower and not very lean. Certainly his measureables weren’t bad but thankfully the film told a different story. Smith destroyed players on film, blocking them out of the frame or driving them into the ground.
3. Eugene Monroe
4. Alex Boone
5. Mike Adams
Posted on 10/7/16 at 10:20 am to TideSaint
LaBryan Ray on the cancellation of the Florida-L5U game:
I'm guessing he was supposed to attend?
ETA: Ray was scheduled to take an OV to Florida this weekend per Bleacher Report.
quote:
"Of course I'm not happy about it being canceled but there's more important things like safety. So I agree with the decision."
I'm guessing he was supposed to attend?
ETA: Ray was scheduled to take an OV to Florida this weekend per Bleacher Report.
This post was edited on 10/7/16 at 10:47 am
Posted on 10/7/16 at 10:48 am to TideSaint
quote:
Coveted members of the 2017 recruiting class continue to come off the board as weeks progress, with top-ranked linebacker Dylan Moses delivering the latest key development via Sunday's commitment to Alabama.
While plenty of premier prospects have already identified a collegiate destination—some announcing those intentions years ago as underclassmen—many remain undecided more than a month into their senior high school seasons. Expect dozens of blue-chip recruits to wait until after this campaign to conclude their recruitment, creating compelling storylines across the college football landscape.
We don't yet know commitment plans for an array of highly pursued athletes but a significant group has provided indication of their decision timeline. Here's a peek at 10 players expected to announce college commitments following their final prep seasons.
From dominant defensive linemen to field-stretching receivers, these are the types of recruits who can help enhance a class as national signing day approaches.
LINK
Posted on 10/7/16 at 10:48 am to TideSaint
quote:
4-star DE LaBryan Ray
High School: James Clemens (Madison, Alabama)
Size: 6'4", 260 lbs
Scout.com Ranking: No. 14 defensive end
Contenders include Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Tennessee
Recruitment Update
Don't expect a decision any time soon from dynamic lineman LaBryan Ray, who provides potential at multiple positions along the defensive front. A Jan. 1 announcement during the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando is possible, but an expansive recruiting process could stretch to the brink of national signing day.
"I'm going to take a couple of officials in December and January, and I'll probably decide after that," he told Daniel Boyette of AL.com.
It's an all-out SEC battle for Ray, who dominated opponents en route to 113 tackles—20 tackles for loss—and 12 sacks last season. He plans to attend Florida's home game against LSU this weekend, according to Boyette, though the impending arrival of Hurricane Matthew could threaten that outcome.
Alabama rarely misses out on its top in-state targets, so rival SEC squads may be fighting an uphill battle against Nick Saban.
Posted on 10/7/16 at 10:49 am to TideSaint
quote:
5-star WR Devonta Smith
High School: Amite (Amite, Louisiana)
Size: 6'1", 160 lbs
Scout.com Ranking: No. 2 receiver
Contenders include Alabama, LSU and Miami
Recruitment Update
Devonta Smith was slated to announce a commitment in August but decided to hold off in the aftermath of widespread flooding throughout Louisiana. He instead entered his senior season undecided and is expected to complete it that way, eyeing a national signing day (Feb. 1) announcement, according to Sam Spiegelman of SEC Country.
Considered one of the top overall available offensive prospects in this cycle, Smith admitted in August he found difficulty weighing college options.
“To be honest, I don’t know [what will separate LSU, Alabama and Miami]," Smith said. "I knew I was going to get up to the table [last week] and pick right then, and I wasn’t able to do that.”
Since the postponement, Alabama entrenched itself atop the AP Top 25 poll, Miami climbed into the Top 10 and LSU dismissed head coach Les Miles. The Crimson Tide were speculated to be his slam-dunk choice this summer, and a strong offensive season led by true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts should only help Alabama.
Posted on 10/7/16 at 10:49 am to TideSaint
quote:
5-star DT Marvin WilsonHigh School: Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas)
Size: 6'4", 329 lbs
Scout.com Ranking: No. 1 defensive tackle
Contenders include Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Texas and Texas A&M
Recruitment Update
The biggest fish in the pond among available 2017 defensive line recruits, Marvin Wilson will command attention until national signing day. That's when he will pick a college program from his expansive list, according to Chris Kirschner of SEC Country.
Wilson is yet another priority LSU target likely to be influenced by the fate of interim head coach Ed Orgeron, who helped spearhead the Tigers' recruiting efforts during his days as an assistant under Les Miles. Alabama provides compelling SEC competition, as his rapport continues to develop with first-year Crimson Tide defensive line coach Karl Dunbar.
“[Five-star offensive tackle] Alex Leatherwood and [5-star linebacker] VanDarius Cowan are very close friends of mine, and they helped Alabama get back into it,” Wilson told Kirschner this summer. “They have been telling me to just all get together and win a national championship.”
There's another title contender in the mix with Ohio State, where he will use an official visit, according to Bill Kurelic of 247Sports. Wilson witnessed a big-time Buckeyes performance last month when he traveled to Oklahoma, and Ohio State assistant Larry Johnson is among the game's most revered defensive line coaches.
Texas, and potentially Texas A&M, could push him to consider staying in the Lone Star State, but this is a crowded race.
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:12 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Welcome to the Alabama recruiting mailbag, I am your letter-opener Chris Kirschner.
Questions for the mailbag were submitted to me via my Twitter account, which you can follow here. If you didn’t get a chance to submit your question for this edition of the mailbag, you still can send me questions for future editions by tweeting me or emailing me at chriskajc@gmail.com.
There were A LOT of good questions this week, so let’s dig in.
LINK
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:13 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Is there a chance that Texas prospects like Baron Browning and Marvin Wilson could consider Alabama more if Charlie Strong got fired from Texas?
From (@JackIke16)
With the way this season is going for Texas, it seems like it’s a given that Charlie Strong won’t be the Longhorns’ coach in 2017.
Like with any head coaching change, there’s going to be a major impact on recruiting.
The two prospects you mentioned, 5-star linebacker Baron Browning and 5-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, are considering Alabama but look like long shots at this moment.
Will they consider Alabama more if Strong gets fired? That’s definitely possible, especially in Browning’s case. I still think Wilson going to Alabama is highly unlikely. It’s possible he doesn’t even take an official visit to Alabama before he commits on National Signing Day.
Browning is scheduled to take an official visit to Alabama for the Tide’s game against Texas A&M, and there’s always a chance to blow away prospects on those visits. It happened just last Sunday with 5-star linebacker Dylan Moses, who committed to Alabama after his official visit for the Kentucky game.
Tosh Lupoi, Alabama’s outside linebackers coach, is spearheading Browning’s recruitment, and that’s a good thing because he’s arguably the top recruiter in the country.
Even with Strong looking like he’s out at Texas, I still don’t think either of these guys commit to Alabama.
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:14 pm to TideSaint
quote:
It seems like Devonta Smith is a lock, who becomes that 4th WR in this class?
From (@rburn20)
First off, you are right about 4-star wide receiver Devonta Smith appearing like a lock for Alabama. Nothing in recruiting is ever 100 percent locked, but Smith is probably 99 percent locked for Alabama.
If Alabama lands Smith, which I am expecting to happen, he would be the third wide receiver to go along with 4-star commitments Jerry Jeudy and Tyrell Shavers.
The Tide are looking to sign four wide receivers in the Class of 2017, and I’m still expecting them to add 4-star prospect Henry Ruggs III at some point.
As the days go by, my confidence in projecting Ruggs in this class fades slowly. At one point, he was my No. 1 pick for the biggest lock for Alabama. He then delayed his Aug. 1 commitment date because of trips he took to Penn State and Auburn. I have not seen Ruggs on the sidelines at any Alabama home games so far.
He’s definitely become infatuated with Auburn over the past few months, but I think that will die down as the season goes along. It also remains very possible that Gus Malzahn will get fired.
One thing that is possible is Ruggs, who has visited Alabama countless times, is going on all of these other trips to compare those schools to Alabama. I think that is a very possible situation.
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:14 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Do you think Alex Leatherwood will sign with Alabama on signing day?
From (@footballrecc)
Yes. I get it that it’s always concerning seeing your 5-star commitments take visits elsewhere. Leatherwood, the nation’s No. 5 overall player, is going to take four more official visits, and you can expect him to say he loves each and every one of them.
After his official visit to Michigan last weekend, he told SEC Country that the trip made him rethink his commitment. Do I believe that? No.
Leatherwood loves Alabama. That’s where his heart is. He is the team’s best recruiter when it comes to getting other top players to choose Alabama. He even played a part in landing Dylan Moses.
Despite what he may say in interviews, I know that it’s going to take something major for him to reconsider his commitment to Alabama. For example, if Alabama offensive line coach Mario Cristobal leaves after the season, I could see Leatherwood start to truly reconsider his commitment.
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:15 pm to TideSaint
quote:
You have Conliffe, Mathis, Ray, & Byers to the Tide. If the Tide got another DT, would could that be?
From (@LDW1884)
I think the answer has to be 4-star defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon. Solomon, who de-committed from Michigan last month, is strongly considering Alabama. I think when he ultimately decides to commit, his decision will come down to Alabama and Georgia.
Georgia should be considered the favorite because he has told me in the past that he feels more comfortable with the players on its roster than Alabama’s. He also has more relationships with the Bulldogs commitments than with the Tide commitments.
Solomon is all about relationships, and the Bulldogs have the edge in that category.
His mother is the key to his commitment though. Solomon is a mama’s boy. She must approve of her son’s decision. Luckily for Alabama, she loves the program Nick Saban runs.
The Tide just need to host Solomon and his mother on campus a few more times before he makes his commitment.
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:20 pm to TideSaint
Can Alabama land another #1 class? (Video)
This post was edited on 10/7/16 at 12:21 pm
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:23 pm to TideSaint
Leatherwood is a EE, he will enroll in January.
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:25 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Nick Saban's words on the subject of football always carry weight. His objections to two new proposed early signing periods, one in June and another in December, already are echoing across the landscape.
His concerns about accelerating the recruiting process would be even more persuasive if he hadn't expressed them three days after getting a commitment from five-star linebacker prospect Dylan Moses.
That's the same Dylan Moses who first received a scholarship offer from Alabama, LSU and others while he was still in the eighth grade.
It's no wonder coaches such as Saban and Urban Meyer have voiced strong opposition to the early signing periods. They know they won't be able to stop themselves from loading up on early signees even though those June and December periods would be optional, not required.
Saban focused on the potential for more recruiting mistakes if prospects are allowed to sign a National Letter of Intent early during two 72-hour periods, one beginning the last Wednesday in June, the other in mid-December coinciding with the initial period junior college players can sign. That's the proposal from the NCAA Division I Council by way of the DI Football Oversight Committee, and it must be approved by the NCAA Board of Directors and the Collegiate Commissioners Association, which oversees the NLI program.
Todd Berry, the executive director of the American Football Coaches Association, explained the proposal this way: "Our student-athletes have asked for an earlier access point, and as coaches we are respectful of their desire for that. ... Our first filter in making any of these decisions is whether or not it is good for the student-athletes."
As it should be.
Consider the benefits. More prospects commit earlier than ever, and most of them stick to their commitment until National Signing Day in February. An early signing period gives them the chance to end their recruiting on their timetable and focus on their senior year in high school.
Under the current system, because college coaches can't help themselves, a commitment in June doesn't end the recruiting process. It often ramps it up as coaches try to flip those commitments all the way until National Signing Day in February.
Early signing periods benefit the high school player, who can make his college choice official and focus on his senior year; the high school coach, who will have fewer players distracted by the recruiting process; and the college coach, who won't have to babysit his commitments through his own season.
Saban suggested that, with early signing periods in place, Alabama "probably" wouldn't have landed freshman running back Joshua Jacobs. Atypical among Alabama signees, he wasn't recruited early and often by other big-name programs and landed on the Crimson Tide's radar late in the process.
"Because we would probably be full, and that's what I'm talking about," Saban said. "We would probably make some academic, character and maybe evaluation mistakes because you aren't even seeing a guy play during his senior season."
There's an easy answer to that potential dilemma. Don't sign too many players early. In June, sign only the guys who aren't academic, character or ability risks. If you need to see a player as a high school senior, wait to sign him until December. If you need to know more about him as a student and a person, wait until February.
If you're worried someone else will sign him early if you don't, that's the kind of judgment they pay you north of $7 million a year to make. Besides, no matter how they change the recruiting rules, Saban and Alabama have demonstrated they will adapt to them better than anyone. It's hard for him to drum up any sympathy on this subject when he reels in the No. 1 class year after year after year.
Ditto for Meyer at Ohio State, one of Saban's few true peers as a national recruiter. Saban and Meyer have more power than most coaches to land a recruit late in the process, and it's understandable that they want to preserve that opportunity.
But what's best for them at the top of the food chain isn't necessarily what's best for the majority of recruits and the majority of programs.
Saban made another point that fell flat.
"The other thing from a high school coaches' standpoint: I mean, what is really the guy's motivation to play and really work hard to get better to play for his team in his senior year?"
Does he really believe high school seniors are motivated only to earn the best possible college scholarship? Don't they also want to succeed for their teammates, their teams and their schools? Will they slack off or lay down in July, August, September, October and November if they've signed a letter of intent in June?
Perhaps in some cases, but a high school player playing only for himself and his scholarship doesn't sound like the kind of team player Saban would want on his roster.
There is one addendum needed in the final draft of the legislation to make the early signing periods as player-friendly as possible. Add an out clause allowing an early signee to change his mind if the head coach at that school is no longer on the job come National Signing Day in February. The head coach is one of the most important factors for a recruit in choosing a college.
Neither Saban nor Meyer could dispute that point.
LINK
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:26 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Bob Jones four-star tackle and Alabama commitment Kendall Randolph has been added to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl roster, according to Patriots coach Kevin Rose.
The game, which pits top senior players from across the country, is Jan.7 in San Antonio.
Randolph (6-foo-5, 290 pounds) committed to the Crimson Tide on July 31. He is rated the No. 21 offensive tackle in the country by the 247Sports Composite and is the No. 8 player on AL.com's A-List of the state's best senior recruits. Randolph was also selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.
The only Alabama player currently on the Army roster is Jackson-Olin linebacker and Auburn commit T.D. Moultry.
Four other state standouts were selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game: James Clemens defensive end LaBryan Ray, Central-Phenix City linebacker Markail Benton, St. Paul's defensive end Ryan Johnson and Madison Academy offensive tackle Austin Troxell (who will not play due to an injury).
LINK
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:27 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Each week, AL.com will highlight where our A-Listers play, plus where in-state Alabama and Auburn commits are playing if they aren't in the A-List.
Here is where the A-List plays. Games are on Friday at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Players' college commitments, if applicable, are in parentheses.
1. LaBryan Ray, DL, James Clemens - Jets host Huntsville on Thursday
2. Nico Collins, WR, Clay-Chalkville - Cougars host Carver-Birmingham
3. Austin Troxell, OL, Madison Academy - Troxell (Auburn) and the Mustangs are at Madison Academy, but Troxell is out for the season wtih a knee injury.
4. Markail Benton, LB, Central-Phenix City - Benton (Alabama) and the Red Devils are at Jeff Davis Friday at Cramton Bowl
5. Ryan Johnson, DL, St. Paul's - Johnson and the Saints host Citronelle
6. Brian Robinson, RB, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa - Robinson (Alabama) and the Patriots are off.
7. Will Ignont, LB, Buckhorn - Bucks host Grissom
8. Kendall Randolph, OL, Bob Jones - Randolph (Alabama) and the Patriots host Gadsden City
9. Alaric Williams, RB/ATH, Southside-Gadsden - Williams (Auburn) and Southside are at Brewer
10. Henry Ruggs, WR, Lee-Montgomery - Ruggs and Lee face Auburn on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Cramton Bowl
11. T.D. Moultry, LB, Jackson-Olin - Moultry (Auburn) and the Mustangs are at Shades Valley
12. Chadarius Townsend, QB/ATH, Tanner - Townsend (Alabama) and Tanner are at Tarrant
13. Justin Thomas, DL, Spanish Fort - Thomas (LSU) and Toros host Foley
14. Malcolm Askew, QB/ATH, McAdory - Askew (Auburn) and Yellow Jackets host Bessemer City
15. Neil Farrell, DL, Murphy - Farrell (LSU) and Murphy host Theodore
In-state Alabama commits
Hunter Brannon, OL, Cullman - Bearcats are off
Kyriq McDonald, DB, James Clemens - Jets host Huntsville on Thursday
LINK
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:30 pm to TideSaint
Jerry Jeudy Mid-Season Highlights
I didn't count the touchdowns he had, but if this is a mid-season highlight he has to be on pace for 30 TDs this season.
I didn't count the touchdowns he had, but if this is a mid-season highlight he has to be on pace for 30 TDs this season.
This post was edited on 10/7/16 at 12:58 pm
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:32 pm to TideSaint
quote:
James Clemens retained its share of second place in Class 7A, Region 4 by beating visiting Huntsville 55-8 tonight.
Bradley Belt rushed for three touchdowns to spark the No. 7-ranked Jets (5-2, 4-1) to a 41-0 first-half lead. The special teams chipped in with touchdown returns on a blocked punt and a punt return. The defense also added a score on an interception return.
Huntsville fell to 2-5 and 1-4.
Huntsville stat sheet: Matthew Nowlin rushed for a 10-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left in the game. He completed a pass to Luke Haider for a two-point conversion. Tyler Battle had an interception.
James Clemens stat sheet: Torolla Walker returned a blocked punt by Lance Meade for a 1-yard touchdown. Kyriq McDonald had a 73-yard punt return for a score. Monty Rice added a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown. Jackson Nowlin and Cameron Cassidy had a touchdown run apiece. LaBryan Ray recovered a fumble and had two tackles for a loss.
By the numbers: 5 - Number of consecutive win by James Clemens; 3 - Interceptions by the Jets' defense.
Coachspeak: "We did a great job in the return game tonight. We had two taken to the house and one of them came back (due to a penalty)." -- James Clemens coach Wade Waldrop
He said it: "Hopefully we just keep our heads on straight and try to finish the season out however we want it." -- Ray
Next week: Both teams will play region games. Huntsville hosts Hewitt-Trussville on Oct. 14. James Clemens hosts Buckhorn.
LINK
Posted on 10/7/16 at 12:33 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Ryan Johnson watched former St. Paul’s standouts Tre Williams and Josh Casher receive their Under Armour All-American jerseys when he was a sophomore.
On Friday, it was his turn.
The Saints’ standout defensive end was officially awarded his jersey for the Jan. 1 game in Orlando, Fla., in front of a homecoming pep rally at E.E. Delaney Stadium.
“I never thought I would get to this point,” Johnson said. “This is awesome.”
Johnson, ranked No. 5 on AL.com’s initial A-List of top senior recruits in the state, is the third St. Paul’s player in three years to play in the game. Casher, now at Alabama, and Williams, now at Auburn, were on the 2014 roster. St. Paul’s head coach Steve Mask also served as an assistant in that game.
“It’s a big honor,” Mask said of Johnson making the roster this season. “To be chosen as one of the top 90 players in the nation says volumes about Ryan and what he has done on and off the field. His jersey will now go on the wall in our fieldhouse. He has really worked hard to put himself in this position.”
Johnson is one of five players from Alabama invited to play in this year’s game. The others are defensive tackle LaBryan Ray of James Clemens, linebacker Markail Benton of Central Phenix-City and offensive tackle Austin Troxell of Madison Academy.
The 2017 game will be played at Noon on New Year’s Day and be televised live on ESPN.
“I love it,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to be the best I can be and going against the top competition in the nation can only help.”
Johnson and the Saints are ranked No. 1 in Class 5A again after their win at Jackson last week. They host Region 1 rival Citronelle tonight. Johnson shifted from end to middle linebacker against the Aggies last week.
“We’ve been sort of holding that out a little,” Mask said. “He may play there some tonight. We felt with his athletic ability and ability to run side to side, we could impact the game a little bit more with him there. He’ll be a defensive lineman in college but for what we need right now he is helping us at both spots.”
The 6-foot-4, 252-pound Johnson is still uncommitted. He said Friday morning he will likely make his college decision in January. He narrowed his choices to 12 in May – down from more than 50 offers nationwide.
On Friday, he said he’ll likely take visits to Texas, Alabama, Auburn, Southern Cal and Stanford.
“I’ve put it in the back of my mind right now,” he said. “I’m just trying to end my senior year on a great note and help us three-peat. The rest will take care of itself.”
LINK
Page 388 of 864
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News