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

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He's lost three fumbles in six years you fricking slack jawed piece of shite. Goddamn you LSixU fans are fricking stupid.

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Shaun Wade update OK, OK … so what’s up with Shaun Wade? Yes, the 5-star corner from Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian committed to the Buckeyes, but all the talk about ‘Bama just won’t stop. Shaun’s official visit — like that of the Bishop Gorman gang — is ongoing, and will conclude on Monday. He attended Ohio State’s exhibition basketball game against Walsh on Sunday afternoon, taking in a bit more of the campus with his family. One source who has spent some time with Wade this weekend minced no words. “Shaun loves it here,” the source shared. “He just says he’s taking visits because there’s no reason not to.” OK, but what about ‘Bama? “I think he’s going to stay with us,” the source added. “I am not worried.” While I’m a huge fan of the confidence, it’s myopic to not worry about ‘Bama, because ‘Bama is ‘Bama, you know? I did briefly chat with Randy Wade, Shaun’s father, on Sunday afternoon and he said things are going very well. “Things are good,” he said. “(Shaun) loved the game.” I hope to have more from the Wade visit in Monday night’s Dotting the ‘Eyes.

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Four-star offensive tackle Jedrick Wills of Lexington (Ky.) Lafayette will officially visit Alabama after the season, according to ESPN's Gerry Hamilton.

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Jones firmly entrenched in Alabama’s class

Mac Jones still hears from naysayers who question why he’d want to go to Alabama when the Tide have a 5-star quarterback commitment in this class.

Jones, a 4-star prospect from The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.), flipped his commitment from Kentucky to Alabama this summer knowing Tua Tagovailoa was committed and more heralded in the recruiting rankings. He doesn’t care about that though, because he’s confident in his abilities and what he can bring to Alabama.

“I know that I’m the ‘second’ quarterback in the class,” Jones told SEC Country. “There’s been a bunch of noise about how I’m not as good as other people. I just want to go in there with a level head and get a fresh start. It’s going to be weird to be a freshman again. I just want to earn my respect from people and work hard for the best team in the nation.

“I know what I see in the potential to be a part of Alabama’s team. People ask me randomly — if they know about Alabama recruiting — why I would commit there. It’s kind of silly. It’s my decision and I’m sticking with it.”

He and Tagovailoa haven’t talked much, but they do communicate with each other on Twitter from time to time. Both quarterbacks have led their team to their respective state playoffs, so time to chat is limited. Tagovailoa has led the Saint Louis Crusaders (Honolulu) to the state semifinals and Jones has quarterbacked the Bolles Bulldogs to an undefeated season as the playoffs are set to begin. Both teams are expected to compete for a state championship.

“We’re both pretty busy with our seasons right now,” Jones said. “I know he’s doing very well over there in Hawaii. I’m really proud of him. Once our seasons end and slow down, I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to talk to him more.”

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect said he keeps in touch with coaches from Kentucky and Missouri because “it doesn’t hurt to talk to people and keep up the relationships,” but Alabama is where his heart is at.

“I still feel 100 percent for sure,” Jones said. “I only sent in one college application, and I’ve already been accepted. I’m locked in, and I feel pretty good about it. I don’t think anything is going to change.”

Alabama is currently running an offense that doesn’t necessarily suit Jones’ skills as a pro-style quarterback, but he’s not worried about that because he understands that Jalen Hurts presents the best chance for the Tide to continue winning.

The Tide won last year’s championship with pro-style quarterback Jake Coker, so Jones knows that if it turns out in the future that he’s the right guy to start for the Tide, the team would just readjust the offense just like it did for Hurts.

“I’m squared away with them, in terms of what they are going to do on offense,” Jones said. “There’s no confusion from me. They are just doing what’s best for them right now. That’s just part of the business.

“If something works out with a different quarterback, then they’d change their offense for that guy. As long as it’s working, I don’t think they’d change their offense. They’re always open-minded and honest with me.”

Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin played a big role in getting Jones to flip his commitment from Kentucky to Alabama. Kiffin actually stood up for Jones when the quarterback received a subtle message from a Kentucky assistant who disagreed with the recruit’s decision.

Jones is aware that this could possibly be Kiffin’s last year in Tuscaloosa, as he potentially could get another head coaching opportunity elsewhere. Even with a possible change at offensive coordinator, that won’t be enough for the quarterback to seriously consider other schools.

“I’ve heard the rumors about him possibly leaving. I just like the Alabama program in general, though,” Jones said. “I know that Coach (Nick) Saban will run the same type of offense. He kind of runs the ship. If Coach Kiffin leaves, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. It would definitely be disappointing for sure, so I hope he stays.”

The nation’s No. 15 pro-style quarterback visited Tuscaloosa for the Texas A&M game and plans to return for his official visit, which hasn’t been set up yet. He doesn’t plan on visiting any other schools before he enrolls at Alabama this summer. He would be an early enrollee, but Bolles doesn’t allow its students to graduate from high school in December like other schools across the country.

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5-star DT Wilson: LSU, Bama defenses impressed

How does a 10-0 game look to a viewer? To a 5-star defensive tackle like Marvin Wilson, those types of games are few and far between, but extremely easy on the eyes.

The Bellaire, Texas, stud lineman has LSU and Alabama on his list of schools to consider, and even though Alabama left Death Valley with the shutout win, it was the defensive performances of both schools that caught his attention Saturday evening.

"It was the game of the year to me," Wilson said. "That was the best defensive game I have ever seen in my life."

Wilson then uttered words that will pique the interests of both Alabama and LSU supporters.

"They both have surged in my recruitment," he noted.

The 6'4", 329-pound defensive tackle, who has just south of 30 offers, is continuing to keep his recruiting an open book for all schools, but he's mentioned on multiple occasions that he wants to play for a defensive juggernaut, a team that has a strong defensive history and a place where he can contribute immediately.

Alabama and LSU fit the bill, but schools like Florida State, Ohio State, Oklahoma and in-state schools Texas and Texas A&M also are looking to earn his signature when he signs in February.

It's a process he said he's continuing to narrow down. So far, Wilson's taken official visits to Oklahoma and Florida State. He said he is looking to take the remaining three before making a decision—which could come in January at the Under Armour All-America Game.

"I mean, it's been frustrating, stressful and confusing," Wilson said of the process, "but at the same time it's been everything I always dreamed of. It's great to be wanted."

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