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

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I have a bad feeling that Najee is going to Eddy Pineiro us.

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Anna Hickey, a Clemson mod, just CB'd Najee Harris to Michigan.

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The top receiver in Alabama in Henry Ruggs III was awarded his jersey to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Thursday during a ceremony at his Montgomery (Ala.) Lee High School.

Ruggs looks forward to representing his community after the entire student body and faculty were on-hand for the event.

“It’s going to be an honor to play in front of the men and women that serve our country,” Ruggs added.

The 17th annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl returns to San Antonio, Texas on Jan. 7, with NBC having the national broadcast. The Army Bowl is the highest-rated high school sporting event on television every year.

The tradition of the Army Bowl is special with many going on to have great success on Saturdays, and over 300 former Army All-Americans having heard their name called during the NFL Draft including the likes of Andrew Luck, Odell Beckham Jr., Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson, and Patrick Peterson.

Over 35,000 fans attend every year, many of them servicemen and servicewomen.

Ranked by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 21 receiver, Ruggs said he could announce his college decision during the game. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Penn State are among the schools he’s still considering.

The Crimson Tide are the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite and Ruggs returns to Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl.

“My interest has been high for the Tide,” Ruggs said. “It’s a great school with the great program, great players and a great background.”

Ruggs feels close to Nick Saban, Lane Kiffin and Billy Napier.

“I talk to Coach Saban once or twice a month,” Ruggs said. “I speak with Coach Napier on a day to day basis just about. We talk about things other than football and sometimes football.”

Ruggs said that Florida was his “dream school growing up.” There was a time in his life where he thought he’d play basketball in Gainesville.

“They got great players and a great staff and a pretty good team bond,” he said of the Gators football program.

Ruggs enjoyed a recent visit to Florida State and he also continues to keep the Tigers in his thoughts.

“It’s right down the road,” Ruggs said. “It’s an in-state school and they’re good guys over there.”

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Don't sleep on Alabama for the nation's No. 1 outside linebacker per 247Sports in Baron Browning.

247Sports spoke with two sources Thursday that felt Alabama was one of the top schools for the Kennedale (Texas) High standout.

I'm on the verge of picking the Crimson Tide to land the five-star recruit. He was in Tuscaloosa for the win over Texas A&M. My current 247Sports Crystal Ball forecast is on UCLA, the only pick for the Bruins at this point. Browning visits Westwood this weekend, and is set to return to Ohio State the following weekend. That might be the top three, despite Texas holding the 247Sports Crystal Ball advantage. One source continues to tell 247Sports Browning will leave the Lone Star State. His older brother did just that playing at Stanford.

I also caught up with Horns247 insider EJ Holland who said on his end of things that Texas sources believe they're still in it.

How ridiculous would it be if Alabama added Browning? There are three linebackers in the 2017 class that have elite athleticism. The Crimson Tide already have one committed in Dylan Moses. Browning is right there with Willie Gay (likely picks Mississippi State) being the third. It's a big year in Texas with four special prospects in Browning, Marvin Wilson, Walker Little and Jeffrey Okudah and one could make a case for all of them they're the best of the bunch.

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I want to believe

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