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

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By the way, if you’re interested, of the 26 different players I counted making up the major awards finalists, the star rankings broke down like this:

Five-stars – 10 (Adoree Jackson', Jonathan Allen, Myles Garrett, Tre'Davious White, Deshaun Watson, Reuben Foster, Jabrill Peppers, Dalvin Cook, Cam Robinson, O.J. Howard)

Four-stars – 6 (Lamar Jackson, Jourdan Lewis, Zach Cunningham, Kendell Beckwith, Dede Westbrook, Jake Butt)

Three-stars – 6 (Baker Mayfield, Jarrad Davis, Donnel Pumphrey, Jordan Leggett, Cody O'Connell, Pat Elflein)

Two-stars – 3 (Josey Jewell, Isaiah Jones, D'Onta Foreman)

Not Ranked – 1 (Austin Carr)

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ATH Deangelo Gibbs

High School: Grayson (Loganville, Georgia)

Scout Ranking: No. 2 athlete; No. 13 overall

Contenders Include: Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee

Deangelo Gibbs' abundant scholarship offer list includes more than 30 schools, but there's a sentiment this pursuit ultimately boils down to an SEC clash. He has family ties to both in-state Georgia and Tennessee, while Alabama is the only program to host him for an official visit so far, according to Jeff Sentell of Dawg Nation.

Gibbs, capable of competing for early snaps at safety or cornerback, provided rave reviews from his time in Tuscaloosa.

"I loved every single moment," he told Drew Champlin of AL.com. "It was something I really got to enjoy and soak up the moment. The game, the atmosphere, it was electrifying. It was just amazing."

His father, Deon Gibbs, told Sentell the plan is for Deangelo to take all five official visits. The travel schedule will need to be tightly packed in order to accomplish that goal, as he is expected to enroll early in January at the university of his choice.

Key developments lie ahead here, but for now we'll give the slight nod to a Bulldogs team that's targeted Gibbs since the earliest stages of his high school career. Expect a down-to-the-wire competition for Gibbs, who is in the midst of a postseason run at Peach State powerhouse Grayson High School.

Prediction: Georgia Bulldogs

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S Devon Hunter

High School: Indian River (Chesapeake, Virginia)

Scout Ranking: No. 1 safety; No. 5 overall

Contenders Include: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia Tech

Coveted defensive back Devon Hunter will provide one college program with an early Christmas present when he announces a pledge Dec. 24, per Michael Clark of Scout. The choice comes down to five finalists—Alabama, Auburn, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

A decisive final month of this recruitment will include official visits to North Carolina (Dec. 2-4) and Virginia Tech (Dec. 9-11), according to Clark. Hunter will also travel to Alabama this weekend, watching the Iron Bowl during his stay.

The 6'1", 205-pound prospect has been a paramount focus for Virginia Tech, and he's exactly the kind of elite prospect who could help usher in a new era for Hokies head coach Justin Fuente. The results have been predominately positive for a first-year regime in Blacksburg, and turning momentum into recruiting success would be a sign of greater things to come.

The push for early playing time would probably be more difficult with SEC squads Alabama or Florida, but both schools have been diligent here. If the Crimson Tide manage to bring him on board, it's yet another example of college football's rich getting richer at the expense of others.

Prediction: Virginia Tech Hokies

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2017 recruiting class

Which seniors are departing? Primary contributors for Alabama will play their final games in a Crimson Tide uniform this season. The defense is taking a major hit at the end of the season.

Here are the contributors that will leave this season: safety Eddie Jackson, linebacker Reuben Foster, wide receiver Gehrig Dieter, linebacker Ryan Anderson, defensive lineman Dakota Ball, offensive guard Alphonse Taylor, defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, linebacker Tim Williams, offensive guard Korren Kirven, tight end O.J. Howard, defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, kicker Adam Griffith.

Who are the possible NFL early entrants? There are several underclassmen who could decide to leave after the season to test the NFL draft. Here they are: defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, wide receiver ArDarius Stewart, punter JK Scott, offensive tackle Cam Robinson. 

Both Humphrey and Robinson are projected to be first-round picks. Hand, while he hasn’t contributed much, is built like an NFL defensive lineman and should blow up at the combine when he gets there. While Scott is a punter, he is arguably the best in college football and will no doubt have a career in the NFL.

What are the primary positions of need?  The front seven of Alabama’s defense needs to be addressed as the biggest needs in the 2017 class. With almost every single starter leaving either this year or next, the Tide must hit on several top targets.

Wide receiver is another big need for Alabama after only signing two last class in T.J. Simmons and Trevon Diggs. Calvin Ridley is likely leaving after next year and after having a giant season this year, ArDarius Stewart could decide to test the draft.

Defensive back, particularly safety, needs to be addressed in this class. Alabama didn’t sign any true safeties in the 2016 class.

Alabama only has three quarterbacks on the roster. Most college teams have five or six.

Several offensive linemen are needed in this class after signing four in the 2016 class. One of those players, Charles Baldwin, has already been dismissed.

Where has Alabama already hit in 2017 and where does it need to? Alabama has addressed the majority of its needs already in the Class of 2017.

The Tide have three gifted linebackers committed in 5-star Dylan Mosesand 4-stars VanDarius Cowan and Markail Benton. It’s possible Alabama could another 5-star linebacker in Baron Browning on Nov. 29 when he announces his commitment. Alabama is also in good position with 4-stars Christopher Allen and Jarez Parks — both JACK prospects. That’s the position Tim Williams plays.

Alabama has two wide receivers committed in 5-star Jerry Jeudy and 4-star Tyrell Shavers. The Tide are looking to sign two more prospects at the position and 4-stars DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs are the names to keep an eye on.

Defensive back still needs to be addressed. Alabama has two committed in 3-star prospect Kyriq McDonald and junior college prospect Jhavonte Dean. After an underwhelming season at Blinn College, Dean could find himself without a spot in Alabama’s class. Two names to keep an eye on at cornerback are 5-star Ohio State commit Shaun Wade and 4-star prospect Tyriq Castro-Fields. At safety, 4-star Florida State commit Daniel Wright and 4-star prospect Todd Harris are at the top of the board. DeAngelo Gibbs, a 4-star prospect, visited for the Texas A&M game, but I would be surprised if he ended up in this class.

Quarterback is locked up already. Alabama has two top prospects committed in 5-star prospect Tua Tagovailoa and 4-star prospect Mac Jones.

The offensive line also is solidified. Alabama has commitments from 5-star prospect Alex Leatherwood, 4-star prospects Elliot Baker, Jedrick Wills and Kendall Randolph and 3-star center Hunter Brannon. Alabama also has a shot to get commitments from 5-star prospects Trey Smith and Isaiah Wilson.

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