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

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Will Alabama land another 5-star on Tuesday?

Trey Smith, the nation’s No. 5 offensive tackle from Jackson, Tenn., will likely commit to one of three schools at 4:30 p.m. ET — Alabama, Tennessee or Ohio State. Alabama does have five offensive line commits in the Class of 2017, but it would surely welcome Smith with open arms.

Nick Saban was in Tennessee on Monday hoping to get Smith’s commitment, but as of Monday night, momentum seemed to favor Tennessee and Ohio State. Those also happen to be the last two schools to host him on official visits.

Smith is one of a handful of 2017 recruits where it’s hard to gauge which school he’ll likely select. It would not surprise me at all to see him select any of the schools above, but I am sticking with my prediction of Tennessee right now.

Butch Jones spoke with reporters on Monday and, in what could be a coincidence, said the Volunteers are on the verge of putting together a good recruiting class.

“All my focus is on recruiting and I think we’re on the verge of assembling a top-notch recruiting class to really address a lot of our needs moving forward,” Jones said Monday.

Smith would definitely give Tennessee some much-needed momentum on the recruiting trail, but we can’t count out Alabama just yet. After all, the 5-star prospect has been an Alabama fan since kindergarten. But the Tide have to beat the fact that his sister, Ashley, works in Tennessee’s recruiting office. Smith and his sister are extremely close, especially after the tragic death of his mother.

Will Smith make a decision with his head (Alabama or Ohio State)? Or, will he follow his heart (Tennessee)?

Smith will make his decision on ESPNU during College Football Daily. SEC Country will be in attendance to provide full coverage of Smith’s decision.

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Ruggs likely committing on signing day

Henry Ruggs, a 4-star wide receiver from Robert E. Lee High School (Montgomery, Ala.), is one of three major targets for Alabama at the position along with fellow 4-stars Nico Collins and DeVonta Smith.

Ruggs was expected to make his commitment known on Aug. 1, but he decided to hold off. He actually said Alabama was not the team that was going to get his commitment if he ended up going through with his decision. He declined to say which school was going to get his services, but he’ll now likely wait until National Signing Day.

The explosive receiver said Alabama, Florida and Florida State will get official visits in January. Auburn and Penn State, the other two schools in his top five, may get visits in January, too.

The U.S. Army All-American hosted wide receivers coach Billy Napier for an in-home visit last week, and the assistant’s message to Ruggs was clear.

“They have two guys committed already, but he was telling me that they know who they want for their wide receiver class, and I am one of those guys,” Ruggs said. “That means a lot to me because it is the in-state team and they are the top team in the nation right now.”

I expect Ruggs to be in Alabama’s class when he makes his commitment.

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The latest Rivals100 Presented by Under Armour for the class of 2017 has been released there have been many big changes. We have five new five-star prospects and three players that lost that coveted fifth star. In addition, there are numerous moves inside the Rival100. But once again, Antioch, Calif. running back Najee Harris remains our No. 1 prospect.

Harris, an Alabama commitment and the best running back prospect I’ve seen since Leonard Fournette and in the discussion with former high school greats like Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch, had a stellar senior season and remains No. 1, followed by Houston (Texas) Episcopal defensive tackle Marvin Wilson and Graham (Wash.) Graham-Kapowsin offensive tackle Foster Sarell. After that, there is some shuffling.

Norcross (Ga.) Greater Atlanta Christian quarterback Davis Mills (Stanford commit) moved up to No. 4 in the country and leapfrogs Brownsburg, Ind. signal caller Hunter Johnson (Clemson) at No. 1 at pro-style quarterback. Kennedale, Texas linebacker Baron Browning (Ohio State) rounds out the top five.

Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson, Johnson, Clinton, Miss. Running back Cam Akers, Clairton, Pa. cornerback Lamont Wade and Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake cornerback AJ Terrell (Clemson) round out the top 10.

Big moves were made by wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) from Coconut Creek (Fla.) Monarch (up 14 spots), Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive end Josh Kaindoh (up nine spots) and Redlands (Calif.) East Valley defensive end Jaelan Phillips (UCLA and up six spots) but the biggest moves are addressed below.

Here’s a look from our team of analysts at the new five-stars, the three that lost that fifth star and a few of the prospects making a jump of 25 or more spots within or into the Rivals100.

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LOST FIFTH STAR

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DE Jarez Parks

Analyst's take: “Parks still has an incredible build and massive upside. He’ll likely be a star at the college level, but he hasn’t become quite as explosive or complete as many had hoped. Parks is taking a number of visits but will likely land at Florida State, Alabama or Florida.” – Cassidy

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WR Nico Collins

Analyst's take: “Collins has incredible size but sometimes vanishes in games, struggling to get separation at times. He’s a big-time prospect for sure, but there are more sudden, explosive wide receivers in the country. Collins likes Michigan, but Alabama and Auburn are also in play.” – Cassidy

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Harris, Harris, and Scarbrough sounds like a law firm.

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