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re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition
Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:31 am to jatebe
Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:31 am to jatebe
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LSU head coach Ed Orgeron did a great job in keeping the Tigers' recruiting class together as interim coach, but a lack of answers and direction has led to major hits in recent weeks.
Lowell Narcisse's decision to reopen his commitment Monday morning was the latest blow for an overwhelmed staff, who are still forced to answer questions from recruits with more questions. LSU appeared to have a lot of momentum just a few weeks ago, but some questionable decisions and a lack of urgency to secure a coaching staff has Orgeron and Co. reeling.
The Narcisse decommitment was preceded by a swing and miss in trying to flip Baton Rouge native and Alabama linebacker commitment Dylan Moses, who had every intention of playing at LSU prior to Les Miles' departure from the program. This past weekend was initially tabbed as the one where LSU could right the ship, as the last visiting weekend prior to the NCAA non-contact period. It turned into everything but that--with two of its visitors--two of its top targets, burning them within hours of their visits.
LSU still does not have an offensive coordinator in place, which is creating a sense of unease for many of its top offensive targets. Furthermore, prospects are concerned about the job security with their position coaches and area recruiters, as Orgeron has been reluctant to renew or extend vital staffers. Narcisse is not the only one concerned.
LSU went in-home with five-star Mississippi running back Cam Akers Sunday night. Akers was leaning in LSU's direction just a few weeks ago. That visit resulted in much of the same--Akers voicing concerns about not having an offensive coordinator in place, and the staff not having the necessary answers to ease his concerns.
Sources in Mississippi state that Akers is also concerned about the future of his would-be position coach, Jabbar Juluke, leading to the dynamic runner changing course a bit, with Florida State emerging as the most likely candidate to land him at this stage of the process.
Back to Narcisse. LSU rocked the boat a bit when it decided to offer Alabama QB commit Tua Tagovailoa just a couple of weeks ago. Lowell Narcisse and Myles Brennan, LSU's other four-star quarterback commitment, did not take to the news well--and that is an understatement. My initial reaction was that Orgeron had to have a plan, but nothing transpired--other than alienating his quarterback commitments. Brennan decided to "re-open" his commitment, while Narcisse simply withdrew his verbal pledge only weeks prior to his enrollment date at LSU.
Many believe Auburn is likely to land Narcisse, but the Tigers just took a commitment from former Baylor quarterback Jarrett Stidham on Friday, so it would not surprise me if Narcisse was eyeing another school. In fact, I know he is, and it may shock some people. Memphis has a shot to land Narcisse. You read that right--Memphis may be able to pull one of the top recruits in the state of Louisiana. Memphis may beat out LSU for one of its top targets, a two-time former commit, at a position of need. Auburn is still the lead horse, but they are not the only Tigers with a shot.
Unfortunately for LSU fans, the run of bad news may have just begun. Multiple sources believe that former Louisiana prep defensive line standout Isaiah Buggs will declare for Alabama on Wednesday. For those who do not know, Buggs may be the best junior college defensive lineman in the country. Buggs was leaning in LSU's direction for the last eight months.
Then there is Neville defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis, who may also be leaning Alabama at the moment, according to multiple sources. So, LSU may lose two of its top defensive line targets, which is Orgeron's position group, to conference rival Alabama. This would come on the heels of losing its top receiver commitment Jhamon Ausbon to conference rival Texas A&M, Dylan Moses to Alabama and a decommitment from Narcisse. Oh--did I fail to mention that another LSu top target, Southern Lab linebacker Chris Allen, recently declared for Alabama, too?
There is still over seven weeks to National Signing Day, so there is plenty of time to get things back on track. But recovering from these type of blows will not be easy for Orgeron and his staff. As it stands now, Alabama is likely to sign a better crop of Louisiana prospects than LSU.
LINK
So Dylan Moses firms up his commitment to Alabama, Cam Akers to Florida State, Lane Kiffin to FAU and Isaiah Buggs and Phidarian Mathis to Alabama.
Talk about a rough 2 days for LSU.
This post was edited on 12/12/16 at 11:38 am
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Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:36 am to TideSaint
quote:Almost makes you feel sorry for them.... naw
Talk about a rough 2 days for LSU.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:51 am to jatebe
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Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin's departure to Florida Atlantic may not have been much of a surprise, but it also will have minimal impact on this year's Alabama recruiting class.
Most of Kiffin's recruits this year are early enrollees. Kiffin was not on the road last week recruiting for Alabama. Tyrell Shavers, a four-star receiver from Texas, said Kiffin's departure had "no impact" on his decision as the early enrollee has been solid to Alabama since his spring commitment.
Kiffin played a big role in the commitments of quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa from Hawaii and Mac Jones from Jacksonville, Fla. Tagovailoa is an early enrollee and his playing style fits the spread system Kiffin installed.
If Alabama head coach Nick Saban's new offensive coordinator has the same philosophy, there is no reason to think Tagovailoa would go elsewhere. The dead period starts Sunday night and time is running out for visits. LSU offered Tagovailoa last week, but he's remained committed to Alabama. Additionally, co-defensive coordinator/outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi is Tagovailoa's primary recruiter.
Jones' family liked Kiffin, but Mac remains solid to Alabama and will take his official visit sometime in January.
"We love Coach Kiffin but know it is a business," Mac Jones' father Gordon said. "Coach (Nick) Saban is such a great strategist and leader. We are comfortable with whatever the ultimate resolution is for the team."
Kiffin recruited a pair of in-state standouts in Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa's Brian Robinson and Tanner's Chadarius Townsend. Both spoke last week at Alabama-Mississippi all-star practice.
"That really wouldn't affect my decision," Robinson, a four-star running back, said. "I committed to the school. I'm committed to the process. A coach leaving, stuff like that happens all the time. I can't promise that he wouldn't leave after my sophomore year. You never know. That wouldn't affect my decision."
Townsend plans to play offense for Alabama after being recruited as an athlete.
"I'm still going to stay solid with Alabama, so it's not going to change anything like that," he said. "(Kiffin) has (been involved in my recruitment), but it's pretty much going to be the same for me since I'm not even down there yet (since a new offensive coordinator would be hired before Townsend starts his Alabama career)."
Kiffin played a big role in landing Jalen Hurts in the 2016 class from Channelview, Texas. He has West Coast ties, but it was assistant Tosh Lupoi who played a bigger role in landing the country's top recruit in running back Najee Harris of Antioch, Calif., as well as what strength coach Scott Cochran can provide for a workout warrior like Harris. Lupoi joined Saban at his in-home visit to Harris this week.
Kiffin went after five-star safety JaCoby Stevens of Murfreesboro, Tenn., but he's likely to stick with his LSU commitment regardless of who Alabama's area recruiter is.
The biggest impact on a new offensive coordinator will be on future quarterback classes. Alabama has offered Allan Walters, a four-star quarterback from Paramus, N.J., in the 2018 class and dual-threat Taulia Tagovailoa (Tua's brother) in the 2019 class.
Alabama will have a tough time replacing what Kiffin brought to the team, especially with his development of three first-year starting quarterbacks, but the recruiting impact with the loss of Kiffin is minimal compared to what it would be for an assistant such as Lupoi or recruiting coordinator Mario Cristobal.
LINK
Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:53 am to jatebe
Is Jeudy an EE? If so I think that helps us.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:55 am to South Alabama Tide
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Another Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Class has come and gone. A week of practice and the game itself - which Team Alabama won 25-14 on Saturday - are in the books, so we at Rivals.com decided to hand out some fictional hardware commemorating some of the most memorable players from the week that was.
LINK
quote:
ANGER MANAGEMENT
Hunter Brannon
There is no such thing as half-speed for Brannan, who is just, in a word, mean. Mild mannered off the field, Brannon spent the week running through his own teammates' chests and playing with a nasty streak that coaches love. Brannon takes practice reps as if they are game reps and game reps as if they are Super Bowl reps.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:56 am to TideSaint
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The 2016 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game saw a week of practices build towards a 25-14 Alabama win on game day. The week included a long list of high-level college prospects showcasing their skill sets in a number of settings. Below is a list of the top individual performances from the week.
LINK
quote:
WR Henry Ruggs
Recruiting wrap: Ruggs is down to Florida, Florida State and Alabama.
Performance: Ruggs was up and down all week. Still, when he was good, he was great. He returned the game’s opening kickoff for a touchdown and showed his incredible top-end speed in the process. Ruggs lacks the height of an elite receiver. That said, his burst allows him to create separation even from high-level defensive backs.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 11:58 am to TideSaint
They are happy about Monty Rice. Didn't realize that kid was rated so low
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:07 pm to MontyFranklyn
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They are happy about Monty Rice. Didn't realize that kid was rated so low
I can't believe he picked them over Georgia.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:08 pm to TideSaint
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The latest Rivals100 Presented by Under Armour for the class of 2018 has been released and there have been some major moves, including seven new five-star prospects bringing our early total to 15. However, our No. 1 prospect remains the same as quarterback Trevor Lawrence retains his current title as the best player in the country for his class.
Lawrence, a stat-stuffer from Cartersville, Ga., was our first No. 1 in 2018 back in our initial release in August and there wasn’t much of a debate at the top this time either. Lawrence has the size, downfield vision, pocket sense and most importantly the accuracy to be one of the best young quarterbacks I’ve scouted. He has pocket maturity beyond his years, can extend the play with a great feel for the rush and throws a beautiful, accurate ball that is usually on the money. After Lawrence, the debate began starting at No. 2.
Fairfield, Ohio, offensive tackle Jackson Carman checks in at No. 2 as a new five-star and has some of the best junior offensive linemen film I’ve ever seen. Florence (S.C.) Wilson defensive end Xavier Wilson remains at No. 3, Los Angeles (Calif.) Augustus Hawkins wide receiver Jalen Hall checks in at No. 4 and Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive tackle Taron Vincent, also a new five-star, round out the top five.
Wilson has drawn comparisons to former South Carolina high school defensive end star Jadeveon Clowney from many, but I see him as bigger and stronger but not as athletic and explosive. Hall is one of the biggest and most talented California wide receivers in years. Vincent, the son of former NFL star Troy Vincent, has probably made the biggest jump in talent from sophomore to junior year of any of the five stars.
Laurinburg (N.C.) Scotland County running back Zamir White, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian quarterback and USC commitment Matt Corral, Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian safety Tyreke Johnson and new five-stars Patrick Surtain, a cornerback from Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage, and Cade Mays, an offensive tackle and Tennessee commitment from Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic, finish out the national top 10.
Here’s a look from our team of analysts at the new five-stars, prospects making a jump of 35 or more spots within or into the Rivals100 and prospects that dropped 30 or more spots within the Rivals100.
LINK
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:12 pm to TideSaint
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NEW FIVE-STARS
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OT Jackson Carman
Analyst’s take: “We recognized Carman's talent and potential prior to his junior season, but we wanted to see him put it all together on the field. The Cincinnati-area native did that and more this fall, not only displaying strength, technique and athleticism all well ahead of the curve, but also playing with a motor that never quit. The only concern coming out of his junior season is that Carman may have to temper his enthusiasm and play a little more controlled so he does not end up stymying his team with personal fouls, but we will take that risk if it means getting the results we saw from Carman this season. Ohio State is considered the big leader for Carman, but he also made visits to Alabama, Louisville and Notre Dame this fall.” – Josh Helmholdt, Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst
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DT Taron Vincent
Analyst’s take: “One of the leaders of a stout IMG Academy defense, Vincent's defining trait is his raw power. He moves well for his size but spent his junior season exploding through offensive linemen and creating havoc in the backfield. Florida State, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Florida State seem most involved with Vincent at this early juncture.” – Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst
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CB Patrick Surtain
Analyst’s take: “Surtain is part of an incredible crop of 2018 defensive backs in South Florida, but he's probably the most well-rounded of the bunch. He has an ideal body and will likely be larger than his NFL All-Pro father of the same name. He also has been incredibly well-coached and is smooth in his backpedal despite his length. It's early, but Surtain seems high on a number of schools, including Florida State, Alabama and Miami.” – Rob Cassidy, Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst
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DE KJ Henry
Analyst’s take: “Henry has the ideal build for a weakside defensive end, a long, lean frame combined with great explosiveness and toughness. He added strength and holds up well at the point of attack but also has a constant motor that helps him chase down plays to the opposite side. Henry also found ways to impact the game as a tight end and on special teams. Henry took a ton of visits this season. Ohio State, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Alabama, and many others are seriously in the mix.” – Friedman
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:14 pm to TideSaint
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BIG RISERS
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WR Seth Williams
Movement: +113
Analyst’s take: “Williams has impressive burst and accelerates well. He carried the momentum he built on the camp circuit into his junior season. His strengths are his explosion off the line and his suddenness in change of direction. If Alabama, which has already offered, presses hard from here forward, it will be hard to pull him out of the state.” – Cassidy
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OT/DE Dare Rosenthal
Movement: From outside the Rivals250
Analyst’s take: “Rosenthal has great size and surprising athleticism, something that helps him come in as one of the nation's best offensive linemen. Alabama and LSU are among the schools in the mix for Rosenthal.” – Wommack
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:22 pm to TideSaint
2018 Rivals 100
Targets/Commits:
1. QB Trevor Lawrence
2. OT Jackson Carman
3. DE Xavier Thomas
5. DT Taron Vincent
6. RB Zamir White
8. CB Tyreke Johnson
9. CB Patrick Surtain
15. DE KJ Henry
16. RB Lorenzo Lingard
17. OG Jamaree Salyer
19. CB Asante Samuel, Jr.
20. DE Greg Emerson
31. WR Justyn Ross
35. WR Devonta Jason
51. QB Jack West
56. S Isaac Taylor-Stuart
71. WR Mark Pope
84. WR Seth Williams
89. OT Dare Rosenthal
100. OT Tommy Brown (Alabama legacy)
I'm sure we are targeting more than what I have listed here, but I don't know all of the 2018 kids that well.
Targets/Commits:
1. QB Trevor Lawrence
2. OT Jackson Carman
3. DE Xavier Thomas
5. DT Taron Vincent
6. RB Zamir White
8. CB Tyreke Johnson
9. CB Patrick Surtain
15. DE KJ Henry
16. RB Lorenzo Lingard
17. OG Jamaree Salyer
19. CB Asante Samuel, Jr.
20. DE Greg Emerson
31. WR Justyn Ross
35. WR Devonta Jason
51. QB Jack West
56. S Isaac Taylor-Stuart
71. WR Mark Pope
84. WR Seth Williams
89. OT Dare Rosenthal
100. OT Tommy Brown (Alabama legacy)
I'm sure we are targeting more than what I have listed here, but I don't know all of the 2018 kids that well.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:27 pm to South Alabama Tide
The Georgia board said Isaiah Wilson measured in a 6'7" 373 pounds on his OV there this past weekend.
He's apparently moved up his announcement date to Friday. He initially was going to commit on Christmas Eve.
He's apparently moved up his announcement date to Friday. He initially was going to commit on Christmas Eve.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:35 pm to TideSaint
Holy shite, Asanate Samuel's kid is already college age???
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:42 pm to doghouse_4x4
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Holy shite, Asanate Samuel's kid is already college age???
Patrick Surtain's kid too.
Face it. We're getting old.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:43 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Patrick Surtain's kid too.
Face it. We're getting old.
Goddammit.
You are correct.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:44 pm to doghouse_4x4
Yeah I remember watching him on the patriots in my late teens, early 20's. My kids are younger but it's weird that I technically could be the father to a teen in high school based on age.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:47 pm to South Alabama Tide
The Michigan staff hasn't lost any confidence in getting Najee. Sources who felt optimistic about Michigan's chances before the visit still feel optimistic.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:48 pm to chattabama
If he's going to decommit, you think it'd come in the next few days.
Posted on 12/12/16 at 12:49 pm to doghouse_4x4
I had classes with Surtain at Southern Miss and the DE for the Patriots/Ravens from Alabama, forgot his name. He played several years in the league..
Eta:
Adalius Thomas
Eta:
Adalius Thomas
This post was edited on 12/12/16 at 8:22 pm
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