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Posted on 3/21/16 at 8:47 am to TideSaint
AJ Harris, the Safety from Madison, AL, has gotten two CBs to Michigan in the last few days.
Posted on 3/21/16 at 9:04 am to TideSaint
2018 QB, and Bama legacy, Allan Walters will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend.
This post was edited on 3/21/16 at 9:06 am
Posted on 3/21/16 at 9:24 am to Tide or Die87
Nice pick up of a experienced LB. Bama will lose Foster, Anderson and Williams after this year. This kid will add some depth too.
Posted on 3/21/16 at 9:27 am to remaster916
Who's the better QB between Walters and Jack West?
This post was edited on 3/21/16 at 9:27 am
Posted on 3/21/16 at 9:50 am to Rizzy
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Who's the better QB between Walters and Jack West?
Tough to say at this point seeing as they have two years left to play in high school. I'm going to watch their Sophomore film today.
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:02 am to TideSaint
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BUFORD, Georgia — The Opening Regional in Atlanta lived up to the hype as 12 earned in invite to the Finals this July in Oregon and two quarterbacks were selected for the Elite11 finals in June.
Elite 11 Finalists
Clemson commit Chase Brice
Georgia commit Jake Fromm
The Opening Finalists
OL D'Antne Demery
DL Drew Jordan
DL Ja'len Parks (Florida State commit)
DL Cory Durden (Florida State commit)
DL LaBryan Ray
LB Jaden Hunter (Georgia commit)
LB Markail Benton
LB Willie Gay
CB William Poole III
WR Amari Rodgers (Clemson commit)
WR Nico Collins
TE Tre' McKitty
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:08 am to TideSaint
Free Bleacher Report Content
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BUFORD, Ga. — The fifth installment of the Nike Opening Regional camp circuit made its way to the metro Atlanta area in search of finding the nation's premier prep football prospects throughout the country.
A cold day with frigid temperatures and swirling winds greeted a group of top athletes from states such as Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee.
By the time the camp concluded, 12 players had punched their golden tickets to The Opening. Also, two quarterbacks—4-star Clemson pledge Chase Brice and 4-star Georgia commit Jake Fromm—landed invites to the Elite 11 finals later this summer.
Let’s delve into some of the biggest storylines to emerge from the Atlanta Nike Opening Regional.
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:09 am to TideSaint
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Depth in the Trenches
Of the dozen players to earn their way to The Opening—which will take place in July at Nike’s world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon—four came from the defensive line, and another was added from the offensive line.
Leading the way for the defensive line class was a pair of Florida State defensive tackle commits in 4-star Ja’len Parks and 3-star Cory Durden.
After making the long trek from Florida, the duo—who are also cousins—from Newberry High School showed up with a clear purpose in mind.
“It felt really good [to get open],” Parks told Bleacher Report. “[Cory and I have] been talking about this since we came up here. We had our minds set on that fact that we had to get open.”
Durden echoed that sentiment.
“It became a reality to me when we got here. It was just in our mentality that we wanted to eat up everyone out here,” Durden explained.
Joining Parks and Durden in the defensive line group in Oregon will be a pair of menacing pass-rushing defensive ends in 4-star LaBryan Ray and 3-star Drew Jordan.
The 6’5”, 283-pound Ray earned the distinction of being the MVP for the defensive line segment, but all four defenders brought a mix of size, power and speed that caused havoc for a stout group of offensive linemen.
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:11 am to TideSaint
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Trio of Pass-Catchers Shines
The Atlanta regional brought out some of the country’s elite skill talent on offense.
However, of that group, only two receivers and one tight end were recognized as worthy of earning an Opening invite by the Student Sports coaching staff.
While the chilly and windy conditions weren’t optimal for the receiver group, 4-star wideouts Nico Collins and Amari Rodgers were a handful for defensive backs to stick with.
Rodgers, who is committed to Clemson, took home MVP honors for the receiver group after showcasing his ability to consistently separate from defenders and attack the ball in the air with his hands.
“It’s always great to compete against the best and to be recognized as one of the best in my group, it’s just a blessing,” Rodgers said. “I just tried to compete and earn as many reps as I can. I wanted to go against the best DBs here and I did that. I did well for the most part against them and I think that’s what caught the eyes of the coaches.”
The 6’5”, 195-pound Collins presented a different challenge for defensive backs because of his height and fluidity in his route running.
“It feels nice because there are a lot of great athletes here today. There are some big-time ballers here and I’m honored to one of the guys who got open today,” Collins said. “It was a lot of good receivers out here, but I just had to come in and show my game off and what I can do. The weather kind of got to me a little bit early, but I worked through it and just did my thing.”
While the tight end segment wasn’t large on numbers, 3-star Tre McKitty—who also competed at the Orlando Nike Opening Regional—made the most of another opportunity to compete in this setting.
The 6’4”, 240-pounder was consistently winning his routes against a talented group of linebackers in his one-on-one matchups.
“I am so excited [to get the invite to The Opening]. This is a blessing and [earning the invite] has been a goal of mine for the longest,” McKitty said.
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:12 am to TideSaint
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Quartet of 4-Star Defenders Earns Opening Invite
Aside from the wealth of studs on the defensive line, linebacker was another position segment filled with college-level talent.
In fact, three 4-star linebackers were among the stars of the day who earned a golden ticket.
Of that group, 4-star Mississippi native Willie Gay made the longest trek for a shot to get to The Opening.
The 6’2”, 216-pound Gay said that prep teammate A.J. Brown—a 4-star receiver and Opening alum in the 2016 class who signed with Ole Miss—encouraged him to do whatever it takes to earn a trip to The Opening.
“It feels great. I’ve been working for this so hard and so long,” Gay said. “After A.J. Brown got open last year, I told myself I had to do it this year. It was one of my main goals and I’m glad to get that accomplished.”
Joining him in Oregon will be 4-star Georgia pledge Jaden Hunter and 4-star Alabama linebacker Markail Benton—who also made it to The Opening as a junior a year ago.
Both linebackers were fluid in pass coverage and showed great range when trying to track down running backs and receivers in drills.
While the defensive back unit was also littered with multiple prospects with potential to play in college, 4-star corner William Poole III was the only member of that segment to net an invite.
“I'm very excited and fortunate to have earned my invite,” Poole said. “This is one goal that I can scratch off my list. I will only [work on] getting better from here on out and [I want to] put on a show in Oregon.”
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:13 am to TideSaint
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Glimpse of the Future
While a host of standouts from the 2017 class were showcasing their skills, a number of underclassmen were among the players who impressed on Sunday.
The ratings championship was claimed by 2019 linebacker Owen Pappoe—who is already approaching 30 offers as he enters his sophomore year.
Included in his staggering test numbers was a 4.58 time in the 40-yard dash—which he credited to a stringent workout regimen he’s been practicing in the offseason.
“We have workouts everyday after school. So, I’ve been working on little things such as change-of-direction drills, and that showed out here with the testing,” Pappoe said.
Additionally, 2018 offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer was named the MVP of the offensive line segment.
The 6’4”, 305-pounder was among the most athletic prospects at his position, and he displayed great agility and versatility in drills and in one-on-ones.
Finally, the quarterback group featured dynamic young talents such as 2018 stars Trevor Lawrence and Emory Jones. Not to be outdone, 2020 signal caller Harrison Bailey also opened a few eyes with his play, according to Student Sports instructor Matt James.
“I thought Trevor Lawrence performed very well. He showed he was what we expected him to be,” James said. “Another guy who I really liked was Emory Jones. I thought he had a really good day for himself. I’ve seen him on film and heard about him a little bit, but he didn’t have a lot of hype that Trevor had. I really liked Harrison Bailey. I thought he had a good day.”
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:14 am to TideSaint
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Quick Hitters
Among the other players to take home MVP segment honors were running back Jaelen Greene, 3-star linebacker Kenney Britt and 3-star corner Troy Simon.
All three prospects hold at least five offers to their credit, with Britt—who has picked up tenders from Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Louisville this month—leading the way with 25.
Running back Eric Stokes earned the honor of being the fastest camper in attendance by winning the 40-yard-dash finals with a time of 4.35 seconds.
Stokes, who currently has only one offer from Georgia State, could be a prospect whose stock rises in the coming months.
While there was plenty of talent on the field, there were a handful of other gifted athletes who were on hand to take in the action at Buford High School.
Current Tennessee quarterback and Elite 11 alum Joshua Dobbs was helping the Student Sports staff instruct the quarterback segment.
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:15 am to TideSaint
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Star receiver Nico Collins said that he if had to make a top four, Alabama, Clemson Michigan and Georgia would make it. 6'5 203.
No Auburn?
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:15 am to TideSaint
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Star Alabama DL recruit LaBryan Ray tells me he knows Alabama, FSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Tennessee will make his top ten.
Auburn missing again.
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:38 am to TideSaint
The next 10-12 posts are all free content from SEC Country. I don't feel like typing it out for every single link. 
This post was edited on 3/21/16 at 10:39 am
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:39 am to TideSaint
LINK
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BUFORD, Ga. — Netori Johnson was once committed to Alabama, but the last time he visited Tuscaloosa, which was for the start of spring practice, the vibe was different. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
When Johnson was committed to Alabama, offensive line coach Mario Cristobal was the staff member he connected the most with, mainly because Cristobal was going to be his position coach. Now he won’t if he were to re-commit.
“I had to get to know Coach (Brent) Key, which is the centers and guards coach,” Johnson said of what he needed to get done on his visit to Alabama on March 11. “If I did attend Alabama, that would be my coach. Coach (Mario) Cristobal was going to be my coach when I was committed, but now he’s the tackles and tight ends coach, so it’s a little different.”
The message from Alabama is still the same. The coaching staff is trying to get Johnson back in the fold. But in order for that to happen, Johnson says he and Key have to continue developing their relationship.
“Right now, it’s casual,” Johnson said of his relationship with Key. “We tweet each other here and there. It’s nothing like what I had with Cristobal. We haven’t gotten on the level yet.”
When the 6-foot-5, 330-pounder de-committed from Alabama, he made it clear that the Crimson Tide were still No. 1. That’s no longer the case.
“I would still say that they are still at the top and are being looked at really, really hard by me,” Johnson said. “I don’t have an order anymore, but they are up there.”
To be clear: Alabama is still in his top group, along with Auburn and Georgia, but there are seven more schools lurking in the background — Florida, Ole Miss, LSU, Baylor, Michigan, Clemson and Florida State.
Auburn and Georgia may have an advantage though when it comes to his decision. His good friend and former Cedar Grove teammate, Antwuan Jackson, is a freshman defensive tackle at Auburn and his current teammate, offensive lineman Justin Shaffer, is committed to Georgia.
Johnson said he wants to play on the next level with his Cedar Grove teammates. Alabama currently does not have any players from his high school.
Johnson is rated as the nation’s No. 4 offensive guard and is the No. 13 overall prospect in Georgia.
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:39 am to TideSaint
LINK
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BUFORD, Ga. — Brian Robinson plays high school football less than 10 miles away from Bryant-Denny Stadium — his future home.
The Alabama commit admits that it’s going to be difficult for any other school to flip his pledge to the Crimson Tide.
“It’s going to be very hard to change my mind on my decision,” Robinson told SEC Country at the Atlanta Nike Opening regional. “I’m a very strong commit to the University of Alabama.”
Robinson, a four-star running back from Hillcrest High School (Tuscaloosa, Ala.), says he’s loved Alabama his whole life, mainly because of the short distance to the football facilities. He called getting an offer from the Tide a “dream.”
“It’s one of the best feelings I possibly could ever have to get an offer from my dream school,” Robinson said. “I can’t ask for a better feeling.”
The 6-foot-2, 216-pounder just visited Alabama for the start of spring practice. It was actually the first time he’s seen a college practice in person. The one thing that stuck out to him about the Tide’s practice was just how much competition there is.
Robinson has some competition of his own with the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit — Najee Harris, who is committed to Alabama.
Some recruits may get scared off by going against the top competition, but Robinson isn’t one of those athletes.
“I’m not really worried about that,” Robinson said when asked if Harris’ commitment affects his own decision. “I know I would have to show the coaches what I can do anyway. I know I have the same abilities and talent. I can bring the same amount to the table regardless of stars or rankings.”
Robinson, who will be an early enrollee, says he plans on taking all five official visits if he can fit them into his schedule. He knows Alabama and Georgia will get one. The running back visited Athens on Saturday, and Georgia coach Kirby Smart told him where he exactly stands on the Bulldogs’ big board.
“They told me that I am their No. 1 guy,” Robinson said. “I’m the top priority. They want me very bad. They told me that they are going to recruit me very hard until the end.”
Robinson said that message is something to consider, but like he said, it’s going to be tough to break the bond to his childhood dream school.
He’s rated as the nation’s No. 16 running back and is the No. 12 overall prospect in the state of Alabama.
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:40 am to TideSaint
LINK
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Alabama has landed its seventh commitment in the Class of 2017 with the addition of junior college linebacker Gary Johnson, as confirmed by SEC Country.
Johnson, a 6-foot-1, 225-pounder, plays junior college ball at Dodge Community College in Kansas. He is originally from the state of Georgia but played his high school ball at Douglas (Ala.) High School.
Johnson told SEC Country that he gave the news of his commitment to both Nick Saban and wide receivers coach Billy Napier Sunday.
“I chose Alabama because they have a wonderful program,” Johnson told SEC Country. “They’re a championship-caliber team and they have a wonderful environment! “I love their defense. I can see myself playing there for the next 2 years.”
The junior college product has two years of eligibility remaining plus a redshirt year if Alabama chooses to use it.
He is Alabama’s first linebacker commit in 2017. The Crimson Tide signed five-star linebackers Ben Davis and Lyndell Wilson in 2016.
Posted on 3/21/16 at 10:42 am to TideSaint
LINK
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Alabama only signed two wide receivers in the Class of 2016: T.J. Simmons and Trevon Diggs. Thankfully for the Crimson Tide, the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama is a wide receiver.
Nico Collins’ voice raised when asked if the fact that Alabama only signed two receivers helps its case when it comes time to make his decision.
“Yeah,” Collins said in a high-pitched tone. “I say that because they only signed two guys in the Class of 2016. Now with me being in 2017, that just tells me that the opportunity is there to possibly get early playing time.”
One of those receivers Alabama signed, Simmons, happens to be a former teammate of Collins’ and one of his good friends. That also helps the Crimson Tide’s case for keeping the receiver in state.
“It’s kind of a big deal because if I go there, I know I’ll have one person that’s already there,” Collins said. “I played three years of high school football with him. We’re really close.”
Simmons, an early enrollee at Alabama, was just at Clay-Chalkville High School (Pinson, Ala.) Tuesday to get a workout in at his old school. Collins said the pair were back in the gym “pushing each other as always.”
With Simmons on campus already, the receiver is playing as big of a role in Collins’ recruitment as Alabama wide receivers coach Billy Napier. Simmons is constantly blowing up his friend’s phone.
“He wants me to come down there and play with him again,” Collins said. “Every day he’s telling me how I need to be there with him.”
The four-star receiver mentioned that Napier is one of the college coaches he connects with the most, along with Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee and Georgia wide receivers coach James Coley, among others.
He already knows that Alabama, Georgia and Clemson are going to get official visits this fall. In terms of Alabama’s recruitment, he feels like a wanted man.
“They’ve been telling me that I am a main priority to them,” Collins said. “They try to get me down there as much as they can to come watch their practice and everything. They’re trying to spend as much time with me as they possibly can.”
The 6-foot-4, 185-pounder mentioned Alabama along with Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, Florida State, Michigan, Clemson and Miami as the schools coming after him the hardest right now. But Alabama seems to be in a good position to land his commitment when he announces his decision after his senior season.
“I’m really considering Alabama because they have a great football team,” Collins said. “It’s really nice down there. The coaching staff — they’re all cool. If you go there, you will win. … Alabama would be nice to go to.”
Collins is rated as the nation’s No. 12 wide receiver.
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