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

Posted on 1/3/17 at 3:45 pm to
Posted by bamasgot13
Birmingham
Member since Feb 2010
13619 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 3:45 pm to
Let's just see how it all plays out. I think he likely heads to UM at this point, but he may not.

Tua said he's planning to room with Najee. I would think he would have avoided that topic in an interview if he knew he WASN'T rooming with Najee. Also, it would stink to miss on him, but there would still be time to land someone. We have Jacobs as a SO next year, and Emmons may well get a medical hardship. If not, he'll still be a SO. It's not like we are losing 2 RBs this year and NEED an RB to come in and play next year.

Najee is/was always about 2018. I hope he's in T-Town to shine that year.
Posted by Carlton
Forced LANKing made the GOAT Retire
Member since Feb 2016
14766 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 3:47 pm to
Not only this but there are a bunch of things you need to do beforehand with academic and student services before you arrive.

I do find it amusing the image of him showing up at the dorm with a single suitcase like an unexpected relative looking for a place to stay.
Posted by TideSaint
Hill Country
Member since Sep 2008
84403 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 3:49 pm to
quote:

SAN ANTONIO — For the first time in the Army Bowl history, the East and the West teams came together for a mid-week mixed squad practice. It was a hearty appetizer for Saturday's nationally televised matchup that featured 1on1s and 7on7 work. These were our top performers from the session.

Note: Quarterbacks will be ranked in a separate story.

Alpha Dog

Creed Humphrey, OL, Oklahoma

He was a workhorse on Tuesday. He took as many or more reps than anybody and he won almost all of them. If you're a defender lining up against Humphrey you'd better have your chin strap buckled and expect a battle. That's exactly the type of mentality you want from a center prospect. Some of his snaps were a little bit off during the team session earlier in the day but we're rewarding him for being the best competitor of the day. Humphrey is the No. 310 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Rest of the Best

A.J. Epenesa, DL, Illinois

Epenesa and Walker Little took some grown-man reps on Tuesday. It was as if there were a bunch of college kids and then two NFL guys butting heads in the middle of it all. Epenesa gave Little all he could handle and Little brought out the best in the Iowa commit. Epenesa showed a speed move to win one rep and then brought some power to knock back the 6-foot-7 Stanford commit. You've got to have both to test Little and Epenesa showed the requisite skill set. He was a close runner-up to Alpha Dog. Epenesa is the No. 22 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Jay Tufele, DT, Utah

The one defensive lineman that can beat you with quickness and power, Tufele showed motor and consistently was the toughest West defender to slow down. Utah, Ohio State and Michigan are considered the favorites. Tufele is the No. 56 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Tedarrell Slaton, OL, Florida

He looks like an offensive guard but Slaton can line up at guard or offensive tackle and has scary good feet despite his 360-plus weight. Florida is his current leader.. Slaton is the No. 65 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, Oregon

He diced up the East offensive line for much of the afternoon because of his strength, hands and balance. He's a Washington commit though schools have continued to press for him. Tuipulotu is the No. 97 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Ty Jones, WR, Utah

One of the continued revelations of the event, Ty Jones continues to be one of the biggest matchup problems and deep threats regardless of who you put in front of him. The Utah native is committed to Washington. Jones is the No. 414 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Thomas has been one of the week's most pleasant surprises. He was dominant during one-on-ones because he's so big and long. He also blocked the edge really well during the team period. Georgia seems to be getting a good one. Thomas is the No. 74 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Willie Gay, LB, Mississippi

Gay showed the ability to carry vertical routes out of the backfield really effectively. He nearly picked off a Hunter Johnson pass in the end zone, he also ran stride for stride with Najee Harris 40 yards downfield. LSU and Michigan are chasing the favorite of Mississippi State with Gay. Gay is the No. 111 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Mike Harley, WR, Florida

Collectively, 247Sports analysts were trying to think of reps that Harley lost. There aren't many. Harley has just been an absolute gamer throughout the week. He's small but he wins. He's a West Virginia commit. Harley is the No. 379 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Oliver Martin, WR, Iowa

Martin found the end zone on a Tate Martell pass during the 7on7 period and he was sharp throughout the one-on-ones too. You can't even hear the ball touch his hands when he catches it. He's just a natural. Michigan State, Iowa and Notre Dame are considered the favorites. Martin is the No. 233 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Devonta Smith, WR, Louisiana

Smith got driven into the sideline on one of his 1on1 reps. That may catch some buzz but the rest of the day he was unstoppable. He needs to add strength but he's so smooth, so effortless and he was ripping up the East secondary. Alabama is considered the favorite over Miami and LSU. Smith is the No. 57 player per the 247Sports Composite. 


Foster Sarell, OL, Washington

The No. 1 lineman in the country looked much more like the top dog today with a few dominating reps against the East. He seems to have settled into the speed of the All-Americans. Sarell is the No. 2 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Austin Jackson, OL, Arizona

Jackson doesn't have the same kind of consistency as some of the more polished offensive linemen but his explosiveness and suddenness is elite. He showed five-star finishing ability on Tuesday. USC is the Crystal Ball favorite. Jackson is the No. 34 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Josh Lugg, OT, Pennsylvania

Lugg has one of the best frames at the event but the Notre Dame commit looked very comfortable with whatever the West linemen threw at him on Tuesday. He was one of the most consistent performers on the line. Lugg is the No. 198 player per the 247Sports Composite. 

Aubrey Solomon, DT, Georgia

Solomon doesn't have a  vast array of pass rushing moves but all he needs is that twitchy first step and his natural strength. That worked fine for him on Tuesday. Alabama is his leader. Solomon is the No. 31 player per the 247Sports Composite. 


Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Texas

The Ohio State lean looked the closest thing to a lock-down guy on Tuesday. The offenses got the best of the defense but not many got the best of Okudah. He ended the day with an interception on Tua Tagovailoa after a miscommunication between the quarterback and his receiver. Okudah is the No. 7 player per the 247Sports Composite. 




LINK
Posted by Bear88
Member since Oct 2014
15044 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 3:49 pm to
Just seems unlike anything I have read about the young man to wait till the last minute after being committed for so long and bail. If he is headed to Michigan, I would think he would have told our staff out of respect . I may be wrong as two left shoes but that is my two cents worth.
Posted by TizzyT4theUofA
This side of eternity
Member since Jun 2016
12435 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 3:49 pm to
If he does go to UM after all this, I will not wish he well. I will not wish injury on him or anything but I will not be pulling for him to be successful. Not because he chose UM but because we have passed on so many other RBs because of him. All that said, I hope he comes to God's country and Rolls with the Tide.
Posted by TideSaint
Hill Country
Member since Sep 2008
84403 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 3:51 pm to
The funny thing about Michigan to me is how God awful they are going to be next season. They lose practically their entire starting 22.

Najee would be playing in the Toilet Bowl while we'd be back in the playoffs.
Posted by AHM21
Member since Feb 2008
31893 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 3:52 pm to
Put me in the Najee to Michigan camp.
Posted by ApeDeuce
Funkytown
Member since May 2012
1606 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 3:53 pm to
Actually regarding our current RB situation, there are some rumblings starting to surface that Bo may actually go pro if he has another stellar performance in the National Championship game.

Think of it as a situation like Cardale Jones' stock hitting its peak right after they won the natty and then never quite reaching that point afterwards. Not a lock but definitely not out of the question...
Posted by Lieutenant Dan
Member since Jan 2009
8443 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 3:56 pm to
If you wanna be a Savage amongst savages, you go to Bama.

If you want netflix & chill, you go to Michigan

Posted by TideWarrior
Asheville/Chapel Hill NC
Member since Sep 2009
13200 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 3:57 pm to
I have thought for two weeks he was heading to UM but his brothers do not seem like it is a lock yet.

In the end we are fine at RB and if we get Solomon I will be happy for the trade off.
Posted by Lieutenant Dan
Member since Jan 2009
8443 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 4:01 pm to
quote:

Solomon


I have an uneasy feeling about that kid. Likes talking about "we" when referring to GA. Could be playing us. Hope I'm wrong.
Posted by TideWarrior
Asheville/Chapel Hill NC
Member since Sep 2009
13200 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 4:07 pm to
The truth is I have an uneasy feeling about all of them until they sign their LOI or show up in class.
Posted by TideWarrior
Asheville/Chapel Hill NC
Member since Sep 2009
13200 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 4:09 pm to
I do not mean this as a slight to Harris because he may end up at UM but if he truly did not want the spot light and wanted to go to UM he should have decommitted from UA and then committed to UM. Right now if he goes to UM it looks like some circus side show Harbaugh created to get some cheap publicity for his underachieving program.
Posted by FairhopeTider
Fairhope, Alabama
Member since May 2012
22744 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 4:09 pm to
I know I'm biased, but for the life of me I don't get why a RB would turn us down. Nearly every starting RB we've had since 2008 has gone pro and been in the Heisman race with two winning the award. We usually have depth at that position so you aren't going to be worn out by the time you go pro and even if you aren't the feature back, we've shown that you will get significant touches. We also have no problem putting you on the field as a freshman. There literally hasn't been a better program for a runningback than Alabama.

This post was edited on 1/3/17 at 4:11 pm
Posted by FairhopeTider
Fairhope, Alabama
Member since May 2012
22744 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 4:10 pm to
quote:

it looks like some circus side show Harbaugh created to get some cheap publicity for his underachieving program.


That is exactly what it is.
Posted by Sandkhan
Member since Jun 2009
8433 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 4:22 pm to
*
This post was edited on 1/8/17 at 10:50 pm
Posted by Lieutenant Dan
Member since Jan 2009
8443 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 4:23 pm to
Agreed. Don't understand the legend talk from Najee's brother. The chance to be successful lies with Bama. The chance for mediocre season(s) lies with UM.

After all, we're the ones that have had two heisman backs recently. Both Ingram and Henry have cemented their names as legends at Bama.

Beats the shite out of me.
Posted by Bama3714
Alabama
Member since Feb 2015
5501 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 4:31 pm to
I'm assuming the brother means it in the sense of returning them to prominence.

Hopefully it's all just manufactured drama, which happens a LOT this time of the year. I, however, don't have any clue one way or another.
Posted by FairhopeTider
Fairhope, Alabama
Member since May 2012
22744 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 4:31 pm to
Not to mention Richardson was on track to win the Heisman if we had played the final weekend in 2011, Lacy was the MVP of the SECCG and BCSCG, and Yeldon had a solid career in the pros and is immortalized in one of the great plays of UA history. Hell, even Drake has his own accolades.

You have to be a major frick up to not be a legend and make money if you are an RB at Alabama under Saban.
This post was edited on 1/3/17 at 4:33 pm
Posted by crimsonian
Florida
Member since Jun 2012
7374 posts
Posted on 1/3/17 at 4:46 pm to
Guys relax. Nobody of significance is changing their pick to Michigan. If so, then worry.
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