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

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SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Army All-American Bowl will kickoff this afternoon. Here’s everything Alabama fans should know heading into the game.

The 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl presented by American Family Insurance

Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. Central Live on NBC

Alabama commits playing the game:

Najee Harris, 5-star RB, Antioch (Calif.) – No. 2

Tua Tagovailoa, 4-star QB, Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis – No. 12

Kendall Randolph, 4-star OT, Madison (Ala.) Bob Jones – No. 60

Brandon Ruiz, 3-star K, Gilbert (Ariz.) Williams Field – No. 17

Thomas Fletcher, 2-star LS, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy – No. 19

Alabama targets playing in the game:

Aubrey Solomon, 5-star DT, Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County – No. 91

Jarez Parks, 4-star DE, Sebastian (Fla.) River – No. 20

Henry Ruggs III, 4-star WR, Montgomery (Ala.) Lee – No. 27

Devonta Smith, 4-star WR, Amite (La.) – No. 27

Devon Hunter, 4-star S, Chesapeake (Va.) Indian River – No. 31

Recruiting storylines from Army week:

5-star running back and Alabama commit Najee Harris told BamaOnLine on Monday that he was “undecided” between the Crimson Tide and Michigan, with a decision to come after the game. Since that interview a number of developments have occurred. Harris has elected to just show up to the school of his choice following the game. 247Sports’ Barton Simmons originally reported that Harris was scheduled to fly back to Oakland. Later in the day of his report Simmons reported that Harris had requested a flight change from a final destination of Oakland to Alabama. Bama quarterback commit Tua Tagovailoa told BamaOnLine on Wednesday that he was set to fly to Alabama with Harris. The two are scheduled to be roommates in Tuscaloosa. The saga of Harris’ recruitment should soon be coming to an end.

5-star defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon told BamaOnLine on Sunday that the Crimson Tide had a “huge lead” in his recruitment. His decision will come in February after three more official visits, so there’s a ways to go in his recruitment, but the Tide has positioned itself nicely to land an elite D-tackle in a cycle that it could certainly use one.

4-star wide receiver Henry Ruggs III has a Top 5 of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Penn State, but it’s potentially coming down to just a pair of schools duking it out for the in-state receiver – Alabama and Florida State. Both programs have official visits scheduled – Jan. 13 for FSU, Jan. 20 for Alabama – with Auburn and Florida likely to receive one if Ruggs’ schedule allows. Earlier this week, Ruggs said that the Tide and Seminoles have contacted him the most. Last month, Ruggs’ mother told BamaOnLine the two aforementioned schools have made the biggest impression. Alabama is the favorite on the 247Sports Crystal Ball at 100 percent.

4-star defensive end and Alabama Jack linebacker target Jarez Parks said the Tide has edge in his recruitment. Florida, Auburn and North Carolina are set to receive official visits this month. Parks travelled to Alabama officially in November. A decision could come at anytime, but will likely come after his trips.

Announcements at the game:

Foster Sarell, 5-star OT, Graham (Wash.) Kapowsin – Stanford, Washington

Trending to Washington at 68 percent

Jeffrey Okudah, 5-star CB, Grand Prairie (Texas) South Grand Prairie – Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida State

Trending to Ohio State at 94 percent

Darnay Holmes, 5-star CB, Calabasas (Calif.) – USC, UCLA, Nebraska, Ohio State

Trending to USC at 41 percent

Bubba Bolden, 4-star S, Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman – Arizona State, USC, Ohio State

Trending to USC at 93 percent

Chuck Filiaga, 4-star OT, Aledo (Texas) – Michigan, Oklahoma, Nebraska

Trending to Michigan at 94 percent

Eno Benjamin, 4-star RB, Wylie (Texas) East – Arizona State, Texas, Missouri, Michigan, Utah

Trending to Arizona State at 65 percent

Jamire Calvin, 4-star WR, Los Angeles (Calif.) Cathedral – Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Washington State

Trending to Nebraska at 100 percent

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