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

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Todd Harris recaps visit from Nick Saban

Nick Saban spent an hour inside Plaquemine (La.) High School with 4-star safety Todd Harris and his high school coach before following the recruit home, which is about 45 minutes from the school.

To speed up the process of returning home, Saban and Harris received a police escort from a local officer. It’s something that stood out from every other in-home visit he’s received from other coaches up until now.

“That’s the first time I’ve had a police escort like that,” Harris said with a laugh. “That was really nice.”

Saban spent two hours at Harris’ home talking about how good character is more important than any football skill, the 1st & Ten Club of Alabama and how it helps athletes transition into post-athletic careers and, of course, how he fits into the Tide’s future plans.

Harris received his offer from Alabama this past summer while at Saban’s camp. He admits that he came close to becoming a part of the Crimson Tide.

“When I first got offered, I’m not going to lie, I thought it was going to be the place I was going to choose back in the summertime,” Harris said.

“This Alabama offer has been a wrench in my recruitment, especially now that Nick Saban has been here and met my parents. His personality and character is just different from other coaches, and it’s something I like about him. It really just makes you think like, ‘Why wouldn’t I want to play for him?’ But I have to do what’s best for me.”

The Under Armour All-American is down to a top 4 of Alabama, LSU, TCU and Arizona State. Most people in the recruiting industry believe his decision will come down to the SEC schools.

Both the Crimson Tide and the Tigers have two safety commitments in the Class of 2017, but that doesn’t matter to him, he said. Saban actually told Harris he prefers him at the star position, which is where Tony Brown played for Alabama this past season.

Harris doesn’t have a preference where he plays in college. He calls himself a “defensive back” and not just a safety.

“I don’t care where I play — star or safety,” Harris said. “If I can play both, that would be great. That’s more playing time for me. Saban thinks I’m a heck of a football player overall. He said he thinks I’d fit the best in their scheme at the star position.”

Alabama is losing cornerback Marlon Humphrey to the NFL Draft and Eddie Jackson to graduation, so there are some holes that need to be filled heading into next season. During the in-home visit on Tuesday, Saban told Harris that ideally two defensive backs from the Class of 2017 will find their way into the rotation next season.

Harris likes the sound of that because he’s confident that with hard work, he could find himself cracking the depth chart at Alabama if he chose the school on National Signing Day.

“That’s great news to hear that I could potentially be a starter for the Alabama Crimson Tide,” Harris said. “This recruiting process is just getting hard now. I have so many great opportunities. I just don’t want to make the wrong decision. I don’t think you can understand how hard this is. Man, man, man.”

Harris will get some more face time with Saban this weekend when he makes his official visit. He’ll visit TCU the weekend before signing day. Expect either Alabama or LSU to gain his commitment on Feb. 1.

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Let's hope she picks Bama for Aubrey.


FWIW it appears her favorite coach is Harbaugh. At least that's what I can gather from perusing Georgia and Michigan sites.

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I think Alabama is truly the leader, but his recruitment seemingly can change on a day-to-day basis. Alabama is seeing him today, and will again next week as well.

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Just more than a week before Alabama is set to sign another impressive recruiting class that features a hyper-talented haul of wide receivers, the Crimson Tide picked up an important part of its 2018 foundation.

Class of 2018 wide receiver Xavier Williams, one of the top prospects in the country, pledged his services to Alabama on Tuesday. The pickup is what Alabama fans have gotten a used to. A Rivals100 prospect such as Williams selecting Alabama has become the norm. As are the words that come in the aftermath.

Williams’ reasoning, in many ways, is the Alabama status quo. His commitment, like so many now days, came with a tweet.

Following his public announcement, Williams went a step further with his explanation, saying his choice was the result of the relationship he has built with the Alabama staff.

This, it seems, was as much of a family decision as it was a personal one.

“I had the best communication and relationship with the Alabama coaching staff,” Williams said via text. “Also, my parents had a better relationship with them than even I did. That was it for me. That’s the reason why I did it.”

When Williams made the call to inform the Tide staff of his choice, the reaction was what you’d expect. Williams doesn’t go into much detail on that front. Instead, he points out that it was assistant coach Billy Napier that accepted his commitment before stating the obvious.

“They were excited,” Williams said.

Williams, who attends Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade Madonna High School is the No. 15 wide receiver and the No. 88 overall prospect in the class of 2018. He chose Alabama over a long list of offers that included in-state programs Florida, Florida State and Miami.

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Three prospects from Alabama have earned five-star status in 247Sports' latest rankings.

James Clemens defensive end LaBryan Ray, Jackson-Olin linebacker T.D. Moultry and Lee-Montgomery receiver Henry Ruggs III all earned five stars from 247Sports after spectacular senior seasons and good performances in postseason all-star games.

Ray jumped up from No. 46 overall to No. 15 overall in the national 247Sports individual rankings.

Moultry rose up to No. 18 overall. He was No. 50 in the last update.

Ruggs is now ranked No. 25 overall, rising 30 spots since the last update.

Moultry is solid in his commitment to Auburn. He joins Washington, D.C., offensive tackle Calvin Ashley as five-star commits in Auburn's class. He participated in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Ray is coming off an official visit to Tennessee. He visits Alabama this weekend and Florida next. Ole Miss has already gotten an official visit. Ray sat out the Alabama-Mississippi game because of a shoulder injury and so he could play in the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando.

Ruggs visited Florida State last weekend and will go to Alabama this weekend. He scored on a kickoff return in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game and on a 61-yard reception in the Army All-American Bowl.

Alabama has four five-star commitments in running back Najee Harris, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood and linebacker Dylan Moses.

Targets Devonta Smith, a receiver from Amite, La., and Aubrey Solomon, a defensive tackle from Leesburg, Ga., were also ranked as five-star recruits by 247Sports.

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