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

So I was just looking a little more into Jacob Free's profile, and it looks like Bobby Petrino has offered him, and David Cutcliffe and Jimbo Fisher are both considering offering him.

All three of those guys can usually identify a decent QB prospect. Jus sayen.

Is this you?

What exactly makes you think he's going to get In trouble? Him trying to make the grades to make the best possible decision for himself? Some of you people need to get over your damn self.

Eta: or why do you think he's going to be "trouble" for whatever school?

How in the world is someone with the first name "Vandarius" not going to the Barn? That name sounds about like 100 different undersized (AKA.. most of them sucked) linebackers they have signed over the past 15 years or so.

At any rate, I hope this is true. He sounds like a stud.

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Looks like Vandarius Cowan will flip. We got a few CB picks.

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Nice.

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One of the top prospects, regardless of age, on the east coast is 2018 two-way lineman Matthew Jones out of Eramus Hall in Brooklyn, New York.

Alabama has had their eye on the 6-foot-4, 300-pounder for quite some time now, and pulled the trigger on an offer today, according to Erasmus Hall head coach Danny Landberg.

"I reached out to them about a month ago and Coach [Mario] Cristobal reached back out today," Landberg told 247Sports. "He said after watching the film that the entire staff, including Coach [Nick] Saban, wanted to offer Matthew."

The offer is ninth for Jones, who also holds scholarships from Georgia, Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, UConn, and Boston College. This one coming from the Tide definitely holds weight, though.

"It just makes us feel prestigious," Landberg said. "It makes us feel like a bigger part of the national recruiting picture and college football. It makes us feel like that at Erasmus we belong."

"I'm really thankful for that offer," Jones told 247Sports. "I believe Alabama is a great school. I believe I could fit in and improve my level as an athlete and a student with the team. But I'm hoping to take a visit, see the program and have a better idea of it, so I can make the right decision. I am very thankful for the Alabama offer."

The next step for Jones and Alabama is to take that visit. It's something that will be a priority for the star sophomore.

"Yeah we're going to have to figure that out," Landberg stated. "I spoke about with Coach Cristobal when the right time would be. He’s sending me stuff, as far as schedules are concerned. We’ll probably be out there this summer."

While everyone in Brooklyn is excited for Jones and his latest offer, the standout lineman is not ready to name favorites just yet.

"Matt isn’t ready to name favorites just yet," Landberg explained. "He’s just going to go through the process, take visits, and evaluate all of the programs that have offered him equally.”

Jones is rated as a 4-star prospect, the No. 21 overall player, No. 2 defensive tackle, and No. 1 player in New York for 2018 per 247Sports.

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Matthew Jones Highlights

Two other visitors today:

Tua Tagovailoa, 4-star QB, Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis

Mannie Netherly, 4-star WR, Crosby (Texas) Texas A&M commit

LINK

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Spring games present an opportunity for college football coaching staffs to gauge roster strengths and weaknesses well in advance of the season. These events are also key in recruiting efforts, as prospects across the country join fans in the bleachers for an early look at 2016 squads.

Several premier high school playmakers will be on the move during upcoming weekends, and their on-campus experiences could prove pivotal when decisions are finalized on national signing day. Here's a look at 10 coveted recruits expected to attend spring games.

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Florida: 4-star OT Alex Leatherwood

Class: 2017

High School: Washington (Pensacola, Florida)

Size: 6'5", 297 lbs

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 9 offensive tackle; No. 55 overall

The Florida Gators have assembled an impressive guest list for a Friday night spring game April 8. Alex Leatherwood is among headliners, as he shared on Twitter, and the in-state lineman represents a pivotal target for head coach Jim McElwain.

Like Harris, Leatherwood is committed to play in Tuscaloosa. He pledged to the Crimson Tide last June, joining a long line of top-tier offensive linemen secured by Alabama's staff under head coach Nick Saban.

Florida won't stop fighting to keep this dominant big man on home turf, two cycles after McElwain managed to land No. 1 offensive tackle prospect Martez Ivey. There's been a lot of focus on the Gators' efforts to upgrade their attack to a level unseen since Urban Meyer departed, and Leatherwood projects as a multi-year bookend starter who can further along that development.

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A Day poster! I want.