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

On Solomon, here's my take and it isn't a good one:

Seeing our recent history putting DLs on the next level, he should be frothing at the mouth to join the Tide. However, if you look at his recruiting timeline, he committed to Michigan first, and he continues to come back to them over and over. Granted, the kid is all over the place, but the one constant has been Harbaugh and Michigan. He commits, he backs off, he gets pissed at UM for misspelling his name, but then they are in his final four. He names Bama his huge leader at the Army game and says "frick Michigan" then he apologizes to them and says they are still in it. You see a pattern here? Whenever he changes his mind, he always flips back to Meatchicken afterwards. He's going to Ann Arbor, people. He may be struggling with the decision some, but that's what he keeps coming back to.

Makes you wonder but the Willis/ leatherwood thing was linked on this recruiting board somewhere. Lol. Think 3714 or someone discussed it?

If the announcements *happen* to be spaced out an hour apart, it's going to be a great signing day for Bama. That's the main thing I remember from 2008 and have seen Saban do it in years since.

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On Solomon, here's my take and it isn't a good one: 

Seeing our recent history putting DLs on the next level, he should be frothing at the mouth to join the Tide. However, if you look at his recruiting timeline, he committed to Michigan first, and he continues to come back to them over and over. Granted, the kid is all over the place, but the one constant has been Harbaugh and Michigan. He commits, he backs off, he gets pissed at UM for misspelling his name, but then they are in his final four. He names Bama his huge leader at the Army game and says "frick Michigan" then he apologizes to them and says they are still in it. You see a pattern here? Whenever he changes his mind, he always flips back to Meatchicken afterwards. He's going to Ann Arbor, people. He may be struggling with the decision some, but that's what he keeps coming back to.

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Not trying to be a smartass, but I also tend to think your take isn't a good one.

Solomon has swung in different directions. But not lately. Also, his mom is a BIG factor. And, after their OV to Bama, both of them talked about how impressed they were and much they liked everything about what Bama offers for him.

In late December, he said Bama is his leader by a huge margin. Even after Harbaugh's in-home visit, he still said Bama is his leader. I've seen no quotes where he or momma have said otherwise. So, despite Harbaugh's social visit, I tend to think momma still favors Bama too.

Considering what Solomon and his mom have said about criteria that matter most to them and how they feel about Bama with respect to those criteria, I can't find any quotes from them saying anything similar about Michigan.

Bottom line, I just don't see anything that gives Michigan an edge over Bama.

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He privately committed at one point. Bama makes the most logical sense, but more indications seem to favor Michigan. Something about Harbaugh, for whatever strange reason, seems to mesmerize him. But whatever my gut feeling is and whatever feeling those whose info I read have don't matter any, fortunately.

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I think mom's logical assessment, instincts and intuition about what's best for Aubrey may have as much importance as his own.

Akers told "NoleNation" to follow Ruggs. Could mean nothing. Or it could mean he's going to FSU. When do I start the melt?

I am beginning to think Harbough might be a little off in the head. It is one thing to change up tactics in recruiting to be the new kid on the block but some of the things he does puts him on par with a 10yo or younger. Maybe he got hit in the head one time to many when playing but I can see in the future the news with a live feed of him playing with his toy dinosaur in the middle of a busy street.

So in case you were wondering what Captain Crown was talking about, some queer on the USCw 247 started a thread about Alabama potentially doing illegal stuff on the recruiting trail and posted instagram photos of our players in front of cars as evidence. Here's the pathetic meat of his post:

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As recruiting wraps up for the class 2017, I think it's appropriate to take a moment and recognize the incredible run that Alabama's on right now. This year will mark the unprecedented 7th straight year in which Alabama will finish with the #1 recruiting class in the nation (based on 247 composite). It's just a testament to the hard work of the coaching staff, fans, and boosters to keep the program running at such a high level both on and off the field.

It's crazy that elite recruits are consistently willing to sign with Alabama even at positions of extreme depth, knowing they will likely have to sit for a few years before playing. It's even crazier that so many high-round draft eligible juniors return to play their senior years (e.g. Ryan Anderson, OJ Howard, Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster, Tim Williams, Eddie Jackson), forgoing the potential of earning millions of dollars for the opportunity to play one more year for free (as well as receive a coveted degree from the University, ranked as the 103rd (tie) best university in the country by US News & World Report's 2017 rankings).

These guys are just doing things the right way, and you have to commend them for it (although it is a tad ironic that their inability to recruit a QB likely cost them the national championship this year).

Anyway, as an homage to Alabama's recruiting prowess over the past few years, here's a photo recap of some of the athletes that have propelled them to the #1 ranking. (Sourced as of 1/27/17 from the public Instagram accounts of 2016 rostered players only):

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Jonathan Allen:



You'd think we'd hook him up with something that didn't stopped production a decade ago.

Anthony Averett:



Appears to be in front of one of those oh so expensive Chevy Camaros.

Shyheim Carter:



Is that a Buick?



David Cornwell:



An Oklahoma kid who's parents have money drives a Ford truck. Criminal.

BJ Emmons:



Seeing as he isn't even touching the car I question the ownership of this vehicle.

Rashaan Evans:



His mom is a CEO of an consulting firm. All she can afford is a Jeep Wrangler?

DaShawn Hand:



Is that a 5 year old Tahoe?

Ronnie fricking Harrison:



I see we've moved on to Challengers.



Eddie Jackson (these got the biggest response FWIW):





They actually believe Eddie owns those three cars.

Anfernee Jennings:



There's the Charger we all know and love. Need to get him a model from this decade though.

Shawn Jennings:



What a minute. Anfernee actually plays and we gave his brother a better car?

Nigel Knott:



It appears he took a picture with this car while on vacation. He's from Mississippi, not Florida.

Alec Morris:



He wasn't even on the team this fall.

Daron Payne:



He's driving a 15 year old car.

Jacob Probasco (whoever the frick that is; walk-on maybe?):



A walk-on may have the most expensive vehicle out of the whole damn team.

Calvin Ridley:



Another one of those damn expensive arse Camaros.

Bo Scarborough:



That's not Bo and the plates are from California.

Deonte Thompson:



Back in Houston with his high school friends. Why doesn't he have cash?



Dallas Warmack:



His brother is a multi-millionaire.

Mack Wilson:



Challenger.

I'm sure the USC athletes parking lot is just full of clunkers. Poor kids.

LINK

Wills is taking an official visit to Kentucky.