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Posted on 4/13/16 at 8:53 am to TideSaint
Tom Loy CB'd LaBryan Ray to Alabama. Perhaps he will commit at A-Day.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 9:06 am to TideSaint
Montgomery athlete Malik Cunningham has gotten like 7 straight CBs to Louisville.
Birmingham linebacker Tadarrius Patterson has been getting CBs to Louisville as well.
Birmingham linebacker Tadarrius Patterson has been getting CBs to Louisville as well.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 9:12 am to TideSaint
quote:
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) said Miami, Alabama and Tennessee are recruiting him the hardest.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 9:13 am to TideSaint
BOL says Tua is the top QB on the board. No shite. 
Posted on 4/13/16 at 9:14 am to TideSaint
quote:
Kivon Bennett, who holds 24 offers, will visit his favorite, Alabama, where his father Cornelius Bennett played, this weekend.
Bennett also plans to camp at Alabama this summer before making a decision.
Bennett also lists high interest in Tennessee.
This post was edited on 4/13/16 at 9:15 am
Posted on 4/13/16 at 9:15 am to TideSaint
quote:
Rising sophomore Anthony Solomon, one of the top linebackers in Florida in the 2019 class, has 16 verbal offers with Alabama still on top. He also likes Ohio State and Auburn.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 9:17 am to TideSaint
Hopefully a couple of recruits pull the trigger this weekend.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 9:53 am to Rizzy
LINK
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NEW ORLEANS — One of the headliners of Sunday’s New Orleans Nike Opening Regional camp was 5-star running back Cam Akers.
The 5’11.5”, 212-pounder from Clinton High School (Mississippi) didn’t disappoint en route to earning a coveted invitation to The Opening.
The Magnolia State’s top overall prospect didn’t wait long to announce his presence, as he posted eye-popping numbers in the testing portion before the drills began.
Akers ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds and posted a vertical jump a shade under 41 inches. Those numbers helped him also earn the ratings title for Sunday’s event.
“I just want to prove myself. A lot of people thought I was slow coming into this camp,” Akers told Bleacher Report. I had to come out here and prove some people wrong. I just want to earn my stripes.”
The former Alabama pledge has attracted interest from heavyweight programs across the country since reopening his recruitment last month.
“Recruiting can’t pick up much more than it already has,” Akers joked.
Three programs who have been able to get Akers on campus recently include Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee.
He spoke a bit on each of those visits.
Georgia: “[Head] Coach [Kirby] Smart being a family-oriented man, I like him. I like [running backs] coach Dell McGee and [offensive coordinator] Coach [Jim] Chaney too. Everybody there is family-oriented, and they produce great backs also.”
Ohio State: “It’s rich in tradition, and they have a great coaching staff. With [Head] Coach [Urban] Meyer, they have a really good tradition with running backs.”
Tennessee: “I have a great relationship with [Running Backs] Coach [Robert] Gillespie and [Head] Coach [Butch] Jones. They have a great situation there and a great school.”
The coming weeks and months should be busy for the nation’s No. 3 running back and the No. 35 player overall in the 2017 cycle. Return trips to Athens and Knoxville are on his agenda, but a powerhouse from the ACC will get the chance to impress him.
“This summer, I’m going back to Georgia, Tennessee and Clemson. I’ll be at Florida State next weekend. I plan to get back to Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and a lot of other places too this summer,” Akers said.
Despite losing his pledge, Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and his staff aren’t giving up on a player who has accounted for more than 8,000 yards of total offense and 84 touchdowns over the last three seasons.
“I decommitted because I wanted to re-evaluate things, not because [Alabama] did something wrong,” Akers stated. “I just wanted to take a step back and make sure it is the best decision for me and my family. The schools on my list, I just want them to recruit me and my family. Everyone is equal.”
With Akers—who reports a 3.1 GPA and plans to major in sports medicine, business or communications—planning to become an early enrollee, the summer visit spree will be critical for each school that is lucky enough to get him on campus.
However, Akers said he’s still in the process of mapping out a firm plan of when a final decision could come.
“I’m not sure. Me and my family will sit down and talk about it soon,” Akers said. “I will be an early graduate, so we will talk about whether we want to wait until the end before enrolling or if I want to commit before then.”
Posted on 4/13/16 at 9:56 am to TideSaint
LINK
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Recruiting can be a cruel when the numbers get tight in the days leading up to National Signing Day.
No one knows more about the numbers game than four-star wide receiver Mykel Jones, who found himself on the wrong end of it in February.
Alabama and Ole Miss were the clear favorites for Jones, but when the numbers got tight, Jones ended up signing with Oklahoma. Now, the Patterson (La.) High School product is gearing up to report to the Sooners in early June.
It’s a blessing in disguise, according to Jones, who broke down what happened in those last few weeks before signing day in a recent conversation with SEC Country:
Q: What school came in second? What could they have done a little better?
A: I would say that Alabama finished second. What really happened was they didn’t know how many spots there were going to be. I was just like waiting and waiting to the point where I was like I’m going to take this visit to Oklahoma and see if I really like it, and that’s what happened. I ended up liking it, and I was like I’m going to end up going somewhere that really needs me. I didn’t feel like Alabama really needed me like Oklahoma did.
Q: A lot of times it can come down to just a numbers game. How difficult was that to manage?
A: It was difficult to handle because I had to switch up a lot of things and start thinking about a lot of things harder, but at the same time, it’s a business. I know how stuff goes. I ended up going to a place that I really love. I feel like it would’ve been more of a settle to go to Alabama. They had who they wanted. I was just really going to be another number. It wasn’t like ‘Bama needed me. Oklahoma recruited me as if they needed me. I pictured myself being on the field.
Q: What was the most creative thing a school or coach did to get your attention?
A: I would say Tennessee was really creative with the recruiting process. When I went up there, they always had something new. One of the last times I went up there, they showed me a highlight tape, and a guy that was playing slot receiver. They showed me everything he was doing, and they showed the offense we run in high school. They like put his body right there and showed me how they would use me in offense, and I thought that was creative.
Q: What was the biggest rumor about you that wasn’t true?
A: That I was going to Ole Miss. Let me re-phrase that. I think it was that I was going to Ole Miss because of Shea Patterson. That was never true. I was going to go to Ole Miss because it was a good system, and they run a good offense. Shea played a part in it, but I wouldn’t pick a school because of one person. That’s my homeboy. He knows that. We talked about it a lot also, but that was the biggest rumor.
Q: There was a lot of buzz about Ole Miss at the end as well. Where did the Rebels end up in the pecking order?
A: Oh, they were third for sure.
Q: What is the funniest thing any head coach said to you during the entire recruiting process, either on phone or in person?
A: I think when Nick Saban told me that when he went to LSU, how cruel the fans were to him for all he’s done for the program. The way he explained it, they were like ‘F-U, Saban.’ It was crazy. I think that was the funniest part.
Q: What was your biggest regret during the recruiting process?
A: I think I regret the fact that I didn’t take all my official visits. I only held it to certain schools. I was only going to go Ole Miss or ‘Bama or Tennessee. Out of all the offers I had, I didn’t suggest going to this place or that place. I limited myself as far as that, and it really kind of hurt me in the end because it came down to a numbers game with not only ‘Bama, but Ole Miss and Tennessee. If I would’ve went to two more places, maybe it would’ve been a little easier to make a decision, but when Oklahoma called, that was perfect. I think it was God answering prayers to be honest.
Q: What was the funniest story that happened on one of your recruiting trips?
A: Can I include this past weekend that I just went (to Oklahoma)? I got locked out where I was staying. I was locked out for about an hour, and I had a flight to catch. I think that’s pretty funny. We made the flight, but we had to go through a good bit of stuff to get the door open. It was close.
Q: Which coach was it the hardest to say no to?
A: I think it was hardest to say I wasn’t going to be going to Alabama. It came down to a numbers game thing at the end, but I just had such a good relationship with them, and they had been recruiting me since my sophomore year and knew my family and this and that.
Q: Which school disappointed you the most during recruiting?
A: I would say Ole Miss. I felt at some point they just weren’t being upfront with me. I’m a realist. Say you know you’re about to get this receiver commit, right? They’re telling you, ‘We’re going to tell you before somebody commits because you’re the guy we really want.’ Well, it didn’t happen like that. If you’re going to say something, just be upfront. Just because another receiver committed, I had no problem with it. It was just the way they handled the situation and what they told me.
Q: Which head coach of a team that you did not sign with was the nicest?
A: It’s between coach Butch Jones and coach Hugh Freeze. They were all nice don’t get me wrong, but those were the nicest guys and just genuine people.
Q: Which coach was not the nicest?
A: No one really. I would say coach (Nick) Saban, but that’s just who he is. I feel like his character and the way he carries himself is a reflection of his success. I can’t really knock the way he acts because that’s how he is every day, all day.
Q: If you were in charge of the NCAA, what’s the one rule you would change with recruiting?
A: I would change the rule that coaches can’t contact you. I feel like if you’re being recruited by a school, coaches should be able to contact you anytime.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 10:12 am to TideSaint
BOL on Shaun Wade:
quote:
Wade’s primary recruiter but sources close to the situation believe that defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt will most likely get more involved as Alabama highly covets the 6-foot-1 cover corner. Those same sources indicate that Alabama is not only a big-time player in Wade’s recruitment, but that Wade will most likely not stick to his commitment to Ohio State and wind up playing in the south closer to home.
If Wade were to decommit, Florida could ultimately be the Tide’s top competition due to proximity to his current home
Posted on 4/13/16 at 10:34 am to Rizzy
Nice. We need an elite CB in this year's class.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 10:34 am to TideSaint
LINK
quote:
NEW ORLEANS — Christopher Allen told SEC Country back in February that Alabama held the top spot for him over LSU. That’s still the case.
According to his 247Sports Crystal Ball, 100 percent of recruiting analysts that have offered a prediction on Allen’s landing spot believe he’ll end up at LSU. The Baton Rouge, La., native explained why he favors the Crimson Tide over the Tigers right now.
“Alabama just wins a lot. They just won the last national championship, so obviously they are doing something right there,” Allen told SEC Country at Nike’s The Opening regional on Sunday. “They also send a lot of players to the NFL, and that’s where I want to be.”
Linebacker may be the deepest position at Alabama, but the four-star outside linebacker isn’t worried about what the depth chart looks like. He actually views the opportunity to learn from veterans as a chance to even further his game.
“I would like to get on the field as a freshman and start, but at the same time if I didn’t get to play right away, it would be an advantage because I would get to learn from the older guys and really develop as a player,” Allen said.
The 6-foot-4, 234-pounder said he’s trying to attend Alabama’s spring game this weekend but is not sure if he’ll be able to make it.
The Crimson Tide already have two linebacker commits in the Class of 2017 in four-stars Gary Johnson and VanDarius Cowan. Alabama only signed two linebackers in 2016, as five-stars Ben Davis and Mack Wilson signed with the Tide.
If Allen does end up choosing the Tide, he knows what the reason would be.
“I believe I would develop as a man and as a player if I went there,” Allen said. “I think they could get me to the next level.”
Allen is rated as the nation’s No. 7 outside linebacker and is the No. 4 prospect in the state of Louisiana.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 10:35 am to TideSaint
LINK
quote:
TANNER, Ala. — Chadarius Townsend walked through the hallways of Tanner High School as two kindergartners pulled on his leg and pinched him.
The four-star Alabama commit and nation’s No. 6 athlete had every right to be annoyed, but stopped and smiled at the duo, even extending a high-five. Students regularly approach Townsend at the school that holds students from kindergarten to 12th grade.
Townsend doesn’t act like he’s the No. 4 prospect in the state of Alabama. There’s no look-at-me ego from the four-star athlete, but there very well could be.
Tanner coach Laron White knows what an Alabama football player looks like. After all, he played for the Crimson Tide from 1992-1996.
He now has the pleasure of coaching Townsend at Tanner, where White has been since 2003. In his time there, White said Townsend may be the most special player to ever put on a Rattlers jersey.
“He may be the most athletic, explosive, fastest kid we’ve ever had around Tanner,” White told SEC Country. “He’s not only fast, but he’s physical. Whenever he touches the ball, there’s a threat of him going the distance. He has so much big-play ability.”
That attitude that Townsend exhibits in the hallways of Tanner carries on to the football field, White said. But sometimes, he thinks it hurts in some cases.
“He’s humble to a fault,” White said. “Most of the time, he’s the best player on the football field, but he’s so unselfish. Sometimes we run a zone read and he can pull the ball back and score a bunch, but he’s so unselfish. He just makes the right read and we move on to the next play.”
Townsend plays quarterback for Tanner, but the Crimson Tide told the nation’s No. 6 athlete that he can play wide receiver, running back, cornerback or special teams when he arrives on campus this summer.
The 6-foot, 180-pounder has his eyes on receiver and kick returner.
“I just like the ball in my hands,” Townsend said. “Whichever position allows me to have the ball in my hand, that’s the one I’m going to choose.”
His coach agrees that receiver would be a good fit for him at the next level. Townsend has track speed, and has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.4 seconds. He also runs the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4-by-100-meter events for Tanner.
White said Alabama coaches have used the word “gifted” when describing Townsend.
“There aren’t many players who are as fast as he is and as physical as he is,” White said of Townsend. “He’s a playmaker.”
Townsend is a firm commitment to Alabama, but that’s not stopping him from wanting to visit more schools, as he wants to see LSU, Florida and Florida State this summer.
But Crimson Tide fans shouldn’t be too worried.
“A commitment is a commitment. You can’t argue with that,” Townsend said.” Alabama is a great school and they are a top notch program. I know they can help me get to the NFL.
“Alabama is different than other schools. I feel more comfortable there than other schools. I don’t know what it is, but it’s just really great to be there.”
Townsend and White don’t talk a lot about Alabama, even though the coach’s office is filled with Crimson Tide gear.
The 6-foot, 180-pounder doesn’t need to hear his coach talk about the specifics of how the Crimson Tide would develop him as a man and an athlete because he sees it every single day when he’s around White.
“It seems like Alabama raises them right because he’s such a great coach and a great guy,” Townsend said.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 10:36 am to TideSaint
LINK
quote:
Tre’ Swilling has begun to narrow down his top schools.
On Tuesday evening, the four-star New Orleans cornerback released a top nine that includes five SEC schools.
LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Florida all cracked Swilling’s top nine, which also featured Florida State, Georgia Tech, Michigan and UCLA.
Over the weekend, Swilling outlined to SEC Country what he liked about the SEC mentioned, including the in-state Tigers.
“The schools I talk to a lot are Tennessee, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU, UCLA and Texas A&M,” Swilling said. “I’m starting to talk to Florida more, and I’m hoping to get an offer from them. You know, the LSU vs. Florida for ‘DBU’ things I kind of like … like the rivalry and competition amongst themselves. It’s a great competition.”
“Things are great. I talk to them a lot, if not the most, and all of their coaches,” he added, on LSU. “It’s an hour and half away, a family-oriented place. There’s not one thing they can do different. They’re making a great push and everything is going fine.”
Tennessee and Texas A&M are two noticeable SEC teams not to make the list.
Swilling and his brother, Bruce Jordan-Swilling previously visited Alabama when they picked up an offer from the Crimson Tide.
Swilling’s father, former New Orleans Saints linebacker Pat Swilling, attended Georgia Tech, the only other school besides LSU and Alabama that Swilling has visited thus far.
Michigan was among the first teams to extend an offer to the 6-foot, 180-pound Brother Martin High School (New Orleans) product.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 10:55 am to TideSaint
quote:
#Rivals100 QB Tua Tagovailoa will not leave Tuscaloosa until Thursday. He arrived at #Alabama last Thursday
From Bone
Posted on 4/13/16 at 11:02 am to Cobrasize
That's great news
Posted on 4/13/16 at 11:03 am to Cobrasize
quote:
#Rivals100 QB Tua Tagovailoa will not leave Tuscaloosa until Thursday. He arrived at #Alabama last Thursday
Why not just stay until Saturday then? He could see the massive turnout for A-Day that way.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 11:07 am to TideSaint
quote:
Why not just stay until Saturday then? He could see the massive turnout for A-Day that way.
According to Alabamya, they have to hurry home and start their preparations for Cinco De Mayo.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 11:26 am to Cobrasize
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