re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

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Bama only has room to sign 8 more, including unsigned commitments, Brown, Walker and Jackson.

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Patrick Surtain

LSU is confident that it will land the five-star cornerback, but Nick Saban has turned up the heat here. Beating out Alabama isn’t easy, so the Tigers have their work cut out for them. Saban recently visited Surtain’s school in a helicopter, and it seems like college football’s most successful coach is prepared to pull out all the stops to land the Florida product. That said, the bond between LSU and Surtain is an old on, so breaking it isn’t going to be easy. The Tigers are still the slight favorite to land Surtain’s signature on Signing Day. That said, his Jan. 19 visit to Tuscaloosa could change things.

The prediction: LSU

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Tyson Campbell

Campbell’s recruitment has turned into a head-to-head battle between Miami and Georgia. That could change after the cornerback’s upcoming visit to Alabama, but the Hurricanes and Bulldogs have been mainstays in the process and need to be viewed as the favorites. Georgia may have gained a bit of an edge following Campbell’s campus visit on Jan. 12. But while things seem to be trending Kirby Smart’s way, this one could have a plot twist left in it.

The prediction: Georgia

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Jaylen Waddle

Waddle has continued to make things difficult on recruiting media with his ability to not give significant hints as to which programs have made the most headway with him down the stretch. That, in turn, has continued to give all the teams involved with him the impression that they’re in the best standing. An obvious connection to Texas A&M has been drawn, following his recruitment by Jimbo Fisher from his time at FSU. But Alabama has considered itself a major player for some time. Meanwhile, Oregon and Texas have continued their efforts with him, but both of those programs have publicly been recruiting other wide receivers in-state.

Prediction: Texas A&M

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Hueytown sophomore Roydell Williams admits he surprised himself with his sophomore season.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pound running back logged 205 carries for 1,585 yards and 23 touchdowns and added a 24th touchdown on a reception as the Golden Gophers earned a spot in the Class 6A playoffs and earned a spot on AL.com's All-Birmingham Team.

"He got better every week, even after defenses started loading the box to stop him," Hueytown coach Scott Mansell said. "He became a very physical runner, which made him even better with the God-given gifts he has. Roydell is blessed with great vision and balance, and it's hard to find that combination in a running back."

Williams' breakout sophomore season brought early recruiting attention to a Class of 2020 player who still has two seasons of high school football remaining. He already has offers from more than a half-dozen schools, including Auburn and Ole Miss.

Williams seems destined to eventually play in the SEC, and one school -- one that hasn't yet offered a scholarship --stands out to him.

"Alabama," he said. "For me, that's my favorite team. The program, the facilities, the school itself, everything about it is good."

Alabama, of course, won the 2017 College Football Championship, beating Georgia 26-23 in overtime, for Nick Saban's fifth title in his 10 years leading the Crimson Tide.

For now, Williams is concentrating on the Golden Gophers' basketball season before turning his attention to football again this spring. He has been invited to a Rivals combine-style event in Atlanta, he plans to hit the weight room hard, and Hueytown has spring practice scheduled for May.

Williams said he wants to work his elusiveness -- "getting more juke moves," he said -- this spring, while working on his speed and strength.

Williams said he is taking recruiting slow, has no leaders and expects to take his time as he makes a college decision.

As he sifts through the college offers, he said his parents have given him simple advice when it comes to recruiting.

"They just tell me to pick where you're going to feel most comfortable," he said.

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Is that including M.Browm(48) spot who's transferring out?

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when was the last time Rivals did a predication article and actually predicted a kid to sign with Bama? i can't remember it, honestly.

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HONOLULU -- Despite being a commitment to Princeton, Lancaster (Calif.) Paraclete quarterback Brevin White didn't sign with the Tigers last month since they're an Ivy League school.

But that commitment and lack of signing has had other schools reaching out to White.

"There have been some top programs that have reached out that didn’t sign a quarterback during the early period and are looking for another guy to sign in February," said White. "It’s definitely triggered some schools reaching out late and trying to pick me up. I’m committed so they know that. It’s going take me a lot to ultimately flip to another school."

So is White open to other schools?

"Yeah, absolutely because Princeton is a rare opportunity but there is also other rare opportunities out there," said White. "It’s going to take the right thing and the perfect fit in order to make that happen. Right now I’m pretty comfortable and content with Princeton."

A few have reached out more than others.

"Alabama and Auburn are a couple of schools," said White. "Now with my brother going to Memphis, Memphis is trying to come back into the picture a little bit. Boise State too. But mainly those two SEC schools though with Chip Lindsey over there and Alabama not signing any guy. Those are the two ones that are intriguing to me most. So we’ll see what happens."

White's older brother, Brady, is grad transferring to Memphis and reuniting with Mike Norvell, the former Arizona State offensive coordinator who recruited White and is now the head coach there.

Memphis offered Brevin early on and with Brady there, they could be an option since the opportunity to play with him is real.

"Yeah it does affect it a little bit," said White. "Me and my brother have a tremendous relationship. I don’t want to say that was the goal all along but we definitely either wanted to be in the Pac-12 or both on the same team, just so we could be on the same level, be with each other. It’s a pretty unique opportunity."

Could an offer be on the docket?

"Yes I definitely could visit," said White. "It’s a family affair."

In the meantime, Auburn and Alabama are also discussing visits.

"They’re both trying to set up official visits for me," said White. "Those will unravel pretty soon here if I’m going to make that happen."

White said he's still not working with a set time frame for a final decision but knows there isn't a lot of time to work with.

"There’s not a lot of time now," said White. "So it’d have to be something quick, the next couple of weeks. I'd have to get a visit in and ultimately make a decision."

White said Princeton coaches are aware of other schools recruiting him.

"I need to talk to them more about the other schools and letting them know but I visited other schools after committing and they’re pretty understanding about it," said White.

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