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

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Not trolling, just realistic. Bama isn't going to land everyone.

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We all know Bama won't win every recruiting battle, especially the most challenging ones. It seems like 90% of your posts itt are overly pessimistic and negative in light of what's being reported. I haven't noticed you posting any valuable information or worthwhile analysis. That's why your posts itt tend to come across as trolling. I pray your negative demeanor displayed itt doesn't manifest itself that much in all areas of your life.

and

I removed Kevontae Ruggs and Julius Irvin from the Top Targets section of the OP.

I also added Leon O'Neal now that he is visiting this weekend.

He's committing to Washington tomorrow.

QB Brock Purdy to break down favorites this week

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Brock Purdy has been racking up the miles.

The three-star quarterback from Gilbert (Ariz.) Perry started January with a trip to Boise State and then followed that up with a visit to Iowa State.

Last weekend, Purdy stopped at UCF before heading to Alabama for a few days and both trips went really well and stood out for various reasons.

“Both places were amazing,” Purdy said. “UCF was special, especially with (Josh) Heupel's knowledge. I was very impressed. ‘Bama was awesome as well. The coaching staff is great and the feel of being on campus felt like a dream.”

During his time in Tuscaloosa, Purdy had an opportunity to spend time with coach Nick Saban and it was definitely a memorable experience.

“Saban broke down what it means to be a quarterback,” Purdy said.

“He said you have to develop in college and if I go there then I would definitely develop. (Mike) Locksley said I would be a good fit in their system, having a good grasp of their kind of offense.”

There had been some whispers recently that Iowa State had emerged as the favorite for Purdy but he said there’s no truth to it. First, the three-star quarterback needs to discuss things with his family and then a top team should emerge.

“No, it's not true,” Purdy said of the Iowa State rumors. “I'm sitting down with my family this week to evaluate all the schools. As of now, everyone is equal.”

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Unless something has changed recently Ivy League do not give out scholarships including academic or athletic. They do offer financial aid but do not offer any merit based award earned for athletic ability or academic ability.

Alabama has 'high chance' of landing highly-ranked cornerback

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Isaac Taylor-Stuart first visited Alabama in 2016 and named the Crimson Tide his top school after that visit.

That was referenced in a tweet that the four-star cornerback posted after taking an official visit to Alabama this past weekend.

It's looking like Alabama may be the favorite to land him at this point.

"Alabama has a high chance, honestly," Taylor-Stuart told SEC Country.

Taylor-Stuart is one of several highly-ranked cornerbacks that Alabama is in the mix for, even after signing three cornerbacks during the early signing period.

The California product is the fourth-best cornerback and 32nd-best overall prospect in this year's recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Taylor-Stuart, who is also considering USC, Tennessee and Texas A&M, told SEC Country that he enjoyed being able to see and hold Alabama's new national championship trophy.

"That definitely weighs on me a lot because not too many schools can even say they have been to a national title or even won one," Taylor-Stuart said. "Basically, my main goal is to win a national title. And if Alabama is the best place for me, then I'm going to go there and win that title. Seeing that crystal ball, that was my first time seeing a crystal ball. I was just like 'Whoa.' I actually got to hold it and take a picture with it. It was a pretty awesome moment."

Also working in the Tide's favor is the recent hiring of former Texas A&M assistant Jeff Banks.

Banks was Taylor-Stuart's primary recruiter for A&M.

"It impacts it because Coach Banks is basically my favorite recruiter," Taylor-Stuart told SEC Country. "I love talking to him. He's always fired up. I just love him. That's my favorite recruiter and just a guy I could talk to even when we're not talking about football."

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Army All-America DB Leon O’Neal set to take last-minute official visit to Alabama

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Add one more official visitor for Alabama this weekend.

Leon O’Neal Jr., a 4-star safety from Cy Springs High School (Cypress, Texas), will take an official visit to Alabama after receiving a visit from Nick Saban and special teams coordinator Jeff Banks on Tuesday morning, which was first reported by 247Sports’ Brian Perroni and confirmed by SEC Country. Banks was O’Neal’s primary recruiter when he was at Texas A&M. O’Neal was once committed to the Aggies.

O’Neal has already filmed a commitment video, when he was considering offers from Clemson, Georgia and Texas A&M. There was some buzz that O’Neal was going to release the video on Monday night, but he decided not to. Depending on how the visit to Tuscaloosa goes this weekend, a new ending to the video may have to be filmed.

There are numerous defensive back targets still left on the board. Here’s a look at who the Tide are after:

5-star cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr.
5-star cornerback Tyson Campbell
5-star cornerback Olaijah Griffin
4-star cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart
4-star safety Julius Irvin
3-star cornerback Eddie Smith

O’Neal is now the second known official visitor Alabama will host this weekend with 3-star linebacker Jaylen Moody being the other. Moody is more of a backup option if Alabama linebacker commits Vernon Jackson and Quay Walker flip to other schools.

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Isn't USC recruiting ITS at Safety and Irvin now headed to Washington does that mean USC feels good about ITS? Just curious as until yesterday it seemed that Irvin was headed to USC.

IT'S' physical measurables and talents can't be taught and are ideal. His techniques do need to be coached up some and of course he'll have to learn our coverage schemes.

I haven't predicted the worst possible class, just a realistic class. I think Bama lands the following players.

Brown
Langham
Jackson
Ross
Waddle
ITS
Smith
Purdy

That is a pretty great finish, just not the one everyone wants.