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

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Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton Top247 quarterback Tyler Shough told 247Sports that Alabama is the latest to offer.

Shough received the news from Crimson Tide assistant Tosh Lupoi.

"I obviously know their track record of outstanding players and coaches, excited to get to know the new OC from the Patriots and talk with him and Coach Saban. I love that they are a pro-style based offense that would fit around me, which is what they said as well."

Shough has become one of the hottest quarterback recruits in the country with recent offers coming in from Michigan, Missouri, South Carolina and Washington State among others.

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ODENVILLE, Ala. – Alabama has held the lead for three-star defensive tackle Jalen Cunningham since the staff offered back in February.

“It’s a really big lead,” Cunningham told BamaOnLine. “It’ll be hard for me not to go there.”

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Any ideas on how you pronounce his last name?

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Also KN has recruiting insider up this morning. He was on the road yesterday visiting a few of Auburn's top targets

- One of the first stops was Lithonia, GA to see 3* DE Caleb Tannor. Tigers have made him a clear priority with both Travis Williams and Rodney Garner after him. We like him at the Buck spot. He really likes UGA a lot but they want him to camp this summer before making offer commitable, we would take him now. Florida is another team that could get in the hunt. Another thing helping Auburn is his coach once worked with Travis Williams and the two are still pretty close

- Tigers are trending up for 4* S Quindarious Monday and apparently we have a pretty significant lead. Florida and Florida State are in his second group but as of now no one seems to be close to AU mainly because we are recruiting him so hard. His HS coach says it's come down to simple fact that we are recruiting him the hardest of any school and he appreciates it. A team to keep an eye on is Georgia who he's visiting this weekend but barring some major changes the Tigers look like the landing spot and it could happen soon

- It's a 2 team battle for 4* OG Clay Webb. Will probably be the major AU/Bama battle in 2019. Early on we were the team to beat but Bama kicked it up a notch with Saban visiting to see his wrestling match and other stuff like that. He's still high on AU though and Tigers are getting help from former 4* LB KJ Britt who is his teammate. Big problem for AU is he's real close with 4* OT Pierce Quick who seems like a Bama lock. Good news though is Webb will be at UGA's spring game this weekend and not Bama's

- 3* DT Jalen Cunningham does not have an offer from AU but has visited AU recently. KN says kid is all Bama and will probably pull trigger soon. Tigers wanted to evaluate him this spring before offering and apparently some think he might be better as an OG. But basically once Bama offered this race was over

So 4* WR Matthew Hill and 4* S Quindarious Monday could both be jumping on at Big Cat Weekend. That would be a nice boost to class heading into the summer.

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Gavin Lewis is still awaiting an offer from one of the state's Big 2, but major programs from outside Alabama's borders are in pursuit of the Bob Jones 2018 defensive end.

The latest offer for the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Lewis came from Colorado over the weekend. The Buffaloes join a list of suitors that include Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Purdue, Troy and South Alabama.

Lewis doesn't currently have a star rating from any of the big recruiting services, but he's playing for a coach - Kevin Rose - who has a track record of sending talented players to the next level. Rose's past pupils include former Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland and 2017 Tide signee Kendall Randolph.

AL.com recently sat down with Bob Jones Rose to discuss Lewis, who recorded 50 tackles, nine stops for a loss and four pass breakups last season.

Q: What were your first impressions of Lewis?

Rose: "I think you saw the body. The first thing that college coaches look at is, 'Do they meet the measurables?,' and he does. He's 6-4-plus, 265 pounds. He's got a long wingspan. And he could carry another 30 pounds, easily. He's athletic that he's played basketball most of his career. I think he's got a chance to be a very good player."

Q: How has him improved over past seasons?

Rose: "I think he's come a long way in the weight room. When he first got here from middle school, it was one of those deals where a kid is bigger than everyone else in middle school. They really don't have a great work ethic because they've never really had to have one. They've been able to be successful without lifting weights or without being in phenomenal shape. I think we've coached him up to where he understands now, at the level he wants to play at, everybody there is a good player, and everybody is 6-4, 260, 270, so you better be strong, have a great work ethic and be in great shape. I think he's really improved in his off-the-field development."

Q: What have college coaches liked about him?

Rpse: "I think they see him as being a defensive lineman that may end up inside. He may end up being a 3 technique because I think he's going to end up being 6-5, 290 or 295. And he's a good athlete. I'm not sure he's a good enough athlete to be a rush end in the SEC, but if you put him inside, I think he becomes a very athletic defensive tackle."

Q: Have Alabama or Auburn shown interest?

Rose: "There's been some interest from Tennessee. Auburn and Alabama have asked some questions. He's a guy who would need to go to camp at one of those three schools and let them see him in person to pick up one of those offers."

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