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

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MADISON, Ala. — Alabama signee LaBryan Ray has a great opportunity to play early as a true freshman this coming fall.

Ray, a 5-star prospect, joins a Crimson Tide team looking for defensive linemen to step up after the departure of Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson. Da’Ron Payne is the only returning starter.

Ray is one of two defensive linemen who’ll join Alabama this summer (Phil Mathis from Monroe, La., is the other).

Junior college transfer Isaiah Buggs, who enrolled in January, was the only other defensive lineman the Crimson Tide signed in the 2017 cycle.

“I do want to play early. I would definitely love to,” Ray told SEC Country. “Is there a chance I may get redshirted? Yeah. But I’m not really thinking of that. I’m trying to go in there and play and show the coaches what I got just for a chance.

“I’m hoping I can get some playing time as a freshman. Anything can happen. I’m ready for the future and to see what it holds.”

Alabama is no stranger to playing freshmen defensive linemen. Allen, A’Shawn Robinson and Da’Ron Payne each contributed in their first seasons on campus. So even if he doesn’t start, there’s a strong chance Ray is able to break into the rotation.

Ray said he’s spoken with Alabama’s coaching staff and defensive line coach Karl Dunbar about being versatile enough to rush from the edge as well as slide inside in certain defensive packages. The role sounds similar to the one Allen played throughout his All-American career at Alabama.

Ray is a composite 5-star defensive lineman and arguably the top player in the state of Alabama in 2017. The 247Sports composite listed Ray as the No. 26 overall player nationally and the No. 1 strong-side defensive end prospect.

Ray finished his senior season at James Clemens High School with 124 tackles, including 25 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, 2 fumble recoveries and a blocked punt. As a junior in 2013, Ray recorded 113 tackles with 20 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.

He picked Alabama over Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Alabama fans can expect Ray to work hard once he hits campus.

“My dad always told me that if you put in the work, everything else will take care of itself,” Ray said. “Just a hard, hard worker. I know I’m gone play with 110 percent, be relentless and try to wreak havoc. All of that in one.”

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Alabama will sign at least one quarterback in the Class of 2018, but who the Crimson Tide will pick up remains a mystery.

The Crimson Tide extended an offer to 4-star Bartram Trail High School (Jacksonville, Fla.) quarterback Joey Gatewood on Thursday.

“I think they offered last year, but there wasn’t much communication so (offensive line coach Brent Key) re-affirmed it to me again today,” Gatewood told SEC Country’s Benjamin Wolk.

Gatewood has been committed to Auburn since December of 2015 but has shown interest in other schools. Even with showing interest in other programs, he has stuck with Auburn through rumors of Gus Malzahn being on the hot seat and former offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee leaving for a job with Connecticut. The latter may have been the biggest blow for Gatewood because of their close relationship, but Gatewood remained with Auburn.

Is there any chance he would reopen his recruitment?

“There wasn’t no doubts (post-Lashlee). What happened, happened. I didn’t have any control over it,” Gatewood told SEC Country in March. “Honestly, if Gus left (it would change things). If Gus wasn’t there, I would maybe — see; I don’t want to say too much because, even with that, I still don’t know what I would do. I don’t think that’d make me de-commit yet. I’d have to see what happens.”

SEC Country has been told by someone close to Gatewood that Alabama is a school that could potentially change his mind on Auburn. The 6-foot-4, 232-pound prospect said he will “probably” visit Tuscaloosa this summer.

Gatewood is rated as the nation’s No. 1 athlete in the Class of 2018.

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I forgot all about Ray

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