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

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VanDarius Cowan didn't know anything about Reuben Foster before his first visit to Alabama.

The then-Florida State commit remembers being caught off guard when Foster walked up to him after a Crimson Tide practice, said 'Come here, little bro' and pulled Cowan in for a hug.

"I was like, 'Who is this?'" Cowan joked.

They have become close since then.

Cowan will wear No. 10 -- Foster's old number -- at Alabama because of his relationship with Foster and his expectation to be the same type of physical, intimidating player for the Crimson Tide.

"I knew I wanted it from the day I committed and met Reuben," said Cowan, a four-star linebacker from Florida who will enroll at Alabama later this month. "He's a dog. He kind of reminded me of myself, and he's looked out for me and treated me like a little brother ever since then."

Foster isn't the only former Alabama star mentoring Cowan. Reggie Ragland, now with the Buffalo Bills, talks to the young linebacker "probably three times a week." Cowan also speaks regularly with rising senior linebacker Rashaan Evans.

In preparation for his arrival in Tuscaloosa, Cowan trains daily in Florida with NFL players such as Chicago Bears cornerback Cre'von LeBlanc and Bears wide receiver Deonte Thompson. Cowan, known for being confident and competitive, constantly challenges Thompson to races. Thompson is 35 pounds smaller, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds at Florida's Pro Day in 2012 and is arguably one of the fastest players in the NFL.

"VanDarius gets his butt-whoopings often, but he never backs down," said Gilbert Grantlin, Cowan's personal trainer.

Cowan is up to 240 pounds after playing his senior season last fall at 225 pounds. And while he can't run a low 4.3 like Thompson, he is very fast for his size, according to Grantlin, a former track standout who has trained NFL players like LeBlance, Thompson and Los Angeles Chargers starting wide receiver Travis Benjamin.

"When you see VanDarius, he's a lean 240," Grantlin said. "When people look at him, they think he's 225. He's 240, and he moves like he's 200. He's working hard."

Grantlin didn't want to disclose Cowan's current 40 time, simply saying, "I know he ran a 4.5 something one time at some camp. Let's just say he's faster than that now."

Alabama landed four linebackers in this year's recruiting class that were ranked among the top 106 players nationally according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings -- five-star Dylan Moses, Markail Benton, Chris Allen and the new No. 10.

After learning recently that he was able to get that number, Cowan told Foster.

"Man, you've got to keep that 10 up," Foster said to Cowan.

"I've got you, bro," Cowan responded confidently.

Said Grantlin: "He's going to be called a freak of nature before it's all over with."

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- During an SEC coaches’ teleconference on Monday, head coach Nick Saban said the Crimson Tide can take 22 players for the 2018 recruiting cycle. Currently, Alabama has three players that are committed.

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- Three-star Alabama target Daniel Faalele was recently featured by Sports Illustrated. Faalele has had the attention of most big schools due to his staggering frame. Faalele is a 6-foot-9, 400-pound offensive tackle who attends IMG Academy. Faalele has actually never played a game of football due to his Australian roots. The article mentions that Tosh Lupoi and Mike Locksley visited IMG to get a look at Faalele.

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- Four-star Auburn commit Joey Gatewood announced on Twitter that he has received an offer from Alabama. Gatwood committed to the Tigers on Dec. 5, 2015. He is a 6-foot-4, 232-pound dual-threat quarterback from Jacksonville, Florida. He ranks as the No. 23 player in the state of Florida, and the No. 1 athlete in this year’s class.

Received an offer from the University Of Alabama !???? #RTR @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/Bo4fhjbsun

— Joey Gatewood (@Joey1gatewood) May 11, 2017

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– Harold Joiner, the No. 6 player in Alabama, announced his top 12 schools, which included Alabama. Joiner is a four-star running back from Mountain Brook who stands at 6-foot-3, 218 pounds. Joiner is the No. 11 running back in this year’s class. Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee and Ole Miss also made his top 12.

Top 12??! @Wm_Galloway @Keith247Sports @TrainerfromHell pic.twitter.com/U15GQ1vNvL

— Harold Joiner (@hkjoiner3) May 14, 2017

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- Four-star wide receiver Joshua Moore included Alabama among his list of top five schools. Moore is a product of IMG academy in Bradenton, Fla. He ranks as the No. 14 wide receiver in this year’s class. Alabama has been high on Moore, with Nick Saban even using the NFL Draft as an opportunity to make an impression on him.

Final 5: #GigEm???? #RTR?? #GBR?? #GeauxTigers?? #GoNoles????

— JoshuaMoore (@_TheJoshuaMoore) May 10, 2017

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- Alabama outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi visited five-star defensive end Micah Parsons, according to Parsons’ high school coach. Parsons is the No. 3 player nationally and the No. 1 weak-side defensive end. Parsons was committed to Penn State for a while before deciding to decommit and explore his options on April 23. Parsons is 6-foot-3, 235 pounds.

Alabama in the house again for the second time in two weeks. #tide #cougars #1k pic.twitter.com/kmuG8KyFqw

— Coach Cal (@hbgcougarcoach) May 10, 2017

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- Four-star quarterback Jarren Williams announced on Kentucky Sports Radio that he will commit to the Kentucky Wildcats once again. Williams decommitted from Kentucky on April 24 shortly after visiting Alabama on A-Day. He is a 6-foot-2, 206-pound recruit who ranks has the No. 16 dual-threat quarterback in the country.

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Eddie Jackson signed 4-yr deal worth $3,065,808. Signing bonus is $665,808. Base salary of $465K this season

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Alabama extended a Tuesday offer to four-star defensive tackle Keondre Coburn of Houston (Texas) Westfield.

Coburn currently has a top three of TCU, Texas, and Texas A&M. 

The Crystal Ball reads in favor of the Longhorns at 88 percent. 

At 6-foot-1, 329 pounds, Coburn is rated the No. 8 defensive tackle and the No. 93 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. 

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