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

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We haven’t even done a numerical Rivals100 for the class of 2019 yet, but with so many offers going out for the class of 2020 as the recruiting cycle continues to speed up, we thought it would be a good time to take a look at some of the top rising sophomores in the country. We call it 20 for 20 and will roll out four a day this week for you to keep an eye on. Today’s list is led by a quarterback who became famous earning an offer in middle school.

This group has a few big names in and a couple who will be big names soon. Harrison Bailey has been on the radar since he received those early offers as an 8th grader and it’s hard to find a more mature, calm and cool quarterback in the 2020 class. He has a chance to be the No. 1 guy in this class similar to Trevor Lawrence in 2018. Sav'ell Smalls is an athletic freak who could play end or linebacker. Think of him as potentially a young Jaelan Phillips, although he’s not quite that naturally athletic and time will tell how long he gets.

Enzo Jennings has a great combination of coverage skills and the physical nature to support the run and he has smarts and leadership at an early age while Porter Rooks is physically developed and looks like a much older receiver. He has great hands, makes tough catches and his long stride allows for smooth separation.

Here’s a breakdown of each from our analyst team.

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DE Sav'ell Smalls

“Smalls is super impressive both physically and athletically and can take over the line of scrimmage even as a freshman. With his hand down, Smalls has the speed to beat offensive tackles on the edge and the power to bull rush or go inside to make plays. He loves whacking people in the backfield and he has excellent balance to make a move to win at the line of scrimmage and then get to the quarterback in a hurry. Smalls also has the skills to play as an outside linebacker hybrid where he can cover in the flat or rush standing up. He is already a physical presence and reminds me of a young Derek Barnett. Michigan, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Washington and others are already in the mix.” – Adam Gorney, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst

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WR Porter Rooks

“Rooks has a very impressive offer sheet and for good reason. The versatile wide receiver prospect excels in the slot and on the outside. Rooks has very little trouble breaking press coverage and runs solid short, intermediate, and deep routes. He is also more physically developed than more of the receivers in his class has very reliable hands. Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech are just a few highlights from his offer sheet.” – Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst

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Jaycee Horn had declared Alabama as his recruiting leader for more than a month, but there’s a new No. 1 team.

Horn, a 4-star cornerback from Alpharetta (Ga.) High School, told SEC Country that South Carolina is now the favorite to land his commitment when he makes his decision. The Crimson Tide are now running second. Horn had told SEC Country a little less than two weeks ago that Alabama had remained his leader.

How did Alabama lose its lead for one of its top cornerback targets?

” ‘Bama just fell off with the relationship,” Horn said. “They are making other corners in the state more of a priority than me. I know that I’m South Carolina’s No. 1 guy.”

It might be true that the Tide are prioritizing other Georgia cornerbacks such as 4-star prospects Kyler McMichael and Kearis Jackson, who wants to play wide receiver in college. Horn does have an offer from Alabama. The staff is high on him.

Defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley reached out to Horn on Wednesday when he was informed of the news. Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt was expected to stop by Alpharetta High School on Wednesday as well.

Jaycee is the son of former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn.

One factor for why South Carolina overtook Alabama is because of Jaycee Horn’s strong relationship with the Gamecocks staff.

“I talk to Coach [Will] Muschamp at least once a week and me and [defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson] text all of the time,” Horn said. “I just have a more comfortable feel with them right now.”

So what can Alabama do to get its lead back?

“It’s all about relationships,” Horn said. “That’s all. I don’t expect for them to change anything. I mean, it’s Alabama. They are going to be great regardless.”

Horn has no timetable to make a decision.

At 6-foot-1, 173 pounds, Horn is a 3-star prospect in the 247Sports composite rankings for 2018 recruiting. McMichael and Jackson are 4-star prospects.

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One of the top athletes in the country has narrowed his focus.

Four-star Kyler McMichael (Norcross, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) told Dawgs247 on Wednesday that he is now looking to decide in the next few months and a few schools are at the top of his list.

"Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, and Tennessee," McMichael said.

?The 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect could play running back at the next level if he wanted to and be one of the best in the 2018 cycle. Instead, the physical athlete plans to play cornerback in college. Look for a decision from McMichael to come before the season starts, with each of his finalists getting a pivotal final visit to try and seal the deal in his recruitment. That might include working out for his potential position coach at a few programs to get a better feel for what playing there might be like.

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Alabama landed the top player in the state for 2017 in LaBryan Ray when the five-star defensive end opted for the Tide over Florida and others on National Signing Day.

The Madison (Ala.) James Clemens product never once trended anywhere else on the Crystal Ball besides Alabama, but that didn’t take some of the drama out of his recruitment with late visits to Florida and Tennessee.

“It was pressure off my shoulders because as of late it began to get stressful,” Ray told BamaOnLine of finally committing and signing with the Crimson Tide on Signing Day. “It was a great day for me and my family. It just took a weight off of my shoulders. I know where I’m going to go, and now I can prepare and be ready for when I step on campus. It’s been peaceful (since). You already know where you’re going, and took care of all that. I’m just having fun with the rest of my senior year getting ready for what I’m about to go into.”

What Ray is about to go into includes summer school classes and workouts, which he’s already begun prepping for this spring.

“It’s challenging, man,” Ray said of the new workouts. “Going from the coaches at JC, they train you very, very hard, but it’s hard. It challenged me mentally and physically. I remember doing my first workout. I was extremely tired. It’s something different from the workouts in high school. I’m trying to adjust the best I can.”

The in-state defender gave his thoughts on the Alabama defense, including guys from his class he saw step up this spring.

“A lot of the people are young, but talented,” he said. “That’s a lot of leadership for the years to come. The talent is there but everything else has to come together now. I have no doubt that it will. I’m just looking forward to being part of that great program and being surrounded by so many great players. It’s going to be a great challenge for me. I just can’t wait to step in.”

Like many if not all of his fellow signees, Ray has a goal of getting on the field this fall.

“Just to be able to get a couple of reps,” he said. “If I can play early, I think that’s what everybody wants to do. That’s a goal of mine, and I know it’s going to be hard at a University like that. I know I’ve got great work ethic. I’m going to put myself in the best situation and go with what happens.”

Ray knows for a fact that he’s rooming with fellow Madison native and 2017 signee Kendall Randolph. He’s not sure on the others as of yet.

At 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, Ray is rated the No. 1 strong-side defensive end and the No. 26 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

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