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

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Since recruiting is predictable, not at all volatile and incredibly easy to project, Rivals.com Florida analyst Rob Cassidy takes on the simple task of filling everyone in on what will happen in the Sunshine State in the short eight months between now and Signing Day 2018.

Because of the static nature of football recruiting, nothing is likely to change, abruptly or otherwise, between now and February 2018, so the following Florida-centric predictions should be 100 percent correct. Or something like that. 

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5. Alabama will flip a Florida-based player late in the recruiting cycle

Somebody is getting victimized. The only question is “who will it be?”

Last year, it was former Florida State commit Daniel Wright, who seemed like an FSU lock for some time. And while it’s unclear who this year’s prospect will be, all three Florida-based power programs should be on high alert. Until further notice, the Tide is the shark in the recruiting ocean, and it always seems to feed in Florida.

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It's shaping up to be a big week in the recruitment of Huffman star defensive end Allen Love.

The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Love, a three-star recruit by the 247Sports composite, will visit Ole Miss on Friday and Saturday. That's his No. 1 school among schools who have offered. He's built a strong bond with defensive line coach Freddie Roach.

On Monday, he'll camp for Alabama. Love talks frequently with offensive line coach Brent Key, and defensive line coach Karl Dunbar watched Love on May 19 in his spring game against Paul Bryant.

"I talked to him after the game that night and last week," Love said. "He told me that I looked great and he can't wait for me to come down, spend some time and get to work with them."

That opportunity will come on Monday. Alabama has watched Love for a while, but wants to see how he competes against elite linemen in front of the coaching staff.

"I'm going to go out there, do my thing and come back that Monday with an offer," Love said.

Love talks to Key the most from the Alabama staff.

"We just talk about how he loves my work ethic, the way I've been working and how I'm not giving up just because the offer hasn't come yet," Love said. "He says I'm doing everything right and if I do what I need to do, they're going to offer."

An offer would be huge for Love, a lifelong Alabama fan.

"It's going to be hard (not to commit right away)," Love said. "That's going to take a big part of me. That's a childhood dream and something I've been dreaming about since I was five. That would be a great feeling, to say I could go to Alabama and play for a team that has won numerous championships."

Ole Miss is right there, though, and is recruiting him the hardest. He said that North Carolina State and Kentucky are also in the picture.

Love said last month that he wants to announce a commitment on July 22, his 17th birthday, and that plan remains in place.

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Mountain Brook four-star athlete Harold Joiner plans on camping at Alabama next Monday to see where he best fits in with the Crimson Tide.

But he's gone above and beyond to state his preference. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Joiner wants to play offense. He has more than 30 scholarship offers, with Southern Cal recently getting into the race. Alabama and Auburn have offered.

Many schools see high potential for Joyner, a starting running back for the Spartans the last two seasons, but not necessarily at the running back position. That's why the camps this summer will be a key.

Joiner is built like he could grow into a star at many different positions, and has the moves and hands to shine offensively in any system.

"They want me to come to their camp and evaluate me and see which position they would want to put me at," Joiner said.

"If they want me to do linebacker, I don't know if I would do it. Only receiver and running back.

"Who doesn't like scoring touchdowns? You rarely score on defense unless you get a pick. You get more joy out of running with the ball than from a defensive standpoint."

?The four-star running back recruit has 20-plus offers

Joyner just turned 17 on May 12, so he may not be done growing. He's embraced the fact that he may have to play receiver. Joiner is ranked as the No. 5 running back nationally and No. 138 overall recruit in the 247Sports composite.

Alabama is the only school that has mentioned tight end to Joiner. The Crimson Tide just had O.J. Howard drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. But Joiner doesn't want to play tight end.

"I feel like I'm more versatile," Joyner said. "I'm not just a blocking and catching guy. I can make moves."

Joyner released a top 12 recently, with Alabama and Auburn among the schools on it. He rushed for 744 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior and caught nine passes for 180 yards and two scores.

LSU and Auburn see his talent at the running back position, and that's why LSU leads right now.

"They're a powerful squad and they just feel like home down there," Joiner said. "It's a great feeling."

Joiner likely will attend Auburn's Big Cat Weekend on Saturday. The informal event allows for bonding with coaches and other recruits in a setting away from the field.

"(Running backs) Coach (Tim) Horton always texts me telling me that we want to coach you, we love you as a running back and they want me down there sometime," Joiner said. "Coach (Gus) Malzahn told me they could switch me out to receiver."

Joiner hopes to visit Michigan state, USC, Georgia and Texas this summer along with Alabama, Auburn and LSU. He could visit LSU on June 22.

Joiner will also compete as a running back at The Opening finals in Beaverton, Ore., from June 29-July 3.

He now says he may make a commitment before his senior season starts.

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I'm guessing he is implying Josh Jobe here.

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UA PUTTING FULL COURT PRESS ON ZAMIR WHITE NATION'S TOP RB

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Three-star running back Tavion Thomas included Alabama in his top seven that he released on Saturday afternoon.

Cincinnati, Louisville, Oklahoma, USC, West Virginia, and Wisconsin also made the list.

The Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar product earned an offer during a visit earlier this year alongside teammate and four-star receiver Joseph Scates.

Thomas has not yet set up a return visit to Tuscaloosa as it stands.

At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Thomas is rated the No. 18 running back and the No. 342 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

Ohio State, which did not make the list, is the Crystal Ball favorite at 82 percent.

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