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

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Linebacker/Buck Quay Walker, Cordele (Ga.) Crisp County

WHERE THINGS STAND: Alabama leads with Auburn probably the closest to the Tide. Walker visited the Tigers with his mother, but cut the visit short to leave for Tuscaloosa, Ala. If Walker decides this summer, it's good for the Tide. The longer it goes on, that could help Auburn.

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The 2019 Louisiana recruiting class is loaded with big hitters. Southern Lab running back Tyrion Davis is one of the gems.

Monday proved to be an eventful day for Davis, who just completed an impressive performance at LSU's skills camp before making his way to Alabama.

It did not take the Crimson Tide long to make its move, with Davis taking to Twitter to announce his latest scholarship offer.

Beyond blessed to receive an offer from The University of Alabama !![?][?] [?] [?] #Rolltide #RBU pic.twitter.com/v6n3zUoRMn
-- Tyrion Davis (@3_too_lit) June 5, 2017

Shortly after the Crimson Tide offer was reported, LSU decided to make its move. In a matter of two-hours, the 6-feet-1, 210-pound back reeled in offers from two SEC powers.

Blessed to receive an offer from LSU Tigers [?] [?] [?] #backyard pic.twitter.com/yHBiQ5IGEK
-- Tyrion Davis (@3_too_lit) June 6, 2017

The Tigers and Crimson Tide are likely to be two of many programs vying for Davis' signature--as colleges from around the country are likely to join the race in due time, joining the likes of Colorado and Arizona State. The bruising back ran for 244 yards on just eight carries in the team's win over Ascension Episcopal last December.

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So don't be shocked if Bama takes the top 3 instate DTs in this class with Miller, Love & Cunningham

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I wonder what Martin thinks about Zamir White coming to Tuscaloosa last weekend.

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Jaylon Reed is no longer committed to Tennessee.

The 3-star cornerback out of Olive Branch, Miss. made that clear on Monday when he tweeted a message that said he had decided to “withdraw” his commitment to the Vols.

Reed is rated as the No. 19 player in the state of Mississippi and the No. 72 cornerback in the Class of 2018 according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

The loss of Reed drops the Tennessee recruiting class down to 11 members for 2018. The Vols still have a strong core to the class, which is rated No. 9 in the nation and No. 2 in the SEC by 247Sports.

In the moments following the news, SEC Country’s Alabama recruiting reporter Chris Kirschner indicated that Reed was expected to be in Tuscaloosa on Sunday. He does not yet have an offer from Alabama, per 247Sports, but he does have offers from several other SEC schools such as Georgia, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

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Michael Harris feels like a backup option for Alabama

It’s a deep year once again at the linebacker position for Alabama recruiting. The Tide are in good position to land 4-star prospects Eyabi Anoma, JJ Peterson and Quay Walker. The team is also in the mix for Andres Fox, KJ Henry and Micah Parsons. Jordan Davis is committed as an outside linebacker.

There are a lot of names on the board at linebacker, and Michael Harris, a 4-star prospect from Tucker (Ga.) High School, is one of them. Harris feels like the prospects we mentioned above are being recruited by Alabama more so than him.

“I know they are recruiting other linebackers harder than me,” Harris told SEC Country. “I’ve seen them show more love to other guys. I feel like I’m being recruited as a guy they may possibly need, but they don’t show me they’re fully Roll Tide with me.”

Now, he says that it doesn’t matter to him because it makes him want to work harder, but it’s clear that it’s an issue because other schools are treating him like he’s a top priority.

“I want to show them that they are entertaining other guys that they shouldn’t and when they do come and entertain me, I may not entertain you back,” Harris said. “It’s still a really great feeling to have an offer from Alabama. Not everyone gets that offer. If you do get that offer, though, you know you’re doing something right.”

Auburn is one of those schools that is “entertaining” Harris to the max. Harris visited Auburn last weekend for Big Cat Weekend, where he was treated like one of the team’s top linebacker targets.

“Auburn treats me like I’m already a War Eagle,” Harris said. “Alabama doesn’t show me that kind of love.”

Again, the reason for the lack of love on Alabama’s end could be because the team feels good with where it stands with Anoma, Peterson and Walker. There’s only room for four linebackers in the 2018 class, according to a source close to the program. If the Tide lands those three and Davis sticks with his commitment, that could be their four signees, if everything goes according to plan.

Harris did have a video conference call with Saban recently, so Alabama is still keeping tabs on the nation’s No. 12 inside linebacker. He also hears from his primary recruiter, defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley, quite often.

“I’m definitely interested in Alabama,” Harris said. “They have so much success. They let their game do all of the talking on the field. I text with Coach Ansley and Coach Saban a bit. They’ve shown me the hard work and dedication they put into their players. I like that.”

Harris is planning on making a commitment before his senior season begins in August. If that’s the case, it’s hard to see him in Alabama’s class because it will wait for the guys I mentioned above if they haven’t decided by then.

The 6-foot-2, 213-pound prospect has also once stated that he was going to Ohio State no matter what. The Buckeyes have offered him, but they just got a commitment from Teradja Mitchell, the nation’s No. 2 inside linebacker.

“I’m going to see if Ohio State gives me the same type of love and treatment now,” Harris said. “I texted the OSU coaches congratulations on getting the commitment, but I didn’t hear anything from them. Usually, I would have some sort of response back. So, I’m just seeing if they got what they wanted in that linebacker and if they show me the same kind of love as they once did.”

If Ohio State doesn’t have room for Harris, I would say Auburn is in the best position for him. Georgia also is in the mix for him. It would appear as of today that several pieces would have to fall the wrong way for Alabama to start prioritizing Harris as a top target.

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One player who didn’t get an offer was 3-star defensive tackle Allen Love from Huffman High School in Birmingham. SEC Country was told that Love performed at a high level and even met with Saban. But his performance wasn’t enough to receive an offer — at least on Monday. Love took to Twitter to say “big news Thursday,” but what that news is is unclear right now. It could be a commitment to a school, but if he doesn’t earn an offer by Thursday, it obviously wouldn’t be to Alabama. Love was on offer watch heading into the week, so he’s one guy we’ll be closely tracking over the next few days.

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Ohio State 5-star defensive end commit Brenton Cox told SEC Country that he ended up not visiting Tuscaloosa. He was originally supposed to visit Sunday and stay through Tuesday.

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