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

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Tommy Brown had been anticipating good news all week, and it was delivered to him from Alabama offensive line coach Brent Key on Thursday morning.

Brown, a 6-foot-7, 315-pound four-star offensive tackle recruit from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., earned an Alabama offer. He has made two trips to Alabama previously - one for camp last summer and a spring visit with two highly-recruited teammates in four-star linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu and elite class of 2019 quarterback J.T. Daniels.

Brown's father Vince threw the shot put for Alabama's track and field team, graduating in 1982.

Brown's first Alabama game was at the Rose Bowl following the 2009 season when Alabama defeated Texas to win the national championship.

"It's a really big offer," Brown said. "It's always been the school I've watched growing up. It's been somewhat of a dream school, you could say, for a kid who's been watching them since I was little."

Alabama is likely to sign just three or four offensive linemen in this year's class, so spots are at a premium. Brown has done enough to earn an offer. He said it was difficult not to commit right away, but he stuck to his guns on making sure he has his information in order before making a decision.

"I've always said I've wanted to take my time and take my five officials before I commit," Brown sai. "Coach Key knows I like it there a lot. There was no pressure. He knows I want to think things out and make sure everything is perfect before I decide where I want to go."

Brown built a good relationship with Key on his spring visit, spending the day talking football.

"It's pretty amazing, being a California boy and not really going to the south at all, seeing the southern Culture and the sorority and fraternity houses that are mansions," Brown said. "Everyone's so nice in the south. It's great atmosphere, great food and great football.

"Coach Key was saying it's not just that he likes my football aspects, but how I conduct myself in the classroom, on and off the field and interacting with people. He likes the way I act and says that's what they are looking for."

Brown is ranked as the No. 162 overall recruit and No. 14 offensive tackle, but said he'd play guard and learn to snap if it meant getting on the field quicker.

He wants to make another trip to Alabama this summer and also plans on visiting Oregon and Michigan before he narrows things down to a top five. UCLA, Washington, Virginia and Calfornia are also in the mix.

"There's three things I'd really like to (help me) choose," Brown said. "It's the academics of the school, how good is the football team and my relationships with the coaches.

"I'd say (me and Key) have a really good relationship. The goal is still to take five officials and then commit."

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Touted 2019 quarterback Bo Nix of Pinson Valley (Ala.) experienced something new last week when he camped at Auburn.

“It was really neat — I got to go one-on-one with (Auburn offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey),” Nix said. “That was my first time working one-on-one with a coach like that.”

Nix, the son of former Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix (also his coach), is a top Tigers target. He already has visited Auburn multiple times this year.

But working with Lindsey gave him a new perspective because it gave him a feel what his coaching style is like.

“I felt extremely comfortable,” Nix said. “Just the whole situation, it was comfortable. I was throwing with my receivers so I didn’t have to work on the timing with the receivers. It was already there. (Lindsey) watched me the whole time. A lot of it was the same stuff (his dad has taught him). There were a couple of things with football that I hadn’t necessarily learned from my dad. But most of it was similar. Most of the drills I've done before.”

What pointers did Lindsey offer?

“You can always sharpen up your feet and your posture and that kind of stuff,” Nix said. “You can always get better at something. He kept telling me that. He told me to keep working and to get better at every aspect.”

According to Nix, he already has gotten to know Auburn’s first-year coordinator well.

“I have a really good relationship with him,” Nix said. “Since he’s been hired, we’ve gotten to know each other a lot more. We knew each other just a little bit before. Since he’s been hired, I’ve gotten to know him even more.”

Nix visited Clemson on Wednesday. He might visit FSU in July.

He said he expects to be back in Auburn twice in July — once for a quarterback camp and again for a 7-on-7 camp.

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Auburn believes it added the foundation for the future of its offensive line with its three freshman signees from the 2017 recruiting class: Calvin Ashley, Nick Brahms and Austin Troxell.

With five seniors -- all of whom could either start of play meaningful time in 2017 -- departing after this fall, Herb Hand knows the importance of identifying the next pieces to build around that foundation and bolster the future of the Tigers' depth up front. So, a year after trying to land the nation's top offensive line class, Hand is again aiming high on the recruiting trail when it comes to Auburn's 2018 class.

"This year we would like to get four to maybe five, but certainly four," Hand told AL.com last month in Nashville, Tenn. "You'd love to get two tackles, two interior guys and maybe the best available."

Auburn has two linemen currently committed to its 2018 class in three-star offensive guard Jalil Irvin and three-star offensive tackle Kameron Stutts.

Irvin is a 6-foot-3, 296-pounder who committed to Auburn on March 8 after its junior day. The Stone Mountain, Ga., native is rated as the No. 18 offensive guard in the country and is firmly committed to the Tigers. Stutts, a 6-foot-4, 329-pounder out of Brooks, committed to Auburn on A-Day. He is regarded as the 41st-best offensive tackle in the 2018 class.

That leaves Auburn looking to add another tackle, another guard and then whomever is the best available lineman -- whether that be an interior or exterior player -- this recruiting cycle. Hand added that he would like to add another center behind Kaleb Kim, who will be a redshirt junior in 2018, and Brahms, who enrolled in the spring.

One of Auburn's top targets to fill one of those remaining spots is four-star lineman Tank Jenkins out of Park Crossing in Montgomery. Jenkins is a 6-foot-3, 325-pounder who could play either guard or tackle, though he is rated as the nation's No. 13 guard in this class and is the top offensive lineman in the state of Alabama.

Auburn is among the favorites for Jenkins, who is also being heavily pursued by Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. He is still awaiting an offer from Alabama.

The Tigers are also pursuing four-star offensive tackle William Barnes out of Apopka, Fla. Barnes is a 6-foot-4, 312-pounder and a U.S. Army All-American who is rated as the nation's fourth-best tackle in this class. Although Florida appears to be the favorite.

Barnes' teammate at Apopka, three-star guard Ed Montilus, is also on Auburn's radar and he has the Tigers among his top choices. Barnes and Montilus reportedly received a visit from Hand late last month during the evaluation period of the recruiting calendar.

Other possibilities for Auburn this cycle are three-star lineman Jerome Carvin of Cordova, Tenn., who will have Auburn among his top schools; four-star Tucker, Ga., tackle Dylan Wonnum, who visited campus earlier this month; four-star tackle Christian Armstrong, who was on campus for Big Cat Weekend; and four-star tackles Nicholas Petit-Frere and Richard Gouraige out of Tampa, Fla.

While it's possible Auburn could sign four or five high school linemen, Hand didn't rule out the possibility of once again dipping into the JUCO or grad transfer circuit, especially considering the team is losing five seniors after this year. Auburn recently added Wilson Bell and Casey Dunn as grad transfers from FSU and Jacksonville State, respectively, this summer to add some experienced depth up front for 2017. The same could happen this cycle.

"That's where you start saying, 'OK, does one of those guys need to be a junior college player to bring in a little bit older guy?'" Hand said. "We have our eyes on a few guys in that regards. The bottom line of it though is that the guys that are in the room right now and will be in the fall, including Trox and Calvin, those are the guys that are going to be the core as you go forward."

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Why Alabama’s offer to Tommy Brown is a big one

Tommy Brown, a 247Sports 4-star offensive tackle from Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, Calif.), had been waiting for an Alabama offer since he became a national recruit.

He got it on Thursday.

“[Offensive line] Coach (Brent) Key was the one who let me know the news,” Brown told SEC Country. “He explained that he knew that it has always been a school I’ve liked, and he wanted to wait for this offer just because he wanted to make sure that it was one that he had no doubt that if he offered, and I committed, he’d be able to accept my commitment. He finally got the green light.”

SEC Country confirmed with a source close to the Alabama program that Brown will not have to camp to receive a “committable” offer. He can commit to the Crimson Tide whenever he wants.

I'm excited to announce that I just got off the phone with my Father's alma mater and received an offer from the University of Alabama! #RTR pic.twitter.com/HKfezU3he6

— Tommy Brown (@Tommy_brown18) June 15, 2017

That’s important because it’s likely that he’ll be a commitment at some point. He says he wants take all five official visits before announcing his decision. His father Vince attended Alabama on a track scholarship from 1979-82. Tommy has said multiple times before that if his father’s alma mater ever offered him a scholarship, it would be tough to say no to the Tide; however, he’s saying the right things right now.

“Saying no to Alabama would be tough, just like any other school who has offered me,” Brown said. “There is lots of thinking that needs to go into my decision, so I’m going to sit down with my family and talk it out.”

The nation’s No. 14 offensive tackle in the Class of 2018 now becomes a major recruit to track moving forward (the 6-foot-7, 315-pound prospect is indeed being recruited as a tackle by Alabama). But he added that he would have no problem playing anywhere on the line as long as it helps the team win games.

“It’s pretty surreal,” Brown said. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to get the offer, but now that I have it, my decision has become even harder.”

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Skyler DeLong locked in with Alabama

Skyler DeLong, the nation’s No. 1 punter from Nation Ford High School (Fort Mill, S.C.), flipped his commitment from Tennessee to Alabama on Thursday. DeLong committed to Tennessee on June 1 but visited Alabama two days later for its specialist camp.

“It was a difficult decision, but Tennessee was very professional when I told them,” DeLong told SEC Country. “I just have the opportunity to play for a legendary coach and program. Alabama is also just a great campus. It feels like the place I want to be.”

More importantly for the Crimson Tide, DeLong is done with recruiting.

“I’m locked in with Alabama,” he said.

Punter was one of Alabama’s biggest needs in the Class of 2018 because JK Scott will exhaust his eligibility after this season, and there isn’t a clear backup to replace him. DeLong will likely be that man now in 2018.

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Alabama will have its offensive line/defensive line camp this weekend, but several major targets who don’t play in the trenches are also expected to visit Tuscaloosa, too.

Note: This is a list of who’s expected on campus. It’s not an official list and is subject to change.

Priority targets visiting

4-star guard Trey Hill from Warner Robins, Ga.

4-star wide receiver Jacob Copeland from Pensacola, Fla.

4-star wide receiver Matthew Hill from Snellville, Ga.

3-star defensive back Maurice Robinson from Mobile, Ala.

4-star tackle Rafiti Ghirmai from Frisco, Texas

4-star defensive tackle Dare Rosenthal from Ferriday, La.

4-star outside linebacker Elijah Wade from Las Vegas (Thursday visit only)

3-star tackle Jerome Carvin from Cordova, Tenn.

3-star athlete James Graham from Fitzgerald, Ga.

3-star outside linebacker Andres Fox from Mobile, Ala.

2019 4-star outside linebacker King Mwituka from Lagrange, Ga.

2019 4-star defensive end Ani Izuchukwu from Nashville, Tenn.

Prospects committed elsewhere

4-star guard Emil Ekiyor (committed to Michigan)

4-star defensive tackle Robert Cooper (committed to Florida State)

4-star outside linebacker Adam Anderson (committed to LSU)

4-star defensive end Justin Mascoll (committed to Clemson)

4-star wide receiver Devonta Jason (committed to Kansas)

4-star wide receiver Malik Heath (committed to Mississippi State)

3-star quarterback James Foster (committed to Missouri)

3-star defensive tackle Nelson Jenkins (committed to LSU)

3-star safety Peyton Woulard (committed to Wake Forest)

3-star junior college defensive tackle Charles Cameron (committed to Kansas)

3-star tackle Kwatrivous Johnson (committed to Mississippi State)

Other prospects to watch

4-star junior college defensive tackle Teair Tart-Spencer from Scooba, Miss.

4-star tight end Luke Ford from Carterville, Ill.

4-star guard Junior Angilau from Salt Lake City

3-star defensive end Malik Langham from Huntsville, Ala.

2019 4-star quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa from Alabaster, Ala.

2019 4-star defensive end Nathan Pickering from Seminary, Miss.

2019 4-star defensive end Joseph Anderson from Murfreesboro, Tenn.

2019 4-star tackle Doug Nester from Huntington, W.V.

2019 4-star tackle Tanner Bowles from Glasgow, Ky.

2019 4-star defensive end Stephen Herron Jr. from Louisville, Ky.

2019 4-star tackle Tanner Bowles from Glasgow, Ky.

2019 tackle Amari Kight from Alabaster, Ala.

Prospects expected to meet with Nick Saban

4-star guard Emil Ekiyor (committed to Michigan)

4-star guard Junior Angilau from Salt Lake City

4-star defensive tackle Robert Cooper (committed to Florida State)

4-star wide receiver Jacob Copeland from Pensacola, Fla.

4-star outside linebacker Adam Anderson (committed to LSU)

4-star wide receiver Matthew Hill from Snellville, Ga.

4-star defensive end Justin Mascoll (committed to Clemson)

4-star tackle Rafiti Ghirmai from Frisco, Texas

3-star quarterback James Foster (committed to Missouri)

3-star defensive back Maurice Robinson from Mobile, Ala.

3-star defensive tackle Nelson Jenkins (committed to LSU)

3-star athlete James Graham from Fitzgerald, Ga.

3-star defensive end Malik Langham from Huntsville, Ala.

3-star outside linebacker Andres Fox from Mobile, Ala.

3-star tackle Jerome Carvin from Cordova, Tenn.

3-star tackle Kwatrivous Johnson (committed to Mississippi State)

2019 4-star outside linebacker King Mwituka from Lagrange, Ga.

2019 4-star defensive end Nathan Pickering from Seminary, Miss.

2019 4-star tackle Tanner Bowles from Glasgow, Ky.

2019 4-star defensive end Ani Izuchukwu from Nashville, Tenn.

2019 4-star defensive end Joseph Anderson from Murfreesboro, Tenn.

2019 tackle Amari Kight from Alabaster, Ala.

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High-priority DL target Emmit Gooden officially visiting Arkansas

Independence (Kan.) Community College defensive tackle Emmit Gooden is set to make an official visit to Arkansas this weekend.

One of the Razorbacks’ top priorities in the class, the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Gooden will be making his second trip to Fayetteville in the last two months. He made an unofficial visit in late April for the Hogs’ final spring practice.

This visit, however, may be the one that secures a commitment to Arkansas. Gooden is close friends with Razorbacks sophomore defensive end McTelvin “Sosa” Agim. The two first met in high school as highly touted recruits in the 2016 class. They often attended the same camps or visited the same school.

Agim signed with the Razorbacks and started as a freshman last season. Gooden, who attended high school in Brownsville, Tenn., was committed to Mississippi State before announcing a month ahead of signing day he’d failed to qualify academically. Now, he’s told SEC Country he likes the idea of possibly teaming up with his old friend next season.

Gooden announced the official visit Wednesday night via Twitter. Earlier Wednesday he tweeted, “This next one might seal the deal.” He didn’t specify if he was referencing his upcoming visit, though it’s an obvious connection to make.

This next one might seal the deal ????

— TheRealEmmitG (@What_A_Star5) June 14, 2017

Currently without a rating by the 247Sports’ composite, Gooden will almost certainly be a 4-star prospect soon. He’s the No. 3 defensive tackle and No. 10 overall junior college recruit in the 2018 class by 247Sports. Rivals rates him as a 4-star player while Scout and ESPN have yet to give a rating since labeling him a 4-star prospect in high school.

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What do you think about Arkansas’ chances with Luke Ford? — Mark Dagenhart via Twitter

I think the chances are slim Ford ends up signing with Arkansas. It’s not unheard of for recruits to sign with a school they de-committed from, but it is rare.

I do believe Ford is being genuine when he says Arkansas is a contender in his recruitment. After all, he’d likely be committed if the Razorbacks allowed their pledges to take visits elsewhere. I understand why coach Bret Bielema often requires a de-commitment in such cases, though.

But I also see the schools he’s visited or will be visiting and have a hard time believing the Hogs can trump them all. Arkansas doesn’t win many recruiting battles against programs like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU or Ohio State.

This will be a fluid situation, so anything is possible. The longer his recruitment remains open, the better I think Arkansas’ chances are of bringing him back into the fold.

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