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

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Alpha Dogs

Justin Fields and Jack Tuttle were on a different level than the other quarterbacks in our eyes. Tuttle, a Utah commit who continues to profess that he's solid in his verbal, was quick in his drops, accurate with his throws and delivered with big-time velocity. Every quarterback had his fair share of misses but I don't remember ever seeing Tuttle throw a duck. He just looks like he's more prepared than anyone to compete this week.

Fields was dominant in a different way. He's effortless. The former Penn State commit plays with total control of the football. He can make big throws without digging deep and he plays with a calm that is exciting for a kid that also has immense athleticism. Fields is already drawing rave reviews for his presence as a leader amongst leaders, too.

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Wide receiver first impressions

Jordyn Adams – I really felt like Adams was the most impressive wide receiver in this setting. It's all on air, no defenders and so the guys with fluidity and natural ball skills are the guys that stand out. In my eyes no one was more fluid and smooth than the North Carolina lean.

Kamryn Babb – One of the Elite 11 coaches came up to me after the workout and raved about Babb as a strong, physical receiver that is one of the best receivers in attendance. He's currently the No. 1 ranked WR.

JaMarr Chase – Similar to Adams, Chase is just natural. But he's also a really powerful route-runner and has great body control. I expect him to really help himself in the rankings this week. TCU and LSU are battling for his pledge.

Rondale Moore – The recent Texas commit is going to shine out here this week. He was the most explosive route-runner we saw and he looks downright scary out of the slot.

Mark Pope – In the competition period of the morning, Pope ran a go-route on the outside and his quarterback uncorked one deep. It looked like a sure overthrow but Pope just glided under it, flashing his hands at the last minute to make the catch. No one makes it look easier than the Miami commit.

Justin Shorter – Among the big-bodied wide receivers in this class – and there are a few – Shorter probably stood out the most on day one. He's just so big and fast and he has very good body control for a receiver that big. He's committed to Penn State.

Amon-Ra St. Brown – This was expected but St. Brown once again was probably the most polished route-runner we saw. The guy just understands how to operate as he gets up field. He and Babb are very similar in body type and skillset and both look ready to dominate.

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BEAVERTON, Ore. — Justin Fields, the nation’s No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the country, visited Alabama last weekend for the first time. The Crimson Tide staff made a big impression on him.

Two weeks ago, Fields told SEC Country that Alabama wasn’t strongly in the mix because of his lack of a relationship with the Crimson Tide staff. That has changed.

“I just love the way (offensive coordinator) Coach (Brian) Daboll coaches,” Fields told SEC Country at Nike’s The Opening. “Of course, they are going to contend for national championships every year. They also have most of the best players in college football. Just getting to practice with those guys every day is going to get you better.”

Fields said his father came away impressed from Nick Saban’s message to him and the family. A return trip this fall for an official visit is possible, he said. As of now, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Georgia are still the schools believed to have the best shot at Fields.

But, the nation’s No. 2 overall quarterback said he doesn’t have anyone on top right now.

“I wish I had a leader,” Fields said with a laugh. “I have to be honest. But I don’t have any idea.”

Interestingly enough, Fields said he believes his recruitment will stretch into the fall and it’s entirely possible a decision won’t be made until he takes all five official visits, which he is trying to do as soon as he can this fall.

The good news for Alabama with its pursuit of Fields is that he feels like the Tide’s young depth chart isn’t a negative.

“I mean there are great quarterbacks there,” Fields said. “At the end of the day, I feel like I’m a good quarterback, too. It’s just going to come down to who can make plays the best.”

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Quarterback Matt Corral is among the top prospects in the country and looked good on day one at The Opening Finals. 

It sounds like a broken record but in terms of his arm strength, Corral can throw it with anyone, on any level of football. The ball jumps out of his hand and he throws the deep outs on a rope. 

He has very quick feet in the pocket, is a better athlete than given credit for and can can get set up and throw on balance or off-platform as well as anyone. 

On the recruiting front, Corral surprised a lot of people when he de-committed from USC earlier in the month. He had been committed to the Trojans since February of 2016 but decided to open things up and is now focusing on a trio of schools in the South.

Corral is planning to take July visits to Alabama, Florida and Georgia and then make his decision sometime late in the summer. He has already been to Georgia and had a great visit and said he's very excited to check out the Tide and Gators as well.

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BEAVERTON, ORE. -- Corona (Calif.) Centennial four-star quarterback Tanner McKee talked about what his time frame for narrowing schools down is, which visits stood out the most and more at The Opening Finals...

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So Keith has,
Justin Fields, Asa Martin, Justyn Ross and Conyis Miller to AU, OK.

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With Miller, I don't see how early playing is a plus on Auburn's side with all the great young DL that you all have.

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Bama will likely lose their top 4 DL after this year and the players behind them are a unkown at this point.

I would think he has a better shot at early playing time at Bama then Auburn.

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