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

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I am not one that thinks we get everyone just because we are Bama but I agree with you that August is going to tell a lot. With recruiting I think anything is possible. There are a lot of guys who seem to be visiting AU a lot so that would give the impression of them leaning that way.

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“As far as schools-wise, Alabama is probably the only school I talk to the most,” he said. “It’s the only school I’ve visited. I’m not 100 percent sure I’m going to go there, but the odds are really good. I just want to go to school where I get the most love from.”

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Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones is one of the best wideouts in the NFL, maybe the best. He was the best back in high school, before going to Alabama.

According NBC’s Rob Buska, Jones’ high school coach once went to extreme measures to keep Pete Carroll — now coach of the Seattle Seahawks — away from his star.

“I had talked to Pete Carroll once about Julio Jones, and he said when Julio was in college, he of course went to Alabama, and Pete Carroll was still at USC,” Buska said on NBC’s Pro Football Talk, as he filled in for Mike Florio.

Buska relayed what Carroll had to say:

“We loved Julio so much, and he went to his high school in the middle of nowhere, in the sticks there in Alabama. We flew in to see him, and once we got out of the car, at the football field, during the middle of practice, coach saw me and knew who I was. He took Jones off the field, ran him inside, got the principal and the athletic director, and locked the school.”

Buska said they wouldn’t let Carroll in.

“Got Nick Saban at Alabama on the phone right away, and said, ‘Hey, Pete Carroll’s outside.’ Next thing you know, there’s your full scholarship right there,” Carroll said.

Jones went on to light it up at Alabama, and the Falcons traded up with the Cleveland Browns to take him in the 2011 NFL Draft. They made him the sixth overall pick, and he’s gone on to torch the NFL with QB Matt Ryan.

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Also wanted to welcome you to the board and the info that you have brought so far. I wish there was a board where people could really talk about different teams without turning into a troll fest.

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Alabama is back in the mix for 5-star QB Justin Fields

Justin Fields told SEC Country earlier this month that he wasn’t really considering the Crimson Tide much because he didn’t talk to the staff as often as he did with other schools.

Despite that, Fields visited Tuscaloosa last weekend. Things have changed.

“I just love the way (offensive coordinator) Coach (Brian) Daboll coaches,” Fields told SEC Country at 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.”

The good news for the Tide is Fields is now talking about extending his recruitment into the fall and potentially taking some official visits before making a commitment. Originally, Fields wanted to make a decision on his future school before his season began. The further his recruitment goes on, the better it is for Alabama’s chances. The Tide have some ground to make up, so the delay offers time to catch up to schools like Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Georgia.

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Five-star QB Matt Corral‘s interesting comment on Brian Daboll 

Matt Corral, the nation’s No. 2 pro-style quarterback, is expected to make his first visit to Tuscaloosa on July 21 for Alabama’s Champions Cookout. Even though he hasn’t stepped foot on campus, he’s impressed with the team.

That’s mainly because of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who recently sent Corral a picture of his five Super Bowl rings.

“Tom Brady was his guy,” Corral said. “If I want to be as good as I want to be, I’m going to learn under Coach Daboll.”

Corral is in an interesting spot. It is anticipated that Georgia is the favorite for Corral, however, the Bulldogs also likely have 5-star QB Justin Fields at the top of their board. If Fields goes elsewhere, then Corral would likely be the choice for Georgia.

There has been some chatter that Georgia could potentially land both Fields and Corral. But Corral says that isn’t likely.

“I don’t think that will happen,” Corral said.

If he goes through with his visit to Alabama, he’s definitely one to watch moving forward.

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Quick hitters

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Four-star wide receiver commit Xavier Williams dropped some passes that could have been caught. That’s an issue of his that has been seen at other camps. He needs to work on his hands.

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First off, this is bullshite.

Second, Foley is not in the sticks. It's on the goddamn beach.

What an idiot.

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Tanner McKee still strongly considering Alabama

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Tanner McKee’s recruitment is arguably the most unique in college football.

McKee, a 5-star quarterback from Centennial High School (Corona, Calif.), won’t play a down of college football until 2020, even though he’ll graduate high school this year.

That’s because McKee is a devout Mormon and will do a two-year mission trip upon graduation. That hasn’t stopped schools across the country from heavily recruiting him.

“All of the schools have been open to whatever is best for me,” McKee said. “They’ve all been cool with it.”

Alabama is one of those schools. McKee told SEC Country at Nike’s The Opening Finals that he’s talking to Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Brian Daboll at least every other day and he also spoke with Nick Saban last week.

McKee visited Tuscaloosa in March and at the time, he said he could “absolutely” see himself playing for Alabama.

Not much has changed since then.

“They’re obviously a great program,” McKee said. “They’re a winning program. Coach Saban has done a phenomenal job over the years. They brought in Coach Daboll, and now they want to sling the ball around like the Patriots. It’s really exciting for them. I’m excited to see how they do.”

The Army All-American mentioned BYU, Texas and Washington as other schools he’s currently interested in. He did say that he hasn’t put much thought into a top five.

But, it’s clear Alabama, mainly Daboll, has made an impression on him.

“He’s a great guy,” McKee said. “I really want to get back there and do some board work with them and figure out what they’re trying to do. While we were there, we watched a lot of film on the Patriots. He wants Alabama’s offense to look like the Patriots.”

McKee said he’s planning on making a commitment to his school of choice after his senior season. There’s no rush for him to decide because we won’t see him in a college football stadium until 2020.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Myles Mason has found his new high school football home, but he’s still in search of his future college destination.

Mason made a move this offseason from Pleasant Grove (Ala.), where he played quarterback, to Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.), where he’ll primarily play in the defensive backfield in a higher classification. That will give him the opportunity to finally specialize as a safety, rather than play both ways.

Once recruited as an athlete, all five programs in his top 5 — Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and LSU — have turned their attention to Mason solely as a safety. That hasn’t changed anything for Mason, whose top 5 is still as is, in no order.

“Still, as of right now, I have my top 5. It remains the same,” Mason told SEC Country. “They have a positive vibe, each one of them. And, of course, their football teams have high prestige.”

Mason hasn’t taken any visits recently. His last college trips were to LSU and Florida State, but Mason said “it’s been about a month” since he took either of those. Still, he said both of those programs left great impressions following the visits.

He hopes to return to the college recruiting trail soon, especially since he’d like to have an end-of-summer decision. Yet, Mason is willing to push that back if need be. To this point, however, Mason is still working to set up when and where he will take those visits for the rest of the summer.

When he does, Mason will have one clear factor in mind to help him determine his choice.

“The depth chart. Really that’s pretty much it,” Mason said. “I don’t know yet [where the best depth chart fit is]. I don’t have that answer yet. … And I’d like to talk to all the coaches. That’s the main thing. Just everybody — position coaches, coordinator, head coaches — everybody.”

Apparently, Auburn has Mason’s No. 1 factor covered.

He hasn’t visited Auburn lately, but he’s done so at least five times throughout his recruitment. Most of his communication runs through defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, whose message falls right in line with Mason’s depth chart interests.

“Defensive coordinator, Coach Steele. I’ve been talking to coach [Rodney] Garner also. He’s just a  great guy,” Mason said. “They’re saying it’s a great opportunity to play early because they’re losing three safeties this year. The opportunity to play early — that’s something I really want to do, get on the field and play early.”

Auburn will be up against tough competition when Mason closes in on commitment time. As the 247Sports Crystal Ball shows, Alabama is the overwhelming favorite. The Crimson Tide have all 10 predictions right now, which has a lot to do with Mason growing up a huge Alabama fan. But it remains unclear where Mason fits on Alabama’s recruiting board.

A source close to Mason said the Crimson Tide are the likely landing spot if Alabama pushes for him. If not, watch out for Florida State and Auburn.

Could Mason’s childhood fandom affect his Auburn interest?

“None,” he said, matter-of-factly. “Once I started realizing how much of a business it is, you’ve got to go somewhere where you can go and play.”

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