Started By
Message
re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:02 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:02 pm to TideSaint
quote:
BEAVERTON, Ore. — Two days of The Opening Finals are in the books and with it, we're ready to bring you our first ranking of the Elite 11 quarterbacks. This is the least important ranking of the week. It reflects strictly throws on air with little to no pressure. The defenses arrive on Friday and so too arrives a new level of consequences with every throw.
I've said it leading up to this event and I continue to think it through two days: This is a really talented quarterback group. All of these guys belong here and this list could change dramatically over the next three days. But tiers have certainly developed and some passers are clearly standing out. This is where things stand today.
LINK
1
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:03 pm to TideSaint
quote:
11. Matt Corral
Corral has been fine but he's in this spot only because while others have shown some rare trait be it size, arm strength, delivery, or feet, Corral is floating somewhere in the middle of the pack of it all. He'll have the chance to separate when a defense comes into play.
Corral is the No. 3 QB in the 247Sports Composite.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:03 pm to TideSaint
If I could pick out a 5 man DL class this year, I'd want Wynn, Coynis Miller, KJ Henry, Tart-Spencer, and Bobby Brown.
And Jordan Davis is kind of a combo DE/OLB that might grow into a DE.
Maybe none of those guys is a true NT type, and maybe we need one. I'm not sure, But I'd take those guys and be absolutely thrilled. I know our staff considers Brown an instant impact 5* type even if the recruiting services don't.
And Jordan Davis is kind of a combo DE/OLB that might grow into a DE.
Maybe none of those guys is a true NT type, and maybe we need one. I'm not sure, But I'd take those guys and be absolutely thrilled. I know our staff considers Brown an instant impact 5* type even if the recruiting services don't.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:03 pm to Bama3714
quote:
10. Tanner McKee
The raw ability is absolutely there with McKee, he just seems to be a little bit sluggish through the first two days. From his drops to his delivery to the RPMs on his football, he hasn't seemed as crisp through the first two days as we know he can be.
McKee is the No. 4 QB in the 247Sports Composite.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:04 pm to TideSaint
quote:
2. Jack Tuttle
Tuttle has been outstanding through two days. While others are going through the motions, every rep looks like he's taking it at game speed with game intensity. He's been accurate, has made some 'wow' throws and is totally on time and on-point computing his progressions. The Utah commit looks like the real deal.
Tuttle is the No. 12 QB in the 247Sports Composite.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:04 pm to TideSaint
quote:
1. Justin Fields
Fields — the hottest quarterback commodity on the market — is in total control as a passer. He's controlled with his accuracy, with his arm downfield, with his feet within the pocket. He just looks like this all comes really easy for him. If you had to pick one of these guys that was a college quarterback in disguise, Fields is your pick, without hesitation.
Fields is the No. 2 QB in the 247Sports Composite.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:08 pm to Bama3714
quote:
If I could pick out a 5 man DL class this year, I'd want Wynn, Coynis Miller, KJ Henry, Tart-Spencer, and Bobby Brown.
I think I'd rather land Cameron Latu over KJ Henry, but I think we would take both so it's a moot point. Latu could play OLB too.
quote:
Maybe none of those guys is a true NT type, and maybe we need one.
I don't think we need one. We've really gotten away from the big 330 pounds DTs over the last few years. Daron Payne is the exception, but there isn't a DT in this class as good as him anyway.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:41 pm to TideSaint
quote:
The pursuit of Alabama receiver pledge Xavier Williams has been heavy since he committed to the Crimson Tide in January.
There's a good reason. The 6-foot, 190-pound Williams is a four-star recruit and ranked No. 95 nationally. But what schools like Miami, Baylor, Nebraska and Ole Miss haven't done as good of a job of is recruiting his parents.
"Alabama is probably the only school they talk to," Williams said Friday at The Opening finals in Beaverton, Ore.. "Everybody else talks to me and I tell them that my parents are half of the battle."
He has visited Miami, as it's near his hometown of Hollywood, Fla. But there's a good chance those other visits will stop soon.
"I'm still 100 percent solid," Williams said of his commitment status. "I don't know when, but I'm thinking about shutting my recruitment down.
"Just the relationship I have (with Alabama), how my parents are and how my parents feel about it and the way I feel about it (stand out)."
Williams visited Alabama for its spring game and will return on July 21 for its Champions Cookout. Other high-profile recruits like elite quarterback target Matt Corral will be there.
"It was amazing," Williams said. "I've never seen that many people at a spring game. The fans are very friendly. They all know you. The fans are die-hard Alabama fans."
Steve Sarkisian was Alabama's offensive coordinator when Williams committed, but he feels good about where the offense is heading under the direction of Brian Daboll.
"Now that it's a new O.C., there are more receivers on the field," Williams said. "I've been in the meeting room with them. The plays are easy to learn. I feel like I can fit in well with them."
Williams has noticed that some think he will flip to Miami, but that isn't on his mind. He wants to sign in December, but won't be an early graduate.
"I just laugh at it," Williams said. "Pretty much (ready for the process to be over). It's kind of stressful."
He does hear from other schools, but may not for long.
"I talk to them," Williams said. "I think they are starting to feel like, 'He's going to stick with 'Bama.'"
Williams has done his part trying to recruit other Alabama targets at The Opening. He ran behind five-star receiver Justyn Ross during one interview when he was being asked about other schools and yelled "Roll Tide!"
"Me and Justyn Ross hang out all day," Williams said. (Quarterback target) Justin Fields, Jack Tuttle is my quarterback (at The Opening). I'm just out here recruiting."
LINK
I hope he's better at shutting down his recruitment than Josh Jobe.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:42 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 6/30/17 at 10:52 pm to TideSaint
From Tigerpaw1:
quote:
So apparently Keith spoke with an elite 11 QB parent close to Justin and close to his 7v7 team and to Cam. This parent thinks Fields will end up at AU. Says Lindsey is a real low key recruiter and that seems to click well with Fields. KN says obviously no one really knows where he ends up but it's clear we are very much in the middle of this race. He plans on spending night in AU on July 13th and that will be 3rd known visit
I wonder if why there isn't more noise about AU with Fields nationally is because of Lindsey recruiting style. This update tho backs up more of what AU "insiders" are saying which is encouraging. Also I am gonna guess this parent is related to Jarren Williams based off contestants at competition and connections to southeast
Posted on 6/30/17 at 11:19 pm to TideSaint
quote:
The 2018 class is loaded with wide receivers. Bleacher Report's Stephen Nelson and Michael Felder discuss which guys have a chance to hoist the Heisman Trophy in college.
Who do you think has the best chance at winning the Heisman?
Watch the video and let us know!
LINK with video
Posted on 6/30/17 at 11:24 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Several players are expected to make their college announcements at The Opening recruiting showcase in Beaverton, Oregon. They aren't scheduled to include the biggest-name prospects in the event, however.
Those battles will continue to be waged over the course of the coming weeks and months, and still others will go all the way to national signing day.
From a pair of high-caliber quarterbacks in Justin Fields and freshly decommitted Matt Corral to a stable of wide receivers coveted by most of the top teams in the country, the recruiting event that started on Wednesday and will run until Monday will feature plenty of uncommitted studs.
These are the guys who aren't trying to make a name for themselves. Instead, they're just testing their skills against the other top talents in the nation, and virtually anybody would take a commitment from any of them.
Let's take a look at the top 10 uncommitted players who'll attend The Opening at Nike World Headquarters and venture predictions on where they'll wind up playing their college football.
LINK
Posted on 6/30/17 at 11:25 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Justyn Ross: 6'4", 197-pound 5-star wide receiver, Phenix City, Alabama (No. 15 overall)
Any time a marquee prospect emerges in the Yellowhammer State, you can bet Alabama and Auburn will go to battle over him.
That's exactly the case with elite receiver Justyn Ross of Phenix City, who recently released his top five via Twitter, which predictably included the Crimson Tide and Tigers, along with Florida State, Florida and Clemson. That's pretty much a who's-who of choices, and Ross could wind up at any one of them.
This just feels like one of those battles UA head coach Nick Saban will win. The Tide have churned out pass-catchers in recent years, and all Ross needs to do to see he can be developed in Tuscaloosa is look at the recent lineage that includes Julio Jones, Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley, among others.
Freshman Jerry Jeudy looks like he's talented enough to fall right in line, and Ross could be the one after him. Saban is stockpiling size to go along with the speedy receivers he's already got in Alabama, and Ross is a lanky athlete who would fit right in.
Watch out for Clemson and head coach Dabo Swinney, who has roots in Alabama and could steal this star-in-the-making.
But it's hard not to roll with the Tide.
Prediction: Alabama
Posted on 6/30/17 at 11:27 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Matt Corral: 6'2", 196-pound 5-star quarterback, Long Beach, California (No. 10 overall)
One of the most shocking plot twists from this year's recruiting class happened when highly rated signal-caller Matt Corral decided to back away from his commitment to USC and turn his attention elsewhere.
After all, the Trojans have a rich history of securing their choice of California's fertile quarterback breeding grounds. Corral looked like the 5-star choice for the 2018 cycle before electing to sever ties with the Trojans.
He went from actively recruiting for head coach Clay Helton's team to no longer considering USC, according to 247Sports' Tom Loy.
Corral is expected to commit to somebody this summer, and Georgia, Alabama and Florida appear to be at the top of his list. He told 247Sports' Hank South recently: "Right now, it'd be between Georgia and Alabama."
It's not every day an SEC team goes into USC's backyard and plucks away its quarterback, but UA and UGA are SEC blue bloods recruiting at a consistently high level.
This one would be all Georgia, but if the Bulldogs wind up getting Justin Fields, it could push Corral elsewhere. A potential Florida trip looms large, but the Crimson Tide could be the destination.
Prediction: Alabama
Posted on 6/30/17 at 11:28 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Justin Fields: 6'3", 221-pound 5-star quarterback, Kennesaw, Georgia (No. 5 overall)
Perhaps the most discussed uncommitted prospect in the country is Justin Fields, the signal-caller from suburban Atlanta who pledged to James Franklin and Penn State earlier this year before recently reneging.
Since then, virtually everybody in the country has kicked the tires on the country's top uncommitted prospect.
Who wins this battle is anybody's guess. Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Auburn and Georgia all feel good about their chances. With no end in sight to Fields' recruitment, it's going to be interesting to see how this saga plays out in the summer months.
Traditionally, quarterbacks like to be committed and recruiting by this time, so it's a bit uncommon that Corral and Fields are still on the market. Even more uncommon is their destinations could be tied to one another.
It appears Georgia is sitting better than anybody else nationally in getting one of the two. If Fields doesn't wind up in Athens, Corral could. Though Fields is at least intrigued by the Seminoles and Gators.
With Fields' sister Jaiden playing softball at Georgia, the slight nod goes to the Bulldogs. But this could change at any time.
Prediction: Georgia
Posted on 6/30/17 at 11:29 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Patrick Surtain Jr.: 6'2", 192-pound 5-star cornerback, Plantation, Florida (No. 3 overall)
NFL bloodlines are normally good indicators of a prospect's ilk, especially if they're being recruited by many of the top programs in the country.
Patrick Surtain Jr. is the son of a famous Miami Dolphin who was an All-Pro defensive back, and it appears the younger of the two is primed to follow in his father's footsteps. But don't let the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, hometown fool you.
Surtain's strongest ties are to Louisiana.
That's why the LSU Tigers are the heavy favorite on the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions to land the elite, lanky defensive back.
Teams such as Florida State and Miami are trying to stay strong in the race to earn his commitment, but LSU's Orgeron looks like he's got a strong lead for the nation's top corner.
Though he's already a 5-star prospect on Scout, 247Sports director of recruiting Barton Simmons said it would take a bad week for Surtain not to earn that fifth star on 247Sports after The Opening. He also noted the Tigers were the leader.
Maybe Surtain is trying to find out whether LSU is the right place. Maybe he's just extending the drama. Still, he'll be a Tiger in the end.
Prediction: LSU
Posted on 6/30/17 at 11:30 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Micah Parsons: 6'3", 241-pound 5-star defensive end, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (No. 2 overall)
As if seeing Fields' name near the top of this list doesn't sting enough, Penn State head coach James Franklin has to deal with the fact another former Nittany Lion pledge is the nation's top uncommitted player participating at The Opening.
Yes, at one point, PSU had commitments from Fields and Parsons.
Though the quarterback has seemingly moved on from Penn State, Parsons is still an option. He recently camped at PSU, and since he's from nearby Harrisburg, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for him to recommit.
But the race for Parsons' pledge may go on for many months.
Ohio State emerged as a favorite to land Parsons following his decommitment, and it may be difficult to fend off the Buckeyes when it is all said and done. But Parsons appears to be making an effort to rekindle those old flames with the Lions, according to 247Sports' Sean Fitz.
The longer Parsons' recruitment goes, the better that is for Franklin. If it goes into the season, the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions could be the top two teams in the Big Ten. Though OSU is the favorite, Parsons would be intrigued by Penn State's big year.
Also, the closeness to home will be a factor as well. That's why he'll go for a surprise recommitment, though nobody will be shocked if Meyer wins this one.
Prediction: Penn State
Posted on 6/30/17 at 11:37 pm to TideSaint
quote:
The annual gathering of top recruits at The Opening draws attention from all over the country, but every college football team will be closely watching a select group of players.
And for a majority of the Top 25 teams in the nation, a key prospect will be participating in the showcase at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
Nothing is official until recruits sign a letter of intent, so it wouldn't be unfair to include committed players. However, we focused on prospects who currently aren't pledged to a school. Additionally, a recruit might be the No. 1 target for multiple teams.
Bleacher Report's post-spring practice rankings served as the guide for the Top 25.
LINK
Posted on 6/30/17 at 11:38 pm to TideSaint
quote:
#22 Florida
For the better part of a decade, Florida fans have endured consistent problems at quarterback. Although the impending competition between Malik Zaire and Feleipe Franks has eased the concern, the long-term outlook is still shaky.
Justin Fields could change that.
Considered the second-best quarterback and No. 5 overall player in the 2018 cycle, Fields recently backed off a pledge to Penn State. Soon after, he took an unofficial visit to Gainesville.
The Gators will battle many top-tier programs for Fields' signature, but they're in a solid position early on.
Posted on 6/30/17 at 11:39 pm to TideSaint
quote:
#20 Oregon
For three straight years, Oregon's pass defense has finished the season ranked no higher than 111th in the country.
Yikes.
While new defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt works on changing that trend in 2017, the Ducks will be trying to add the country's No. 1 athlete in Talanoa Hufanga. He'll play defensive back at The Opening.
Hufanga unofficially visited Eugene during the spring and listed Oregon in his top 10 at the beginning of June.
Page 320 of 1304
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News