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

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Stephon Wynn Jr. would have committed to Georgia on Saturday if not for a visit he took to Tuscaloosa, Ala., last month.

Wynn, a 4-star defensive end from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), told SEC Country’s Hale McGranahan in Anderson, S.C., on Saturday that the reason why he chose the Crimson Tide over the Bulldogs boiled down to a trip made on June 10.

“Georgia was [No.] 2,” Wynn said. “It was really close between Georgia and Alabama. If I didn’t go visit Alabama, I would be committed to Georgia right now. I think that visit I took to Alabama was the difference-maker.”

The nation’s No. 5 strongside defensive end said Alabama is recruiting him as a 3-technique, which is a defensive lineman who typically lines up on the outside shoulder of a guard.

Wynn said he believes he has a chance to make an immediate impact in Tuscaloosa.

“The opportunity to play early as a freshman because they have lost a lot of linemen to the draft,” Wynn said of his pick. “They also have a lot of seniors on the roster. As long as I work hard when I enroll in January, I’ll have a good chance to play as a freshman.”

The Under Armour All-American said he knew Alabama would be the school he picked once he left campus on June 10. Wynn said he talked with his parents right after the trip and told them his decision. During that stretch after the visit, sources did say that he went back and forth on his decision.

In the end, the chance to make an impact at Alabama, win championships and move on to the NFL is what sold Wynn.

“Alabama is one of the best places in the country,” Wynn said. “It’s just so different there. As soon as we got into Tuscaloosa and pulled up on campus, it was just a different feel over anywhere else in the country. Coach [Karl] Dunbar is a great defensive line coach. He coached over 10 years in the league, so I’m going to get NFL-type of coaching.”

The best news for the Tide is that Wynn is planning on shutting down his recruitment.

“Right now at this point, I’m done,” Wynn said. “At IMG, I really don’t have time to take any other visits. As of right now, I’m done.”

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Elite QB Justin Fields recently visited Alabama, and he's been to Auburn more than once. It seems like Auburn has the better chance of the two to land Fields. Georgia, Florida and Florida State are also in the mix. Others are as well. Fields is doing all of the interviews here, but I still think he wants to keep as much as he can to the vest.

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Another California quarterback, four-star Jack Tuttle, is being pursued by Alabama despite his Utah commitment. He says that he does not plan to visit Alabama because he is committed to Utah. So, the only way I can see him visiting Alabama or elsewhere is if he backs off his commitment. From talking to him, that does not seem likely.

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Luke Ford is an impressive tight end here. He's about 6-foot-7, 240 pounds from Illinois. He recently decommitted from Arkansas. Alabama is his leader right now, and Auburn is also in the mix. There's a story to come from me after a talk with Ford, but he really wants to see how these schools use their tight end this fall. He says he'll commit on Signing Day or during the Under Armour All-America game.

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Big news here for Alabama fans, as receiver Xavier Williams says he's close to shutting down his recruitment. The south Florida receiver hears the chatter about him flipping to Miami and laughs it off. Alabama did a great job here connecting with his family.

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No recruiting service has Mountain Brook's Harold Joiner rated higher than 247Sports.

The site has the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Joiner as a four-star recruit ranked No. 56 nationally, as the No. 3 running back and as the No. 2 prospect in Alabama.

In the composite rankings, combining 247Sports with Scout, ESPN and Rivals, Joiner checks in at No. 139 nationally.

Joiner released a top six of Alabama, Auburn, USC, UCLA, Michigan State and Texas. He recently eliminated LSU, his one-time leader, and Georgia after they have too many commits at running back.

"We love him," 247Sports director of scouting Barton Simmons said. "It's so rare to see a kid with his size and his athleticism. Ten to 15 years ago, I'd have said he is too big to be a running back, but with Bo Scarbrough, Jalen Hurd, all of these 6-2 running backs, Deonta Foreman, there's guys everywhere that are big bodied backs who can make it.

"Because of the way he can catch the ball and his versatility, that makes him a valuable, rare kid in this class."

Joiner is looking for a place that will give him a chance to play running back. After not mentioning much offensively other than tight end, Joiner said that Alabama is recruiting him now at running back and receiver. Same goes for Auburn.

Joiner will be participating in Nike's The Opening Finals in Beaverton, Ore. He'll do skills tests on Saturday and participate in 7-on-7 competition Sunday and Monday.

247Sports uses the Opening to justify or move recruit rankings. Joiner will get a chance to shine in front of national analysts.

"I can see him playing a number of positions but I wouldn't count out running back for him," Simmons said." Especally in a year where this isn't a great running back class, we're willing to gamble on because of those rare athletic traits."

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