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

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The talk last year was that Alabama would flip five-star corner Shaun Wade from Ohio State. It didn't happen. The talk this year is on a pair of high-profile corners in Josh Jobe (Miami) and Kelvin Joseph (LSU). I didn't get to speak with Jobe but did with Joseph. If they keep visiting Alabama, I think Alabama has a shot. Prediction: they flip one, but not sure which one.

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I'd be shocked if Alabama didn't get a commitment from Utah four-star OL Penei Sewell and if the OL class wasn't Sewell, California OL Tommy Brown (not at The Opening) and possibly Cordova, Tenn., standout Jerome Carvin (not at The Opening). I'll believe Alabama has a better chance on flipping Emil Ekiyor from Michigan if he actually makes another trip.

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I also like Alabama's chances with tight end Luke Ford right now. He was impressive at The Opening. But he wants to see how these schools use their tight ends. Alabama has made him a huge priority.

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The third trip to Alabama could be the charm for four-star Utah defensive end Cameron Latu, but his mother is already sold.

Latu, a 6-foot-5, 236-pound recruit from Salt Lake City, Utah, is returning to Alabama later this month for its Champions Cookout. This will be his third trip. He said at Nike's The Opening finals in Beaverton, Ore., that his mother "wants me to go to Alabama."

Alabama is battling USC, Utah, Washington and Nebraska for Latu's services. He is ranked as the No. 7 weak side defensive end in the country and No. 2 prospect in Utah behind offensive lineman Penei Sewell, also an Alabama target.

"She loves (outside linebackers coach) Tosh Lupoi," Latu said. "She loves the coaching staff. She thinks he can take me somewhere and she wants me to go be myself and be a man."

Latu said location is a factor. He might want to play closer to home. USC holds the majority of picks in the 247Sports crystal ball.

"It kind of matters, but I feel like I need to maybe get away from home and make myself a man," Latu said. "(Mother) wants me to to choose what's best for me."

Alabama has made a big impression on Latu during his first two trips, one which came during A-Day in April. He said his third trip is meant to "just have fun and kick it out there."

Here's what Latu said he likes about the Crimson Tide.

"Coach Tosh, the coaching staff, they're on the rise all the time, they're a winning team," Latu said. "I think they can get me somewhere. They make it easy to feel welcome."

Latu likely profiles as an outside linebacker for Alabama.

"I feel like I can fit in great. I'm fast off the edge, I can drop (into coverage)," he said.

Latu said he didn't have a timetable for his commitment decision.

"No day," he said. "Whenever I distinctly feel like it, I'll do it."

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Big difference in the recruitment of Ross and Nico Collins.

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We know Alabama is going to land some of these blue-chippers we’re not talking enough about.

I expect them to make a major move with five-star defensive end Micah Parsons when he visits for three days later this month.

I like their chances with Top247 offensive lineman Penei Sewell who could return with Top247 defensive end Cameron Latu later this month. The Crimson Tide are in position to beat USC for both.

Alabama is taking their swing at Patrick Surtain Jr., Tyson Campbell and Josh Jobe. Will they strike out? I bet they get one.

Would be surprising to see JJ Peterson go elsewhere. Another linebacker in Brandon Kaho could ultimately end up in the class too.

I love where Alabama stands with Top247 tight end Luke Ford and they have a could end up signing five-star defensive end KJ Henry as well.

We know they have a great chance to keep Top247 receiver Justyn Ross in-state and five-star quarterback Tanner McKee already has his official locked in for the LSU game.

As I previously mentioned with Hufanga, my Crystal Ball is on Oregon but Alabama is one of the major contenders and will receive an official.

The Crimson Tide’s class ranks No. 53 nationally. Won’t be long before they’re back in the Top10 pushing towards the top five.

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Penei Sewell says everything stood out about his Alabama visit

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Penei Sewell was one of the top offensive linemen at The Opening the last few days at Nike headquarters. Alabama is recruiting Sewell as a guard, though he’s listed on scouting sites as a tackle.

I think guard is where he should play on the next level after seeing him play both positions last weekend. He didn’t lose many reps when he slid inside, and when Sewell gets his hands on opposing defensive linemen, the rep usually was over.

The Crimson Tide are in good position to land the 4-star OL from Desert Hills High School in St. George, Utah. Sewell visited Tuscaloosa in early June, and he still hasn’t come down from his visit high.

“Kind of everything stood out,” Sewell told SEC Country. “[Outside linebackers] Coach [Tosh] Lupoi — I love him. He just gets me. I’m really tight with Coach Tosh. I finally got to meet him when I went there. We clicked right away.”

Sewell has an interesting nickname. In eighth grade, he was called “Bama” by his teammates and coaches. There’s a good chance that nickname sticks if the Crimson Tide continue to impress the nation’s No. 7 tackle.

Sources close to Sewell and the Alabama program feel good about the team’s chances with the 6-foot-4, 349-pound prospect, who likely will announce his commitment before his senior season begins.

“I like the coaches a lot [at Alabama],” Sewell said. “I feel like I can mix in with them well. The atmosphere was great there. I just felt comfortable.”

Southern California and Nevada are big players in Sewell’s recruitment, too. Sewell actually said Nevada is the only school he’s 100 percent sure will be a finalist because his older brothers, Gabriel Jr. and Nephi, play for the Wolfpack. Being close to his family weighs on his mind.

“Distance does matter,” Sewell said. “Sometimes I want to stay close to home, but I have to do what’s best for me.”

Sewell said he’s expecting to return to Tuscaloosa this fall for an official visit. As of now, he remains projected to commit to Alabama.

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Welcome to SEC Country’s daily Roll Tide-ings, a rundown of everything happening in Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting with Chris Kirschner. Today, we talk the latest with Alabama’s top targets at The Opening.

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Jaycee Horn, 4-star cornerback, Alpharetta, Ga.: Horn is set to announce his commitment between Alabama and South Carolina on July 15. He grew up a big Crimson Tide fan. He actually cried when Alabama lost to Clemson in the national championship game. With the Tide needing several corners in this year’s class, it seems likely that the Tide will beat out the Gamecocks, even though South Carolina really has him thinking hard.

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Josh Jobe, 4-star cornerback, Miami: Jobe isn’t locked in with the Hurricanes. Jobe tweeted in April that his recruitment was officially over. That tweet has since been deleted, and it didn’t just magically disappear. There is a reason why it was deleted. He said it’s because he is done with social media, although he tweets on a regular basis. Jobe is a major cornerback target for the Crimson Tide, and the coaching staff is working hard to flip him. I think it happens. Moving to Connecticut from Miami this fall will ease the pressure on Jobe to have to stick with his commitment to the hometown team.

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