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

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Alabama has extended an offer to former LSU cornerback Saivion Smith, the now Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. product reported on Twitter Wednesday.

The Florida native announced his decision to transfer from the Tigers program back in May, citing that it was in his best interest for personal growth to look elsewhere.

The now junior college defensive back appeared in 10 games for the Bayou Bengals as a freshman, recording four tackles and two pass breakups. Smith was expected to take on a larger role in LSU's secondary this fall.

Smith, a former four-star recruit in the 2016 class, held offers from over 20 schools coming out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy.

His Crystal Ball read in favor of LSU, however both Florida and Florida State held predictions as well.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder was rated the No. 5 cornerback and the No. 50 overall player in the 2016 class, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

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Tight end (1): 3-star Michael Parker (Huntsville, Ala.)

This position creates the most head-scratching in these projections.

Auburn hasn’t zeroed in a clear-cut top option in this class. But I’ll explain how I arrived at Michael Parker to Auburn. This is a slight changeup from Tyneil Hopper’s extended run at the projected tight end, which could return if Auburn likes what it sees from Hopper in the 2017 season.

Parker was offered by Auburn in the spring, which made the Tigers a top option. But Alabama offered soon after, and the Crimson Tide — the school he has family ties to — became the perceived leaders.

But Alabama missed on its top tight-end option in Dominick Wood-Anderson. He was a junior college prospect who likely would’ve forced the Crimson Tide to take an incoming freshman, too. Now Alabama likely turns to Luke Ford, who I expect lands in the Crimson Tide class.

As a result, that probably would turn Parker toward Auburn.

Don’t think of it as Auburn taking Alabama’s scraps, though. Both coaching staffs have a high opinion of Parker, who has the size to contribute early.

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RB: Chris Curry, Tae Provens, Harold Joiner

Analysis: LSU bolstered its backfield of the future by adding Curry and Provens to the 2018 class in June. Curry projects as a downhill runner, while Provens — who was taken as an athlete — can be effective as both a runner and a pass catcher out of the backfield. LSU had intended on taking three backs to bolster its depth chart when Derrius Guice and Darrel Williams head to the NFL. The question is whether they can land a third rusher. They have quietly been working Joiner behind the scenes and again are in a position to strike with the 4-star back.

Confidence Level: 80 percent

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WR: Terrace Marshall Jr., Lawrence Keys III, Kenan Jones, Jaray Jenkins

Analysis: LSU needs to restock at wide receiver. In Canada’s offense, they need weapons on the inside and outside. The team has done work bringing on Jones and Jenkins early and securing a transfer from Jonathan Giles, who will be eligible to play in 2018. Marshall and Chase sit atop Mickey Joseph’s priority list. Marshall won’t make a decision until December, and LSU is forced to play from behind after Chase popped to Florida. It would not surprise me to see Joseph win over Chase or Devonta Jason by December. Both are uphill battles as the Tigers try to force flips, but time is on the Tigers’ side. Keys has publicly named LSU as his top school, and a decision could come in the fall or signing day.

Confidence Level: 75 percent

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I've read people comparing Seth Williams to the Nico Collins' situation last year, but not Ross. Bama wants Ross from what most of our recruiting experts have said.

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