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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 8/15/17 at 8:40 am to TideSaint
Posted on 8/15/17 at 8:40 am to TideSaint
According to thunderbird1100 (LSU fan), word out of Baton Rouge regarding Saivion Smith is he couldn't pass a drug test to save his live. Apparently weed was the culprit.
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Posted on 8/15/17 at 8:48 am to TideSaint
Massive article on Andres Fox from Al.com (next 5 posts)
quote:
A year on the Mobile Christian scout team tested the patience of talented defensive end Andres Fox.
It also tested the health of Jordan Aubrey, the-then Leopards' starting quarterback. Fox was relegated to the scout team for half of his sophomore and juniors seasons after transferring back to Mobile Christian from Faith Academy.
"I remember (coach) Tommy (Wasden) coming to me and saying, 'Coach, we've got to slow Andres down. He's killing Jordan,'" Mobile Christian head coach Ronnie Cottrell said. "It was two-hand touch for Andres after that."
The 6-foot-5, 243-pound Fox finally got on the field for the Leopards late last season and wreaked havoc on Class 3A opponents. He recorded 18 sacks in eight games and sparked Mobile Christian to a state championship matchup against small-school power Piedmont.
From there, major college offers rolled in. Auburn, Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Stanford and more than 20 other schools have courted Fox, who comes in at No. 8 on AL.com's A-List of the state's top senior prospects.
"I did not see all this coming honestly," Fox said of his rapid rise on recruiting lists. "I had some smaller offers early last year, but nothing like what has happened this spring and summer. It's been pretty cool."
Posted on 8/15/17 at 8:49 am to TideSaint
quote:
THE EARLY PROGRESSION
Fox was born in Decatur, Ga., but his family moved to Mobile before his first birthday. He's been in South Alabama since.
Though he started playing football when he was just 3, he wasn't always on the path to stardom. In fact, he didn't even like the sport at first.
"I think he had too much energy when he was younger," his mom, Lakrisha Padgett, said. "Andres got distracted real easy. He liked to play in the dirt and kick grass around. He wasn't really into football. He tried basketball and karate and actually liked karate. He did that for a while."
"I don't remember much about karate," Fox said. "My mom said all I wanted to do was play dodge ball back then."
Fox first started to get into football when he was 6 or 7 and the family moved to West Mobile. He started playing at Cottage Hill Park, and that was the beginning of what has quickly become a bright career. He not only played defense at the time, but also was an aspiring quarterback.
His parents decided to enroll Fox at Mobile Christian following elementary school, and Padgett said that was a big part of his maturing on and off the football field.
"He calmed down a lot at that point," Padgett said. "He liked school a lot more and had fun. He had a lot of friends, and that made a big difference."
Posted on 8/15/17 at 8:49 am to TideSaint
quote:
BECOMING A LEOPARD
Though no one could have predicted how imposing Fox would become later, his football talent started to really emerge in his early days at Mobile Christian.
Neil Evans, now the head coach at Harding Academy in Searcy, Ark., was the Leopards' head varsity coach at the time.
"What I remember about Andres in the seventh and eighth grade was that he was very intelligent," Evans said. "He also had a very high football IQ. He played at Cottage Hill Park and had some success there. I was surprised at just how savvy he was. He had 'it.' He always seemed to play like he was a little mad, but he was great for me."
Evans raved about Fox's competitiveness, even as a middle-schooler.
"He was a great practice player," he said. "That's rare to find in someone with his talent, especially. Those guys usually aren't great practice guys in the seventh and eighth grade. In fact, it's almost always the opposite. But Andres loved practice or at least it seemed like that."
Evans said the football stage was never too big for Fox.
"He played offense and defense at the time," he said. "When the team needed a big stop, Andres would show up. I would watch those games and be amazed at how often he would make a play when his team had to have it. Everything at that time pointed to him being good. We just had no idea he would get as big as he is now."
Everything seemed like it was going well for Fox at Mobile Christian, but then he made a decision that ultimately derailed his path for a while.
Posted on 8/15/17 at 8:50 am to TideSaint
quote:
THE MOVE TO FAITH AND BACK
After Fox's eighth-grade year, several of his closest friends left Mobile Christian for other schools in the area. Fox decided he wanted to depart as well.
"I kind of begged my parents to leave after some of my friends left," Fox said.
He transferred to another private school, Class 5A Faith Academy.
"He wanted to go to a bigger school," Padgett said. "His friends split up and went different ways so Andres didn't want to be at Mobile Christian by himself. I wasn't for the move. I didn't think it would work. But that is what he wanted so we let it happen."
Fox spent his ninth grade year and the first few weeks of his sophomore year at Faith Academy. But, at that point, he - and his family - decided he needed to return to his original school.
"I wasn't happy with him there and I wanted him back at Mobile Christian," Padgett said. "His sister was at Mobile Christian, and she wanted him to come back so that is what we did."
Fox said the presence of Cottrell, who arrived at Mobile Christian while Fox was at Faith Academy, had a big role in his return to the school.
"I knew of coach and wanted to play for him," Fox said. "Looking back, I never should have left. At that time, I thought it was over. I never thought I would ever be anything. My plan was just to go back to Mobile Christian and play as hard as I could on the scout team and see what happened."
Posted on 8/15/17 at 8:51 am to TideSaint
quote:
THE SCOUT TEAM
One big issue with Fox's return to Mobile Christian was that Alabama High School Athletic Association rules required him to sit out a year before he could play for the Leopards.
That's how he started chasing Aubrey as a all-star scout team player.
"That was tough in a lot of ways," Fox said. "I was hurt. I didn't really feel like I was part of the team because I couldn't play. I stayed on the sideline during games and tried to encourage the team. I wanted them to make the state championship game really badly, but I felt helpless."
Cottrell said he had several one-on-one conversations with Fox.
"It was very difficult for him not to be able to play," he said. "Andres handled it extremely professionally. He was a great team guy. But when I spoke to him, he told me how much it hurt him not to be out there."
However, Fox was making the best of it on the scout team and making Aubrey's practice life tough.
"That part was fun," Fox joked. "I loved messing with Jordan all the time. Really, that is when I started to love playing on the defensive line."
That is also when Cottrell and others started to understand the untapped potential they had on their hands.
"I remember early on when Andres was out there, we ran a lead play and (current Arizona player) Troy Young took two steps to his right and two steps forward and Andres just folded him up," Cottrell said. "It was impressive. Andres made us better that year. He did a phenomenal job."
That year was 2015. The Leopards finished 10-2, losing at G.W. Long in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs. Safety Keith Gallmon also was impressed with Fox.
"Andres was in the backfield making every play in practice," Gallmon said. "He would just move me out of the way sometimes. He's just an animal."
Posted on 8/15/17 at 8:52 am to TideSaint
quote:
THE TRANSFORMATION
While Fox was working on the scout team, he was also working in the weight room. He remembers weighing about 200 pounds when he left Faith and "not being strong at all."
"Andres was about 215," said Mobile Christian strength and conditioning coach Scott Buzbee. "He was just a long, lean kid. Now, he is approaching 250 and starting to fill those pads out. They want you to look lean at quarterback. We want you to look like an animal on the defensive line."
Buzbee said Fox's focus in the weight room and with nutrition has completely changed his body frame.
"His focus is so much better now," Buzbee said. "It's all about goal setting. When you set your goals and you know where you want to get and you are committed to get there, then you put in the work to make it happen. Andres definitely has. Everything - speed, size, strength - is coming together for him."
That started to be evident to the general public during his first game back against Clarke County on Oct. 14, 2016. Fox had 10 tackles and several QB hurries in a 36-21 Mobile Christian win.
"All I was thinking about was playing really good, not letting anyone block me and just doing my job," he said.
He averaged more than two sacks per game the rest of the way, collecting a season-high five in a 27-0 victory at Cottage Hill Oct. 21.
"I've been involved with a lot of guys in college and high school football, and he's one of the very best I've ever coached," said Cottrell, who also spent time as an assistant at Florida State and Alabama. "What is wonderful is there can still be a huge amount of growth. Andres has not scratched the surface yet of what he can become. There is a huge ceiling. He has a lot of goals and a lot of confidence. I think he's really just getting started."
Fox said recently his top four schools at the moment are Auburn, LSU, Alabama and Stanford, in no particular order. He told AL.com last week he is not sure what his timetable is on making an announcement.
His goals for 2017 are to help Mobile Christian get back to the state championship game and win it. Evans has watched his development from several states away.
"I'm happy for Andres," he said. "It's very surreal how quickly it (recruiting) exploded for him. It probably has a lot to do with the fact he didn't have a sophomore year, but he's quickly become one of the best defensive linemen in the country.
"As just a fan watching him, it is hard to take your eyes off him. He is so physically impressive. He is the kind of guy who can get an NFL contract strictly as a pass rusher. He has that much talent."
Posted on 8/15/17 at 8:53 am to TideSaint
Posted on 8/15/17 at 9:22 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama currently has the nation’s No. 26 recruiting class and the eighth best in the SEC, according to the 247Sports composite. The Crimson Tide only have 10 commitments, so for them to be ranked that highly shows how elite this class already is.
Coach Nick Saban himself said the team can only sign 22 Class of 2018 recruits because of the delayed enrollment of Hunter Brannon, Joseph Bulovas and Jarez Parks in the 2017 class due to blueshirting in Brannon’s and Bulovas’ cases and greyshirting for Parks.
How will Alabama fill out the rest of its 2018 class on the defensive side of the ball and on special teams? Here are SEC Country’s latest projections:
*indicates current commitment
LINK
Posted on 8/15/17 at 9:22 am to TideSaint
quote:
DL: Stephon Wynn Jr.*, Bobby Brown, Caleb Tremblay
Analysis: Wynn has been quiet since he committed to Alabama in July. He said at the time that he’s not expecting to take official visits to anywhere other than Alabama.
There are several schools in the mix for Brown, most notably Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma, in addition to Alabama. The Crimson Tide have been recruiting Brown very strongly. I expect them to lock in one of their top defensive tackle targets.
Tremblay emerged on the scene in June after a strong performance at Alabama’s camp. It’s hard seeing him choose any other school when he makes his decision.
Confidence level: 60 percent
Well this would suck complete arse.
Posted on 8/15/17 at 9:23 am to TideSaint
quote:
LB: Jordan Davis*, Cameron Latu*, Eyabi Anoma, JJ Peterson, Vernon Jackson
Analysis: Davis couldn’t be any more vocal about his commitment to Alabama. He loves everything about the Tide and has said he’s 2,000 percent committed.
Latu committed to the team earlier this month. It’s not known yet if he will take official visits elsewhere, but I don’t expect him to change his mind on Alabama.
Anoma has visited Tuscaloosa twice already and is expected to return to campus this fall for an official visit. Alabama and Maryland appear to be the favorites. I fully expect the Tide to land his commitment. Those in Tuscaloosa are very confident here.
Peterson has named Alabama his leader for several months now. I’m surprised he hasn’t committed yet. He has said he will make his decision after his senior season, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him commit sooner than that.
Jackson will announce his decision on Aug. 26. If he chooses any other school other than Alabama, I will be puzzled.
Confidence level: 85 percent
I could dig it.
Posted on 8/15/17 at 9:24 am to TideSaint
quote:
Oh my gosh. Shut the hell up you insufferable sack of shite
This line got me.
quote:
If you keep posting all these articles Sarah McLachlan is going to start doing commercials for beat writers and their starving families. You heartless human being.
AA7 seems like a pretty funny guy
This post was edited on 8/15/17 at 9:27 am
Posted on 8/15/17 at 9:25 am to TideSaint
quote:
DB: Jalyn Armour-Davis*, Tyson Campbell, Nadab Joseph, Josh Jobe
Analysis: Armour-Davis is locked in with his commitment to Alabama. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take official visits elsewhere, but I would be stunned if he flipped his commitment.
Campbell visited Tuscaloosa last month and things couldn’t have gone better for Alabama’s chances with the team’s No. 1 cornerback target. There’s still lots of time left in Campbell’s recruitment, but this is trending in a positive direction for the Tide.
Joseph de-committed from LSU last week. I was actually surprised he just didn’t flip his commitment to Alabama at the time. The Crimson Tide have been trending for several months now.
Jobe is currently committed to Miami. It’s not going to be easy to flip him away from the Hurricanes, the team he’s wanted to play for while growing up. Alabama has been chipping away, though, and is expected to host him for an official visit this fall. Him playing his senior season in Connecticut instead of Miami surely helps Alabama’s chances at a flip.
Confidence level: 35 percent
Posted on 8/15/17 at 9:25 am to TideSaint
quote:
P: Skyler Delong*
Analysis: Delong committed to Alabama over the summer and isn’t planning on taking visits elsewhere. He’s locked in with his commitment.
Confidence level: 99.9 percent
Posted on 8/15/17 at 9:27 am to Cobrasize
quote:
AA7 seems like a pretty funny guy
Yeah he's pretty good.
Posted on 8/15/17 at 9:37 am to TideSaint
So, now that we have the entire class prediction from SEC Country here it is:
QB: Tanner McKee
RB: Asa Martin
WR: Justyn Ross, Jaylen Waddle, Xavier Williams
TE: Luke Ford
OL: Jarrett Bell, Tommy Brown, Penei Sewell
ATH: Slade Bolden
DL: Stephon Wynn, Bobby Brown, Caleb Tremblay
LB: Jordan Davis, Cameron Latu, Eyabi Anoma, JJ Peterson, Vernon Jackson
DB: Jalyn Armour-Davis, Tyson Campbell, Nadab Joseph, Josh Jobe
P: Skyler Delong
Using the Class Calculator on 247, that would give us 306.03 points. Taking Alabama out of the equation (because we finished #1 last year) would have resulted in a class with that score finishing #2 behind Ohio State's 309.96.
I'll take that considering the smaller class size.
QB: Tanner McKee
RB: Asa Martin
WR: Justyn Ross, Jaylen Waddle, Xavier Williams
TE: Luke Ford
OL: Jarrett Bell, Tommy Brown, Penei Sewell
ATH: Slade Bolden
DL: Stephon Wynn, Bobby Brown, Caleb Tremblay
LB: Jordan Davis, Cameron Latu, Eyabi Anoma, JJ Peterson, Vernon Jackson
DB: Jalyn Armour-Davis, Tyson Campbell, Nadab Joseph, Josh Jobe
P: Skyler Delong
Using the Class Calculator on 247, that would give us 306.03 points. Taking Alabama out of the equation (because we finished #1 last year) would have resulted in a class with that score finishing #2 behind Ohio State's 309.96.
I'll take that considering the smaller class size.
Posted on 8/15/17 at 9:42 am to TideSaint
quote:
Eyabi Anoma will return to Alabama this fall
Eyabi Anoma has played just one year of high school football, but that hasn’t stopped schools such as Alabama, Michigan and Ohio State from offering him a scholarship.
Anoma, a 5-star outside linebacker, according to ESPN’s rankings, was focused on basketball until a new football coaching staff took over at St. Frances Academy (Baltimore). One of the assistants has known Anoma since he was a middle school student and knew about his freakish athleticism. The St. Frances staff sat down with Anoma and told him about its plans for the team, and the recruit bought into the sales pitch.
St. Frances coach Henry Russell knew the team landed a star when Anoma committed to playing football.
“It was immediate,” Russell told SEC Country of when he knew Anoma was special. “We hosted a satellite camp last year with Michigan being the main school. Just in those drills there, you knew he had something special. It was just a matter of getting him steered in the right direction.”
In his first season at St. Frances, Anoma tallied 24 sacks. Russell said college coaches who communicate with him rave about his upside and explosiveness as a 6-foot-5, 235-pound prospect.
Alabama is recruiting him at Jack linebacker, which is a hybrid of outside linebacker and defensive end. Anoma is one of the Crimson Tide’s top defensive targets in the 2018 class, and I expect them to land his commitment when he makes his decision.
“It’s tough to beat him in a 30- or 40-yard sprint,” Russell said of Anoma’s speed. “We have some fast players on our team — and if we had a race, he’d be up there as one of the fastest kids. He might he even win it. You don’t see that from kids his size.”
On the recruiting front, Russell believes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland and Michigan are the main contenders. The only schools he’s visited two times or more are Alabama and Maryland. Those two trips to Tuscaloosa are significant because, obviously, Alabama isn’t around the corner from Baltimore, while Maryland is.
Russell said he and Anoma talk to primary recruiter Mike Locksley and outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi often. The Alabama assistants have communicated the message to Anoma that he is a top priority for the staff.
“I think Alabama will definitely be in the mix for him all the way until Signing Day,” Russell said. “I know he wants to get back there for a game. We’re trying to figure out when the best time is for that.”
Russell accompanied Anoma on his first trip to Tuscaloosa, where he said his star player fell in love with Alabama.
“He was blown away by it,” Russell said. “It’s a very impressive place, from the facilities, to the classroom setup, to the dorms. He thought the stadium was amazing. He also liked a lot of the kids on the team. He liked everything.”
A commitment date for Anoma hasn’t been locked in yet. Russell said it could come “soon, after the season or sometime in January.” Anoma has previously said he was going to wait until National Signing Day.
This kid is going to be a monster in 2-3 years.
Posted on 8/15/17 at 9:43 am to TideSaint
quote:
Intriguing offer goes out to former LSU DB
Cornerback is a major priority for Alabama this class after signing zero in the 2017 class. The Crimson Tide will lose Tony Brown and Anthony Averett after this season and Minkah Fitzpatrick is a likely candidate to leave for the NFL draft. Defensive back depth after this season is a concern.
SEC Country has been told that Alabama is likely taking four defensive backs in the 2018 class. My predictions as of today are Tyson Campbell, Nadab Joseph, Josh Jobe and Jalyn Armour-Davis.
The Tide extended an offer to former 5-star defensive back Saivion Smith, who transferred to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College from LSU. Smith’s offer is committable, contingent on him having a good season at MGCCC. That’s the same plan Alabama gave junior college cornerback Jhavonte Dean last recruiting cycle. Dean committed to Alabama in the summer but had a mediocre season, so he was dropped from the class.
Smith, who is being recruited by the Tide as a corner, transferred from LSU due to being buried on the depth chart. With as wide open as the Tide’s depth chart is at defensive back next season, that shouldn’t be an issue.
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