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

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he has the Buckeyes beating the Crimson Tide in the national championship game. 
of course he does

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As far as my thoughts on the situation, I believe it’s more of a tossup between Alabama and Auburn at this point. I’ve spoken with people knowledgeable of the situation that have given me good reason to believe both schools could land the four-star back. Martin has done an excellent job of keeping things close to the vest in a time where that’s much easier said than done. Like Tim said, I think it boils down to where he sees the most opportunity. Alabama has sold him on the Kenyan Drake-type role. There are those in Martin’s camp that are pro-Alabama as well. Auburn has recruited Martin longer and offers Martin the same type opportunity within their offense. I have not heard enough to make me want to change my pick away from Alabama, and will likely ride it with 51 percent confidence heading into 10 a.m. CT.

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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 a 4-star running back and 4-star cornerback committing on Thursday. 

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Asa Martin committing on Thursday

Asa Martin, a 4-star running back from Austin High School (Decatur, Ala.), will announce his commitment at 11 a.m. ET during a ceremony at his school. Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Florida are the finalists. The two in-state schools are the clear favorites heading into his decision.

As of Wednesday night, Martin hadn’t told either Alabama’s or Auburn’s staff what he was going to do. There’s confidence on both sides. Heading into the week, Alabama was seen as the favorite, but Martin’s coach, Jeremy Perkins, said the chatter out there was just that.

“What everyone thinks they know out there, it’s not coming from him. Your guess is as good as mine,” Perkins told SEC Country. “He has kept this really close to the vest. I’m pretty sure when he makes his announcement on Thursday that he and his mother will be the only two that know. He may talk to the college coaches before, but as far as teammates, coaches and the public, he isn’t telling anyone.”

He did talk with Alabama coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll on Wednesday, and one person who’s talked with Martin a lot recently told SEC Country that he thought the running back was pro-Alabama and that the Crimson Tide will be his choice. I’m still sticking with my prediction I made on Wednesday that Martin will choose Auburn when he makes his decision in a few hours. I am not confident, though.

The reason I am going with Auburn is because the Tigers have prioritized Martin for much longer than the Crimson Tide have. He has said that he believes his game is better suited for a spread-style offense, which is what Auburn runs. Martin has also said that he feels the most comfortable at Auburn because of its family environment.

Auburn’s depth chart also is more open than Alabama’s, and it’s something that Martin has put considerable thought in, but Perkins said if it was a major concern to his running back, Alabama wouldn’t have the chance it does to land his commitment.

“I think if it was an issue for him, he wouldn’t have Alabama as one of his top 4 teams,” Perkins said. “Some would argue one of his top 2 teams. If it was an issue, we would have had a conversation about it. He’s a competitor. He’s not shying away from competition. He never has done that.”

Martin seems like he’s 50-50 heading into his decision. I don’t think this recruitment is over by any means after he makes his decision in a few hours.

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This season will be extra special for Central-Phenix City receiver Justyn Ross because his biggest fan won't have to wake up at 3 a.m. to watch his games.

Ross' mother, Charay Franklin, completed her third deployment in May. She spent 11 months away from home, most of it in Kuwait with the Alabama Army National Guard. Her previous deployments came when Ross was much younger and Franklin was on active duty with the United States Navy.

While she was away, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Ross recovered from a serious knee injury and established himself as the No. 1 player on the AL.com A-List.

A five-star recruit by some services, Ross caught 38 passes for 663 yards and eight touchdowns while often drawing double teams. He earned ASWA Class 7A All-State first-team honors and will be an Under Armour All-American this season.

Whether it was an internet stream or listening on her iHeartradio app, Franklin tracked her son's dynamic junior season each week, waking up at 3 a.m. on game days. During basketball season, she'd watch games on Facebook Live or if she couldn't see it live, a DVD of the game.

After the games, she'd catch up with her son.

"I take a lot of pride in it," Ross said. "She's doing such a great job, risking being away from our family to serve our country."

Ross doesn't remember much about Franklin's first two deployments, other than he didn't have an iPhone or FaceTime.

"I think we had to pay to call her," Ross said. "It was real hard."

Ross was 2-years-old during Franklin's first deployment. Her next one came two years later. Ross pointed at pictures of his mother and would ask his grandmother when she was coming home.

Communication was much easier last year.

"We talked every day," Franklin said. "If it wasn't on the phone or FaceTime, it was text. It was some type of communication every day."

Through her experiences, Franklin was able to instill discipline and independence to her son.

But he also had to be brave while his mother was in dangerous territory.

"If I got nervous and scared (for what was going on in Kuwait), I feel like I'm not going to be myself," Ross said. "I don't ever think of the worst."

Ross called his mother before and after school every day and turned into a morning person.

"I had something to wake up to," Ross said. "It brightened my day a lot because I just got to talk to her without anyone else interrupting, just me and her."

His mother was able to observe his personal growth from afar.

"He just continued to remain humble," Franklin said. "I was so excited while I was deployed how he maintained his respect and handled himself. I didn't have any real problems. He grew up some while I was gone and I felt like I missed a lot."

She won't miss anymore.

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Despite a torn labrum in his shoulder, four-star offensive tackle Penei Sewellplayed in Saint George (Utah) Desert Hills' season opener last Friday night.

The Thunder ultimately lost to Jordan (Utah) 45-44.

Sewell, alongside the rest of the Desert Hills offensive line, paved the way for a team total of 293 yards rushing and 154 yards passing.

At 6-foot-4, 349 pounds, Sewell is rated the No. 5 offensive tackle and the No. 50 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

Alabama continues to lead the Crystal Ball over USC and Oregon. It's the Ducks that appear to be the Tide's main competition as it stands.

Sewell was set to make a decision prior to his senior season, however, the shoulder injury has put recruiting on the back burner, per the Top100 tackle's father.

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