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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 3/26/17 at 10:46 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 3/26/17 at 10:46 pm to TideSaint
quote:
I started drinking at 7 and shut the bar down at 2:30. If I had to guess I probably knocked back 27-28 beers. That ain't bitch drinking.
Haha I'm just frickin with you. It was an I remember my first beer opportunity.
2
Posted on 3/26/17 at 11:03 pm to South Alabama Tide
I typically drink only light beers to keep the calories down, but the bar we went to last night had like 60 on tap so the wife said "Let's try the one with the polar bear on top."
Mixing the two beers together was a mistake.
Mixing the two beers together was a mistake.
Posted on 3/26/17 at 11:31 pm to TideSaint
I consider myself a beer connoisseur so I am overweight of course partially because of it. I haven't been under 250 since my early 20's. I can't sleep at night without a 12 pack of yuengling or Budweiser.
Posted on 3/26/17 at 11:52 pm to South Alabama Tide
I take a Flexeril to help me sleep. My doctor prescribed them to me for my neck and it says to take one every 4 hours. If I did that I'd never wake up.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:46 am to TideSaint
Justyn Ross quote:
quote:
It’s no surprise that the offensive coordinator will play a role in Ross’ choice. He has been getting to know Alabama’s new OC, Brian Daboll.
“We’ve been building a good relationship,” Ross said. “He says he’s going to open up the passing game a lot with Alabama. I’m just ready to see what he does.”
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:48 am to TideSaint
Seth Williams quote:
quote:
“Auburn is recruiting me the hardest. I’d probably say I wanna hear some more from Bama, but I’m going to take the rest of my visits in the summertime.”
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:52 am to TideSaint
quote:
BUFORD - 247Sports takes you inside Sunday’s Nike Football The Opening Regional in Atlanta.
ALPHA DOG
The nation’s No. 1 offensive guard Jamaree Salyer was dominant taking reps at all three offensive line positions in earning an invite to The Opening Finals to be held at the Nike World Headquarters in Oregon the first week of July.
Armed with one of the best punches on in the country, the Atlanta (Ga.) Pace standout knocked defensive lineman off balance on the inside and outside. The five-star U.S. Army All-American easily held off some of the best defensive tackles in the country defeating guys like Florida State commit Robert Cooper while also winning reps at tackle against the extremely quick Brenton Cox who are both ranked inside the Top100
Salyer doesn’t plan on making a college decision until after his senior season with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Stanford and Florida among the schools he’s strongly considering. The Bulldogs are the heavy 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite.
NEXT FIVE OFFENSE
Ellenwood (Ga.) Hazelwood Top247 2019 receiver Jadon Haselwood showed why he’s such a ballyhooed recruit and ranked by 247Sports as the No. 2 player in the country at his position. Toasting some of the top defensives back at the event, the Georgia commit can get open against any coverage, flashed terrific ball skills, and was also strong in the red zone portion.
Birmingham (Ala.) Mountain Brook Top247 running back Harold Joiner has a unique blend of size (6-3, 215), elusiveness and versatility. Joiner was smooth in position drills, made linebackers miss in cat and mouse and caught the ball extremely well including downfield in the 7-on-7 portion. Auburn and LSU are the top two contenders for the four-star recruit.
Oxford (Ala.) High 2019 offensive guard Clay Webb is the same caliber prospect as Salyer. Great feet, incredible strength, good technique allowed him to have his way during most reps of 1-on-1s. 247Sports ranks Webb as the nation’s No. 2 offensive guard in his class with Alabama and Auburn being two of the programs he’s strongly considering.
Phenix City (Ala.) Central Top247 receiver Justyn Ross was invited to The Opening finals. A smooth player, uses his big body well to defeat helpless defensive backs, creates separation that way. Ross is reliable catching it, aggressive with his hands. Auburn is the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite with Alabama squarely in the mix.
Through position drills and the cat and mouse portion there wasn’t a more exciting running back than Top247 recruit Asa Martin who gave linebackers fits in the open field. In addition to those abilities, Martin is a presence in the passing game and will bring a lot of versatility to whichever program he signs with. Florida is trending on the 247Sports Crystal Ball.
TOP FIVE DEFENSE
Not one player tested better than Columbia (S.C.) Spring Valley linebacker Channing Tindall who had the day’s highest Nike Football Rating of 125.25. Tindall also earned position MVP honors and an invite to The Opening Finals gliding through position work, closing quickly on running backs during cat and mouse and being disruptive in space during 7-on-7. Appeared to have a huge wingspan. Stock up on Tindall who spoke highly of South Carolina, Auburn and Georgia.
The nation’s No. 3 strong-side defensive end Greg Emerson did a lot of damage on the interior (which wasn’t easy to do against these talented inside offensive linemen) and was a handful for offensive linemen. Has the skill set to play across the front and was disruptive in a variety of ways. Checking in at 296 pounds Emerson also ran 4.84 laser in the 40-yard dash with a 33-6 inch vertical. Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee are three the Top247 recruit is very high on.
Athens (Ga.) Christian defensive end Richard Jibunor has a lighting quick first step and a nice redirect, and being a lean guy, he also has a good power move. Huge upside for this raw prospect that is excited about Auburn among others. Jibunor took home position MVP honors.
Notre Dame commit Derrik Allen was all over the field from his safety spot during 7-on-7s and he was a blanket during 1-on-1s including a nice diving interception on a comeback route. A very fluid defender that flashed right away with his footwork during position drills. The U.S. Army All-American ranks as the No. 5 safety in the country and was invited to The Opening Finals
Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County linebacker JJ Peterson has great length, runs well, was a presence in passing lanes during 7-on-7 and also broke on the football to get a few pass breakups. The nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker per the 247Sports Composite has Alabama on top with Georgia and Oregon rounding out his top three. Peterson was invited to The Opening Finals.
ALSO INVITED TO THE OPENING
Six in all were invited to The Opening Finals with more certainly expected along the way.
In addition to Salyer, Ross, Tindall, Allen and Peterson, Buford running back Christian Turner received a Golden Ticket. An explosive prospect that caught the football well, Turner spoke highly of Tennessee, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and N.C. State.
In other Buford running back news, teammate Anthony Grant was one of the day’s top performers, showing off nice change of direction and wiggle in drills and good burst in cat and mouse.
No question Buford boasts one of the backfields in America.
POSTION MVPS
Awarded by the camp staff, the nation’s No. 2 dual-threat 2019 passer in Bo Nix won quarterback MVP honors, at running back 2020 prospect Cartavious Bigsby earned the hardware, at receiver it was Jim Barnett III, on the offensive line it was Salyer, defensive line it was Jibunor, linebacker Tindall and defensive back Chris Smith.
Nix has a good arm, athletic, can throw on the run. Auburn is already the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite with Alabama and Georgia offering in the last two weeks.
Bigsby already has an impressive build, another with soft hands, and was incredibly tough to get a hand on in cat and mouse drills. Alabama, Florida, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ole Miss and Tennessee have already offered.
Barnett was one of the faster receivers at the event and in space he was one of the most exciting. An extremely confident player.
Out of Atlanta (Ga.) Hapeville Charter, Smith continues to add weight. Up to 170 pounds, he has nice hips, long and rangy, made several breakups during the competition portion. Closing in on 30 offers with Georgia and South Carolina in a great spot as the spring heats up.
LINK
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:52 am to TideSaint
quote:
AROUND THE CAMP
Ohio State quarterback commit Emory Jones flashed the most potential physically with a few eye-popping throws. Moves extremely well.
No quarterback was more consistent or accurate during the Elite 11 drills portion that Wake Forest commit Sam Hartman.
Texas A&M commit Cade Fortin was another that flashed several times on a variety of throws.
Minnesota running back commit Nolan Edmonds is every bit of a three-down back that tracks the football well downfield.
Tucker (Ga.) High receiver Josh Vann was a crisp route runner with natural soft hands.
The top tight end at the event was Top247 recruit Will Mallory who had as many receptions as anyone during the 7-on-7 portion. Michigan, Miami and Georgia make up the top three.
Brownsburg (Ind.) High 2019 receiver Bryce Kirtz ran 4.53, was one of the fastest players on site at his position and regularly got behind defenses.
Top247 receiver Kearis Jackson tested well including a 4.57 laser-timed 40-yard dash. Explosive coming out of his breaks creating separation from the defensive backs.
The nation’s No. 2 offensive guard Trey Hill will likely be one that gets invited to The Opening down the road. Built like a tree trunk, Hill moves well, keeps defensive linemen in front of him and doesn’t give up his position. Hill is a U.S. Army All-American.
Nobody put more defensive linemen in the dirt than LSU’s 2019 commit Kardell Thomas. Just a violent blocker.
America’s No. 1 offensive guard Keiondre Jones has a lot of ability, used his terrific feet to slow those speed rushers on the edge when playing tackle in this event.
Defensive tackles Allen Love and CJ Wright flashed a bunch during 1-on-1s.
Florida State defensive tackle commit Tru Thompson has improved using his hands and consistently got under guys when he got his hands on them. One of the few to be able to move Trey Hill.
The most explosive pass rusher was Top247 defensive end Brenton Cox. Another with powerful hands. Georgia is the heavy 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite with Ohio State pushing hard.
Michigan commit Otis Reese played safety but he has incredible traits as a downhill linebacker down the road.
Top247 cornerback Christian Tutt covered like a blanket, always had the receivers inside hip. His top three is Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State with Georgia still in the mix.
Chattanooga (Tenn.) Baylor School safety Brendon Harris showed strong cover skills and a bulked up frame.
Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake cornerback Myles Sims was the quickest defensive back at the event and he has a huge wingspan. Michigan looks like the team to beat.
Atlanta (Ga.) Carver four-star safety Quindarious Monday and Orlando (Fla.) Jones cornerback Brandon Cross each made a ton of plays on the football.
Bowling Green (Ky.) High 2020 Devito Tisdale looks like he will be one of America’s most highly-sought after safeties by the time he signs. Looked good at cornerback in this setting.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:53 am to TideSaint
Welp. The Aubs have taken the lead on us. 
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:55 am to South Alabama Tide
quote:
Alabama will host one of the top 2019 quarterbacks in the nation on Tuesday, when Pinson Valley (Ala.) product Bo Nix travels to Tuscaloosa, he tells 247Sports' Keith Niebuhr.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:58 am to TideSaint
Kipp Adams:
quote:
Yes, I Crystal Balled linebacker JJ Peterson (Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt Co.) to Alabama on Sunday. If today were the day for him, the Crimson Tide would be the pick. Jeremy Pruitt connection is big there for Peterson. But today is not the day. Georgia is No. 2, with Kevin Sherrer helping the Bulldogs big-time. Peterson is very high on the Bulldogs, and there is no huge gap here whatsoever. Expect Sherrer to be down there plenty in the evaluation and contact period.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:59 am to TideSaint
CB Christian Tutt says Alabama and Florida State are his two leaders.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:59 am to TideSaint
Speaking of Tutt, one of the Ohio State mods CB'd him to Alabama.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 10:01 am to TideSaint
New offer out to a Safety from Texas in the Class of 2020:
Lejond Cavazos Highlights
I'm guessing his first name is pronounced "Legend."
Lejond Cavazos Highlights
I'm guessing his first name is pronounced "Legend."
Posted on 3/27/17 at 10:05 am to TideSaint
quote:
Welcome to SEC Country’s daily Roll Tide-ings, a rundown of everything happening in Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting with Chris Kirschner. Today we discuss the latest with the nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker JJ Peterson and top 2019 LB King Mwikuta.
LINK
Posted on 3/27/17 at 10:07 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama on top for nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker
BUFORD, Ga. — JJ Peterson said he was with Tykerious Raheem “Grump” Jones, who was 17 at the time, 30 minutes before a shooting claimed the life of 68-year-old John Hester Sr. Jones was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to a burglary earlier in the day of Hester’s death, an additional count of burglary and criminal attempt to commit home invasion, according to a story by the Moultrie Observer.
Jones was going to be the starting running back for Colquitt County High School, but now he sits in a jail cell.
“Grump was going to be such a good running back,” Peterson told SEC Country. “He was supposed to be out here. He would have crushed everyone. We were all together before it happened. It was right after a party. I had told him to not do anything wrong. He didn’t listen.”
Peterson has stayed on the right track. He’s ranked as the nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker in the Class of 2018. He has scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia and others. He received a ticket to the Opening finals in Oregon this summer at Nike headquarters after a dominant performance on Sunday.
The odds are stacked against Peterson to fail in life. He says several of his family members have gotten caught up in gangs and drugs; football is his way out of Moultrie, Ga.
“This is so important to me because I can’t stay in Moultrie,” Peterson said. “I can’t stay around my family. All of my family had opportunities to get out, and they never got out. When I get to college, I’m going to turn it on. It will be on.
“All of my people have failed. I’m not going to fail.”
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect has support from Colquitt County coach Rush Propst. Peterson calls Propst his father figure. That’s who drove Peterson to Buford on Sunday in order for him to have a chance to compete.
“He has really helped me through this process,” Peterson said of Propst. “It may not seem like a lot, but he buys stuff for the team and we get our clothes washed every day. That’s just crazy to me. He’s like my father.”
Before Sunday, Peterson rarely had spoken to the media about where things stood with his mysterious recruitment.
It’s safe to call him the most unrecognized top prospect in the Class of 2018.
He has a Twitter account, but he doesn’t use it. He has a phone, but rarely answers texts or calls — that includes numerous texts from Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. To put it simply, Peterson doesn’t care much about the recruiting process.
“I’m just busy. I’m just working on the field all of the time. And with recruiting, I’m not a very good talker,” Peterson said.
Peterson did give up some info with his recruitment. The elite 4-star prospect from South Georgia has Alabama as his No. 1 school. Georgia and Oregon are also in his top three. But it’s the Crimson Tide who have Peterson’s attention.
When he visited Tuscaloosa in the past and put on the No. 6 jersey, Peterson said it just felt right — he was home. Jeremy Pruitt’s connection to Propst shouldn’t be glossed over, either. Pruitt was Hoover (Ala.) High School’s defensive coordinator under Propst in 2005. The two remain very good friends to this day.
“I love Alabama,” Peterson said. “I love the home feeling I get there and how their coaches coach. The atmosphere there is great. I had a chance to talk to Coach Saban, too. It’s nerve-racking talking to him. I just remember seeing all of the rings in there and he had a bunch of chocolate in there — I think it was Dove chocolate. I love it.”
Pruitt sees Peterson playing inside linebacker for Alabama if he were to commit there. Peterson doesn’t know when a commitment could come. He has no visits to any schools planned. For now, he’s focused on raising his soon-to-be 3-month-old daughter, Alexandria Peterson.
“I have to go hard for her,” Peterson said. “I will not fail because of her.”
Posted on 3/27/17 at 10:08 am to TideSaint
quote:
Grandson of former African soccer great has Tide on top
Howard Mwikuta (pronounced Muh-koo-ta) was a soccer star in Zambia. He played for the national team in the 1960s before giving up soccer for a chance to be a placekicker for the Dallas Cowboys in 1970. Mwikuta was the first African-born player to appear in an NFL preseason game.
His grandson, King Mwikuta, now is a top Class of 2019 football recruit who holds offers from powerhouses such as Alabama, Auburn and Georgia.
It’s the Crimson Tide who’s on top for the Troup County High School (Lagrange, Ga.) standout.
“They just treat me like I’m already on campus and a student,” Mwikuta told SEC Country. “I also love (outside linebackers) Coach (Tosh) Lupoi like a father. I talk to Coach Saban all of the time, too. We just have that 1-on-1 thing going on. People always tell me that they’re scared of him because he’s all business. I just love him.”
The 6-foot-5, 216-pound prospect said his relationship with Lupoi is a major factor why Alabama is his favorite school. Mwikuta has been going to Alabama football camps since he was in the ninth grade, and that’s when his relationship with the Tide assistant started to grow.
They’ve been close since.
“He’s just like the father I never had in my life,” Mwikuta said. “My father has been in and out of jail, and from being in foster care and growing up with my grandma — it was just hard. Tosh has stepped in my life and my head coach at Troup and the other coaches at Troup have really taken me under their wings. I am thankful for it every day.”
Lupoi would like Mwikuta to play JACK if he ended up being a part of the Tide’s Class of 2019. He came close to being the second member of Alabama’s Class of 2019. When he visited Tuscaloosa last month, he said he almost told Saban that he wanted in after putting on a Tide jersey. Like Peterson above, it felt right to him.
“I was ready to commit, but I was like, ‘Don’t do it, King. Don’t do it, King.’ I wanted to take home that No. 24 jersey. I wanted to just take it,” Mwikuta said.
He described what the feeling of wearing that Alabama jersey was like using a fantastic analogy.
“Have you ever been on a roller coaster and you’re about go down a hill and you get that feeling in your stomach?”’ Mwikuta rhetorically asked. “It’s that exact feeling right there.”
Expect the top 2019 linebacker to make a decision before his senior season begins next year. He wants to be an early enrollee at the school of his choice and be an unofficial recruiter for that school.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 10:53 am to TideSaint
quote:
Welp. The Aubs have taken the lead on us.
We all need to get back in the swing of things.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:12 am to Cobrasize
quote:
The nation's top rising senior dual-threat quarterback and other power 5 recruits performed Sunday at the Atlanta Opening Regional, but it was an in-state underclassman who stole the show.
Bo Nix, the son of former Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix, won quarterback MVP honors at the event. He recently transferred from Scottsboro to Pinson Valley, where his father took the head coaching job, and will begin spring practice with his new teammates soon.
Nix is a four-star recruit in the class of 2019.
Auburn offered the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Nix, a top 100 national rising junior recruit, before his sophomore year. Alabama and Georgia have followed, along with the likes of Ohio State and Oklahoma State.
"I'm blessed," Nix said Sunday. "I'm excited about it. It's great to pick up offers from the SEC in such a great conference."
Nix said he is planning to visit Alabama on Tuesday. He talked to Alabama head coach Nick Saban on the phone recently. Other visits this week, per 247Sports, include Clemson on Monday and Auburn on Thursday.
"They wanted to get in touch with me and let me talk to Coach Saban," Nix said. "I talked to him and he offered me and he was looking forward to visiting with me.
"There's one of the best teams in the nation. They're really good at recruiting and they have really good players around me (if I went there)."
Nix said he isn't basing his college decision on where his father went to school. Patrick Nix started at Auburn at the end of the 1993 season and for the next two years.
"It's just my future, so I'm going to go where the best fit I think is necessary," Nix said. "I'm going to go and have a good college experience."
The Auburn allure could be tough to turn down. All nine 247Sports crystal ball predictions have Nix choosing the Tigers.
"A lot (stands out about Auburn)," Nix said. "It's where my dad went to school, obviously. It's a great place."
Nix had similar things to say about his Georgia and Ohio State offers. He's also eager to start spring practice at Pinson Valley with his new teammates.
"They're just all really good teams and I'm blessed to have offers from them," said Nix, who said he had no leader.
LINK
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:13 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama went in-state with its latest quarterback offer, but Sidney Lanier's James Foster didn't rush in with a commitment.
The Montgomery standout, a three-star recruit in the 247Sports composite, measured in at 6-foot-2.5 and 210 pounds on Sunday at the Atlanta Opening Regional. He'll have to perform well throwing in front of Alabama coaches to get the go-ahead to commit, but Alabama coaches like what they see early on with Foster.
"I went into Coach (Nick) Saban's office after practice (Saturday) and he offered me a scholarship," Foster said. "He said I'm athletic, but I pass first and I use my legs when I have to."
Foster said he's built a relationship with Alabama secondary coach and area recruiter Derrick Ansley since Ansley was at Kentucky. He said Ansley and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll are supposed to come watch him throw at practice this spring and video it for Saban.
Daboll, who has been an NFL offensive coordinator and recently an offensive assistant and tight ends coach with the New England Patriots, made a good impression on Foster.
"He talked when I first got there and we had a good little conversation," Foster said. "He was the (coach with) the Patriots, so he had Tom Brady as a quarterback. I see he could prepare me for the next level."
On the Alabama offer, Foster said, "It was great because that's my dream school. I was excited."
But Alabama is not his leader. That designation belongs to Missouri.
"Me and (offensive coordinator) Coach (Josh) Heupel, I've got a great bond with him," Foster said. "He's been recruiting me since tenth grade. He stays in touch with me every day. I went up for a visit two weeks ago and the visit went great. They rolled out the red carpet for me."
Foster also said Tennessee, Louisville, South Carolina, Georgia and Arizona are in the mix, and he'll visit Florida State on April 8.
He was committed to North Carolina at one point, but admitted he made that decision too early in his high school career and backed off.
How could Alabama overtake Missouri for the No. 1 spot?
"Put a good impression on my mom, recruit me hard and show me that they really want me," Foster said.
Foster is ranked as the country's No. 17 dual-threat quarterback in the 247Sports composite.
LINK
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