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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 8/30/17 at 10:55 am to TideSaint
Posted on 8/30/17 at 10:55 am to TideSaint
quote:
Michael Parker, 3 stars, Westminster Christian (Huntsville, Ala.): Parker feels like a prospect destined for one of the two major in-state programs. He camped at both schools during the summer and promptly received offers from both. When he was offered by Auburn, he seemed likely to be a Tiger. Then when Alabama offered — the team he grew up loving — the Crimson Tide were the clear leader. There are still several things that need to shake themselves out in this situation. The Crimson Tide felt like they had a solid chance of landing Dominick Wood-Anderson, but he chose Texas. Now they’re deeply in the mix for Luke Ford, as is Auburn, but Georgia could also be a major threat there. If Ford committed to ‘Bama, or if Wood-Anderson flip-flopped, Auburn’s chances with Parker likely go way up. In addition, he talks to Porter once a week, he told SEC Country, and they text plenty more on top of that. Parker said he also talks with assistant Tim Horton regularly. He told SEC Country he expects to attend “a game or two” at Auburn this season.
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Posted on 8/30/17 at 10:56 am to TideSaint
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Luke Ford, 4 stars, Carterville (Ill.): Ford is probably No. 1 on Auburn’s wish list, but for now, I believe he’s probably the least likely of the group to join the Tigers. His decision will be greatly influenced by quarterback and No. 1 overall recruit Justin Fields, and the Tigers appear to be trailing Georgia and Florida State there. Even if Ford didn’t follow Fields, Auburn would still be chasing in-state rival Alabama. As Ford told SEC Country earlier this week, “it’s a pretty good chance” he’ll visit the Plains again before making a decision. The last time he visited, he received a personal campus tour from head coach Gus Malzahn, which he said left as big of an impression on him as any other moment from any visit this summer.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 10:56 am to TideSaint
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Auburn-Georgia Southern visitors
This is a very early list of confirmed visitors for the Auburn season opener on Saturday. It will grow throughout the week and is always subject to change. By the end of the week, there should be a fairly thorough confirmation of people attending.
Keep in mind: Auburn’s early-season schedule isn’t the most favorable in terms of visits (home games against Georgia Southern and Mercer). On top of that, the Tigers will be competing with Alabama-Florida State in Atlanta on Saturday, which is expected to be the No. 1 landing destination for the top college football targets in the country.
So far, two key commits have confirmed they’ll be there — offensive tackle Kameron Stutts and running back Asa Martin.
Stutts has been a critical recruiter for the entirety of the cycle. He is a great presence to have on the Plains from a recruiting aspect. Martin received all the buzz last week as Auburn’s newest commitment. It was a big recruiting steal over Alabama, so his attendance alone will be a symbol of recruiting momentum.
As for non-commits, the two biggest targets who plan to attend — and arguably the two biggest recruiting targets remaining outside of Fields — are receiver Seth Williams and defensive tackle Coynis Miller. Those are both prospects who have Alabama on their radar, so it says a lot they’re even considering Auburn-Georgia Southern over Tide-‘Noles. Those are both guys who I project to end up in Auburn’s class, though it won’t be easy climbs over Alabama, Florida and others for each.
The big name who could travel to Auburn this weekend, but isn’t 100-percent confirmed: offensive guard Trey Hill.
Auburn’s top remaining O-line target will decide between Alabama-FSU and Auburn-Georgia Southern. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: As many times as Hill has visited Auburn — or, in this case, considers visiting over a majorly prime-time game — the Tigers have to be considered a major threat for one of the best guards in the nation. Georgia has been labeled as the public leader for some time, but that information has never come from Hill’s mouth.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 12:30 pm to TideSaint
According to his twitter, BAMA offered former AU 4* DT Antwuan Jackson who transferred out to JUCO this summer
FWIW I thought dude was a stud coming out of high school but rumors are he struggled handling Garner's coaching and effort was a big issue. If he finds the right fit still think he could be a beast
FWIW I thought dude was a stud coming out of high school but rumors are he struggled handling Garner's coaching and effort was a big issue. If he finds the right fit still think he could be a beast
Posted on 8/30/17 at 1:46 pm to TigerPaw1
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effort was a big issue
If true I can tell you one place he won't fit in
Posted on 8/30/17 at 2:04 pm to TigerPaw1
Jackson had a wicked spin move out of HS, I'll never forget that.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 3:27 pm to TigerPaw1
Piggybacking off your post here:
Antwuan Jackson Jr. - JUCO Highlights
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One day after picking up an Ohio State offer, former Auburn defensive lineman Antwuan Jackson Jr. has landed an offer from Alabama.
The now Blinn College (Texas) product left the Tigers program after spring practices and reportedly attempted to transfer to South Carolina, which Auburn blocked along with Clemson, Georgia Southern, Mercer, and Ohio State. Signing with Blinn allows Jackson to eventually enroll at one of the aforementioned programs, or Alabama, should he choose to do so after spending the season in Texas.
The 2016 U.S. Army All-American chose between Auburn and Ohio State coming out of high school, which seemingly gives the Buckeyes the edge in his recruitment.
At 6-foot-2, 305 pounds, Jackson was rated the No. 7 defensive tackle and the No. 51 overall player in the country, per the 247Sports Composite, coming out of Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove in the 2016 class.
Antwuan Jackson Jr. - JUCO Highlights
Posted on 8/30/17 at 3:28 pm to TideSaint
Caleb Tremblay quote:
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“Tosh (Lupoi) usually texts me every day,” Tremblay said. “I’ve been in contact with them every day. Usually he just texts me stuff about the school and if I have any questions he always answers them. Their D-line coach will text me and say hey how’s it going a couple times a week. I talked to Coach (Nick) Saban last week on the phone. I set up an official visit for December 15th through the 17th.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 3:33 pm to TideSaint
Wiltfong's Weekly Buzz: Surtain Jr. headlines Bama-FSU visitors (Next post is from here too)
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Coach Patrick Surtain was milling around the field following last season’s come-from-behind state championship victory, capping a 14-0 season for Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage when his eyes finally locked on his son, No. 1-ranked cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr.
“I was caught up in all the emotion and finally to be able to see him, something inside hit me and tears started flowing from the both of us,” the elder Surtain told 247Sports. “It was a very special moment.”
The two Surtain men now share a special moment before ballgames this year. The elder Surtain lost his mother in December. She lived in Houston but tried to make every game she could to watch her first grandson dating back to his little league days.
“They had a very, very special relationship,” Surtain said. “He was her heart. It was a significant loss to the family. It’s very special that we can pray on the sideline, thank her for her time here and we know she’s watching down over us.”
Several college coaches are watching the younger Surtain now. Ranked by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 4 prospect in America, he has his choice of any program in the country. He is certainly one of the most marquee of targets for both schools to be inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Saturday night’s showdown between No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Florida State.
Still hoarse-voiced from this past Friday’s 14-7 win at Virginia Beach (Va.) Bishop Sullivan Catholic, the elder Surtain said he’s going to cherish this final season coaching his son before he hands his first of three children off to whichever school wins this mega recruiting battle (Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State and USC are in the picture, with the Tigers holding the lead in the 247Sports Crystal Ball).
Out of Southern Miss, the 41-year old Surtain was drafted in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft and played 11 years in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs, where he was a two-time All-Pro selection and played in three Pro Bowls. His son started playing when he was five and a few years later he was finally able to attend all the practices and games. Then he decided to coach him.
“Just being out there every day and watching, why not go help and land a hand and pass on some of the things I’ve learned to the younger kids?” he said.
When Patrick Jr. was around 10 that’s when he said his only boy started to really flash his potential.
“He played running back and you can see that athleticism,” Surtain said. “But I knew he was going to be a defensive player because he has instincts you can’t teach. The way he reacted and diagnosed plays as a young defensive back was special. Even though he was a running and scored a lot of touchdowns I thought the defensive side of the ball is where he’d be.”
Surtain Sr. started grooming Patrick Jr. and his prodigy was hungry, taking in the fundamentals his dad learned from the likes of Mel Phillips in the NFL and John Thompson and Dave Wommack at Southern Miss and quickly digesting everything.
“I’m trying to get him to that next level,” Surtain said. “The athleticism, that’s a dime a dozen. I’m trying to get him to understand the game totally, route concepts and how teams are going to try and attack him, not on the high school level because the ball his barely thrown his way but the college level and God-willing further than that. I’m trying to get him to recognize splits and quarterback signals and get him to a sensei level of DB.”
When former American Heritage coach Mike Rumph left two seasons ago to take the cornerbacks job at his alma mater Miami, Surtain stepped up in January to take the gig. He was greeted with an array of talent. Other American Heritage standouts included touted cornerback Tyson Campbell, Miami defensive tackle commit Nesta Silvera, speedy receiver Anthony Schwartz and four-star defensive end Andrew Chatfield.
“I don’t rule with an iron fist,” he said. “That style of coaching is played out. You have to be able to relate to these players. They respect me. They’re at my house almost every weekend. It’s like a big brother weekend. Just trying to teach them the ins and outs about life. Football is one thing but life situations is another thing. I tell them I’m not coaching you to be an NFL player but to be a successful young man in the community. If the NFL is the ultimate goal go for it but at the same time you’ll probably have to come back to this community and be well-rounded in this community.”
Regarding his own son, Surtain says Patrick Jr. still has a ways to go. He said he’s just scratching the surface of how good he can be.
“The intangibles are there,” Surtain Sr. said. “He’s physical, fast, has ball skills, his technique is off the charts. He’ll just keep refining things to be the type of player to reach his pro potential.”
By the end of ninth grade the younger Surtain had more offers than his father did. His dad more than anyone knows being touted doesn’t equate to maximum success. He told his son the “only thing you can control is how you work.”
The accolades are nice, the five-stars, being billed the best at your position, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, but that doesn’t phase Surtain Jr.
“I’ve seen him put the work in,” Surtain Sr. said. “He’s beginning to reap the rewards.”
Surtain has been able to visit his top schools from coast to coast.
“Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Coach (Ed) Orgeron, Coach Jimbo Fisher, Dabo Swinney, Coach Mark Richt,” Surtain Sr. said of the ones that have made the biggest impression, adding this is the one time he tells his son to be selfish. “I’m pretty much naming the top seven. Coach (Jim) McElwain at Florida. There are tremendous coaches out there. Coach (Jim) Harbaugh.
“I think he’s going to narrow it down to six schools in the next week or so. He’s been everywhere and seen everything at each place. The only thing left is those official visits and then signing his letter-of-intent. That’s it. We’re not trying to make a big production of it, keep our heads down and be ready to work.”
This post was edited on 8/30/17 at 3:34 pm
Posted on 8/30/17 at 3:35 pm to TideSaint
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For a neutral site game, Alabama and Florida State are only allowed to provide tickets to prospects for Saturday’s showdown. They aren’t allowed to meet with them while in Atlanta.
There play will have to do the talking as these blue-chippers break in the seats of the new Falcons stadium.
247Sports Composite No. 1 recruit Justin Fields will be there with eyes on the Seminoles. Same goes for America’s No. 2 offensive guard Trey Hill and Oregon receiver commit Warren Thompson. It wouldn’t be surprising to see all three playing together in Tallahassee.
Coveted Crimson Tide targets include five-star cornerback Tyson Campbell, Ohio State quarterback commit Emory Jones, blue-chip tight end Luke Ford and outside linebackers JJ Peterson and Adam Anderson. Peterson and Ford are considered heavy Tide leans but Nick Saban and company could sign them all.
Surtain, Top247 offensive tackle William Barnes and Top247 receiver Justyn Ross are among the prospects strongly considering both programs. There is also Alabama commit Quay Walker, who FSU is working hard to flip.
The Seminoles are currently sitting on the nation’s No. 10 recruiting class while the Crimson Tide are back at No. 28. Both will likely push their way into the top five when it’s all said and done.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 6:32 pm to TideSaint
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Have Alabama football recruiting questions? We’ve got answers. Join us every Wednesday for the SEC Country Alabama recruiting mailbag to discuss Crimson Tide recruiting.
This week, we discuss Alabama’s chances of flipping Ohio State quarterback commit Emory Jones, chances the Tide will finish with a top 5 recruiting class and put to bed the notion of the team “struggling” to recruit this year.
Let’s get to your questions.
LINK
Posted on 8/30/17 at 6:33 pm to TideSaint
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Do you think Emory Jones sticks with Ohio State?
From @michaelmore41
Emory Jones’ recruitment isn’t over by any means, although the Buckeyes quarterback commit says he’s 100 percent locked in with his commitment. I don’t think he is. Jones took a secret visit to Tuscaloosa last month to throw for the Tide staff and get face time with them. He initially denied being at Alabama, only to admit he was there a few days later.
Why would a player lie about visiting a school if he truly were 100 percent committed to his school of choice? After all, committed players visit other schools all the time.
Alabama has a chance to flip Jones from his commitment, but as of writing this on Aug. 30, my guess is he sticks with his commitment to Ohio State. The Tide will make this interesting though.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 6:34 pm to TideSaint
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Do you think Alabama will have at least a top 5 class in 2018?
From @Alapanic
Let’s do some math here, using my most up-to-date projections and the 247Sports class calculator. If you missed them, here is who I project Alabama will sign on offense and defense.
If the Tide sign every player in those projections, they will have a score of 303.67 when using the 247Sports class calculator. If this were 2017, that score would have given Alabama the nation’s No. 3 class behind, well, the Crimson Tide’s 323.87 score and Ohio State’s 312.14 score.
Now, it’s not likely that my predictions will be perfectly accurate. Since doing that projection piece, 4-star running back Asa Martin committed to Auburn over Alabama. I don’t think his recruitment is over, though.
But, yes, when National Signing Day is over, I do believe Alabama will have a top-5 class.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 6:35 pm to TideSaint
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Do you think Alabama is struggling to recruit this year?
From @21Patel_J
Not at all. I know why some fans think that’s the case when you just look at the surface level.
Alabama is currently ranked 28th in the nation and has the 10th best recruiting class in the SEC, but the Crimson Tide are not struggling. Sure, they’ve missed on some top targets, such as Martin, along with 5-star running back Zamir White, 3-star tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson and a few others. But, the majority of the team’s targets are uncommitted.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 6:37 pm to TideSaint
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Updates on the wide receiver group?
From @rickythegreat8
We’re still working with the same group of receiver targets: Justyn Ross, Seth Williams, Jaylen Waddle, Justin Watkins and current Tide commit Xavier Williams.
Ross is Alabama’s top outside wide receiver target. Most people believe his recruitment will come down to Alabama and Auburn, but Clemson is a big threat, too. His mother is an Alabama fan, and the team has done a good job at developing a relationship with her. He holds his recruitment tight to the vest, and it’s hard to get anything substantial out of him in interviews.
Waddle is Alabama’s top slot receiver target. Waddle, from Bellaire, Texas, has visited Tuscaloosa twice in the past few months. One source told SEC Country that Waddle’s family has warmed up to the idea of him playing for the Tide. Florida State and Texas A&M are big threats.
Watkins recently told SEC Country that he’s down to Alabama, Florida and LSU. Watkins is being recruited as a slot receiver, which is where Waddle is pegged. Waddle is the top slot target in the 2018 class, so if he ends up choosing the Tide, there won’t be space for Watkins. Waddle’s recruitment is shaping up to be an Alabama, Florida State and Texas battle, so if he chooses either of the latter two, Watkins would take his spot in my projections.
Williams seems to be leaning toward Auburn. He lives in Cottondale, Ala., which is a suburb of Tuscaloosa. It just seems like he wants to play somewhere other than in his backyard.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 6:39 pm to TideSaint
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What percentage chance would you give Alabama to land Harold Joiner, and do you think the staff wants him more so than Asa Martin?
From @brockbradley23
I think there’s about a 35 percent chance Alabama lands Harold Joiner. I’m going that low because I believe he thinks the LSU and Michigan State depth charts at running back are more favorable than Alabama’s. Early playing time is what’s most important to Joiner, and I think those two schools, which he considers his co-leaders, present the best chance to play immediately.
As for the second part of your question, I think Alabama wants Joiner more so than Martin. I actually had one person close to the program say Joiner has more upside and ability than Martin. Joiner is one of the most special athletes in this 2018 class.
We've all been saying that on this board for months.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 6:40 pm to TideSaint
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Do you think Trey Sanders will stay committed to Alabama?
From @Alabama_Ftbl
Sanders is a 2019 running back commit, so it’s hard to say whether a player will remain committed to any school for more than two years. He’s given no indication on wanting to back off his commitment to Alabama, so I think he’ll stay with the Tide.
Posted on 8/30/17 at 6:55 pm to TideSaint
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PS2? @SurtainJr Follow More Top 6...... Thanks to all the schools that have recruited me in this tough grueling process.... Very Blessed ????
Posted on 8/30/17 at 6:58 pm to jatebe
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Top 6
Posted on 8/30/17 at 6:59 pm to TideSaint
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As for the second part of your question, I think Alabama wants Joiner more so than Martin. I actually had one person close to the program say Joiner has more upside and ability than Martin
I'm glad people are starting to realize that. I'm wore slap out from having to defend him around here every day.
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