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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 9/4/17 at 6:34 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 9/4/17 at 6:34 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama commits react to team beating Florida State
Four 5-star prospects were expected to sit in Alabama’s section inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s designated for recruits, including the nation’s No. 1 cornerback, Patrick Surtain Jr.
The Crimson Tide beat Florida State, 24-7, in what game organizers were calling the “greatest opener of all time.” So, winning a game of that magnitude in front of numerous elite recruits would surely help Alabama when it comes to the team’s efforts on the recruiting trail? Absolutely.
Here’s what several Alabama commits said about the game:
• 4-star WR Xavier Williams: “If you want to play the best — and beat the best — where else would you go?”
• 4-star OT Tommy Brown: “For me, it just reaffirms the reason why I committed to Alabama. Winning is in their blood. It’s what we do.”
• 3-star ATH Slade Bolden: “It just shows how Alabama continues to put a championship-caliber team on the field every year.”
• 3-star P Skyler Delong: “It was an awesome game and a great experience. It makes me want to get on the field as soon as possible. Nothing is better than ‘Bama football.”
• 2019 4-star OT Pierce Quick: “It definitely proves that ‘Bama is still on top. A bunch of people say the dynasty is ending, but that shows you that we’re just getting started.”
Most recruits will say that the outcome of one game doesn’t mean anything, but it certainly plays some factor because elite recruits won’t want to play for losing teams. The teams normally at the top of recruiting rankings every year are featured in the College Football Playoff or marquee bowl games.
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Posted on 9/4/17 at 6:36 pm to TideSaint
quote:
5-star prospect says Alabama impressed him on most recent visit
Kardell Thomas is one of the top prospects in the country — and because of that, Alabama is interested in his services.
Thomas, a 2019 5-star LSU offensive guard commit from Southern University Lab High School (Baton Rouge, La.), told SEC Country’s Sam Spiegelman that while he is still firm with his commitment to the Tigers, Alabama is making things interesting.
“Me and LSU are always close,” Thomas said. “A lot of schools are coming. I ain’t going to lie — ‘Bama is kinda edging it. I didn’t think they’d impress when I was up there, but they impressed me a lot. I’ll probably put them in my top 5 in January.”
The 6-foot-4, 320-pound prospect visited Tuscaloosa a little more than a week ago with 4-star LSU running back commit Tyrion Davis, the latter of whom has now made multiple visits to Alabama since committing to the Tigers.
With Thomas, while those comments are positive for Alabama moving forward, I still believe it’s too early to say that a Baton Rouge kid won’t stick with his commitment to LSU. It should be noted that Thomas is former teammates with Alabama freshman linebacker Christopher Allen.
Posted on 9/4/17 at 6:37 pm to TideSaint
quote:
The latest on Vernon Jackson‘s commitment
Vernon Jackson, a 3-star linebacker target from Boling (Texas) High School, was supposed to make a commitment this past Saturday but chose not to.
Boling coach Kevin Urbanek told SEC Country that he’s unsure when his star player will announce his decision.
“Our school has been closed and we will not go back until Sept. 11,” Urbanek said. “I am not sure when he will do his commitment.”
Boling is a suburb of Houston, which is dealing with the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. That remains the focus of residents in the area and of Jackson himself.
The Crimson Tide started looking like Jackson’s eventual pick after a trip to Tuscaloosa last month. He stayed on campus for three days, which was his first time visiting the school. He loved it.
“He went there this summer and felt that connection with the staff,” Urbanek said. “I think when he went there this summer that he got that feeling, and we always talk with coaches about what he’s looking for in schools. He’s looking for that place where he just knows like he belongs. I think that was the thing with him when he went there.”
Alabama should be the pick whenever Jackson decides to announce his decision.
Posted on 9/4/17 at 7:21 pm to TideSaint
quote:
The Alabama football season kicked off this past weekend, but recruiting never stops.
The early-signing period in December is three months away. Nick Saban and Co. still have plenty to do to help close out a top-10 recruiting class and address several key positions of need.
Every month, SEC Country will outline the three biggest items that the Alabama coaching staff must accomplish on the recruiting trail to make that a reality. Here is the to-do list for September:
LINK
Posted on 9/4/17 at 7:22 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Land a ‘special freak’
Vernon Jackson was supposed to make his commitment this past month, but he decided to hold off on his decision due to Hurricane Harvey. Jackson, a 3-star athlete from Boling (Texas) High School, lives about an hour southwest of Houston. Jackson and his family are OK from the storm’s devastation, but there are plenty in his neighborhood who aren’t.
Jackson’s school is closed until next Monday, so I don’t expect a commitment until then at the earliest. Whenever he makes his decision, I expect Alabama to be the choice. What kind of player would the Crimson Tide be getting if they landed Jackson?
“He’s special and freaky,” Boling coach Kevin Urbanek told SEC Country. “He’s 6-foot-3 and weighs over 240 pounds, but he moves like a skill kid. You watch him on film sometimes and you just ask yourself how he made that cut or how he does what he does at that size. He’s a special freak. That’s what I call him.”
Posted on 9/4/17 at 7:23 pm to TideSaint
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Get a commitment from Penei Sewell
Penei Sewell, a 4-star prospect from Utah, is one of Alabama’s top offensive line targets in the 2018 class. His father, Gabriel, told SEC Country last month that he believed his son would make his decision either in late August or early September. He didn’t make his decision before his senior season, so it should be coming soon.
Alabama has two offensive line commits already in 4-star tackle Tommy Brown and 3-star center/guard Jarrett Bell. The Crimson Tide would like to add at least one more offensive lineman, and Sewell is near the top of the list along with 4-star tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere.
Posted on 9/4/17 at 7:24 pm to TideSaint
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Establish an offensive identity
Alabama’s offensive identity wasn’t clear in its win over Florida State. The Crimson Tide didn’t look like a team that will throw it all over the field and spread the love this fall. If you are a wide receiver not named Calvin Ridley in Alabama’s offense, you got the same number of catches as I did against the Seminoles.
That offense wasn’t exciting to watch, but it got the win, so it really doesn’t matter when we’re talking about results. But, two of Alabama’s big wide receiver targets were in attendance on Saturday night: 4-star prospects Justyn Ross and Jaylen Waddle. Hurts finished the game with less than 100 passing yards, so it’s tough to imagine that performance impressed Ross and Waddle.
The Tide take on Fresno State this weekend, so they should have an opportunity to air it out against a cupcake opponent.
Posted on 9/4/17 at 10:12 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Rivals100 defensive end Eyabi Anoma kept a low profile this offseason but did manage to take a couple visits to schools like Maryland, Alabama, and Penn State. The Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy star is slowly working through his recruitment and is making progress on figuring out where he will take official visits.
IN HIS OWN WORDS…
“I’m just keeping an open mind with all my schools,” Anoma said. “I plan on taking all five official visits. I‘m not sure when yet.
“Who wouldn’t mind playing next to Uncle B (B’Ahmad Miller) at Maryland?” he said. “I loved playing next to that guy (last year at St. Frances) but I’m still keeping an open mind and reading all my options. Maryland is home for me and who doesn’t like staying at home? There is no place like home.
“Penn State is going to be phenomenal this year,” said Anoma. “For me, if I were to make a top five, Penn State would be in there.
“I hear a lot from Texas,” he said. “They are a rebuilding program and they have a new coach. It’s down south and I wouldn’t mind playing in the heat. I’ve never been to Texas. I’m definitely going to take an official there.
“Michigan, all I have to say about the is ‘Go Blue’,” Anoma said. “I talked to Rashan Gary a bit after Paramus Catholic beat us up there last year.”
“My Alabama visit stuck out a little bit,” he said. “I’ve been hearing from coach Locksley and coach Lupoi a lot. I’ll probably take an official visit to Alabama too. Those two coaches, coach Durkin from Maryland, and coach Harbaugh from Michigan are the coaches that have really been hitting me up the most throughout my recruitment.”
RIVALS’ REACTION
Anoma has kept his recruiting news very quiet for the last few months. Alabama, Maryland, Texas, Michigan, and Penn State are the clear top contenders for him with Alabama and Maryland a cut above the rest. Anoma will take official visits to Tuscaloosa (possibly for the LSU game), Austin, and probably Maryland even though he didn’t come right out and say it. Maryland’s win over the Longhorns is certainly big for the Terps but Anoma acknowledges that Texas is rebuilding and tough losses can happen. A decision will likely come after the season and possibly at the Under Armour Game in early January.
LINK
Posted on 9/5/17 at 8:47 am to TideSaint
If his stats on 247 are correct then my God.
He rushed for over 2,000 yards last season, at 13.7 ypc
Are we recruiting him as a QB or DE?
He rushed for over 2,000 yards last season, at 13.7 ypc
Are we recruiting him as a QB or DE?
Posted on 9/5/17 at 10:10 am to Riseupfromtherubble
This is a tweet from Jennings. I wonder if this is the same surgery Cam had on his ankle.
quote:
Thanking God for a successful surgery. Road to recovery starts now. Be back in no time
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:37 pm to Cobrasize
It is. No need to rush him back, though, with Fresno State and Colorado State as the next couple games. May as well let the youngsters play and let the wounded rest.
Posted on 9/5/17 at 1:55 pm to Bama3714
Wanted to leave this here. Future Bama recruit?
quote:
Mark V. Ingram III #AintItABlessing #GodWins #TheLegacyContinues
Posted on 9/5/17 at 3:49 pm to jatebe
Christian Miller released a video after surgery. Seems like a good kid. He also looks pretty high 
Twitter video
Twitter video
Posted on 9/5/17 at 4:42 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Former LSU commit Nadab Joseph impressed by Alabama’s opener
Nadab Joseph, a 4-star cornerback from Miami Norland High School (Miami Gardens, Fla.), was one of the numerous elite recruits who visited Atlanta for Alabama’s season opener against Florida State. He also is one of several prospects who are strongly considering both schools.
Ever since Joseph de-committed from LSU a month ago, Alabama has been viewed as the favorite to land his next commitment. The Crimson Tide’s performance inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium impressed the elite recruit.
“From the beginning to the end, man, that game was lit,” Joseph said. “Alabama is definitely in a good position with me.”
Joseph, who’s one of Alabama’s top cornerback targets in the 2018 class, took a surprise visit to Tuscaloosa in July. It was his second trip to Alabama in as many months.
One interesting factor for Alabama’s chances with Joseph is the fact that his legal guardian is one of Tide safety Ronnie Harrison’s cousins. Harrison and Joseph have a very strong bond. When Joseph visited last week, he spent a lot of time with Harrison. He’s also close with Deionte Thompson.
But, the nation’s No. 21 cornerback isn’t saying Alabama is on top right now.
“Right now, it’s really a three-way tie between Alabama, LSU and Georgia,” Joseph said. “I just want to wait until I get on each school’s campus for my official visit.”
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect has two of those official visits set. He’ll return to Tuscaloosa when Alabama hosts LSU on Nov. 4 and travel to Tallahassee on Sept. 16 when Florida State plays Miami. Joseph said he will lock in official visit dates to LSU and UGA later this week.
With Alabama desperately needing some corners this year as Tony Brown, Levi Wallace and Anthony Averett will exhaust their eligibility and Minkah Fitzpatrick is a likely candidate to declare for the NFL draft, the Tide need several corners to step in right away.
Joseph, along with Tyson Campbell, Patrick Surtain Jr., Josh Jobe, Kyler McMichael and Alabama cornerback commit Jalyn Armour-Davis, are the top targets.
“Coach [Nick] Saban and [defensive backs] coach [Derrick] Ansley talked to me about that a lot,” Joseph told SEC Country. “We went over the depth chart and they told me I’m one of the best they’ve seen and that I can definitely come in and compete to play early. It definitely gives me something to think about.”
Posted on 9/5/17 at 4:44 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Quick note on another Alabama-FSU visitor
Pierce Quick, a 2019 4-star Alabama offensive tackle commit from Hewitt-Trussville High School (Trussville, Ala.), has quickly turned into one of the Tide’s best ace peer recruiters in recent memory. Quick was back at it this past Saturday.
Sitting next to Quick at the game was 4-star running back Harold Joiner from Mountain Brook (Ala.) High School. Joiner now is Alabama’s top running back target after Asa Martin’s commitment to Auburn earlier this month.
Joiner recently said that he’s down to LSU and Michigan State, but that really doesn’t matter. He has changed his mind so many times on the schools he’s considering that what he says and what he does are two totally different things.
After talking to Joiner all game this past Saturday, Quick gave his thoughts on where he thinks Alabama stands with the in-state prospect.
“I talked and sat by Harold the whole game and we’ve gained a ton of ground on him,” Quick told SEC Country. “From what I’ve seen, his mind changes a lot, but I definitely wouldn’t throw ‘Bama out of the equation.”
Joiner has told SEC Country before that there’s no chance he commits to Alabama because of the team’s depth at running back, but, again, what he says and does are two different things.
Posted on 9/6/17 at 9:05 am to TideSaint
quote:
In what was the most entertaining game at last weekends Honor Bowl, Punahou earned some serious street cred, taking down a talented Serra team in a fun, back and forth affair.
Junior linebacker Maninoa Tufono was the Punahou player we were most excited to see in person, as the athlete is currently rated No. 53 in the 2019 Scout 100. Unfortunately Tufono, along with several of his teammates, fell victim to severe cramping in the 100 degree heat and humidity and had to sit out most of the second half.
"It was full lower body cramping and we thought it was better to sit out the game and be ready to go for the rest of the season," Tufono said. I'm just so thankful to God for bringing us out here and thankful we came out with the win.
"We had one goal in mind and that was to get this win. We had to overcome a lot of adversity but I'm just really excited for our team and our family, it was an incredible effort by everyone."
Before going out, Tufono showed why he's such a coveted prospect. The athlete is a prototype inside 'backer with size, toughness and physicality. He can stuff the run, make plays sideline to sideline and is a tremendous natural leader. Serra scored just 14 points in the 1st half, both on short fields and struggled to move the ball with Tufono in the middle of the defense.
In the second half, the Serra offense came alive, moving up and down the field with ease. Tufono is a difference maker for sure and with two more years to develop, has a very high upside to him.
On the recruiting front, Tufono is well past the double digit offer mark and has heard from several programs since the September 1st contact period started.
"I've heard from all 15 of the schools that have offered me," Tufono said. "I talked with Cal, UCLA, USC, Oregon, Utah, Hawaii, Syracuse, Nevada, plus a few other schools that haven't offered yet like Clemson and Alabama.
"The Pac-12 schools stand out for me right now. My dad (Albert) went to Washington so I'm very interested in them along with USC, UCLA, Cal, Utah, Oregon, honestly, I'm excited about all of them. I'm just grateful to God for this opportunity and excited to let the process play out."
Tufono has already taken several unofficial visits and plans to do several next spring/summer.
"I have already visited a lot of the Pac-12 schools but next year, I want to check out a few I haven't seen yet," Tufono said. "I want to visit Washington, believe it or not, I haven't ever been there before even though my dad played. I want to see Oregon, maybe Utah and Idaho State where my brother plays.
"I don't plan on making an early decision. I want to go through the process and take some official trips next fall. I'm just looking for the best academic and athletic fit for me. Me and my family will sit down and pray about my decision and trust God will lead us in the right path."
LINK
Posted on 9/6/17 at 9:07 am to TideSaint
Former Auburn DL, and current JUCO player, Antwuan Jackson on Alabama:
FWIW he was wearing an Alabama t-shirt under his jersey during the interview.
quote:
“They’ve been talking to me before I got here,” Jackson said. “I’ve been talking to Nick Saban and Coach (Jeremy Pruitt) Pruitt. Since now the season started we’re talking once or twice a week. (Saban said) When I left I’m the best defensive lineman out right now going to JUCO.”
FWIW he was wearing an Alabama t-shirt under his jersey during the interview.
Posted on 9/6/17 at 9:48 am to TideSaint
quote:
Jalen Cunningham waiting on more good news
These next few weeks could impact the rest of Jalen Cunningham’s life.
Cunningham, a 3-star defensive tackle from St. Clair County High School (Odenville, Ala.), was told by the Alabama coaching staff that, depending on how he performs these next two weeks, he could possibly receive a committable offer.
That’s important because if he does, he’ll be a Crimson Tide commit soon after.
“Everybody knows I probably will,” Cunningham said when asked if he’d commit if given the green light. “It’s more than likely that I will. That’s my team. Alabama has been my favorite team my entire life. They’re my favorite coaching staff. It would be a great opportunity for me and I know they would build me for the future.”
Cunningham practiced for the first time with his team this season on Tuesday after being cleared by his doctor. Cunningham had surgery for a turf toe injury he sustained at Nick Saban’s Football Camp in July.
The 6-foot-6, 345-pound prospect tore every ligament and dislocated his left big toe during warm-up drills. Cunningham was wearing cleats he had worn since his freshman year, and they didn’t have the best traction.
The nation’s No. 31 defensive tackle said the recovery process wasn’t strenuous, thanks to the help of his doctor, who he’s dedicating his game to this weekend.
“I was so excited to hear that I was clear and my doctor was excited for me,” Cunningham said. “I just thanked him for everything he did for me. This first game on Friday will be for him because he helped me out so much.”
Cunningham knows how important this game is for his chances at earning a committable offer from his dream school. He said he’s in daily contact with Alabama defensive line coach Karl Dunbar, who may possibly attend Cunningham’s game this Friday.
Alabama needs several interior linemen this recruiting class, and Cunningham is one of several nose tackles the team is tracking along with FSU defensive tackle commit Robert Cooper and Mississippi prospect Jeffery Johnson.
The in-state prospect knows the possibility exists that he’ll never get the news he wants from Alabama, but he has his mind set on wearing the Crimson Tide uniform in 2018.
“I’m trying my hardest not to think about that because I’ll love Alabama until death,” Cunningham said. “The way they are talking about how they want me because they have zero nose tackles committed.”
When SEC Country visited Cunningham at his school, it was clear that Alabama was the school he wanted to attend. He has an Alabama logo on his car, a Crimson Tide-themed key lanyard and told us everything on his wall at home is related to the team.
What has the coaching staff told him about his chances at earning the offer?
“The only thing they said they need to see before I can make a decision is how I bounce back from this injury,” Cunningham said. “They said they are going to watch these first two games for me. After that, if they like what they see, I’m on track to make a commitment.”
Before his turf toe injury, Cunningham’s weight was a concern to the coaching staff. He weighed 362 pounds when SEC Country was at his school in April. The one thing I could say about Cunningham’s weight was that he was well put together. It was not at all a sloppy 360-plus pounds he was carrying around. I’ve seen players who weigh much less than him and look terrible carrying their weight. Cunningham isn’t one of those guys.
He’s been on a strict diet now for more than two months. He does miss his favorite food, though, which is macaroni and cheese.
“For breakfast I eat a piece of wheat toast, two cups of frozen fruit and I drink a protein shake,” Cunningham said. “For lunch I eat half of a salad with no meat on it. For dinner I eat a whole salad with meat. It’s been good.
“I’m comfortable at the weight I’m at. I’ve been playing at 360 since my freshman year, so I’m good playing at 345. I want to continue getting smaller, though. I want to be around 320 or 315.”
Cunningham was one of the numerous recruits who attended Alabama’s season opener against Florida State this past weekend. He sat with Alabama commitments Cameron Latu and 2019 prospect Pierce Quick, along with 4-star wide receiver Justyn Ross and 2019 5-star center Clay Webb.
What made this visit special for Cunningham was the fact that it was the first time he’s been to a game on a higher level than high school.
“This was my first-ever college game and first time ever being inside an NFL stadium,” he said. “It was great. The only thing I didn’t like was there were so many people there. I don’t like being around all of those people.”
There’s no doubt that Cunningham has dreamed about playing for Alabama, so if he does get the news he’s been waiting on for years now, he’s not sure how he would react.
“I would have no words to even speak,” Cunningham said. “It would just be a mind-blowing thing for me to think about. Everything in my room is Alabama. It would be crazy. I got everything Alabama-related.”
LINK
Posted on 9/6/17 at 9:50 am to TideSaint
quote:
Coynis Miller prepares for Florida-Auburn battle
AUBURN, Ala. — What was once believed to be an Auburn-Alabama recruiting battle has quickly turned into an Auburn-Florida competition.
Coynis Miller, once planning to decide in the summer, has a midseason or postseason decision on his hands. He hasn’t officially set any kind of timetable, but he has a leader.
That’s Florida. Miller claims it was “just something about them” when he visited for the first time.
He went down for his first visit to Gainesville, Fla., before the August dead period. Miller has been publicly referring to the Gators as his leader ever since. The order didn’t change when he visited Auburn for the Georgia Southern game, but Miller admitted the Tigers have the ability to overthrow Florida in fairly short order.
“It’s not that big [of a gap],” Miller said. “They’re probably head to head. Auburn can come up and steal it at any time.”
At Auburn, Miller has relationships with players, like former high school teammate T.D. Moultry. His strongest coaching relationship is with defensive line coach Rodney Garner who, according to someone close to Miller, will be a nearly impossible person for Miller to turn down. He also grew up with Auburn running commit Asa Martin in north Alabama.
Miller spent most of his Saturday on the Plains attached to the hip with Martin, which plays heavily into Auburn’s favor.
“We grew up together. You know, he just committed. He keeps smiling and everything, telling me to make that move. He’s recruiting me pretty hard,” Miller said. “It is [going to help Auburn]. Just knowing we come from the same place, what we had to go through to get into this position.”
A May graduate, Miller isn’t in a hurry to make a final decision.
It probably will come after the season, Miller said, but admitted he could decide before then if he’s ready. He just wants to see more of the 2017 season play out and will keep a close watch on Florida and Auburn — and even Alabama — along the defensive line.
In Week 1 for Auburn, the Tigers defensive line couldn’t have put on a much better show for Miller.
“They were just playing good, getting after it. Jeff Holland caught my attention a lot. You know, just seeing him get after it. He’s passionate about the game,” Miller said. “They’re better than I thought they were going to be. They were just flying to the ball making plays. Every time I talk to Coach G, he says, if I do come, I’ll be playing behind those guys. I try to get a look at how they do things. … It’s going to be good, if I do come.”
LINK
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