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

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Alabama linebacker commit Quay Walker is the latest Tide pledge to receive his Under Armor All-America jersey on Tuesday during a ceremony at his high school.

All-America Game??Verified account?
@AllAmericaGame

Four-star prospect? Yup.
Alabama commit? You know it.
We are THRILLED to welcome @QuayWalker4 to the @UAFootball family.

Walker is one of five Alabama commits joining Jordan Davis, Xavier Williams, Tommy Brown and Stephon Wynn planning to play in the all-star game on Jan. 4.

At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Walker is rated the No. 6 outside linebacker and the No. 127 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

The Cordele (Ga.) Crisp County product has been committed to Alabama since June, but continues to take visits and show interest in other programs, notably Auburn and Florida State.

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LSU lost a big commitment from one of its top prospects, when Scotlandville's Kelvin Joseph decided to rescind his verbal pledge to the Tigers.

The decision leaves LSU with one verbal pledge from a defensive back in Evangel's Ardarius Washington for the 2018 recruiting class. LSU recently lost a pledge from long time Florida commitment Nadab Joseph, leaving them in unfamiliar territory, as they struggle to lock up an elite class of defensive backs.

The reasoning:

Joseph has long struggled with balancing his verbal pledge to LSU and his desire to still be recruited and visit other programs. This struggle was exacerbated in recent days when Joseph tried to schedule official visits with many of the programs that intrigue him, and those programs electing to hold off while he remained verbally committed to LSU.

Despite being tabbed as a premier prospect early in his career, Joseph's recruitment failed to match his ability, with many schools reluctant to invest much time in recruiting Joseph, who in turn viewed his early commitment to LSU as the hindrance. The Tigers staff was diligent in retaining his pledge throughout the difficulties, but recent developments and the limited time to make his move created the angst to do it right now.

Impact on the recruiting board:

Kelvin Joseph was being projected as a safety that could also give some snaps at the nickel position. He was likely going to be the only safety in the LSU class, who was prepared to take a smaller contingent of defensive backs than normal this cycle. The Tigers signed two safeties in 2017, but JaCoby Stephens recently switched to receiver, leaving them with only one prospect from the 2017 class at the position in Grant Delpit.

The Tigers are returning Eric Monroe next fall, who has been the recipient of positive behind the scenes talk of late, and could receive a medical redshirt for senior Ed Paris. John Battle could also return, giving the Tigers solid depth at the position. If LSU is not able to get Joseph back into the fold, I am not convinced they would try to sign another safety in this class. 2019 is shaping up to be another strong year for defensive backs, and as long as Corey Raymond is on staff, kids are going to line up to play for him.

Knowing your competition:

Without question, Alabama remains heavily involved in Joseph's recruitment, but there are other programs that continue to court him, and many of those programs have his attention. Florida, Florida State and Clemson are all programs that could end up receiving an official visit from Joseph in coming weeks.

Florida State could be in the best position of the schools to make a move on the state's top defensive back. The Seminoles were one of the programs telling Joseph that an official visit would only come with a decommitment from LSU, which influenced his decision. Expect them to receive a visit in the near future.

Clemson is a school that intrigues Joseph, who is looking at locking in an official visit with the program on November 11. The defending national champs are the dark-horse candidate to watch here, with Florida being the other school that has its foot in the door.

In the end, LSU remains in the best position to land Joseph. His connection with defensive backs coach Corey Raymond is unrivaled, and the bond he developed with his hometown area and team may be too much for another program to overcome.

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In the end, LSU remains in the best position to land Joseph.

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After ending the 2016 regular season as the No. 1 team in the Alabama Sports Writers Association's Class 4A high school football poll, it took Andalusia six weeks of the 2017 season to regain it's perch on top.

The Bulldogs' win over Opp, coupled Piedmont thrashing then-No. 1 Leeds 41-19, allowed one-loss Andalusia to become No. 1. The lone blemish on Andalusia's record came in the first week of the season in a 56-42 shootout to Class 6A Shades Valley.

The other seven class leaders remained the same -- 7A Central-Phenix City, 6A Austin, 5A Briarwood Christian, 3A Mobile Christian, 2A Fyffe, 1A Maplesville and AISA Autauga Academy. Piedmont's win also allowed it to cut into Mobile Christian's lead in 3A; The Leopards have a 20-point, and 17-11 first-place vote advantage over the Bulldogs.

There were also two ties in this week's poll -- Georgiana and Sweet Water are tied for second in Class 1A behind Maplesville, while Oakman and Wicksburg are tied for seventh in Class 3A. Oxford passed Pinson Valley by one point to take over second place in Class 6A.

In games between ranked teams this weekend, Class 7A No. 4 Hewitt-Trussville is at No. 10 Bob Jones, Class 5A No. 9 Jackson at No. 2 St. Paul's, Class 4A No. 6 Deshler hosting No. 2 Rogers, Class 3A No. 3 Gordo is at No. 7 Oakman, No. 2 Piedmont at No. 6 Weaver, Class 1A No. 1 Brantley hosting No. 4 Houston County, and AISA No. 10 Lee-Scott Academy at Bessemer Academy.

(First-place votes and current record in parentheses)

Class 7A

1. Central-Phenix City (23) (5-0) 319
2. Hoover (3) (4-1) 257
3. Thompson (1) (5-0) 223
4. Hewitt-Trussville (1) (5-0) 195
5. McGill-Toolen (5-0) 173
6. Auburn (5-1) 139
7. Fairhope (4-1) 112
8. Spain Park (3-2) 62
9. Mountain Brook (3-2) 51
10. Bob Jones (4-2) 20

Others receiving votes: Sparkman (4-1) 15, Jeff Davis (4-2) 10, Grissom (2-3) 8, Davidson (3-2) 6, Lee-Montgomery (4-1) 6.

Class 6A

1. Austin (23) (5-0) 319
2. Oxford (3) (6-0) 245
3. Pinson Valley (2) (6-0) 244
4. Wetumpka (6-0) 194
5. Spanish Fort (4-1) 152
6. Homewood (5-0) 135
7. Saraland (5-1) 78
8. Ramsay (3-2) 69
9. Sidney Lanier (4-2) 60
10. Benjamin Russell (4-1) 27

Others receiving votes: Blount (4-2) 24 Clay-Chalkville (5-1) 15, Muscle Shoals (4-1) 15, Park Crossing (5-1) 10, Daphne (3-2) 5, Minor (3-2) 3, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (4-2) 1.

Class 5A

1. Briarwood Chr. (25) (5-0) 327
2. St. Paul's (3) (5-0) 260
3. Carroll (5-0) 221
4. Beauregard (3-1) 195
5. Wenonah (4-1) 153
6. Alexandria (5-1) 110
7. Etowah (5-1) 99
8. Mae Jemison-Huntsville (5-1) 97
9. Jackson (4-1) 61
10. Demopolis (4-1) 31

Others receiving votes: Brooks (3-1) 21, St. Clair Co. (4-1) 13, Mortimer Jordan (4-2) 4, Eufaula (3-2) 2, Central-Clay Co. (3-2) 1, Sylacauga (4-1) 1.

Class 4A

1. Andalusia (20) (5-1) 310
2. Rogers (7) (6-0) 263
3. UMS-Wright (4-1) 213
4. Thomasville (1) (5-0) 193
5. Leeds (5-1) 166
6. Deshler (5-0) 128
7. Wilson (5-0) 93
8. Fayette Co. (4-1) 73
9. Hokes Bluff (4-1) 47
10. Tallassee (5-1) 40

Others receiving votes: Saks (5-0) 33, Alabama Chr. (6-0) 20, Munford (4-1) 12, Bibb Co. (5-1) 2, Dale Co. (5-1) 2, Madison Acad. (3-2) 1.

Class 3A

1. Mobile Chr. (26) (5-0) 303
2. Piedmont (5) (5-1) 283
3. Gordo (4-1) 214
4. Randolph Co. (4-1) 178
5. Ohatchee (5-1) 157
6. Weaver (4-1) 99
T7. Oakman (4-1) 93
T7. Wicksburg (5-0) 93
9. Fultondale (5-0) 55
10. Plainview (5-1) 37

Others receiving votes: T.R. Miller (3-2) 26, Sylvania (5-0) 22, American Chr. (5-1) 13, Hillcrest-Evergreen (4-1) 8, Montgomery Acad. (5-1) 5, Clarke Co. (3-2) 3, West Morgan (5-1) 3, Colbert Heights (5-1) 2, Lauderdale Co. (3-2) 2.

Class 2A

1. Fyffe (26) (5-0) 330
2. Lanett (2) (6-0) 257
3. Elba (4-1) 221
4. LaFayette (4-1) 187
5. Leroy (4-1) 133
6. Goshen (4-1) 119
7. Aliceville (3-2) 103
8. J.U. Blacksher (5-0) 67
9. Sulligent (4-1) 43
10. Thorsby (5-0) 42

Others receiving votes: St. Luke’s (3-1) 38, Sand Rock (4-1) 24, Abbeville (4-1) 18, Tarrant (4-1) 12, Lamar Co. (4-2) 2.

Class 1A

1. Maplesville (28) (5-0) 336
T2. Sweet Water (3-1) 233
T2. Georgiana (6-0) 233
4. Houston Co. (6-0) 174
5. Pickens Co. (4-1) 163
6. Isabella (5-0) 132
7. Wadley (5-0) 115
8. Lynn (6-0) 56
9. Decatur Heritage (5-0) 46
10. Brantley (3-2) 41

Others receiving votes: Marengo (3-2) 22, South Lamar (5-1) 14, Linden (3-2) 12, Addison (4-2) 7, Cedar Bluff (3-2) 5, Notasulga (3-2) 3, Florala (3-2) 1, Hackleburg (4-1) 1, Spring Garden (4-1) 1, Winterboro (4-1) 1.

AISA

1. Autauga Acad. (27) (6-0) 333
2. Escambia Acad. (7-0) 249
3. Monroe Acad. (1) (7-0) 222
4. Chambers Acad. (6-0) 196
5 S. Choctaw Acad. (5-1) 158
6. Bessemer Acad. (4-3) 129
7. Tuscaloosa Acad. (4-1) 101
8. Pike Liberal (5-2) 89
9. Fort Dale Acad. (5-1) 47
10. Lee-Scott (4-2) 37

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Spanish Fort 2019 cornerback D.J. James is now receiving interest from the top two programs in college football at the moment.

James (6-foot, 165) visited Clemson for the Tigers' Sept. 9 game against Auburn and Alabama for the Tide's game against Ole Miss last week.

Neither have offered yet, but it may be just a matter of time.

As a junior, James intercepted six passes for the Toros, running four back for touchdowns.

He already has SEC offers from Florida and Ole Miss.

"There is no doubt D.J. can play at that level," Spanish Fort head coach Ben Blackmon said. "He's very smart and very fast, and he has good instincts."

James should get plenty of chances to show off his skills this week as the Toros (4-1) host senior QB Jacoby Davis and his slew of talented receivers at Blount on Friday night.

Of his Clemson visit, James said, "The fans there are amazing. The facility is one of the best I've seen so far."

On Alabama, he said, "Bama was great. I liked the atmosphere there as well."

James does not have an interception yet this season.

A four-star recruit, James is ranked as the No. 7 2019 prospect in the state, according to the 247 composite rankings.

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Saivion Smith trending toward Alabama?

Saivion Smith is no stranger to SEC football, and he’ll likely be playing in the conference once again next season. Smith played one season for LSU before transferring to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Smith, the nation’s No. 1 junior college cornerback, now has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and South Carolina. Those are the only offers Smith is aware of.

It’s Alabama that’s the trending school for Smith, and the Crimson Tide have been pushing for the former Tigers cornerback since they offered him last month. Since then, Smith has visited Tuscaloosa twice — once for a practice and this past weekend for the team’s game against Ole Miss.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect said Tuscaloosa, this past Saturday night, was buzzing. Inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, the secondary shut down Ole Miss quarterback Shea Patterson to 165 yards and 2 interceptions.

“I played against [Alabama] last year, so I know what they can do,” Smith told SEC Country. “This past weekend, they had two turnovers in the secondary. Alabama’s defense is known for takeaways. That’s what they do. They shut people down.”

Though it seems likely that Smith ends up committing to Alabama at some point, he said he doesn’t have a leader and is considering all of the SEC schools that have offered him on an equal level.

Alabama offers an opportunity for Smith that he’s looking for — early playing time. Alabama’s starting cornerbacks, Anthony Averett and Levi Wallace, will leave following this season after exhausting their eligibility. The Crimson Tide also didn’t sign a cornerback in the 2017 class. The only true corners Alabama has coming back next season are Trevon Diggs, who lost his starting spot to Wallace, and Nigel Knott.

Coach Nick Saban has told Smith that he sees him making an immediate impact for Alabama if he were to end up signing with the Tide.

“It’s definitely good knowing that they don’t have many corners coming back next year,” Smith said. “I could possibly come in and play next year. That’s a big factor. Alabama is always going to have great players behind the scenes who may not be playing right now, but I feel like I could go anywhere and compete right away.”

Smith definitely doesn’t lack confidence. He told SEC Country that he believes he’s the best player currently in junior college. His play on the field has backed up his talk. Through 5 games, Smith has 17 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble and a touchdown. He’s also the team’s primary kick returner and has averaged 26.5 yards per return.

“I feel like that I am the best player on any level I play at, but especially on this level,” Smith said. “The competition level isn’t what it was like in the SEC. Playing in the SEC gave me a huge advantage here because the players aren’t as prepared physically or mentally.”

Smith said he’s leaning on returning to Tuscaloosa for Alabama’s game against LSU on Nov. 4. That will be an official visit. He’s also planning on taking an official visit to Auburn. His teammate at Mississippi Gulf Coast, Daquan Newkirk, is committed to the Tigers and has been recruiting him, Smith said.

Those are the only two schools, at the moment, that he’s planning to visit. But when you listen to what Smith is looking for in his next school, it sounds like everything Alabama has to offer any recruit.

“I’m looking for a great coaching staff,” Smith said. “I want to choose a program that is known for winning and putting their players in the NFL. I definitely want to compete for a national championship. Those are some of the things I’m looking for in the next program I choose.”

Alabama and Mississippi State are the only two schools he has visited since transferring from LSU. Does he need to see anything else out of Alabama moving forward?

“Their play just speaks for itself. They dominate everybody,” Smith said. “I feel like their coaching staff is solid. They’re not going anywhere. They have a good academic program and support. There’s really no question marks on Alabama.

“Wouldn’t you want to play for a team that is always winning? Wouldn’t you consider playing for a team like that?”

Smith said he isn’t planning on making a commitment until he graduates from junior college this December. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make a decision before then, though. He remains in my projected signing class for the Tide along with Tyson Campbell, Nadab Joseph and Jalyn Armour-Davis in the secondary.

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With "Friday Night Lights" vanishing from Netflix over the weekend, we take a look at the show and rank the players as college prospects. For the purposes of this exercise, anything that was shown after a player left high school has been erased from existence and replaced with my own, much better storyline.

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1. Junior Silverio (Gatling)

Five-star linebacker

The biggest, strongest and fastest player in the FNL universe looks like a college junior and hits like an NFL veteran. He almost singlehandedly beat a loaded Dillon team by completely shutting down the offense until the game’s final play. The kid has the look and the film to back it up. This is a 40-offer prospect.

In college: Silvero becomes a star at Alabama and wins a national title or two. He then returns to his home state when the Texans select him with the fifth overall pick.

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2. J.D. McCoy (Dillon/Mystery school)

Four-star quarterback

McCoy has the physical tools, but the mental aspect of his game needs work because of the side effects that come with having an overbearing football parent. McCoy lights up the camp circuit and has impressive junior/senior film but never quite gets the offers to match his sky-high talent level because of his dad’s heavy hand with college coaches.

In college: McCoy stays squeaky clean through high school and becomes one of the most celebrated quarterback commits in Baylor history. Once on campus, he rebels against his father and is kicked off the team during his sophomore season after an off-field scandal.

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3. Ray “Voodoo” Tatum (Dillon/West Cambria)

Four-star quarterback

A true dual-threat, Tatum is one of the most exciting prospects in the country. The fact that he’s attended three high schools in four years, combined with a recruiting scandal and a public spat with coach Eric Taylor at Dillon, hold him back when it comes to his ranking, however. He’s viewed as a risk-reward prospect.

In college: Tatum is the center of an NCAA investigation at LSU, with which he signed. He is dismissed from the team a month before his sophomore year and is never heard from again.

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4. Vince Howard (East Dillon/Dillon)

Four-star quarterback

Howard moved from running back to quarterback during his sophomore year and picked up the position quickly. This makes his upside incredible, as the strides he’s made in two seasons are remarkable. Should Howard continue this trajectory in college, he could be a special player. He’s a bit of a project with massive upside.

In college: Howard struggles with accuracy during his career at Houston, but shows flashes of greatness. As a senior, he amasses 450 total yards in a Peach Bowl win over Clemson and is selected in the fourth round of the draft.

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5. Brian "Smash" Williams (Dillon)

Three-star running back

Williams doesn’t have elite measurables, but his film is solid enough and he runs with power. He needs to develop top-end speed but should be an effective power back in a major conference.

In college: Oklahoma takes a chance on Williams and turns him into a useful change-of-pace back as a senior. Williams shines in goal line situations and carves out a nice niche for himself in the CFL after graduating from OU.

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6. Tim Riggins (Dillon)

Two-star fullback

Riggins lacks elite size and has a list of off-field issues a mile long. He shows college-level skill in flashes and is considered one of the toughest players in the state.

In college: Riggins attends Butler County Community College before becoming a second-team All-Big 12 selection at Kansas State. He opens a Texas-themed bar in Manhattan, Kan., after graduation.

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A decision looks to be right around the corner for 2019 Rivals 100 defensive end King Mwikuta. The 6-foot-4, 230 pound junior out of Lagrange (Ga.) Troup County has all the offers he wants, he has built some strong relationships with coaches and he is now set to make his decision.

"I am going to commit on my birthday, December 15th," said Mwikuta. "I turn 17 that day and I think it will be a great day to commit. It is a Friday, it is my birthday and it is the perfect time."

Mwikuta admits he has thought about committing before, but he was not ready. The four-star feels he will be ready in two and a half months.

"I am close right now. I have been on a lot of visits and I have a good feel for a lot of schools. I know I will be ready to commit on my birthday."

Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia and Miami are the five schools in the race for Mwikuta.

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