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

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If you're wondering why Alabama offered Hewitt-Trussville lineman Pierce Quick before his junior season, take a peek at his midseason highlights.

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive tackle is a big reason - pun intended - that Hewitt-Trussville remains undefeated after Friday's 52-18 road victory over Bob Jones.

Quick emerged as a dominating blocker last season, but his midseason highlights showcase a nasty edge that leads him to bury opponents with ruthless violence.

A four-star prospect according to 247sports, Quick is one of three Class of 2019 players who have already committed to the Crimson Tide. The other two are from IMG Academy (Fla.) - running back Trey Sanders and offensive lineman Deyavie Hammond.

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Tyson Campbell working with unofficial top 5

There may not be a more important recruiting target for Alabama this year than 5-star cornerback Tyson Campbell.

Campbell, the nation’s No. 3 cornerback from American Heritage High School (Plantation, Fla.), told SEC Country’s Sam Spiegelman that Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Miami and Ohio State are the main schools that are jockeying for his commitment.

The U.S. Army All-American said he wants to visit Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State this fall for a game. He’s also planning on being at Miami’s Nov. 14 game against Notre Dame.

“After [I take those visits], I should have my No. 1 top school,” Campbell said.

Alabama had all of the buzz this summer when he visited. That has died down some because he hasn’t visited Tuscaloosa since July, but there remains some optimism from sources close to the Crimson Tide.

Campbell said he talks to the Alabama staff “pretty much every day.” There’s a good reason for that, too.

“Their lack of corners is pretty rare for a program like that,” Campbell said. “I feel like my class and guys that could go there would have an opportunity to [play] as freshmen and step into already a pretty prestigious program.”

He’s right.

The Tide will lose cornerbacks Anthony Averett, Tony Brown and Levi Wallace after this season. Ronnie Harrison and Minkah Fitzpatrick could also decide to declare for the NFL draft. That means Alabama may have to replace five starters in the secondary next season.

That may be a giant problem for the team because it didn’t sign any true corners in the Class of 2017. Kyriq McDonald is listed as a corner, but he’s likely just going to play star. The same could be said about Shyheim Carter. That leaves Trevon Diggs and Nigel Knott as the only true corners on the roster heading into 2018.

Alabama would like four to five defensive backs in this class for that reason. When asked why the schools listed above are standing out to Campbell, he mentioned the possibility of early playing time.

“I feel like their lack of depth at the corner position and the guys that they produce, they help them become better men and help them get drafted into the league,” Campbell said. “Which is one of my goals in life.”

Campbell, along with his teammate Patrick Surtain Jr., a 5-star prospect in his own right, are two of Alabama’s top overall targets in this class. Both of them have discussed the possibility of playing together, but it doesn’t look likely at this time. Surtain has called LSU his leader for more than a year now, and it seems like barring a major turn of events that he’ll be in Baton Rouge next season.

In addition to Campbell and Surtain, the Tide are strongly after Miami commit Josh Jobe, junior college prospect Saivion Smith and 4-star corner Nadab Joseph. Alabama also has a commitment from Jalyn Armour-Davis.

With Alabama desperately needing several corners in this class, I still think the team is in good shape to land Campbell when he makes his commitment on National Signing Day in February.

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I replaced my posts with an X.

If an admin could delete that entire conversation it would be appreciated.

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