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

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I haven't really lost a blood relative but my first wife passed away almost 8 years ago. It wasn't pleasant especially considering we had a 3 year old and a 16 month old.

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There as been a lot off young deaths in my town so far this year. 

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A pair of Alabama sophomore football players were recognized for their academic achievement by the University of Alabama's Black Faculty And Staff Association during the school's Black Scholars Honors Day ceremony on Sunday evening.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts and linebacker Mack Wilson took to Twitter to share the appreciation for their achievements, which they received prior to the start of Honors Week -- which officially begins tomorrow, April 3, according to the university's website.

First-year Alabama offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was also in attendance to witness his new quarterback receive the academic award in the middle of the team's spring practices.

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First-year Alabama offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was also in attendance to witness his new quarterback receive the academic award in the middle of the team's spring practices.

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Tide have a chance with Tigers legacy?

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Patrick Nix went 2-2 against Alabama during his career as Auburn’s quarterback, which lasted from 1992-95. The Crimson Tide are hoping to break the tie with the Nix family by adding Patrick’s son to their 2019 class.

Bo Nix is one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects in that recruiting cycle. Nix is rated as the nation’s No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in 2019 out of Pinson Valley (Ala.) High School. He’s already a top priority for the Alabama staff, but it will be difficult for the team to land Nix because of his history.

For now, Nix is saying the right things to the media. It’s not a given that he will commit to Auburn just because his father played quarterback for the Tigers over two decades ago.

“I’m not my dad, obviously,” Nix told SEC Country at the Under Armour camp on Sunday. “I’m going to go where I want to go and he knows that, and that’s what he wants me to do. He’s not pushing me one way or the other. I really want to look at all of my options and pick the school that best fits me.”

Nix has done his due diligence so far in his recruitment by visiting Auburn, Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee and other schools. So, he’s right when he says that he does want to evaluate all of his choices before making a commitment.

This past weekend, the 6-foot-2, 194-pound prospect was in Tuscaloosa, where he got to sit in a quarterbacks meeting with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones. Nix called the Alabama staff “great” and said he can’t deny that the Crimson Tide are one of the best teams in the country.

The elite prospect said his father would have no qualms with his son’s choice if he did end up committing to Alabama.

“He said he’s going to cheer for me wherever I go, even if it’s Alabama,” Nix said with a laugh. “Obviously, growing up an Auburn fan helps them maybe a little bit, but I’m going to go where I believe is the best fit.”

There’s still no denying that Nix is a Tigers supporter. He was born into an Auburn family and he still roots for the Tigers every Saturday. Since he’s become a national recruit, he’s trying to put aside his Auburn fandom in order to make the best business decision for him.

It’s not easy decision, but coach Nick Saban gave the quarterback some advice on how he should handle his recruitment during Nix’s visit to Alabama this past week.

“The one thing I got out of him is he told me to live where my feet are,” Nix said. “He told me I should enjoy my high school days and then worry about my college days after that.”

That could be Saban telling Nix to not commit anytime soon so he can have as much time as possible recruiting him. What plays into Alabama’s favor is that Nix isn’t planning on making a commitment in the near future.

The longer his recruitment is drawn out, the better it is for the Tide’s chances — even though they are slim right now. That will not stop Saban and Co. in recruiting arguably the best quarterback to come out of the state of Alabama since Jameis Winston. Last weekend at The Opening Atlanta regional, Nix won top quarterback honors out of a group that featured several elite 2018 quarterbacks and arguably the best 2020 signal caller.

As a sophomore at Scottsboro (Ala.) High School, Nix passed for 1,737 yards with 16 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,300 yards to go along with 20 touchdowns. Nix transferred to Pinson Valley High School, where his father was named the head coach.

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The SEC became a great conference thanks in part for its ability to churn out elite defensive line prospects. And Alfred Thomas looks like he could be the next one.

The 4-star defensive tackle prospect released his top 8 schools. Five of them are in the SEC, as Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Missouri and Ole Miss all made the cut. Thomas is the No. 270 overall prospect in the 2018 class, according to 247Sports composite rankings, and the No. 25 defensive tackle.

It’s worth noting that Thomas hails from Montgomery, Ala., and does not yet have an offer from either in-state power in Alabama and Auburn. Rarely do the top prospects in the state of Alabama leave the state if they are wanted by either school. In the 2017 class, WR Nico Collins, the No. 5 prospect in the state, was the only top 10 player in the state of Alabama to not play at either Alabama or Auburn. Collins ended up picking Michigan.

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DeSOTO, Texas – There is no higher honor for a football player than to earn the respect of his follow competitors. So we asked some of the participants at Sunday’s Rivals 3 Stripe Camp presented by adidas in Dallas to talk about which players impressed them most that they battled all day.

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BEST RUNNING BACK

“Qualan Jones was a running back who looked explosive to me.” – Three-star TE Christoph Henle, Arlington (Texas) The Oakridge School

“Qualan Jones is just an athletic kid; an all-around running back.” Rivals100 LB Alston Orji, Rockwall, Texas

“Keilon Elder is a physical back. Even though we are in a camp, I like a guy who can be physical.” – Orji

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