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

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DE Ron Tatum

Recruiting Wrap: Tatum has not made any visits recently, but is feeling good about his current relationships with Georgia, TCU, Oklahoma and Texas. He expects to attend spring games at Oklahoma and Texas.

Performance: Tatum gave Landry a tough run for the Defensive Line MVP honors, and maybe was hurt by having such easy wins on several reps and not getting a chance to show off his full complement of tools. At 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds, Tatum has great length for the defensive end position, but what stood out Sunday was his speed. Offensive tackles just were not quick enough to kick out and stop him from getting to the quarterback.

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Scout looks at the nation's top 5 centers in the spring update of the Scout 300...

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Scout look at the nation's top 5 outside linebackers in the spring update of the 2018 Scout 300...

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When you watch Peterson, he is a blur at times between the lines. He is an outside linebacker you see make plays in space, get to the quarterback off the edge, and one that can drop into coverage and hold his own. He plays with aggression, effort and speed at all times. He has great size and he explodes through the ball carrier when he makes the tackle. He has all the traits you look for in an elite linebacker. He could play outside or inside on the next level.

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Alabama is expected to host four-star running back Harold Joiner on Wednesday for an unofficial visit, the Birmingham (Ala.) Mountain Brook product tells 247Sports' Keith Niebuhr.

Joiner does not yet hold an offer from the Crimson Tide, however, the staff is very interested in the 6-foot-3, 218-pounder.

Currently, Joiner has Auburn and LSU atop his list.

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JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Emory Jones calls himself the leader of Ohio State’s 2018 recruiting class. He actively recruits for the Buckeyes and is vocal for his love for Ohio State almost daily on Twitter. Think of him as the Alex Leatherwood of the Buckeyes’ class. Leatherwood was a major recruiting force for Alabama in the Class of 2017; Jones is that to Ohio State in 2018.

Though he says he’s more than 110 percent committed to Ohio State, that hasn’t stopped Jones, the nation’s No. 2 dual-threat quarterback from Heard County (Franklin, Ga.) High School, from taking visits elsewhere.

Jones trekked to Tuscaloosa on March 25, shortly after receiving an offer from the Crimson Tide. This was Jones’ first time meeting with Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Jones said Daboll’s experience watching Tom Brady close in person over the past several years is intriguing to him.

“The biggest thing I took away from him is how he can develop me for the next level seeing how he just came from there,” Jones told SEC Country. “He obviously knows a lot of things about the NFL and could help me get there. He’s watched Tom (Brady) closely for the past several years. He can take what he’s seen from him and help other quarterbacks.”

Saban told Jones that in his opinion, he’s the best playmaking quarterback in the Class of 2018. That’s a lot of praise for Jones coming from Saban, and Jones surely appreciated it. But as of now, it’s highly unlikely Alabama will get the “best playmaking quarterback” in this year’s class.

Jones is locked in with the Buckeyes.

“It will take a lot for me to de-commit from Ohio State,” Jones said. “It would have to be like a major coaching change like Urban (Meyer) leaving or something.”

That’s not likely going to happen unless Meyer decides to abruptly retire or is given a massive contract to coach in the NFL. Both of those seem highly unlikely. What about Ohio State’s depth at quarterback? The Buckeyes, like the Tide, have a lot of young depth at the position. Ohio State has two highly ranked quarterbacks after J.T. Barrett in Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell while Alabama has Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones.

While it would appear as if going to either school wouldn’t lead to early playing time, Jones doesn’t mind that. He said a redshirt wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.

“You’re going to have to compete no matter where you go and no matter who’s there,” Jones said. “That’s how I look at it. I feel like I could learn from those guys and get developed.”

The 6-foot-3, 197-pound prospect grew up a Buckeyes fan mainly because of Braxton Miller. Miller was Jones’ favorite college quarterback. He had a chance to talk to Miller for 30 minutes the first time he visited Columbus. He called that moment a dream come true.

Jones also likes the Buckeyes because of their offense. He said Ohio State’s offensive scheme resembles his offense at Heard County. If he somehow did change his mind on Ohio State, three schools would be in the mix for him: Alabama, Florida and Florida State.

“All of those head coaches and quarterback coaches at those schools develop their quarterbacks,” Jones said. “I feel like they could develop me for the next level.”

He will take all five official visits and those schools mentioned above will likely get one. Again, it seems very unlikely he flips his commitment, but with him visiting other schools and showing interest, there’s always a possibility.

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Emerson hoping to hear from Alabama more

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Greg Emerson is a damn good football player. I’ve seen him in camp settings back-to-back weekends, and he dominated both events. Emerson wasn’t going up against scrubs, either. He was beating future SEC offensive linemen in 1-on-1 reps with ease. It’s clear why every major program is fighting for his signature — Alabama is one of those schools.

Elite DL Greg Emerson (@sneakerhad_greg) dominating pic.twitter.com/o9F9UO5ItW

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) April 2, 2017

Emerson, who is rated as the nation’s No. 2 defensive tackle from North Side High School (Jackson, Tenn.), is high on the Crimson Tide. Alabama, Tennessee and Ohio State are the schools most associated with him. He was in Tuscaloosa last month for the team’s junior day event and loved his time there.

However, the 6-foot-3, 296-pound prospect is hoping to hear more from his primary recruiter, offensive line coach Brent Key. Emerson said he hears from Key once every two weeks, which doesn’t compare to the Volunteers, who are in touch every day.

“It would be nice to hear from him more to build that relationship,” Emerson said.

The good news for the Tide is that Emerson isn’t planning on making a commitment until December. He’s planning on enrolling at the school of his choice in January after he graduates early from North Side.

More of Greg Emerson (@sneakerhad_greg) dominating pic.twitter.com/CdDL0NR7kn

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) April 2, 2017

Before that happens, Emerson is planning on releasing a top 6 in July. If he made it today, the Tide would make the cut, he said.

“Alabama is a good school. They’re definitely up there,” Emerson said. “I’ve liked that program since I was a kid. They got a pretty tough program and I’m willing to be a part of a tough program.”

Despite him being from the Volunteer State, Oregon actually was Emerson’s favorite college football team growing up. Yes, the Ducks were his favorite team because of their uniforms. But it’s Tennessee that is viewed as the favorite to secure his commitment.

Emerson is adamant that he’s wide open to every school that wants to recruit him.

“It’s good to be from Tennessee, but my options are still open,” Emerson said.

Getting several interior defensive linemen is a big priority for Alabama in the Class of 2018, and Emerson is near the top of the team’s wish list. The Tide only signed one true defensive tackle in the Class of 2017 in 4-star prospect Phidarian Mathis.

“They have a tough program and have a lot of great competitors,” Emerson said. “There’s obviously a lot of good players there, but you never know if you’ll start as a freshman because you still have to compete every day.”

Emerson said he’s not worried about starting right away at the school he selects. He hopes he’ll be a part of the rotation that sees the field right away, but starting isn’t a major factor in his decision.

The nation’s No. 33 overall player, according to 247Sports composite rankings, hasn’t decided on any official visits just yet. He hopes to return to Tuscaloosa in the summer. Expect Alabama to be in the mix for Emerson until a commitment is made.

“It is sort of close to home,” he said. “That’s a good thing for my mom. It’s a great academic school. They just have good everything there.”

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