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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 4/7/17 at 11:53 am to TideSaint
Posted on 4/7/17 at 11:53 am to TideSaint
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Welcome to SEC Country’s daily Roll Tide-ings, a rundown of everything happening in Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting with Chris Kirschner. Today, we discuss the latest with NFL legacy Jaycee Horn.
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Posted on 4/7/17 at 11:54 am to TideSaint
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Horn getting familiar with Alabama
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Jaycee Horn has been around the game of football his entire life. His father, Joe Horn, was a star wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL in the early 2000s. Now, Jaycee is making a name for himself on the recruiting circuit.
Alabama offered Horn, a 3-star cornerback from Alpharetta (Ga.) High School, last month. Despite his 3-star ranking, Horn has been one of the hottest recruits in the country over the past few weeks, picking up offers from Auburn, LSU, Ohio State and others, plus being named an Under Armour All-American.
Horn made a return trip to Alabama a little more than a week ago, where he spoke with coach Nick Saban, defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley. His favorite part of the trip was the honesty from the coaching staff.
“Most schools tell you that you’re the No. 1 cornerback on their board,” Horn told SEC Country. “That’s ‘bulljunk’ anyway. I appreciate Alabama for keeping it real with me.”
The Crimson Tide informed him that he’s wanted by the staff, but Horn wasn’t told that he’s the top corner in the Class of 2018 for them. He still feels wanted by the coaches. That’s evidenced by how often Alabama is keeping in touch with him. Horn said he hears from Ansley at least four times a week. The more a school communicates with a recruit, it tells you how high the coaching staff views that prospect.
Alabama isn’t the school that communicates with him the most, though. That distinction goes to Tennessee, and the Volunteers have Butch Jones himself in touch with Horn. That has certainly attracted Horn’s attention.
“I talk to coach Jones every day. We text every single day,” Horn said. “That matters a lot to me because I want to make sure I’m wanted and needed at the school I pick. Tennessee makes me feel that way when I talk to coach Jones and when I have visited there.”
When asked if Alabama makes him feel “wanted and needed,” Horn responded immediately. For one, the Tide didn’t sign any cornerbacks in the Class of 2017, so the position is of extreme importance in this year’s cycle.
“I definitely feel like I’m wanted at Alabama,” Horn said. “They didn’t sign any cornerbacks in the Class of 2017, so I feel like a lot of corners out here are feeling wanted by Alabama.”
The 6-foot-1, 173-pound prospect said he’s been to Tuscaloosa around five times now. He said he’s already familiar with the atmosphere around Tuscaloosa. His most recent trip there was to get face time with the coaching staff, which he did.
Saban and Ansley told Horn about their track record with sending defensive backs to the NFL. It’s something Horn already knows. He said he’s been watching Minkah Fitzpatrick closely these past few years and Dre Kirkpatrick when he was at Alabama.
“I’ve been following them since I was a little kid,” Horn said. “I’ve always loved Alabama.”
Horn said he’s not sure when he’ll make a commitment, but he said it could possibly happen this summer. He wants to take all five official visits this fall. Horn will visit Ohio State for its spring game on April 15 and possibly Tennessee’s on April 22, which is the day of Alabama’s.
But he’ll be back in Tuscaloosa.
“If I was to take my officials right now, Alabama would definitely get one,” Horn said. “It’s Alabama. They’re one of the best teams. They’re in the best football conference. Their coaches send guys to the NFL all of the time. I feel like I can become the best player I can be at Alabama.”
Posted on 4/7/17 at 11:55 am to TideSaint
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Jobe returns to Tuscaloosa
Josh Jobe, a 4-star Miami cornerback commitment, was back in Tuscaloosa on Thursday. It was Jobe’s first visit back to Alabama since last summer.
Jobe nearly flipped from the Hurricanes to the Crimson Tide last summer. He also, at one point, said Alabama was his No. 1 school … while still committed to Miami. He’s from South Florida, and if you follow recruiting closely, you’d know that shenanigans and trolling from South Florida kids is not uncommon. But Jobe’s interest in Alabama is legit.
What the Crimson Tide have going for them is the fact that he’s very close with Alabama 4-star wide receiver commit Xavier Williams, who is working Jobe hard. Williams told SEC Country that he’s going to be the alpha dog of the Class of 2018 when it comes to rounding up other elite prospects.
Jobe will play his senior season at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut because he turns 19 before Sept. 1. That’s the cut-off date for high school sports eligibility in the state of Florida. The good news there is he won’t be able to take frequent trips to Miami anymore once he leaves for boarding school.
Jobe, who’s rated as the nation’s No. 10 cornerback, is one of the Tide’s top defensive targets regardless of position. He’s definitely one to watch closely over the next few months.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 12:02 pm to TideSaint
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Alontae Taylor out of Manchester Tennessee
This kid played at a rival of ours in high school. We never lost to them while I was in school, but now with him at QB they beat our arse yearly.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 2:35 pm to TideSaint
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Going into his junior year, Pinson Valley quarterback Bo Nix's posture and demeanor resemble his father and coach, Auburn legacy Patrick Nix.
But to assume that the younger Nix will follow in his father's footsteps is far from a foregone conclusion.
Along with Auburn, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Nix, one of the nation's top prospects in the 2019 class, has offers from powerhouses Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State, Tennessee, LSU, Florida State and others.
"I would think so (that they feel like they have a shot)," said Patrick, a quarterback at Auburn from 1992-95. "They're all wearing us out calling and everything else."
Patrick Nix was the hero of the 1993 Iron Bowl, coming on at quarterback for an injured Stan White and leading the Tigers to a 22-14 comeback win over Alabama and preserving the Tigers' unbeaten season. He started the next two seasons and his college coaching stops include Miami and Georgia Tech. In fact, Bo was born in Arkadelphia, Ark., early in Patrick's coaching career at Henderson State.
Patrick was hired as Pinson Valley's head coach earlier this year after a four-year run at Scottsboro. Bo became the starter midway through his eighth-grade season in 2014 and got settled in at Pinson Valley in early March.
Since then, Bo has spent his time building up friendships with the rest of the team and throwing with receivers whenever time allows.
Last week was a busy one, though. Patrick, Bo and younger son Caleb, who will be a quarterback for Rudd Middle School as an eighth grader this fall, traveled to Georgia, Clemson, Alabama and Auburn.
"You'll be hearing about him in about three years," Bo interjected. "He's bigger than I was when I was his age. I think I'm more athletic. He's a big guy for seventh grade."
Bo participated in two combines, earning quarterback MVP honors at the Atlanta Opening Regional in an event that featured class of 2018 quarterbacks who are committed to Ohio State, Texas A&M and Wake Forest. The next week, he earned an invitation to the Future 50 Underclassmen Showcase while at the Under Armour regional in Atlanta.
Here's what Nix had to say about his trips, which started with Georgia on March 25.
Georgia: "I liked their coaching staff. They've got a really good coaching staff. I like their offensive coordinator. Their facilities are really nice. Obviously, they're always going to put out really good players with you, being in that Georgia area, they've got a bunch of players to choose from."
Clemson: "They recently got the new gigantic fieldhouse. I got to see that in person for the first time. It's pretty incredible, definitely the best in the country. They have a great coaching staff down there. (Head) Coach (Dabo) Swinney knows how to do it and does it right and I respect that. Coach (Brandon) Streeter, the quarterbacks coach, is a top-notch guy and overall, I like what they do with the offense."
Alabama: "I went there when I was in eighth grade to visit, but finally got to go over there again. It was great to see their fieldhouse again and I got to see their weight room and see what they work with and their coaching staff. It's a top-notch program. Each year, they contend for a national championship and SEC championship, so they know what they are doing."
Auburn: "Just continued to grow my relationship with (offensive coordinator) Coach (Chip) Lindsey and (head) Coach (Gus) Malzahn and all the coaches, and I got to watch practice. I always enjoy watching practice because I get a feel for how they practice and how they play and the things they do. I got to watch the offense and see how I'd fit in their offense, and grow my relationship with the coaches."
Nix has known Lindsey since Lindsey was the offensive coordinator at Southern Miss. Patrick had the same message for all the coaches who may have wondered if it's a sure thing Bo will go to Auburn.
"I told them all that I had my experience at Auburn and it was great," Patrick Nix said. "Wherever he goes, I want him to have the same type of experience I had, whether it's Auburn or who knows where. I want him to have his own place, his own experience. I want it to be a good fit for him."
But don't expect Patrick Nix to don apparel of an Auburn rival if Bo chooses to go there.
"I can't," Patrick said, with a quick smile. "He might. It doesn't mean I won't cheer for him, but at the same time, I won't necessarily have to wear certain articles of clothing. That'll be something he has to decide. He knows I'll support him in whatever he does."
Meanwhile, Bo Nix is enjoying the experience. He may visit Ohio State this summer, but hasn't set a date yet for that or any other upcoming trip.
"(Coaches) treat me like a normal kid, which I enjoy and really like and appreciate that," Bo said. "I'm obviously not like my dad. I have a lot of qualities from my dad, but we're different. They treat me like I'm Bo Nix and want me to come for who I am and not because of my name."
Bo Nix is ranked as the nation's No. 86 prospect and how he's listed by the recruiting services probably defines more of who he is than anything. 247Sports lists Nix as a dual-threat quarterback, ESPN a pocket passer, Rivals.com as a pro-style quarterback and Scout.com doesn't have a designation.
Last year, Nix completed 55.2 percent of his passes for 1,737 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions last season. He ran for 1,300 yards and 20 touchdowns on 130 carries and was a finalist for Class 5A Back of the Year while leading Scottsboro to a 12-1 record.
He was listed at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds last year and has added an inch and 15 pounds since then, and believes he's not done growing.
"He can think, he can make decisions, he can throw any throw, he can throw from all different platforms," Patrick Nix said. "He's not a pocket passer. He's not a dual-threat quarterback. He's both. He can do both with anybody in the country. That is what is so unique and what so many people like about him. He's not one or the other. He's got all the boxes checked off."
The two have gotten past the hard part of the quarterback playing for his father, the coach. Patrick was coached by his dad. He said he set expectations for Bo as an eighth-grader that he'd normally give to a senior. Bo, who calls Patrick "Dad" on the field, met those and has gotten better.
"We've had our days, that's for sure," Bo Nix said. "I think we're over that now because I think at the beginning, I was hard-headed, but I've learned."
These days, quarterbacks are making earlier college decisions. Bo Nix isn't going to rush.
"I know I want to wait for a while," Bo said. "Right now, I'm just trying to be a high school football player and let the recruitment come to me. I have to make a decision sometime, but it's not going to be anytime soon."
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Posted on 4/7/17 at 2:36 pm to TideSaint
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Auburn's spring game is Saturday at 1 p.m. and several top recruits will be in attendance.
Here is a list of some. This is not a complete list at all, but just some who have confirmed they will be there or are planning on going. April 8 is also an ACT testing date, so that will keep some away.
This post may be updated, but check back Saturday for more coverage from Auburn's A-Day and what recruits thought.
Coynis Miller, DL, Birmingham - The Jackson-Olin product recently spent three nights in Auburn and went to a practice in Tuscaloosa. His high school teammate T.D. Moultry signed with Auburn.
Asa Martin, RB, Decatur - The Austin High running back was offered by Auburn earlier this year and is one of the state's top offensive players.
Justyn Ross, WR, Phenix City - Ross, a 6-foot-5 receiver, is now a 5-star recruit in the composite rankings and ranked as the No. 22 recruit overall.
Kameron Stutts, OL, Killen - The 6-foot-4, 329-pound offensive tackle from Brooks High School is a three-star recruit and earned an Auburn offer earlier this year.
Joey Gatewood, QB, Jacksonville, Fla., - Auburn's longtime quarterback commit for this class will be back and still seems very solid to the Tigers.
Trey Hill, OL, Warner Robins, Ga. - The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Hill dominated drills at the Opening Regional in Atlanta. He'll be in Auburn this weekend.
Harold Joiner, RB, Mountain Brook - The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Joiner said he'd "probably" be at Auburn after getting an Alabama offer earlier this week.
Nathaniel Watson, ATH, Maplesville - The Class 1A standout could play tight end, linebacker or defensive end at the next level. Auburn is his leader.
Jalil Irvin, OL, Stone Mountain, Ga. - Irvin committed to Auburn in March.
Pierce Quick, OL, Trussville, Ala. - Quick is a four-star tackle in the class of 2019.
Clay Webb, OL, Oxford, Ala. - Webb is a four-star guard in the class of 2019.
LINK
Let's hope the ones I have highlighted all show up to our A-Day as well.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 2:42 pm to TideSaint
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Former Alabama defensive back Bradley Sylve is reportedly signing his first NFL contract.
Sylve is signing with the Buffalo Bills, according to a report from the Houston Chronicle.
The speedy cornerback spent the last year recovering from an Achilles tendon injury he sustained the day before the Crimson Tide's 2016 Pro Day. Sylve was simply warming up prior to a workout when he sustained the injury that derailed his NFL dream.
Sylve served as a backup at corner during the 2015-16 season. He recorded a team-high nine tackles on special teams during his final year in crimson.
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Posted on 4/7/17 at 2:42 pm to TideSaint
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Alabama has overtaken Georgia as the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite for four-star cornerback Christian Tutt.
The development comes days after Tutt told BamaOnLine that if he were to commit to a school right now it would be Alabama, days after returning from the Capstone on an unofficial visit.
The Thomson (Ga.) product recently said the Tide and Florida State were atop his list. He plans to visit Tuscaloosa again for A-Day, before announcing a public decision on May 30.
At 5-foot-10.5, 193 pounds, Tutt is rated the No. 18 cornerback and the No. 153 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
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Posted on 4/7/17 at 3:13 pm to TideSaint
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There have been plenty of camps and 7-on-7 tournaments since National Signing Day and a number of prospects have performed well on the road. With the Los Angeles stop of the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp presented by adidas set for this Sunday, here is a look at 12 impressive performers in the West so far this spring.
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Posted on 4/7/17 at 3:14 pm to TideSaint
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QB Tanner McKee
Recruiting: McKee remains wide open to all programs and recently visited Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, North Carolina and Duke and will soon take a trip to Texas. Stanford and BYU had been early frontrunners.
Overview: There are plenty of talented pro-style quarterbacks in the West this recruiting cycle but McKee continues to prove he’s right up there with the best. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound recruit looked great at a recent 7on7 tournament, showed off a huge arm and excellent touch on all his passes. With his athletic ability and some passes he’s made this offseason, McKee could be a special prospect.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 3:14 pm to TideSaint
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CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart
Recruiting: USC is considered a front-runner but Ohio State, Florida State, Auburn, Michigan, Georgia, Nebraska, Oregon and many others are involved as well.
Overview: Taylor-Stuart is ranked as the fourth-best cornerback in the 2018 class and that might not be doing him enough justice. The 6-foot-2 corner is physical when he needs to be, athletic when he needs to make a play on the ball and his length really helps him stay with even the top receivers. At one tournament, he did get beaten at times but in every other camp or tourney, Taylor-Stuart was fantastic.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 3:15 pm to TideSaint
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ATH Devon Williams
Recruiting: Alabama, Florida State, USC, UCLA and many others are involved with Williams, who remains open to all programs. Stanford and Washington have been showing new interest.
Overview: Williams is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class because of his size, length and athleticism. The four-star who’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 196 pounds has been special at receiver this spring even though he hasn’t played the position much. Williams can also play safety or outside linebacker but as a fast, athletic outside receiver, the four-star could keep moving up the charts.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 3:25 pm to TideSaint
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Kingsley Enagbare's stock continues to rise.
He has picked up numerous scholarship offers recently and the list is approaching 20.
"I'm still taking my time...keeping my options open," said the 6-foot-4, 257-pound Enagbare.
His next visit will like be Alabama sometime this month.
"Alabama does a great job of developing players and it's a great program," said Enagbare. "Their players become dominant in college. I'm looking forward to the trip.
"I've been talking to (defensive backs) coach (Derrick) Ansley. He's cool and real straightforward. He's told me I'm a good player and have great potential."
Kingsley Enagbare Highlights
Posted on 4/7/17 at 7:34 pm to TideSaint
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Alabama is the latest offer for three-star weak-side defensive end Azeez Ojulari, the Marietta (Ga.) product announced on Twitter.
Ojulari received the news during an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa on Friday.
The Peach State product has seen a lot of activity in his recruitment as of late, earning Notre Dame, Auburn, and Oklahoma offers in the last week.
At 6-foot-4, 224 pounds, Ojulari is rated the No. 18 weak-side defensive end and the No. 368 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
Georgia is the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite at 100 percent.
I linked his profile and highlights last night.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 7:34 pm to TideSaint
Demetric Warren just CB'd Ojulari to Alabama.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 7:35 pm to TideSaint
Hank CB'd JUCO TE Dominick Wood-Anderson to Alabama after his two day visit this week.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 7:42 pm to TideSaint
DWA says his grandfather is an Alabama fan because one of his 2nd cousins or great uncles played at Alabama.
DWA couldn't remember the specifics.
DWA couldn't remember the specifics.
Posted on 4/7/17 at 11:24 pm to TideSaint
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Lejond Cavazos has been blowing up on the recruiting trail.
The stud 2020 defensive back out of Cibolo Steele is just a freshman but already holds double digit offers. The most recent came from USC earlier this week.
“I love everything about USC,” Cavazos said. “I actually visited this past season and loved it. I love California. USC is a great school. They put great athletes in the league. They have a lot to offer. Coach (Ron) Bradford is a great coach.”
USC will be a major player in his recruitment moving forward. And so will Alabama. The Crimson Tide put an offer on the table last week and will receive an unofficial visit later this month.
“There is nothing not to like about Alabama” Cavazos said “I was so excited about that offer that I want to go run down the street screaming. I was just so happy. If you can get on the field at Alabama, you’re pretty much going to get to the NFL, and I want to play in the NFL.
“My cousin is Tony Brown, and he tells me a lot about the program. It’s great on the field and outside of football, too.”
Alabama isn’t the only SEC school making a push for the talented underclassman.
Florida and Georgia extended early offers last week. Cavazos said he is interested in both programs.
“Coach (Randy) Shannon at Florida is good friends with my dad,” Cavazos said. “We have a good relationship, too. That’s a big offer. They produce a lot of NFL players. I don’t know too much about Georgia, but I knew Coach (Jay) Valai from an FBU camp before he got there, and he’s been giving me information.”
Cavazos plans to visit Oklahoma and Texas A&M this weekend. He is not ranked at this time.
Posted on 4/8/17 at 6:34 am to TideSaint
Hope we get him. He reminds me of myself when I watch his film he's just an inch taller.
Posted on 4/8/17 at 11:18 am to TideSaint
Xavier Thomas to Clemson.
They have one 5-star DE and another 4-star DE now.
Hopefully that means we land KJ Henry.
They have one 5-star DE and another 4-star DE now.
Hopefully that means we land KJ Henry.
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