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

Derek Dooley is the offensive coordinator for the Michael Sam Tigers Good frickin God

Don't know if Pruitt is negative recruiting Bama right now. I wouldn't put it past him. He certainly will be on Tuesday morning, though.

Kids today.

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At least the early period will cut most of the bs out

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This has been my favorite part of the ESP... so much garbage leading teams on in years past... this year it seemed like a *lot* less of that going on. Also helps kids know where they stand in a class if they aren't offered an LOI to sign in December. Still have a month and some change to sort it out.

I think Saban's main issue is that closing with recruits for the ESP conflicts somewhat with preparation for the playoffs.

He was out recruiting non-stop from just after the IB to the ESP. It would've been an even more demanding time crunch if we had played in the SEC CG.

After he experiences the benefits of being able to focus on just the eight remaining spots, I think he may decide he likes it this way.

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I think Saban is the only one who doesn’t like it .

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Lots of coaches don't like it.

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At Tennessee they’re saying I have a chance to come in and play and that’s what they’re saying at Alabama [too]," Peterson said. "But you’re Alabama, I know I can’t come in and play right away. My homeboy is there, Xavier McKinney, he’s one of the best players I’ve gone against. He’s a great player and he didn’t even play, so I’m like, if he didn’t even play when they were up, so there’s something wrong. I don’t want to get up there and just not get a chance. I don’t care about playing but I just want a chance and if you get a chance I’ll make something happen and if not I won’t do it."

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This kid sounds mentally weak as hell.

Elite '19 DB Chris Steele planning an early decision

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You can make an argument Chris Steele is the most physical cornerback in the country.

He excels in press coverage, beats up on opposing receivers and is a huge hitter. When he comes up in run support, he looks more like a safety than a corner and with his size and skill set, we think he could easily transition to safety if needed.

Steele had a strong showing in Orlando, Florida Thursday and was one of the top corners at the Future 50. He was very good in coverage, made some nice plays on the ball and lived up to his tough, physical rep tossing a few receivers to the ground at the line of scrimmage.

On the recruiting front, Steele has an unofficial visit lined up later this month and plans to make an early decision.

"The main schools I'm talking to right now are Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Oregon, Alabama, Cal, USC and Stanford," Steele said. "There are a few others in there too but those are the main ones for me.

"I'm taking an un-official visit to Oregon later this month and I'm planning to take some official trips in April. I had a real good conversation with Donte Williams (new DB coach) earlier today and he's making me even more interested in Oregon. With him and (Keith) Heyward there now, they're going to get some dudes for sure."

As for those official visits he's planning:

"Oklahoma and Texas are the two schools right now I know I want to visit," Steele said. "I'm not sure about any other schools, I haven't put a lot of thought in to where else I'll visit right now but I do plan to take a few more before I make my decision.

"I'm planning to commit this summer. I want to go in to my senior year with my commitment out of the way so I can focus on school and our football program at Bosco. Texas and Oklahoma are the two schools on me the hardest but I'm open to all of those schools on my list right now."

Steele is currently rated the No. 44 prospect nationally in the 247Sports Composite and the Crystal Ball has USC as the school to beat at this time.

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First Team

QB: Gunner Cruz: The Queen Creek (Ariz.) Casteel 2019 quarterback tossed dime after dime, doing most of his damage downfield with a strong arm and good accuracy. Arizona State has offered.

RB: Glover Cook: The Louisville commit from Ocala (Fla.) Vanguard made quick work of linebackers during 1-on-1s, typically running away from them downfield for easy grabs.

RB Giles Jackson: The Oakley (Calif.) Freedom athlete tested very well, including a 4.6 40-yard dash during testing. The 2019 recruit was uncoverable with his quick first step, showing the explosiveness you want to see in a slot running back type.

WR: Elijah Higgins

WR: Matt Sykes: The class of 2020 recruit was one of the top overall players at the event. A sophomore from Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis high school, Sykes showed off strong hands, the ability to high-point the football, and legitimately caught every ball that hit his hands.

WR: Jaylen Ellis: The Baylor commit out of Round Rock (Texas) Cedar Ridge was as smooth a playmaker we saw at this event, used his quicks to gain separation and turned in dominant rep after dominant rep.

WR Zeriah Beason: The Dallas (Texas) Bishop Dunne 2020 prospect pulled away from cornerbacks and constantly found himself running alone.

WR: Puka Nacua: A very athletic pass-catcher with strong hands and outstanding ball skills. Clinical as a router runner that can also sneak by you and beat you deep. Arizona, BYU and Utah are among others have offered the Orem (Utah) High standout.

OL: EJ Ndoma-Ogar

OL Darnell Wright: The nation’s No. 3 offensive tackle out of Huntington (W.V.) High has every trait coveted at the position and even though his strength wasn’t where he wanted it as he was in basketball mode he turned in some eye-popping reps. Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee are among the top contenders.

OL Bryan Hudson: The Georgetown (Ky.) Scott County road grader did a terrific job of mirroring pass rushers and sealing the edge. Virginia Tech and LSU are the programs recruiting Hudson the hardest.

OL Xavier Truss: The Warwick (R.I.) Bishop Hendricken offensive tackle had one of the best frames in the building, was smooth in testing and a force in 1-on-1s. Keep an eye on Penn State offering in the near future.

OL Sean Rhyan: An explosive offensive lineman that flashed good footwork in drills. In 1-on-1s, the San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) San Juan Hills used his fluid lower base and strong hands to enforce his will on pass rushers.

OL Enokk Vimahi: Started slow coming off an injury, but once he found his groove he was solid, particularly using his strength to hold pass rushers at the point of attack. He's from Kahuku (Hawaii) High.

OL Jamari Williams: The Coconut Creek (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons product had some of the best feet of any offensive linemen there and he looks athletic and versatile enough to play guard or tackles.

TE Erick All Jr.: The Fairfield (Ohio) High 2019 recruit with offers from Cincinnati and Syracuse among others was a mismatch for linebackers because of the combination of speed and catch radius.

ATH Marquez Beason: The Dallas (Texas) Bishop Dunne standout made plays on both sides of the ball, a downfield threat that was lockdown in coverage. Offers include Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington.

DL Marcus Hicks: An explosive defensive end that ran 4.9. He's from Wichita (Kansas) Northeast.

DL Denver Warren: The Aurora (Ill.) West Aurora 2020 defensive tackle showed why he will be one of the Midwest’s most sought after recruits. He overpowered offensive linemen, he used a variety of pass rushing moves to shrug them off in what was one of the day’s better performances.

DL McKinnley Jackson

DL Mosai Newsom: Similar to Hicks, the Waverly (Iowa) Shell Rock defensive end did work in a variety of ways, lining up across some of the best offensive tackles at the camp. Iowa and Minnesota have offered.

LB Tyler Berrong: The Port Orange (Fla.) Spruce Creek product. Big and deceptively athletic. For a guy that looks like a big factor in the run game he was able to run with the receivers and has a good feel for body control and where the ball is coming.

LB Justin Bray: The Collierville (Tenn.) St. George product is a long, athletic kid that looks comfortable playing in space.

CB Tyler Nubin: An efficient corner, doesn’t have a lot of wasted movement, trusts his athleticism, plays physically and has a great frame. High on playing in the Big Ten. He's from Saint Charles (Ill.) North.

CB Mark Perry: A big kid that could play corner or safety, when he comes out of his breaks it’s striking how fast and explosive he is closing on the football. Nevada is the Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) High 2019 prospect’s only offer.

CB Joey Porter Jr.: Has a great feel for what the receiver is trying to do, can sniff out routes and get in front of the football. The Wexford (Pa.) North Allegheny standout Pittsburgh among others.

S Noa Pola-Gates: Nobody tested better. He ran the fasted 40 of the day at 4.4 and jumped out of the Alamo Dome in the broad jump. A freak that also used that athleticism to make plays during 1-on-1s as well. Arizona and Memphis have offered the Gilbert (Ariz.) Field standout.

S Myles Heard: Was lockdown in coverage, instinctive and physical at the line of scrimmage. Heard hails from Sugarland (Texas) Dulles.

Honorable Mention

QB: Graham Mertz

RB: Romeir Elliott

RB: Cameron Faison

RB: Tahj Gary

WR Sione Vaki

WR Jayden Harrison

WR: Jay Wilkerson

WR: Reginald Johnson, 2020

WR Jadon Jackson

WR Jordan Jakes

WR Xzavier Henderson

WR Ainias Smith

WR Emery Simmons

WR: Jacobby Dinwiddie

OL: Tautai Marks

OL: Donovan Jackson

OL: Jack Buford

OL: Andrew Kristofic

OL: Andrew Vest

OL: Christopher Morris

ATH: Jacquez Stuart

ATH Jahad Carter


DL: Israel Isuman-Hundley

DL: Jack Harris

DL: Curley Young

DL: Siale Liku

DL: Myles Murphy

DL: Shemar Pearl

DL: Albany Casey

DL: Deonte Washington

DB: Devin Bush

DB: Jalen Kimber

DB: Christian Williams

DB: Macen Williams

DB: Brandon Joseph

DB: Deonte Stanley

DB: Kyle Hamilton

DB Vito Tisdale

DB Alaka'i Gilman

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DL McKinnley Jackson makes most of Army trip

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SAN ANTONIO - McKinnley Jackson is massive. He’s 6-foot-3 and about 275 pounds. He’s got a full-grown beard. And he’s a 2020 prospect.

It’s hard to believe the George County, Miss., just wrapped up his sophomore season and has two left before heading to college. He could easily pass as a college player right now.

“Some people still have trouble believing that,” Jackson said.

Believe it. The 2020 star dominated the Army National Combine on Friday and has the physical skills and technique to take over whenever he pleases.

Already committed to LSU, the Tigers look like they got a steal early on.

“It’s something deeper than football,” Jackson said of his relationship with the LSU coaches. “There is a family feel. Like my team in high school, they’re like my brothers. I’ve been playing with them since Pee Wee. At LSU, it’s just like the same thing.

“Even the coaching staff, they feel like father figures to me. Even some of the coaches feel like brothers to me. There is a close bond.”

McKinley has quickly developed solid relationships across LSU’s coaching staff. None might be better than with coach Ed Orgeron, and that could be crucial to keep the 2020 standout in the recruiting class.

“I know he’s going to make me a better man,” Jackson said.

“Coach (Dennis) Johnson is from a small town just like me and we come from nothing, making it out, and we’re making it work.”

Many other schools have already gotten involved in Jackson’s recruitment with Clemson and Alabama being the first two the George County standout mentioned. Auburn, Florida State, Ole Miss and Mississippi State among others will be in the mix as well.

For McKinley, his decision is done. There could be some homework done on other top programs but the Tigers might be tough to beat.

“I really like (Clemson and Alabama) but I’m really on LSU,” Jackson said. “I’m not making any rash decisions. It’s just LSU and I’ll go from there.”

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