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

Army Bowl: Surtain's approach toward recruiting spotlight is rare

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SAN ANTONIO – Patrick Surtain released a top-six graphic in late August. That was about his last piece of self-promotion on social media, rare for high school athletes these days.

Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst Rob Cassidy once called Surtain a “football robot” and that was no criticism. It was an observation that the five-star cornerback from Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage dominates on the football field and doesn’t say much off it.

“I really just stay low key about my colleges,” Surtain said here during U.S. Army All-American Bowl week. “I stay very humbled about these situations.

"I just talk to my parents, I just pray about it because I’m very humbled about this situation. It’s a blessing for all these colleges to have offered me and look at me in a high regard. I just take it as a humbling experience.”

Surtain talked extensively during Wednesday’s media session that did not go necessarily as planned. When the media came to a massive ballroom to interview players, a majority of those players sneaked out, never to be found again.

But Surtain held court at a circular table - some dirty dishes and glasses from the players’ breakfast still hovering - and the five-star sat and talked with numerous reporters for at least 20 minutes. It was refreshing to see some players stay and chat.

For Surtain, it’s not dodging interviews or having a phobia about them. He’s just focused on other things - taking over at cornerback and finding the right program.

His eyes are on the future.

“I don’t really worry about it because I’m going to the next level next year,” Surtain said. “After this high school stuff I know I’m going in to compete. It’s not all these rankings. I just have to go in there and show what I’m all about.”

So where will he go? So many people think LSU will be tough to beat but Alabama is coming on stronger as well and both SEC powers will receive visits in the coming weeks. Ohio State might be an outsider but cannot be counted out especially if he visits Columbus before signing day. Florida, Clemson and Florida State round out his top six.

For someone who cares little about recruiting hype and constantly posting new top lists on social media, Surtain had no real interest in the Early Signing Period and getting it over before the holidays.

Time is on his side this way, crucial visits are fast approaching and Surtain wants to stay focused on his decision-making process with no distractions. What else?

“I wanted to take my time as much as possible especially with these officials coming up so I could actually see their depth and see their needs before I make a decision,” Surtain said.

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For some reason, all this talk in the last 24 hours gave me hope on Joseph and surprisingly JJ Peterson.

Maybe JJ actually is being this transparent with all these negative statements, but part of me thought just for a second he was laying it on a little too thick. After all, what excitement would there be for an announcement for a long considered Bama lean?

Then he commits to UT today and I knew better to think otherwise

Who do we have legit chance at today I’m AA game?

Any of them committing today?

You're probably right.

I remember feeling the same about Travis Rudolph back in the day when he was saying he was all but ready to commit to Bama at the UA AA game. I gave eventually to his ruse, then sure enough he commits to FSU as long thought

Never again...

Jaylen Waddle just blew by that DB for the long pass play.

JJ Peterson was a missile off the edge on that 3rd down play.

This kicker for the West is fricking terrible.

Trevor Lawrence has thrown more interceptions in this game than he did all season.

lol geez

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Wasn't the db Jobe?

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I don't know. I don't think so. The guy covering him was pretty short.