Started By
Message
re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:23 am to TideSaint
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:23 am to TideSaint
The 10 best players from Army Bowl week
quote:
SAN ANTONIO — The week-long 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl wrapped up on Saturday with the West defeating the East, 17-16, inside the Alamodome.
Players arrived last Sunday and practiced four days leading up to game-day in the Alamo City. The 247Sports team was in the Lone Star State the entire week and brings you the top performers from practice and the game combined.
ALPHA DOG
The ball was spinning like a top on the turf a lot in practice.
If you tuned into the game on Saturday, you saw it live on NBC a couple times as well.
The most notable celebration in high school football, five-star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown’s dominance was evident all week by how many times we saw the pigskin whirl around quickly on its nose.
Ranked by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 2 receiver and No. 10 prospect overall, the 5-foot-11 1/2, 191-pound St. Brown dominated from the time he got off the plane and started practicing all the way through the game with his terrific hands, outstanding route-running ability and after-the-catch production. The recent USC commit makes the tough play look easy and never disappoints in any setting, whether that’s at a camp, during practice this week, the Army Bowl itself or in games at Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei where he helped his team win a state championship en route to finishing No. 1 in the MaxPreps XCellent Top25.
REST OF THE TOP 10
The quarterback play across the board was pretty good all week, but it was USC commit JT Daniels that had the best week of all, showing why he’s completed over 70 percent of his passes the last two seasons for Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei. Daniels has a great feel for the game, sees and reads coverages well and is accurate with the football. He also has the ability to extend plays and make things happen with his legs. With Sam Darold going pro, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Daniels will be right in the middle of the quarterback competition next fall. Trojans fans are going to be very glad that Daniels reclassified from the 2019 class to this 2018 crop.
Who’s the best defensive tackle prospect in the country? It’s Ohio State signee Taron Vincent, who flashed on game day a couple times, but Miami pledge Nesta Silvera continued to make his case as arguably the most physical player the entire week. Silvera is twitchy and that allows him to be powerful as he consistently pushed offensive linemen around throughout the week. Silvera had two quarterback pressures in the Army Bowl on Saturday, a constant in the backfield during his time in Texas.
Throughout the week we saw all the top cornerbacks shine whether it was Patrick Surtain Jr., Isaac-Taylor-Stuart, Jalen Green, Brendan Radley-Hiles or Kyler McMichael, but the one we liked the best over the course of the week was Tyson Campbell out of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage. The instincts and the change-of-direction quickness along with the speed and length make Campbell a special prospect. Considering Georgia, Alabama and Miami among others, Campbell led the East with four tackles on game day. Green looks to be in line for a fifth-star as well.
Rock Hill (SC) South Point athlete Derion Kendrick was playing at a different speed than nearly all of his peers this week. A terrific dual-threat quarterback on Friday nights, Kendrick begins the transition to receiver on the next level and his audition at the Army Bowl was terrific. Kendrick is explosive after the catch and quickly pulls away from defenders. His ability to wiggle away from tacklers was among the best throughout practice and his hands are natural. The 247Sports Composite ranks Kendrick as the nation’s No. 5 receiver. He joins a Tigers team that has a stacked receiver room but he will push to be a factor in Year 1.
Five-star Clemson defensive end commit Xavier Thomas was the 247Sports Alpha Dog twice this week during practice with his ridiculous edge speed, power and technique taking over segments of the workout. Thomas closes quickly on quarterbacks and ball-carriers. Thomas had a quarterback hurry in the game.
There wasn’t an offensive lineman that had a more consistent week than five-star Georgia signee Jamaree Salyer. He was the most dominant offensive lineman of the week, getting the job done at guard and tackle. Salyer created lanes in the run game, pass protects naturally and looks like an instant-impact player.
Texas safety signee Caden Sterns picked off two passes in the Army Bowl to put the finishing touches on a great week that saw him take the ball away often throughout the week. His diving interception during practice early in the week on a downfield pass in the end-zone was an eye-opener. The Cibolo (Texas) Steele standout was also a bit of an enforcer against the run. The Army Bowl game MVP ranks as the nation’s No. 3 safety per the 247Sports Composite.
When the nation’s top slot receiver Jaylen Waddle scored his fourth quarter touchdown to put the West up 17-10, he too spun the football like a top. The Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal receiver has elite quickness with sticky hands and shakes ‘em and bakes ‘em in the open field. He’s an alpha personality that wants the ball in his hands. Texas A&M is trending on the 247Sports Crystal Ball.
The most alpha-male reps of the week came from Penn State’s five-star linebacker/defensive end signee Micah Parsons who had two strip, fumble takeaways from the quarterback during Tuesday’s practice that were among the most memorable plays of the entire week. When the Harrisburg (Pa.) High standout has his chinstrap buckled up and ready to play, he’s arguably the most talented player in the country. He plays with a different kind of physicality than his peers and could shine as a defensive end or second-level defender on the next level. On Saturday, Parsons made a stop in the background and nearly picked off another pass that would’ve likely gone the other way for six.
3
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:29 am to TideSaint
Army Bowl: Winners and losers
quote:
SAN ANTONIO – The annual Army All-American Game is in the books and as usual the nation’s best prospects put on quite a show at the Alamodome. But who were the game’s winners and losers? We break down the best and worst from the day’s action.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:30 am to TidalSurge1
quote:
Sark to LSU seems more likely.
Right now it looks like Emsfinger at the very least Co-OC
I don't see it as a coincidence that their "insiders" started mentioning Sterlin Gilbert after regular posters did. If ATL keeps winning, LSU may not be able to wait on Sark.
Then there's the broken, poor souls who believe Kiffin would leave FAU to be OC to "troll Nicky Saban"
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:31 am to TideSaint
quote:
LOSERS
quote:
Alabama
It’s tough to ever say the Tide are losers, especially considering they’re about to play for the national championship and one of their future players Jalyn Armour-Davis had an interception during the game. But once again Alabama was left to watch as two players on their board committed to other programs on national TV. Rivals100 linebacker JJ Peterson made his pledge to Tennessee despite never visiting Knoxville, mainly because the Vols nabbed Jeremy Pruitt away as their head coach. And while Kelvin Joseph was a longshot for Alabama to steal from LSU, he’s a player the school has invested a lot of energy into recruiting over the past 12 months. Alabama will be just fine, but Saturday wasn’t a great day for the Tide.
This post was edited on 1/7/18 at 11:38 am
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:34 am to TideSaint
Rivals100 DB Kelvin Joseph breaks down his commitment to LSU
quote:
LSU came into the day with just four spots remaining in their 2018 recruiting class. After Saturday's Army All-American Bowl commitment from Rivals100 defensive back Kelvin "Fat" Joseph that number is down the three. The Baton Rouge (La.) Scotlandville native made his pledge to the Tigers during the nationally televised game and re-joined the class after three months on the open market.
"I was just waiting to see how everything would go after the season," Joseph said. "Once defensive coordinator [Dave Aranda] came back that made my decision easier."
Joseph said that he always was closest with the Tigers coaches, especially defensive backs coach Corey Raymond, but wanted to keep his options open in case something unexpected happened.
"It was a tight race with LSU, Florida State and Alabama," Joseph said. "Both of them were there but LSU is the place for me."
As a Baton Rouge native, Joseph said he always felt the pull of staying close to home and joining several friends, including four-star Tigers basketball commit Javonte Smart.
"We can be hometown heroes, that's what I always tell myself," Joseph said. "I could have gone anywhere but I would rather play in Louisiana where I can make my own name."
Joseph originally came into the week not planning on announcing a decision, but once an extension was announce for Aranda, he felt much more comfortable making his choice known early.
"If the defensive coordinator leaves you never know who else might go or if he might bring in a whole new staff," Joseph said.
Alabama and Auburn are still expected to receive official visits from Joseph prior to Signing Day but he added it's going to be pretty tough for those schools to make him change his mind. Joseph will sign his letter-of-intent on National Signing Day, Feb. 7.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:41 am to TideSaint
quote:
Don't be bringing that shite in here.
I don't fall into the camp that thinks Daboll is a terrible playcaller. A defense of Daboll isn't always intended as a dig at others. He deserves at least some credit.
By the way, as an aside- if you do step away from posting updates, be careful about who you recommend to take your place. Some people posting on here have had their shots on other sites, with those sites turning into dumpster fires. I appreciate the work you've put in, and would like for it to be carried on by a competent replacement. End tangent.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:42 am to MagillaGuerilla
quote:
If ATL keeps winning, LSU may not be able to wait on Sark.
LSU only has about 3 opens spots (1 off., 2 def.) left in their 2018 recruiting class. So, they may take a few weeks to make their OC hire.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:44 am to LockDown
I guess Nick and his staff will just have to coach up what they can get to sign.....Aight......
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:46 am to LockDown
quote:
By the way, as an aside- if you do step away from posting updates, be careful about who you recommend to take your place. Some people posting on here have had their shots on other sites, with those sites turning into dumpster fires. I appreciate the work you've put in, and would like for it to be carried on by a competent replacement. End tangent.
I'm just gonna throw a generic "frick You" your way if this a reference to me.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:47 am to LockDown
quote:
Some people posting on here have had their shots on other sites, with those sites turning into dumpster fires.
Who?
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:47 am to TidalSurge1
quote:
LSU only has about 3 opens spots (1 off., 2 def.) left in their 2018 recruiting class. So, they may take a few weeks to make their OC hire.
Guess that's true too, early signing period gets you out of those situations.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:48 am to MagillaGuerilla
quote:
I'm just gonna throw a generic "frick You" your way if this a reference to me.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:50 am to MagillaGuerilla
Maybe LockDown should take over for TS 
This post was edited on 1/7/18 at 11:51 am
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:51 am to TideSaint
Winners, Losers and Grades from the 2018 Army All-American Game (Bleacher Report)
quote:
The future stars of college football were on display in San Antonio for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which resulted in the West defeating the East by a 17-16 margin.
But let's be honest: No one cares about the final score. This was just an opportunity to see some of the best and the brightest go up against each other after a few years of destroying their high school competition.
For proof of the increased level of difficulty, No. 1 overall recruit and Clemson commit Trevor Lawrence threw more interceptions in the first quarter of this game than he did in the entire season for Cartersville High School. And the first touchdown of the game didn't occur until midway through the third quarter.
Still, we got a good look at some of the nation's top recruits and found out where six of them will be taking their talents this fall.
In recapping this all-star game, we'll start out with some individual grades before offering up a few winners and losers.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:53 am to TideSaint
quote:
Grades: C
quote:
C+ Grade
Charles Campbell, K (Indiana): Campbell booted the opening kickoff out of bounds at roughly the 10. Rather than taking the penalty, the East made him kick it again, returning the ensuing kick to the 35. Campbell also missed a 25-yard field goal, though it appeared to have been tipped at the line of scrimmage. He redeemed himself a bit by sneaking in a 32-yard field goal for the first points of the game.
Jarren Williams, QB (Miami): Williams had a couple of nice plays early in the game, hitting Rondale Moore for 15 yards on an out route and scrambling for 10 yards two plays later. Beyond that, though, he struggled. Williams was sacked twice by Aidan Hutchison, and on consecutive plays in the third quarter, he underthrew Mark Pope on go routes.
Anthony Cook, CB (Texas): Cook was involved in three tackles and one pass breakup, but he also had a boneheaded penalty. He was whistled for a facemask on a 3rd-and-15 play in which he tackled Jordyn Adams 10 yards shy of the first-down marker. Fortunately for Cook, the West was able to force a punt four plays later.
C Grade
Trevor Lawrence, QB (Clemson): Lawrence is going to be one of the best quarterbacks at the college level for the next four years. He threw for 40 touchdowns and just one interception this season and may well come in and steal Kelly Bryant's job with the Tigers. But this game was a nightmare for him. He threw two interceptions in the first quarter and fumbled twice—though the offense did recover both fumbles. He did have an impressive drive in the fourth quarter, showing off his incredible arm. However, it wasn't enough to salvage a disappointing afternoon.
Palaie Gaoteote, LB (USC): Gaoteote was involved in three tackles in the game, but there was one critical hit he shouldn't have made. On a 3rd-and-17 incompletion that would have resulted in a punt, Gaoteote was called for roughing the passer, hitting Lawrence for no good reason as he neared the sideline.
C- Grade
Phil Jurkovec, QB (Notre Dame): It was a rough game for all three quarterbacks on the East team, but none more so than Jurkovec. On his first would-be pass attempt of the game, he lost his footing and just fell to the ground without any defenders near him. He took a 15-yard sack on the following play. And his only pass attempt of the game was underthrown and picked off by Caden Sterns.
Josh Jobe, CB (Alabama): On what proved to be the game-winning drive for the West, Matt Corral and Jaylen Waddle were picking on Jobe. The possession began at the East's 20. Corral threw one into the end zone to Waddle. He drew defensive pass interference on Jobe. On the ensuing play, Waddle got wide open in the end zone near the sideline before getting in Jobe's face to let him know that he can't guard him.
Ouch.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:54 am to TideSaint
quote:
Grades: B
quote:
B+ Grade
Brian Hightower, WR (Miami): Hightower made four receptions for 50 yards, the biggest of which was a 24-yard comeback catch on a 3rd-and-21 play. He gets the unofficial assist for the West's final TD, as the score came on the first snap after that huge conversion.
Ronnie Perkins, DE (Oklahoma), and Ron Tatum, DE (Oklahoma): A tandem of future Sooners was involved in a 15-yard sack of Phil Jurkovec. Tommy Togiai (Ohio State) was also in the backfield putting pressure on the QB. Perkins got that sack, but Tatum had a nice play later in the game, knifing into a gap to stop a draw play before it had a chance to go anywhere.
Jaylen Waddle, WR (TBD): Waddle was on the receiving end of a 46-yard bomb from JT Daniels, as well as a two-yard TD reception from Matt Corral. He also drew a key defensive pass interference call to set up that touchdown. He finished with three receptions for 52 yards.
B Grade
Micah Parsons, DE (Penn State): One of the highest-rated players in this game almost made an incredible play. The West tried to set up a shovel pass over the middle, but Tanner McKee tossed it within the reach of Parsons, who almost snared it with one hand. He also had two tackles in the game.
Derion Kendrick, WR (Clemson): Kendrick had a pair of receptions for a total of 21 yards, but it was a rushing play that most stood out. And it wasn't even supposed to be a run. Kendrick got the ball on a reverse and looked to pass, but when he saw nothing but enemy jerseys on his side of the field, he ran back the other way for a 17-yard gain.
Raymond Scott, LB (USC) and Micah Baskerville, LB (LSU): Blitzes were supposed to be illegal in this game, but Scott and Baskerville came hard around the edges after Lawrence on a 3rd-and-goal play late in the second quarter. Though Baskerville technically wasn't involved in the sack, it was because he came flying into Lawrence's face that the QB spun back to get speared by Scott.
B- Grade
Jaiden Woodbey, S (Florida State): It pays to be in the right place at the right time. Brendan Radley-Hiles made a great defensive play to break up a deep ball. He batted it back toward the middle of the field and right into the hands of Woodbey, who returned it 25 yards.
Kelvin Joseph, S (LSU): Joseph led all players with six tackles and was a key part of keeping the East's offense from ever getting into much of a rhythm.
Jalen Green, CB (Texas): Green had five solo tackles and an impressive pass breakup, but he also muffed a kickoff return and got tackled at his own 4-yard line.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:56 am to TideSaint
quote:
Grades: A
quote:
A+ Grade
Aidan Hutchison, DE (Michigan): Though Caden Sterns was officially named the MVP of the game, it was Hutchison who made the biggest overall impact. The future Wolverine had two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and at least three other plays on which he ripped through the offensive line like it wasn't even there.
James Cook, RB (Georgia): Sony Michel and Nick Chubb will be graduating, but Georgia has one heck of a running back coming in to help replace them. Cook had a 16-yard rushing touchdown, a 10-yard receiving touchdown and more than 100 all-purpose yards in a game that was otherwise starved for action on offense.
Brendan Radley-Hiles, CB (Oklahoma): Radley-Hiles was one of the six players to announce his college decision during the game, but the soon-to-be Sooner also had two impressive pass breakups. On the first one, he batted a Trevor Lawrence deep ball to teammate Jaiden Woodbey. On the second, he tracked down Mark Pope along the sideline, turned, found the ball in the air, dove and swatted it away with one hand.
A Grade
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR (USC): St. Brown was easily the offensive MVP of the game. He made a nice back-shoulder catch on a slant-route pass thrown behind him, spun back and gained 31 yards. He also had a 17-yard TD and a 38-yard reception on which he fought through defensive pass interference to come back to the ball. He would've been an A+ if not for the 15-yard penalty for inexplicably punting the ball into the stands after that 38-yard catch.
JT Daniels, QB (USC): Though he did throw an interception, Daniels was the most impressive QB in the game. He had a beautiful deep ball to Jaylen Waddle in the first half that traveled 40 yards in the air. He also hit high school teammate St. Brown for a 17-yard touchdown just one play after converting on 3rd-and-21. Daniels also scrambled for 21 yards while the rest of the West roster combined for negative-two rushing yards.
Jordyn Adams, WR (North Carolina): The East only had 118 passing yards in the game, and Adams was responsible for nearly half of them. On the final drive, he was Lawrence's favorite target, hauling in four receptions for 32 yards. He finished the game with six catches and 56 yards.
A- Grade
Caden Sterns, CB (Texas): Sterns was named the MVP because of his two interceptions, but they were two of the easiest picks you'll ever see. Trevor Lawrence threw one pass directly to Sterns with no receiver around, and Phil Jurkovec underthrew a lame duck that Sterns returned 40 yards to set up his offense for the game-winning touchdown. But he also had a facemask penalty that helped set the East up for the game's first TD, for which we had to lower his grade a bit.
Ricky Person, RB (North Carolina State): Person led all players with 39 rushing yards, and he got 35 of them on one play. He squeezed through a hole in the line and had a nice juke move to break free and get the East inside the 10.
Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB (Alabama): On the lone mistake of the day by Daniels, Armour-Davis was the beneficiary. Daniels was under pressure and was committed to trying to get the ball to St. Brown along the sideline, but he neglected to notice the cornerback just a couple yards behind his receiver. Armour-Davis jumped in front for an interception.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:57 am to TideSaint
quote:
Loser: Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida State Seminoles
Six players committed to their future homes during NBC's broadcast of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. In chronological order, J.J. Peterson chose Tennessee, Chris Murray picked UCLA, Kelvin Joseph opted for LSU, Rondale Moore selected Purdue, Brendan Radley-Hiles decided on Oklahoma and Amon-Ra St. Brown will be headed to USC.
In all six cases, it wasn't much of a surprise. According to the 247Sports crystal ball, the only one with less than an 82 percent chance was Oklahoma at 77 percent on Radley-Hiles.
But both Alabama and Florida State had hopes of snagging at least one member of the sextet. Each powerhouse had a hat on the table for three of the six players, but neither the Crimson Tide nor the Seminoles added a new freshman in San Antonio.
Of the bunch, Peterson spurning Alabama has to sting the most. 247Sports had Alabama as the heavy favorite to land Peterson for most of the past calendar year, but when former Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt took the job as Tennessee's head coach, he convinced Peterson to follow him there.
Good thing Nick Saban is too busy preparing for yet another national championship game to be too upset about it.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 11:59 am to MagillaGuerilla
quote:
I'm just gonna throw a generic "frick You" your way if this a reference to me.
It wasn't.
Posted on 1/7/18 at 12:02 pm to LockDown
quote:
It wasn't.
quote:
MagillaGuerilla
quote:
LockDown
This post was edited on 1/7/18 at 12:04 pm
Page 969 of 1304
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News