Started By
Message
re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 1/9/18 at 12:12 pm to Taskrj
Posted on 1/9/18 at 12:12 pm to Taskrj
Safe to assume Hurts transfers before next season, correct?
Doesn't that mean we have to sign a QB this class?
No way we go into next season with 2 QB's.
Doesn't that mean we have to sign a QB this class?
No way we go into next season with 2 QB's.
This post was edited on 1/9/18 at 12:12 pm
2
Posted on 1/9/18 at 12:14 pm to TideSaint
Alabama offer 'a dream' for Daphne junior CB Christian Williams
quote:
Daphne junior Christian Williams is gaining more attention on the recruiting trail and already has notched at least one "dream offer."
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound cornerback received an offer from Alabama last month.
"I always grew up watching them play and wanting to go there," Williams told AL.com. "To receive that offer was awesome. I considered committing at that point, but I still want to know more about other colleges as well."
Williams, a first-team AL.com Coastal Alabama selection, finished his junior season with 27 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. He starred on a defense that allowed just 119 points in 11 games. He also played wide receiver for the 8-3 Trojans.
"I thought he had a great year," said Daphne coach Kenny King, a former Alabama standout himself. "Christian was the only guy we had that played both ways. We utilized him a lot in the Bay Minette game on offense. On defense, we pretty much put him on everyone's best receiver and, as a result, they had a pretty quiet night."
Williams also earned a recent offer from the new Tennessee staff. His latest offer this weekend came from Ole Miss.
"I feel like Ole Miss is a good place," he said. "I talked to their coach (Defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff) and he told me they had four coaches that work with defensive backs. It's exciting to know they have that many guys that can teach you how to play on that level."
Willliams' other offers at this point include Arizona, Jacksonville State, Memphis and Michigan. He participated in the U.S. Army National Combine this week and was an honorable mention selection to the 247 Sports' All-Combine team. Baldwin County defensive lineman Albany Casey also was an honorable mention selection at the same combine.
"It was great for me to compete against all the good athletes from around the country," Williams said. "It was a big eye opener. It showed me just what I need to work on. I also realized the everyone is hungry to succeed, not just me. That will help me stay focused on improving."
Williams said he is not sure when he will make a college decision.
King said Williams has the talent and build to play either corner or safety in college.
Posted on 1/9/18 at 12:14 pm to phaz
quote:
Doesn't that mean we have to sign a QB this class?
I say just offer the damn kid from Arizona already and be done with it.
Posted on 1/9/18 at 12:16 pm to TideSaint
quote:
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound cornerback received an offer from Alabama last month.
I missed this offer last month. Here's his info:
Christian Williams Highlights
Posted on 1/9/18 at 12:21 pm to Taskrj
The dynasty rolls on: Alabama once again finds what it needs to win
ATLANTA — Clutching a water bottle in his left hand, Nick Saban donned a black hat announcing Alabama’s national championship and ascended the three steps leading to a platform placed at the 30 yard line of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. From there, looking down upon a riotous mob of players, coaches and support staff, he beamed. The smile spanned the distance from one ear to the other, contorting Saban’s face into an unfamiliar pose.
“I've never been happier in my life,” he said.
“It’s not just about winning a championship. I mean, I know that’s what you all write about and what you talk about and all that. But there’s more to it than that.”
And he cried — or, if he didn’t cry, Saban lost his typical composure. His smile dropped. His lips quivered. It was momentary, here and gone in a flash, but it represented the moment: Saban’s latest national title, the fifth at Alabama and his sixth overall, was the most improbable of all.
Meanwhile, senior defensive back Tony Brown sprinted across midfield and banked the turn toward the sideline while waving a championship banner. The Crimson Tide had returned to the summit of college football, so Brown replanted the flag.
“Last year, we had to watch the confetti fall on someone else,” said sophomore defensive back Deionte Thompson. “Now the confetti’s falling on us.”
In the tunnel leading into Alabama’s locker room, an Alabama staffer picked up Saban’s wife, Terry, turned her in the air and planted a kiss upon her right cheek. Terry Saban squealed. Running back Damien Harris sprinted up the concrete path with a message.
“People didn’t think we were supposed to be here! And we won ...” Then he added, kindly: “I love y’all. I love each and every one of y’all.”
In the locker room, one defensive lineman holding tight to a towel screamed to another, “They can’t do what we do!”
It was unlikely — the whole thing, and not just Monday night. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Alabama was not a powerhouse, or so it seemed. There were issues at quarterback. Injuries at linebacker. This team lost to Auburn, backed its way into the College Football Playoff, struggled to find a complete game. Against Georgia, the Crimson Tide trailed 13-0 at halftime and 20-7 minutes into the third quarter. They were on the ropes, and the Bulldogs were ready to wrestle away the crown. It wasn’t supposed to end like this.
“We’ve been through so much as a team,” said senior linebacker Rashaan Evans. “All of this stuff feels unreal to me.”
Then it was 20-10, then 20-13, then 20-20. Then, improbably, with a 41-yard touchdown pass on second-and-26, coming on the heels of a 16-yard loss, Alabama moved past Georgia in overtime. One year after Clemson broke their hearts, the Crimson Tide wouldn’t let another one get away.
But of course they didn’t. This is the greatest dynasty in the history of this sport, with five national titles in a nine-year span as proof, led by the greatest college coach to ever stalk the sidelines — that would be Saban. When pushed by Georgia, the dynasty rose to the surface. In the end, the Alabama dynasty may have been shaken by Clemson and temporarily wobbled by Georgia, but it would not be denied.
“We knew we were built for it. We knew we would not leave this field crying, red-and-white confetti falling. We wouldn’t,” sophomore linebacker Terrell Lewis said. “We were not going to leave this field without a win. We know what we felt last year. I knew I was not going to leave that field without a win.”
The end result was familiar. The Tide’s primary motivation — that no one believed in them — also rang familiar. The drive to prove the doubters wrong is a theme shared with each Alabama team, win or lose. It may just be that this team was doubted more than the rest.
“We knew that if we won this game, we could shut up all the critics,” said sophomore linebacker Mekhi Brown, who was involved in an unlikely furor on the sideline. “We feel like we’ve been disrespected the whole year. We felt like after Clemson we’d have our respect back, but that still didn’t bring any respect. We just had to win tonight to cancel all that. If we didn’t win it, people could’ve started questioning it.”
The path Alabama rode to the national championship, on the other hand, was unique. With this title added into the mix, the only constants of the five championship teams of the Saban-led era are the talent, the defense and Saban himself. Other teams steamrolled competition; this one scratched and clawed, and needed to be saved against Georgia by a handful of true freshman.
One was quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who entered the game to start the seond half and sparked the Tide’s second-half surge. Another was left tackle Alex Leatherwood, who replaced an injured Jonah Williams. A third was wide receiver DeVonta Smith, the recipient of Tagovailoa’s game-winning touchdown pass. Despite their youth and relative inexperience, the freshmen were ready — because they were prepared.
“This team is resilient,” senior center Bradley Bozeman said. “All the injuries, all the screw-ups, all the this, that and the other, we pushed through. And this game sums up our season.”
The decision to insert Tagovailoa — not an easy one, and one few, if any, other coaches in the country likely would make — should be a reminder: It might in fact be possible that Saban has not received enough credit for his work in building this dynasty. Twice in three years he’s made the right call when others would have been scared to roll the dice, with an onside kick that sparked a win against Clemson joined by the halftime change at quarterback. Saban, like his team, left nothing on the table.
“It shows you Saban is a mastermind,” Mekhi Brown said. “He knows how to put guys in great positions to make plays.”
Just hours earlier, Saban held the Crimson Tide in the halftime locker room while Georgia raced back onto the field and toward its sideline. Imaginations ran wild: Saban could be yelling, screaming, begging, pleading. But he was calm. Stay in your role, he said, and things will take care of themselves. We will not let this be taken away.
And then it happened. Georgia lost this game, and the Bulldogs will carry the weight of this disappointment for at least the next eight months – if not until the program finally gets over the hump and claims its own national championship. But Alabama also won this game. It won the game because it’s what Alabama does. The defining characteristic of this dynasty isn’t individual players, specific schemes or even Saban himself. It’s an ability to find whatever is needed. Alabama digs deeper than any other program in the country.
Again on Monday night, Alabama would not be denied. The dynasty continues, adding layers of history to an already unrivaled résumé. College football is split into two groups: Alabama first, and then everyone else.
“We’re a great team. We’re a legendary team,” Mekhi Brown said. “You can never question Bama. Never.”
ATLANTA — Clutching a water bottle in his left hand, Nick Saban donned a black hat announcing Alabama’s national championship and ascended the three steps leading to a platform placed at the 30 yard line of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. From there, looking down upon a riotous mob of players, coaches and support staff, he beamed. The smile spanned the distance from one ear to the other, contorting Saban’s face into an unfamiliar pose.
“I've never been happier in my life,” he said.
“It’s not just about winning a championship. I mean, I know that’s what you all write about and what you talk about and all that. But there’s more to it than that.”
And he cried — or, if he didn’t cry, Saban lost his typical composure. His smile dropped. His lips quivered. It was momentary, here and gone in a flash, but it represented the moment: Saban’s latest national title, the fifth at Alabama and his sixth overall, was the most improbable of all.
Meanwhile, senior defensive back Tony Brown sprinted across midfield and banked the turn toward the sideline while waving a championship banner. The Crimson Tide had returned to the summit of college football, so Brown replanted the flag.
“Last year, we had to watch the confetti fall on someone else,” said sophomore defensive back Deionte Thompson. “Now the confetti’s falling on us.”
In the tunnel leading into Alabama’s locker room, an Alabama staffer picked up Saban’s wife, Terry, turned her in the air and planted a kiss upon her right cheek. Terry Saban squealed. Running back Damien Harris sprinted up the concrete path with a message.
“People didn’t think we were supposed to be here! And we won ...” Then he added, kindly: “I love y’all. I love each and every one of y’all.”
In the locker room, one defensive lineman holding tight to a towel screamed to another, “They can’t do what we do!”
It was unlikely — the whole thing, and not just Monday night. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Alabama was not a powerhouse, or so it seemed. There were issues at quarterback. Injuries at linebacker. This team lost to Auburn, backed its way into the College Football Playoff, struggled to find a complete game. Against Georgia, the Crimson Tide trailed 13-0 at halftime and 20-7 minutes into the third quarter. They were on the ropes, and the Bulldogs were ready to wrestle away the crown. It wasn’t supposed to end like this.
“We’ve been through so much as a team,” said senior linebacker Rashaan Evans. “All of this stuff feels unreal to me.”
Then it was 20-10, then 20-13, then 20-20. Then, improbably, with a 41-yard touchdown pass on second-and-26, coming on the heels of a 16-yard loss, Alabama moved past Georgia in overtime. One year after Clemson broke their hearts, the Crimson Tide wouldn’t let another one get away.
But of course they didn’t. This is the greatest dynasty in the history of this sport, with five national titles in a nine-year span as proof, led by the greatest college coach to ever stalk the sidelines — that would be Saban. When pushed by Georgia, the dynasty rose to the surface. In the end, the Alabama dynasty may have been shaken by Clemson and temporarily wobbled by Georgia, but it would not be denied.
“We knew we were built for it. We knew we would not leave this field crying, red-and-white confetti falling. We wouldn’t,” sophomore linebacker Terrell Lewis said. “We were not going to leave this field without a win. We know what we felt last year. I knew I was not going to leave that field without a win.”
The end result was familiar. The Tide’s primary motivation — that no one believed in them — also rang familiar. The drive to prove the doubters wrong is a theme shared with each Alabama team, win or lose. It may just be that this team was doubted more than the rest.
“We knew that if we won this game, we could shut up all the critics,” said sophomore linebacker Mekhi Brown, who was involved in an unlikely furor on the sideline. “We feel like we’ve been disrespected the whole year. We felt like after Clemson we’d have our respect back, but that still didn’t bring any respect. We just had to win tonight to cancel all that. If we didn’t win it, people could’ve started questioning it.”
The path Alabama rode to the national championship, on the other hand, was unique. With this title added into the mix, the only constants of the five championship teams of the Saban-led era are the talent, the defense and Saban himself. Other teams steamrolled competition; this one scratched and clawed, and needed to be saved against Georgia by a handful of true freshman.
One was quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who entered the game to start the seond half and sparked the Tide’s second-half surge. Another was left tackle Alex Leatherwood, who replaced an injured Jonah Williams. A third was wide receiver DeVonta Smith, the recipient of Tagovailoa’s game-winning touchdown pass. Despite their youth and relative inexperience, the freshmen were ready — because they were prepared.
“This team is resilient,” senior center Bradley Bozeman said. “All the injuries, all the screw-ups, all the this, that and the other, we pushed through. And this game sums up our season.”
The decision to insert Tagovailoa — not an easy one, and one few, if any, other coaches in the country likely would make — should be a reminder: It might in fact be possible that Saban has not received enough credit for his work in building this dynasty. Twice in three years he’s made the right call when others would have been scared to roll the dice, with an onside kick that sparked a win against Clemson joined by the halftime change at quarterback. Saban, like his team, left nothing on the table.
“It shows you Saban is a mastermind,” Mekhi Brown said. “He knows how to put guys in great positions to make plays.”
Just hours earlier, Saban held the Crimson Tide in the halftime locker room while Georgia raced back onto the field and toward its sideline. Imaginations ran wild: Saban could be yelling, screaming, begging, pleading. But he was calm. Stay in your role, he said, and things will take care of themselves. We will not let this be taken away.
And then it happened. Georgia lost this game, and the Bulldogs will carry the weight of this disappointment for at least the next eight months – if not until the program finally gets over the hump and claims its own national championship. But Alabama also won this game. It won the game because it’s what Alabama does. The defining characteristic of this dynasty isn’t individual players, specific schemes or even Saban himself. It’s an ability to find whatever is needed. Alabama digs deeper than any other program in the country.
Again on Monday night, Alabama would not be denied. The dynasty continues, adding layers of history to an already unrivaled résumé. College football is split into two groups: Alabama first, and then everyone else.
“We’re a great team. We’re a legendary team,” Mekhi Brown said. “You can never question Bama. Never.”
Posted on 1/9/18 at 12:21 pm to TideSaint
quote:
and he told me they had four coaches that work with defensive backs. It's exciting to know they have that many guys that can teach you how to play on that level."
Do what?
Posted on 1/9/18 at 12:50 pm to remaster916
Why do you guys think like that just yo get your feelings hurt. They are highschool kids that aren't Bama fans. They won't see things the way we see them. Hopefully it helped tho.
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:00 pm to Tide or Die87
I may just be being negative but if I'm a recruit I'm asking Sabah why weren't these guys playing earlier(Tua and Harris).
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:04 pm to Tide or Die87
If any receiver saw Tua last night, they should want to play with him.
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:11 pm to remaster916
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:36 pm to Taskrj
Alabama's Kyriq McDonald collapses on sideline during game, evaluated in locker room
Alabama defensive back Kyriq McDonald collapsed on the sideline during the third quarter of Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship Game vs. Georgia with what was termed a ""non-athletic medical issue."
McDonald, a true freshman from Madison, was taken to the locker room via stretcher for evaluation. According to ESPN, he was conscious and alert when taken from the field.
McDonald did not play in Monday's game and was expected to be redshirted this season.
LINK
Alabama defensive back Kyriq McDonald collapsed on the sideline during the third quarter of Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship Game vs. Georgia with what was termed a ""non-athletic medical issue."
McDonald, a true freshman from Madison, was taken to the locker room via stretcher for evaluation. According to ESPN, he was conscious and alert when taken from the field.
McDonald did not play in Monday's game and was expected to be redshirted this season.
LINK
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:41 pm to Taskrj
'Still poker faced:' Top recruit Justyn Ross will make Signing Day Decision
By Ben Thomasbthomas@al.com
Is Central-Phenix City standout wide receiver Justyn Ross nearing a college decision?
If he is, the state's top 2018 recruit hasn't shown his hand at all.
"He's still poker faced," Central head coach Jamey DuBose said. "He's got his top three, in no particular order, but he hasn't released anything yet."
Those top three are - and have been for a while - Auburn, Alabama and Clemson.
4-star WR Justyn Ross sets visits to Bama, Auburn
Ross, a 6-foot-4 receiver from Central-Phenix City, did not sign during the December signing period and is among the nation's top uncommitted prospects.
The 6-foot-4, 201-pound Ross, a finalist for Class 7A Back of the Year in Alabama, took an official visit to Clemson in November. He is scheduled to go to Tuscaloosa on Jan. 19 and Auburn on Jan. 26.
DuBose said the plan is still for Ross to make his decision on National Signing Day (Feb. 7), and the event likely will be televised.
"ESPN called me about televising the commitment if Justyn had done it during the early period (Dec. 20)," DuBose said. "I've asked them if they still wanted to do it in February and they said they did, but we haven't set up the details on it yet."
Ross caught 37 passes for 730 yards and 13 touchdowns for the 12-1 Red Devils in 2017. He also returned a pair of punts for scores and played in both the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic and the Under-Armour All-American game.
A-List No. 1: Justyn Ross is the latest elite prospect from Central-Phenix City.
Profiling the state's top prospect:
DuBose said Ross has handled the recruiting process extremely well.
"He's the most humble person I've ever been around," the veteran coach said. "I learn things from him. He's as cool and calm as anyone I've ever met or ever been around. This process is not too big for him. He's a very mature 17- or 18-year-old. He's always been like that."
DuBose said he tells all his players to take their time when making a college decision. The same has been the case with Ross.
"I'm big on telling the guys the deserve to take all their visits," he said. "They've worked hard to be in this position and they need to take their time and not make a hasty decision on a college football weekend.
"Their future depends on this decision. Justyn's decision has added impact because, as I've said before, I think he has the talent and mindset to play in the NFL one day. So, he has that to think about as well as academics and fit at whatever college he chooses."
Ross is scheduled to be in Montgomery next Wednesday for the Alabama Sports Writers' Association Mr. Football banquet. The other 7A Back of the Year finalists are both from Thompson - quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and wide receiver Ahmad Edwards.
Ross ranks No. 1 on AL.com's A-List of the top 2018 recruits in the state and is also No. 1 on 247's composite rankings.
LINK
By Ben Thomasbthomas@al.com
Is Central-Phenix City standout wide receiver Justyn Ross nearing a college decision?
If he is, the state's top 2018 recruit hasn't shown his hand at all.
"He's still poker faced," Central head coach Jamey DuBose said. "He's got his top three, in no particular order, but he hasn't released anything yet."
Those top three are - and have been for a while - Auburn, Alabama and Clemson.
4-star WR Justyn Ross sets visits to Bama, Auburn
Ross, a 6-foot-4 receiver from Central-Phenix City, did not sign during the December signing period and is among the nation's top uncommitted prospects.
The 6-foot-4, 201-pound Ross, a finalist for Class 7A Back of the Year in Alabama, took an official visit to Clemson in November. He is scheduled to go to Tuscaloosa on Jan. 19 and Auburn on Jan. 26.
DuBose said the plan is still for Ross to make his decision on National Signing Day (Feb. 7), and the event likely will be televised.
"ESPN called me about televising the commitment if Justyn had done it during the early period (Dec. 20)," DuBose said. "I've asked them if they still wanted to do it in February and they said they did, but we haven't set up the details on it yet."
Ross caught 37 passes for 730 yards and 13 touchdowns for the 12-1 Red Devils in 2017. He also returned a pair of punts for scores and played in both the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic and the Under-Armour All-American game.
A-List No. 1: Justyn Ross is the latest elite prospect from Central-Phenix City.
Profiling the state's top prospect:
DuBose said Ross has handled the recruiting process extremely well.
"He's the most humble person I've ever been around," the veteran coach said. "I learn things from him. He's as cool and calm as anyone I've ever met or ever been around. This process is not too big for him. He's a very mature 17- or 18-year-old. He's always been like that."
DuBose said he tells all his players to take their time when making a college decision. The same has been the case with Ross.
"I'm big on telling the guys the deserve to take all their visits," he said. "They've worked hard to be in this position and they need to take their time and not make a hasty decision on a college football weekend.
"Their future depends on this decision. Justyn's decision has added impact because, as I've said before, I think he has the talent and mindset to play in the NFL one day. So, he has that to think about as well as academics and fit at whatever college he chooses."
Ross is scheduled to be in Montgomery next Wednesday for the Alabama Sports Writers' Association Mr. Football banquet. The other 7A Back of the Year finalists are both from Thompson - quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and wide receiver Ahmad Edwards.
Ross ranks No. 1 on AL.com's A-List of the top 2018 recruits in the state and is also No. 1 on 247's composite rankings.
LINK
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:44 pm to Tide or Die87
quote:
being negative
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:45 pm to Taskrj
So did the coaches really call Copeland after the game. That’s the way I read his Twitter.
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:46 pm to TideSaint
quote:
I say just offer the damn kid from Arizona already and be done with it
I'm starting to think this may be the answer too (assuming we can't get him to walk-on). I've watched exactly zero hours of his tape, but from y'alls description of him it sounds like he would fit the system we will be running under TUA.
Nobody else (remaining) we have talked about for QB in this class has given me a very warm feeling.
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:46 pm to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
quote:
and he told me they had four coaches that work with defensive backs. It's exciting to know they have that many guys that can teach you how to play on that level."
Do what?
It has to be tough for your job to revolve around high school kids. Alabama prepares you for the NFL as good as anyone in the country, I argue the best, and it is the only place that can say every player who has been recruited has competed for a title. I get it if you just like another place more, but it is so cringy for someone to pull the "prepare you for the NFL" card on Alabama. I also think the "Make your own name" pitch is even worse. That is what bad teams tell recruits that are insecure about going to Alabama.
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:55 pm to KareemAbdul
That Ole Miss defense was god awful. I don’t know how they could say that with a straight face.
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:56 pm to phaz
quote:
Safe to assume Hurts transfers before next season, correct?
Doesn't that mean we have to sign a QB this class?
No way we go into next season with 2 QB's.
Saban wants to sign a QB in this class. If we do, maybe Jalen can move to RB. It's a better fit for him, imo. And if Bo & DH both leave, we'll need another RB.
This post was edited on 1/9/18 at 1:57 pm
Posted on 1/9/18 at 1:58 pm to TidalSurge1
I hope Saban sees Anquan Boldin 2.0 in Jalen. Hurts has the body type and skills to mimic Boldin’s game.
Posted on 1/9/18 at 2:17 pm to 251_Dreaux
quote:
I hope Saban sees Anquan Boldin 2.0 in Jalen. Hurts has the body type and skills to mimic Boldin’s game.
Saban and his staff certainly have what it takes to figure out what's best and help Jalen make the most of his talents. I'd love to see him succeed big at whatever position he's best suited for. Imo, it's not QB tho.
Page 979 of 1304
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News