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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:12 am to Taskrj
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:12 am to Taskrj
RB Najee Harris: 14 games
The former five-star recruit was Alabama's leading rusher in the national title game. He ran for 64 yards on six second-half carries during Alabama's comeback win over Georgia. The California product finished as the team's fourth leading rusher with 370 yards on 61 attempts with three touchdowns.
Before the title game, Harris had a few highlights against Fresno State (13 carries, 70 yards) and Vanderbilt (10 carries, 70 yards) in a game that featured another of his signature hurdles of a defender. Rushing attempts trailed off at the end of the year before playing a major supporting role in the championship win over Georgia.
The former five-star recruit was Alabama's leading rusher in the national title game. He ran for 64 yards on six second-half carries during Alabama's comeback win over Georgia. The California product finished as the team's fourth leading rusher with 370 yards on 61 attempts with three touchdowns.
Before the title game, Harris had a few highlights against Fresno State (13 carries, 70 yards) and Vanderbilt (10 carries, 70 yards) in a game that featured another of his signature hurdles of a defender. Rushing attempts trailed off at the end of the year before playing a major supporting role in the championship win over Georgia.
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Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:12 am to Taskrj
TE Kedrick James: 5 games
James saw practice time at defensive line before settling at tight end after the injury to 2016 starter Miller Forristall. He saw action in five games beginning with the Week 4 trip to Vanderbilt.
James saw practice time at defensive line before settling at tight end after the injury to 2016 starter Miller Forristall. He saw action in five games beginning with the Week 4 trip to Vanderbilt.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:13 am to Taskrj
WR Jerry Jeudy: 14 games
The latest star receiver from South Florida will be Alabama's top returning pass catcher next season. He was No. 3 as a rookie with 14 catches and 264 yards with two touchdowns. That trailed just Calvin Ridley's 967 receiving yards. Jeudy's first big game came at Vanderbilt with 68 yards on three receptions that included a 34-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa. He had at least one catch in the next four games.
Then against Auburn, the Deerfield Beach product had one of the few offensive highlights with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts. In the title game, he had a key 20-yard reception on the game-tying fourth quarter drive. With Ridley moving on to the NFL, Jeudy is the receiver to watch in Alabama's offense.
The latest star receiver from South Florida will be Alabama's top returning pass catcher next season. He was No. 3 as a rookie with 14 catches and 264 yards with two touchdowns. That trailed just Calvin Ridley's 967 receiving yards. Jeudy's first big game came at Vanderbilt with 68 yards on three receptions that included a 34-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa. He had at least one catch in the next four games.
Then against Auburn, the Deerfield Beach product had one of the few offensive highlights with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts. In the title game, he had a key 20-yard reception on the game-tying fourth quarter drive. With Ridley moving on to the NFL, Jeudy is the receiver to watch in Alabama's offense.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:14 am to Taskrj
LT Alex Leatherwood: 7 games
The five-star left tackle had one of the quietly crucial performances of the national title game. Starter Jonah Williams went down with a leg injury on the first series of the second half. In came Leatherwood who hadn't played many meaningful snaps.
The Pensacola product helped stabilize the offense for the comeback. Before that, Leatherwood saw snaps against Fresno State, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Tennessee Arkansas and Mercer (where he graded out at 88 percent). It'll be interesting to see where his role evolves with Williams, and fellow freshman Jedrick Wills developing at tackle with starting right tackle Matt Womack also set to return.
The five-star left tackle had one of the quietly crucial performances of the national title game. Starter Jonah Williams went down with a leg injury on the first series of the second half. In came Leatherwood who hadn't played many meaningful snaps.
The Pensacola product helped stabilize the offense for the comeback. Before that, Leatherwood saw snaps against Fresno State, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Tennessee Arkansas and Mercer (where he graded out at 88 percent). It'll be interesting to see where his role evolves with Williams, and fellow freshman Jedrick Wills developing at tackle with starting right tackle Matt Womack also set to return.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:15 am to Taskrj
DB Xavier McKinney: 13 games
A second-team safety, McKinney finished the season with 8 tackles (1.5 for loss) while seeing significant special teams action. He made two stops Week 2 at safety against Colorado State. He'll be a player to watch with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Hootie Jones departing from the safety position this season.
A second-team safety, McKinney finished the season with 8 tackles (1.5 for loss) while seeing significant special teams action. He made two stops Week 2 at safety against Colorado State. He'll be a player to watch with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Hootie Jones departing from the safety position this season.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:16 am to Taskrj
LB Dylan Moses: 11 games/2 starts
The former national high school player of the year was starting to hit his stride when a season-ending injury hit in Sugar Bowl practice. After injuries to Shaun Dion Hamilton and Mack Wilson, Moses (No. 8 above) found himself starting against Mercer and Auburn. He led the team in tackles both times with 11 stops against Mercer and 10 at Auburn.
Before going down in December, Moses showed flashes of potential as Alabama's next star middle linebacker. With Hamilton and Rashaan Evans graduating, he'll have an opportunity for a major role in 2018.
The former national high school player of the year was starting to hit his stride when a season-ending injury hit in Sugar Bowl practice. After injuries to Shaun Dion Hamilton and Mack Wilson, Moses (No. 8 above) found himself starting against Mercer and Auburn. He led the team in tackles both times with 11 stops against Mercer and 10 at Auburn.
Before going down in December, Moses showed flashes of potential as Alabama's next star middle linebacker. With Hamilton and Rashaan Evans graduating, he'll have an opportunity for a major role in 2018.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:16 am to Taskrj
DE LaBryan Ray: 6 games
A broken foot ended Ray's season prematurely after the Mississippi State game. The five-star from James Clemens High saw his first action Week 5 against Ole Miss. A week later came the highlight-reel moment at Texas A&M. Ray had a textbook sack for a loss of 14 yards. Ray finished the year with five tackles -- 2.5 for loss. The graduation of Da'Shawn Hand should mean an increase in playing time after Ray arrived last summer.
A broken foot ended Ray's season prematurely after the Mississippi State game. The five-star from James Clemens High saw his first action Week 5 against Ole Miss. A week later came the highlight-reel moment at Texas A&M. Ray had a textbook sack for a loss of 14 yards. Ray finished the year with five tackles -- 2.5 for loss. The graduation of Da'Shawn Hand should mean an increase in playing time after Ray arrived last summer.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:16 am to Taskrj
Early look at a 2020 kid from West Monroe. Kid is electric with the ball. Crazy how good he was at returns as just a sophomore.
Max Hunter
Max Hunter
This post was edited on 1/13/18 at 9:18 am
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:17 am to Taskrj
RB Brian Robinson: 11 games
The Tuscaloosa native showed flashes in reserve duty playing in a crowded backfield this fall. Robinson (No. 24) ran for 165 yards on 24 attempts (6.9-yard average) with two touchdowns. A season-high 51 yards on five carries came at Vanderbilt in his SEC debut. That included a 17-yard touchdown, his longest run of the year.
Robinson added a 50-yard game against Mercer with his second touchdown of the season. The surprise return of Damien Harris doesn't free up as many carries as expected for the versatile Hillcrest graduate who was known for catching passes from the backfield in high school.
The Tuscaloosa native showed flashes in reserve duty playing in a crowded backfield this fall. Robinson (No. 24) ran for 165 yards on 24 attempts (6.9-yard average) with two touchdowns. A season-high 51 yards on five carries came at Vanderbilt in his SEC debut. That included a 17-yard touchdown, his longest run of the year.
Robinson added a 50-yard game against Mercer with his second touchdown of the season. The surprise return of Damien Harris doesn't free up as many carries as expected for the versatile Hillcrest graduate who was known for catching passes from the backfield in high school.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:18 am to Taskrj
WR DeVonta Smith: 14 games
Regardless of what happens from here, DeVonta Smith will forever own a piece of Alabama history. His 41-yard game-winning catch to clinch the national championship was a piece of football art that'll live on forever. It was actually his second game winner of the season after pulling in a 26-yard touchdown in the closing seconds at Mississippi State.
Smith totaled eight catches and 160 yards as a rookie with three touchdowns.
Regardless of what happens from here, DeVonta Smith will forever own a piece of Alabama history. His 41-yard game-winning catch to clinch the national championship was a piece of football art that'll live on forever. It was actually his second game winner of the season after pulling in a 26-yard touchdown in the closing seconds at Mississippi State.
Smith totaled eight catches and 160 yards as a rookie with three touchdowns.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:19 am to Taskrj
QB Tua Tagovailoa: 9 games
Not much more can be said that hasn't been already. The lefty from Hawaii rescued Alabama's flat offense to lead the second-half turnaround that won the national championship. The three touchdowns on 14-for-24 passing made Tagovailoa an instant Alabama hero. The threw for 166 yards in the second half in Atlanta.
For the season, Tagovailoa was 49 of 77 (63.6 percent) with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. He's also a mobile threat (27 runs, 133 yards and two touchdowns) who made would-be sackers look bad at Vanderbilt and again against Georgia. The final act was a compelling argument for the No. 1 QB role when spring practice opens in March.
Not much more can be said that hasn't been already. The lefty from Hawaii rescued Alabama's flat offense to lead the second-half turnaround that won the national championship. The three touchdowns on 14-for-24 passing made Tagovailoa an instant Alabama hero. The threw for 166 yards in the second half in Atlanta.
For the season, Tagovailoa was 49 of 77 (63.6 percent) with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. He's also a mobile threat (27 runs, 133 yards and two touchdowns) who made would-be sackers look bad at Vanderbilt and again against Georgia. The final act was a compelling argument for the No. 1 QB role when spring practice opens in March.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:20 am to Taskrj
TE Major Tennison: 5 games
The reserve from Flint, Texas caught two passes with a long of 21 against Mercer. Tennison's role increased somewhat after the injury to Miller Forristall.
The reserve from Flint, Texas caught two passes with a long of 21 against Mercer. Tennison's role increased somewhat after the injury to Miller Forristall.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:20 am to Taskrj
RT Jedrick Wills: 10 games/1 start
Wills had one of the rare freshman starts when he got the nod against Ole Miss. The Tide opened with a jumbo package that brought the Lexington, Ky., product off the bench. Wills will have an opportunity to compete for playing time in his first spring practice beginning in March after an impressive rookie season.
Wills had one of the rare freshman starts when he got the nod against Ole Miss. The Tide opened with a jumbo package that brought the Lexington, Ky., product off the bench. Wills will have an opportunity to compete for playing time in his first spring practice beginning in March after an impressive rookie season.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:21 am to Taskrj
DB Daniel Wright: 13 games
The hard-hitter from South Florida made an immediate impact Week 1. Covering a kickoff, Wright delivered one of the hardest hits of the season against the Florida State program to which he was once committed. All 10 of Wright's tackles came on kickoff coverage including four against Ole Miss.
The hard-hitter from South Florida made an immediate impact Week 1. Covering a kickoff, Wright delivered one of the hardest hits of the season against the Florida State program to which he was once committed. All 10 of Wright's tackles came on kickoff coverage including four against Ole Miss.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:23 am to Taskrj
Redshirted
The newcomers who did not appear in game action in 2017:
QB Mac Jones
WR Chadarius Townsend
WR Tyrell Shavers
DB Kyriq McDonald
LB Markail Benton
OL Hunter Brannon
OL Kendall Randolph
DL Phidarian Mathis
PK Joseph Bulovas
The newcomers who did not appear in game action in 2017:
QB Mac Jones
WR Chadarius Townsend
WR Tyrell Shavers
DB Kyriq McDonald
LB Markail Benton
OL Hunter Brannon
OL Kendall Randolph
DL Phidarian Mathis
PK Joseph Bulovas
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:37 am to Taskrj
Don't forget about Parks.
Edit: Sorry, haven't had my coffee. I thought there was a discussion on last year's class.
Edit: Sorry, haven't had my coffee. I thought there was a discussion on last year's class.
This post was edited on 1/13/18 at 9:43 am
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:37 am to Taskrj
Ten numbers from the season:
2 Consecutive seasons as a consensus All-American for Alabama S Minkah Fitzpatrick, who became the Crimson Tide's second straight winner of the Bednarik Award in 2017. Presented annually to the nation's best defensive player, the Bednarik Award was presented to Alabama DE Jonathan Allen in 2016.
Fitzpatrick also became the second Alabama player to win the Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the nation's best defensive back. Alabama's first Thorpe Award winner was Antonio Langham in 1993. Fitzpatrick earned unanimous All-American recognition in 2017 after tying for the final defensive-back spot on the consensus All-American team for 2016. Fitzpatrick became the fifth Alabama player to earn consensus All-American recognition twice.
The Tide's other two-time consensus All-Americans have been DE Leroy Cook in 1974-75, DT Terrence Cody in 2008-09, OL Barrett Jones in 2011-12 and LB C.J. Mosley in 2012-13.
2 Consecutive seasons as a consensus All-American for Alabama S Minkah Fitzpatrick, who became the Crimson Tide's second straight winner of the Bednarik Award in 2017. Presented annually to the nation's best defensive player, the Bednarik Award was presented to Alabama DE Jonathan Allen in 2016.
Fitzpatrick also became the second Alabama player to win the Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the nation's best defensive back. Alabama's first Thorpe Award winner was Antonio Langham in 1993. Fitzpatrick earned unanimous All-American recognition in 2017 after tying for the final defensive-back spot on the consensus All-American team for 2016. Fitzpatrick became the fifth Alabama player to earn consensus All-American recognition twice.
The Tide's other two-time consensus All-Americans have been DE Leroy Cook in 1974-75, DT Terrence Cody in 2008-09, OL Barrett Jones in 2011-12 and LB C.J. Mosley in 2012-13.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:39 am to Taskrj
6 Alabama players have run for 1,000 yards in two seasons after RB Damien Harris completed the 2017 campaign with 1,000. Harris ran for 1,037 yards in 2016.
Alabama's other two-time 1,000-yard rushers have been Johnny Musso in 1970 and 1971, Bobby Humphrey in 1986 and 1987, Shaun Alexander in 1998 and 1999, Kenneth Darby in 2004 and 2005 and T.J. Yeldon in 2012 and 2013.
Alabama's other two-time 1,000-yard rushers have been Johnny Musso in 1970 and 1971, Bobby Humphrey in 1986 and 1987, Shaun Alexander in 1998 and 1999, Kenneth Darby in 2004 and 2005 and T.J. Yeldon in 2012 and 2013.
Posted on 1/13/18 at 9:40 am to Taskrj
10 Consecutive seasons have featured Alabama in the No. 1 spot in The Associated Press poll.
The Crimson Tide held the top spot in 14 of the 16 polls during the 2017 season, including the final one, to lift its total number of appearances at No. 1 to 103, two short of Ohio State's all-time record. Alabama's streak of seasons at No. 1 is three longer than any other program has had since the AP poll started in 1936.
Miami (Fla.) was ranked No. 1 at some point during seven consecutive seasons from 1986 through 1992.
The Crimson Tide held the top spot in 14 of the 16 polls during the 2017 season, including the final one, to lift its total number of appearances at No. 1 to 103, two short of Ohio State's all-time record. Alabama's streak of seasons at No. 1 is three longer than any other program has had since the AP poll started in 1936.
Miami (Fla.) was ranked No. 1 at some point during seven consecutive seasons from 1986 through 1992.
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