re: Class of 2019 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: That's a Wrap Edition

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Does Alabama really have a chance to flip 5-star Georgia commit?

Nolan Smith II, a 5-star defensive end from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), is expected to attend the event. Smith is one of the Tide’s top Jack linebacker targets in the 2019 class. He’s visited Tuscaloosa numerous times but has been committed to Georgia for over a year now.

Smith was back in Tuscaloosa last month for a visit and told SEC Country that Alabama has a “big chance” to flip him. One of Smith’s close friends, 4-star defensive back Jaylen McCollough, told SEC Country earlier this week that he believes there’s a chance Smith could end up playing college football at a school not named Georgia.

Smith chose to not divulge the strength of his commitment status in the interview linked in the previous paragraph. We’ll see what he has to say on Sunday.

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Two Alabama commits in action

Alabama will be represented at the loaded camp on Sunday with 4-star outside linebacker commit King Mwikuta and 2020 4-star cornerback commit Javier Morton expected in attendance.

Mwikuta is locked in with the Tide. He may take additional visits, but it would be a surprise to see him back off his commitment. SEC Country did a feature story on Mwikuta playing for his late mother. I suggest you give it a read.

Morton committed to the Tide under former defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley. Because Morton committed so early, it would not be shocking to see him reopen his recruitment. It’ll be interesting to hear how often Alabama is in touch with him.

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Next Five Defense

1. Chester Kimbrough, CB, New Orleans (La.) Warren Easton – His first two one-on-one reps of the day were a breakup and an interception and that’s pretty much the way his day went. He challenged the best receivers at the camp and was the only defender to regularly win against those guys. He’s got a loaded offer list but his recruitment is wide open currently.

2. Nakobe Dean, LB, Horn Lake (Miss.) HS – He’s a thumper and a striker on film but Dean showed a diverse skillset on Sunday. He was great in Cat and Mouse drill but he was also smooth in coverage and very good as a pass rusher. Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss, Georgia, LSU and Stanford are among the contenders.

3. Kevin Harris, DE, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson – A slender, speedy edge rusher, Harris was a poor man’s Nolan Smith as a guy that was just a terror off the edge. He’s a great fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense and Alabama, LSU and Miami are among his favorites.

4. Jaydon Hill, CB, Madison (Ala.) Bob Jones – Going through drills, Hill was one of the most fluid and effortless defensive back and he carried that over into a really competitive effort in the one-on-one portion. Visits to Georgia Tech and South Carolina are on deck.

5. Derrick McLendon, DE, Tucker (Ga.) HS – Similar to Harris and Smith, McLendon dominated with speed on the edge. His get-off was just more than any offensive lineman could handle. He didn’t even need a counter. Alabama, Florida and Georgia are among the favorites.

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Running back

- Atlanta local Tre Young out of Riverwood HS flashed in a big way in cat and mouse drills and as a pass-catcher. His only offer is from Appalachian State.

- While a lot of backs juke and dance in a cat and mouse drill, Daijun Edwards was the back that was making decisive, explosive realistic moves to run around and past defenders. He’s a thick, stocky back and a four-star in the class of 2020.

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Offensive line

- In what may have been the best position group of the camp, LSu commit Kardell Thomas could have easily been among the top 5 on offense. He’s got the strongest and most aggressive punch, maybe in the country.

- Clay Webb earned an invite to The Opening Finals and still looks like the top center in the country. He’s so tough and extremely athletic. As he adds mass, he will be tough to deal with on the next level.

- Harry Miller wasn’t the only Buford lineman that had a good day. Expect Riley Simonds to see his profile increase after a really strong showing.

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Linebacker

- Albany (Ga.) Westover linebacker Jamie Pettway really made a statement with his ability to close on the football and make plays in space. He’s got four-star upside pending film review.

- Kentucky commit KD McDaniel had some of the biggest wow plays at linebacker. He closed on the ball in a hurry and shows plus frame and athleticism. He was also violent with his hands.

- Expect Tyron Hopper to become a high priority recruit with some of the biggest programs in the southeast based on his overall frame and athleticism that he showed off on Sunday.

- 2020 product Quandarrius Robinson doesn’t have a lot of film to evaluate but his length and frame were among the most impressive among all the linebackers. He’s got outstanding athleticism and looks like a great fit in a nickel or hybrid role.

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BUFORD, Ga. - Nine were invited to The Opening Finals from Sunday's regional held at Buford High and there will be plenty more down the road as the camp in the Peach State had blue-chippers and future Power Five guys all over the field.

Five-star defensive end Nolan Smith leads the group, beginning his dominant day in testing with an insane Nike Football Rating of 141.18 which included a 4.51 laser-timed 40-yard dash, a 4.15 shuttle, 39-6 vertical leap and a 44-feet, 5-inch power ball toss. All that done in lousy weather. No defensive lineman was better in 1-on-1s.

Also headed to The Opening Finals to be held in Dallas in late June is LSU offensive guard commit Kardell Thomas, Top247 offensive lineman Clay Webb, Top247 linebacker Nakobe Dean, four-star linebacker Kalen DeLoach, Georgia's five-star receiver commits Dominick Blaylock and Jadon Haselwood, Top247 cornerback Christian Williams and cornerback Chester Kimbrough who came into the day as a three-star recruit but had the best performance in 1-on-1s of all the defensive backs.

Auburn quarterback commit Bo Nix was invited to the Elite 11 Finals to be held in June.

Alabama is the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite for Webb who also likes Auburn, Clemson, Florida and Georgia. Dean is high on Alabama as well as Ole Miss, Mississippi, Auburn, Georgia and Stanford among others. Similar to Webb, the 247Sports Crystal Ball is all Crimson Tide for Williams. DeLoach is visiting Florida State next and is also highly interested in Clemson, Michigan, South Carolina and Alabama among others as well. Kimbrough has 20 offers including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi State and Texas among others.

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NEXT FIVE DEFENSE

Lakeland (Fla.) Kathleen safety Brendan Gant appeared to be the top safety at the event coming in, and he was certainly it coming out of it. The four-star looks good on the hoof and can come downhill in a hurry with enough length and ball skills to make up for a lack of technical polish in space. He says he can play corner or safety at the next level, and was among the most physical--especially at the line of scrimmage--all afternoon long. Gant, who capped his afternoon with a leaping interception in half-skelly passing drills, was invited to the Under Armour All-America Game by NFL legend Deion Sanders after the event.

Fred Davis was among the most consistent cornerback prospects at the event, using his great instincts and length to affect the receivers' route. The four-star class of 2020 Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian Academy standout collected a pair of interceptions on the day and drew consistent praise from the coaching staff on hand for his hips and footwork. The in-state Miami Hurricanes are on his mind, though his next visit will be to defending champion Alabama. Davis was invited to Sanders' Prime 21 event following his performance.

Davis was the most consistent cornerback, but Fenley Graham made the most plays on the football. Another sophomore standout, the Lakeland (Fla.) prospect, picked off a handful of passes all over the field. He runs extremely well and has great leaping ability, aiding him against what was a large wide receiver group in Orlando. North Carolina and Southern Miss are on the early offer list.

Timothy Smith was another class of 2020 star to turn heads Sunday. The Sebastian (Fla.) Sebastian River defensive lineman is already a top 10 prospect at the position on 247Sports, equipped with better athleticism than one would expect ina 6-foot-4, 315-pound frame. He also comes with the sheer power and push of a classic blue-chip defensive tackle prospect possesses, with good bend and balance while making contact. Smith, who has an early Miami offer among at least a half-dozen others, was invited to Under Armour's Future 50 event following the effort.

Lakeland High was well-represented on this day, and Latrell Jean did his part on defense. The three-star defensive end beat plenty of blockers with speed and great quickness in short spaces, but he also played inside and worked well with power moves despite giving up considerable weight to nearly every opponent he faced. Jean holds several FBS scholarship offers, including, most recently, Indiana.

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