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Posted on 3/26/18 at 5:52 pm to CapstoneGrad06
quote:
That’s me.
Most of the time it's me too, but I also qualify for the animal house description
Posted on 3/26/18 at 7:56 pm to Cobrasize
Several schools still trying to flip Alabama safety commit Brendan Gant (03/11/18)
Brendan Gant committed to Bama in December.
Brendan Gant committed to Bama in December.
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Welcome to SEC Country’s daily Roll Tide-ings, a rundown of everything happening in Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting with Chris Kirschner. Today, we talk the latest with an Alabama defensive back commit.
This post was edited on 3/26/18 at 8:17 pm
Posted on 3/26/18 at 7:57 pm to TidalSurge1
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Brendan Gant still has several suitors
Since Brendan Gant committed to Alabama in December, then-defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley left for the same position with the Oakland Raiders. One of the main reasons Gant chose the Tide was his bond with Ansley.
“I chose Alabama because of the foundation of the program,” Gant told SEC Country. “I had a really good relationship with Coach Ansley. I’m now starting to build a good relationship with [defensive backs] Coach [Karl] Scott. He’s a really cool guy. He’s young so he can relate to me more.”
Gant, a 4-star safety from Kathleen High School (Lakeland, Fla.), said Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami and Ohio State are the main schools that are trying to change his mind on his commitment to the Tide.
He’s planning on taking all five of his official visits, so the door is still open for those schools to flip the 247Sports composite’s No. 5 safety in the 2019 class.
“I never know what could happen in the future, so I’m still keeping my options open,” Gant said. “But, Alabama has me. As long as they stay how they are and how they’ve been, then I’m good.”
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound prospect will return to Tuscaloosa for the A-Day game next month. He doesn’t sound like someone who is close to opening up his recruitment. He listed 4-star Jack linebacker Lloyd Summerall and 4-star tight end Keon Zipperer as targets that he’s actively recruiting to Bama.
Gant said he hears from Alabama at least once a week and their message has been consistent throughout.
“They tell me that they build legends and win championships,” Gant said. “I want to be a legend. I want to be a champion. It doesn’t really get much bigger than Alabama.”
This post was edited on 3/26/18 at 10:03 pm
Posted on 3/26/18 at 7:57 pm to TidalSurge1
Alabama’s plans at safety include possibility of losing commit (03/26/18)
Jaylen McCollough is one of Bama's top targets.
Jaylen McCollough is one of Bama's top targets.
quote:
Alabama finished seventh in the 2018 class recruiting rankings, but expect the Crimson Tide to be back on top in 2019. SEC Country’s Chris Kirschner will answer the Recruiting Question of the Day each weekday. You can ask him your questions on Twitter or on Facebook. Find our previous questions and answers here.
This post was edited on 3/26/18 at 8:10 pm
Posted on 3/26/18 at 8:00 pm to TidalSurge1
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What is the plan for safety for 2019 right now? - From @laquon1
Alabama has two defensive backs committed in the 2019 class in 4-star prospects Brendan Gant and Brandon Turnage. Both players committed to the Tide under former defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley and former defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.
These days in recruiting, it’s rare for a player to commit that early to a school and stick with that program and ultimately sign there. Both Gant and Turnage have taken visits elsewhere. With Gant, I don’t think he’ll end up signing with Alabama. My guess is he chooses Florida or Miami.
If Gant does go elsewhere, I think Jaylen McCollough would be a good replacement in the Tide’s class. McCollough, a 4-star safety from Hillgrove High School (Powder Springs, Ga.), has visited Alabama more than any other school. His recruitment seems like an Alabama-Auburn race right now.
I spoke with McCollough last week. You can read that update here.
Another defensive back target fans should know is Noa Pola-Gates. Alabama is recruiting Pola-Gates as a cornerback, but he could easily play safety if he ended up choosing the Tide. At the last check-in with him, Alabama was his leader after his first visit to Tuscaloosa earlier this year.
Duh, he spoke with Gant two weeks ago. You can read that update here (also posted above). Sometimes Kirschner writes pretty good articles, other times, not so much. Bama is in good shape with Gant (S), Turnage (CB/S), McCollough (S), Christian Williams (CB) and Pola-Gates (CB/S).
This post was edited on 4/2/18 at 11:17 pm
Posted on 3/26/18 at 10:16 pm to TidalSurge1
Taulia Tagovailoa admits it’s going to be difficult to turn down Alabama
Taulia Tagovailoa is a top target for Alabama.
Taulia Tagovailoa is a top target for Alabama.
quote:
Welcome to SEC Country’s daily Roll Tide-ings, a rundown of everything happening in Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting with Chris Kirschner. In this edition, we talk the latest with a 4-star quarterback with a well-known last name.
Posted on 3/26/18 at 10:16 pm to TidalSurge1
quote:
Alabama seems like Taulia Tagovailoa‘s future destination
BUFORD, Ga. — Taulia Tagovailoa participated in The Opening Atlanta regional camp on Sunday. The conditions were less than ideal for a quarterback, even more so for a quarterback who has lived in Hawaii for most of his life.
The temperature was in the low 40s, but with the wind chill, it was in the mid-30s. Tagovailoa wasn’t dressed like someone who spent most of his life surrounded by the pristine beaches of Oahu.
“I don’t know what I was thinking dressing like this,” Tagovailoa said, looking down at his shorts. “I guess this is a good lesson. It toughened me up. It’s really cold out here. It was hard in the beginning. It took me a little while to settle in.”
Tagovailoa, a 4-star prospect from Thompson High School (Alabaster, Ala.), wasn’t named a finalist for the prestigious Elite 11 camp in the beginning of June. That honor went to the camp’s QB MVP: 4-star Auburn commit Bo Nix. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Tagovailoa get invited later.
If Tagovailoa receives an invite to the Elite 11 camp, there would be lots of eyes on him. His brother, Tua, won the Elite 11 MVP two years ago after a stellar performance at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.
And that is how Tagovailoa’s recruitment is going. There will be constant comparisons between the brothers. Taulia said he doesn’t mind when people compare him to Tua.
“That’s kind of natural,” Tagovailoa said. “I don’t really compete with anyone else other than Tua when it comes to football and school. Even when we are at home just playing games, I want to win. God blessed me with an amazing brother who I can compete with every day in every aspect of life.”
This post was edited on 3/26/18 at 10:27 pm
Posted on 3/26/18 at 10:16 pm to TidalSurge1
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Because of his last name, mostly everyone assumes he will follow Tua and sign with Alabama. That seems like a good assumption to make.
After Tua enrolled at Alabama in January 2017, the Tagovailoa family relocated from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, to Alabaster, Ala., to be closer to their oldest son. Family is of supreme importance to the Tagovailoas, and Taulia admits it will be difficult for him to choose a school that isn’t Alabama.
Chris Kirschner @ChrisKirschner
Twitter video
Taulia Tagovailoa with the TD pass to Auburn WR commit George Pickens.
3:50 pm - Mar 25, 2018
“It would be better for my family if I went there,” Tagovailoa said. “They wouldn’t have to travel to other places. We live only an hour away. A lot of things could benefit me if I went there. I think I would fit in [very] well. I would fit right in with my brother.”
His father, Galu, agreed with those sentiments. It will be tough on the family if Taulia does not follow Tua to Tuscaloosa. But that is not to say that Taulia is obligated to choose Alabama. He still is going through the recruiting process and evaluating his options.
“It would be difficult because we want to make things convenient for our family,” Galu said. “It’s hard to see myself or my wife flying somewhere else to see Taulia play or to watch Tua play. At the same time, it’s going to come down to which school is going to make him the player he wants to be.”
Outside of Alabama, Tagovailoa named Michigan, Nebraska, South Carolina and Tennessee as schools he is interested in. He said Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee definitely will get an official visit from him.
Unlike Tua, who committed in May before his senior season, Taulia is planning on making his commitment after his senior season, but he is not entirely sure of that yet.
This post was edited on 3/26/18 at 10:43 pm
Posted on 3/26/18 at 10:16 pm to TidalSurge1
quote:
Alabama is recruiting Tagovailoa a bit differently than any other recruit in the 2019 class because of how often he is in Tuscaloosa hanging out with his brother. Tagovailoa said outside of Tua, he is closest with Najee Harris, Damien Harris, Jedrick Wills and Jerry Jeudy.
He is in Tuscaloosa almost every weekend, so because of that, the coaching staff has not needed to sell him on the school as it would with other recruits. There is not much recruiting talk at all between Taulia and the staff. He knows he is wanted in Tuscaloosa.
“It’s so much easier for him,” Galu said, comparing Alabama’s recruitment of Taulia to Tua. “He does a lot of things with his brother at Alabama. There’s really nothing for the coaches to say to him. We’ve seen it all. They’re an awesome staff. Winners find ways to win. That’s what they do.”
The nation’s No. 6 pro-style quarterback knows that if he chooses Alabama that he likely wouldn’t play right away. He is 100 percent fine with that because he thinks learning from Tua, who would be in his junior season, would be ideal.
Alabama is still Tagovailoa’s leader, and I’m not sure if that will change throughout his recruitment. The only way I could see it changing is if he decides that he doesn’t want to only be known as “Tua’s little brother,” which he does think about from time to time.
But he admits that turning down the possibility of playing with his brother, something he hasn’t done since the fifth grade, when he was Tua’s center, will be a challenge.
“I think it would be tough,” Tagovailoa said. “I have said from the beginning that I want to be my own person. This is just something I need to pray on. If God has another school for me to go to, then that’s where I’ll go.”
Chris Kirschner @ChrisKirschner
Twitter video
Taulia Tagovailoa with the long TD pass. 4-star CB Christian Williams in coverage.
3:40 pm - Mar 25, 2018
This post was edited on 3/26/18 at 10:43 pm
Posted on 3/27/18 at 7:27 am to TidalSurge1
Faatui Tuitele says he will be in Tuscaloosa on April 3rd.
Posted on 3/27/18 at 7:28 am to TideSaint
quote:
Chester Kimbrough also reports an Alabama offer and plans to visit for the first time this weekend.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Kimbrough said. Conversation with Tosh Lupoi, Karl Scott and Pete Golding.
“It’s Alabama,” Kimbrough stated. “Who wouldn’t want to go to Alabama. The competition and all of that, and the coaches hit me up almost every day.”
Posted on 3/27/18 at 8:16 am to TideSaint
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Spring game guests
The Gamecocks’ guest list for the Garnet and Black spring game on Saturday features a number of talented 2019 prospects who attended The Opening on Sunday at Buford (Ga.) High School, including:
4-star OG Keiondre Jones (Hogansville, Ga.)
4-star DT Jaelin Humphries (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
4-star S Jaylen McCollough (Powder Springs, Ga.)
4-star DE Curtis Fann (Twin City, Ga.)
3-star TE Tyler Fromm (Warner Robins, Ga.)
3-star DE Rodricus Fitten (Atlanta) – committed
LINK
Posted on 3/27/18 at 8:18 am to TideSaint
LSU finds new ways to appeal to 5-star LB Nakobe Dean
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LSU flaunts engineering program to Nakobe Dean
BUFORD, Ga. — Nakobe Dean has never received anything other than an A during his time in high school. In fact, the nation’s No. 2-ranked inside linebacker boasts a 4.7 GPA. That is not a typo — a 4.7 GPA.
The last time Dean earned a grade besides an A was in middle school. It was a B … in tech foundations class.
It’s safe to say that academics are a major piece of the puzzle when it comes to the 5-star Mississippi linebacker. He gets it from his mother, who is constantly preaching education and then football.
Dean just happens to excel in both areas.
Last weekend, the newly minted Opening Finals invitee made a return visit to LSU. Dean and his family took in LSU’s first spring scrimmage and then received a more substantial glimpse into the university’s engineering department. The head of professors gave the family a tour, then sat the straight-A student down to discuss a future in Baton Rouge.
“I want to major in engineering, so I got to talking with the head of professors,” Dean told SEC Country at Nike’s Opening regional camp in Atlanta. “One of the best things I heard, was that people who major in mechanical engineering at this school have an edge against anybody in the country. That appeals to me greatly. I feel like any of the schools I can get a great education, but I’m trying to find which schools prepare me best for the next level.”
Check the box “yes” for LSU in that category.
Secondly, Dean got a closer look at the Tigers practicing this spring. The 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker met with defensive coordinator Dave Aranda and discussed how he’d fit into the defense.
“The coaches reiterated how badly they want me,” Dean recalled. “I got to talk to Coach Aranda about how he’ll use me in the defense. Basically, the linebacker position. There’s two linebacker positions and I can play either one. He was showing who played the positions in the past like Duke Riley and Kendell Beckwith and how I’d be rolling through the plays.”
Dean also spent a good amount of time conversing with some of the current LSU players to get a better sense of how he would fit in with the culture in Baton Rouge.
Consider this a third checked box in the Tigers’ favor in terms of fit on the football field, in the engineering department and in the locker room.
“I had thought I’d seen it all, but clearly I didn’t,” Dean smiled. “I got to hang with the players more and it was great to get their perspective on things. They were being real with me — how I was going to live and your friends and who you hang out with. I liked that. They were real about it. They didn’t say they needed me there. They said if I came here, we’ll love you, we’ll do this and that, and if you don’t then it’s what’s best for you. They understood me.”
Posted on 3/27/18 at 8:19 am to TideSaint
quote:
Nakobe Dean outlines decision timeline
Expect a big announcement out of Horn Lake, Miss., in the next month.
Dean, the No. 25-ranked prospect overall in the 2019 class, will trim his impressive double-digit offer sheet down to at least 10 sometime in April. LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Stanford, Notre Dame and the in-state SEC teams are shoe-ins to land in the exclusive group.
“They are definitely making the list,” Dean said of LSU. “The SEC schools are definitely coming at me harder than any other schools.”
Dean indicated he’s made most of his unofficial visits to either LSU, Ole Miss or Alabama in recent months. He’s weighing his fit in Baton Rouge versus a hard push from Alabama coach Nick Saban and a “Mississippi Made” campaign in his home state.
A decision won’t come until after his senior season, but Dean offered this on why the Tigers are a strong bet.
“LSU makes me feel like a priority,” he said. “I have a great relationship with Coach Aranda. He’s soft-spoken. We don’t text as much, but on the phone we talk a bit. They all text, they all call, they all want me.”
LSU is putting itself in a strong position to get one of Dean’s five allotted official visits in the fall. As are Alabama, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Dean is still conflicted about getting out West to Stanford or to the Mid-West for Notre Dame.
Coach Ed Orgeron, who along with Aranda is spearheading LSU’s push for Dean, has a strategy to assuring Dean returns to Baton Rouge one last time before making a decision.
“Coach O is great. I text him more than Coach Aranda. We have a great relationship,” Dean said. “He always asks me what food I like and I always tell him the same thing. He keeps asking and he always says that when I take my official visit, we’ll make sure to take you out to eat at the right place.”
Posted on 3/27/18 at 8:21 am to TideSaint
quote:quote:
Two from 2019 in-state group set to visit Alabama
It’s been obvious for quite a while the top talent in Arkansas’ 2019 in-state class is the best the state has seen in many years. But just how many players deep that top talent goes is continually becoming more apparent.
Several of the top programs in the country have been coming after wide receiver Treylon Burks (Warren), tight end Hudson Henry (Little Rock) and offensive lineman Darius Thomas (Jonesboro) in the last year. Within the last few months, offensive lineman Stacey Wilkins (Camden) has joined them in having an elite offer list that continues to grow. Defensive end Zach Williams (Little Rock) looks like he’ll be next.
Williams was recently offered by Florida during a visit to the Gators’ campus. He’s set to visit Alabama this week with an offer from the Crimson Tide certainly a possibility. Wilkins has plans to visit Alabama next month and it also wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get an offer for him from the Tide.
Alabama is clearly the measuring stick in the SEC and across the country. If Arkansas’ No. 4 (Wilkins) and No. 6 (Williams) in-state recruits are good enough to get invites from the Tide, and potentially receive offers, that’s a great sign for just how strong this class could be for the Hogs. Of course, this is all contingent on Arkansas keeping the top talent from leaving the state.
Ouch
Posted on 3/27/18 at 8:25 am to TideSaint
5-star LB Nakobe Dean explains what made him ‘fall in love’ with Auburn
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5-star linebacker calls Auburn his most surprising visit
ATLANTA — Nakobe Dean has a go-to word when he describes Auburn: surprising.
The 5-star linebacker from Horn Lake, Miss., made an overnight trip to the Plains earlier this spring with high school teammate Raydarious Jones. Coming into the visit, Dean admitted he simply wanted to check out a school he hadn’t been to before. His tune changed drastically following the visit.
And he continues to have that special feeling about Auburn.
“Auburn, definitely Auburn [was the school that surprised me]. I went on a visit, and they showed me something different, how laid back they are and everything. I’ve built a good relationship with the coaches there. Auburn was definitely the surprising one,” Dean said. “They really impressed me. What really impressed me is I didn’t expect to fall in love with Auburn like I did.”
Dean’s initial communication went through area recruiter Marcus Woodson. He has since developed a similarly strong bond with Auburn linebackers coach Travis Williams. Dean hears from one of the two on an every-other-day basis.
Those interactions will keep the Tigers in until the end — which likely will last until after Dean’s senior season. He plans to sign during the early signing period.
“The people. It was the people. They really interested me how they acted, how laid back they were. I like how it would be,” Dean said. “They’re basically telling me how much they love me, how good I’d fit in their defense. But it’s not only how good I fit in their defense, but how good of a person I could leave Auburn being.”
Officially, Dean is down to a top-15 list. Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Stanford are the programs to keep the closest eye on.
Within the next month or so, he plans to narrow the list down, if he can.
Auburn is likely to crack that list, and he “definitely” wants to be back on the Plains in the near future.
As of right now: “They’re one of 15,” he said.
Posted on 3/27/18 at 9:11 am to CapstoneGrad06
Nakobe Dean Recruiting Update
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Nakobe Dean holds more than 25 offers and you can bet there is plenty more to come. He is the No. 1 ILB in the 2019 recruiting class and currently has Alabama listed as one of his top schools.
Alabama is currently in a great position to land the Missippi product. He chatted with yours truly about his recent recruiting moves regarding The Crimson Tide.
Dean visited Alabama in early February and it was definetely a success.
“It was great,” Dean Said. “I got a chance to meet and get acquainted with the new coaching staff.”
Alabama has made several changes to its coaching staff this offseason. Most noticeably, is the promotion of Tosh Lopoi and Mike Locksley to defensive and offensive coordinator. These changes have had a positive effect on Dean.
“I have a great relationship with Alabama’s new coaching staff,” Dean added. “An even better relationship than I had with the old staff.”
Defensive assistant, Pete Golding, has really stood out to Dean and is playing a huge role in his recruitment.
“Pete Golding is amazing,” Dean said. “I really love his personality.”
Dean plans to visit Alabama again next month on an overnight visit to get acquainted with some of The Crimson Tide’s current players.
Alabama would get a complete stud if they can land this elite linebacker. His playing style would fit right in with Alabama’s hard-hitting defense. Touchdown Alabama Magazine will keep you updated on Dean’s recruitment.
Posted on 3/27/18 at 9:13 am to TideSaint
Alabama Targets Added To Opening Finals Roster
quote:
The Nike Opening camp series hosted several talented recruits in Atlanta on Sunday. Alabama had several targets that stood out and receive an invite to the Nike Open Finals in Dallas, Texas. Here is a list of the Alabama targets that are headed to Texas this Summer.
Clay Webb
5-Star OC
Nakobe Dean
4-Star ILB
Christian Williams
4-Star CB
Kalen Deloach
4-Star OLB
Chester Kimbrough
4-Star CB
Nolan Smith
5-Star DE (Georgia Commit)
Posted on 3/27/18 at 9:22 am to TideSaint
Auburn weekend visitor updates
(247Sports-VIP, Keith Niebuhr)
Nakobe Dean, Raydarious Jones and Nathan Pickering cancelled their visits to Auburn last weekend. However, Christian Harris did visit them. Devonta Lee's visit unconfirmed.
(247Sports-VIP, Keith Niebuhr)
Nakobe Dean, Raydarious Jones and Nathan Pickering cancelled their visits to Auburn last weekend. However, Christian Harris did visit them. Devonta Lee's visit unconfirmed.
This post was edited on 3/27/18 at 9:34 am
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