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

quote:

---

Hank South put out a class estimate by position group:

2 QBs
1-2 RBs
3 WRs
1-2 TEs
4-5 OL
5 DL
4-5 LBs
4 DBs
1 K

Do we really need two TEs in this class?

---

quote:

---

I've been waiting on you to notice.

---

quote:

---

With Alabama missing out on signing an elite linebacker in the 2018 class, the Crimson Tide look to bounce back with 2019 5-star inside linebacker Nakobe Dean.

Dean, the nation’s No. 2-ranked linebacker according to the 247Sports composite rankings, is in search of the right school athletically and academically. At the Atlanta Opening regional, he mentioned to SEC Country that he’s looking for a school with a good engineering program. Dean has made an effort to meet with engineering professors while taking his visits. So far, he’s visited LSU, Ole Miss and Alabama this year.

In this SEC Country feature video, our recruiting experts at Alabama and LSU break down the latest on Dean’s recruitment.

Who is Nakobe Dean?

Dean is a 6-foot, 215-pound 2019 inside linebacker from Horn Lake, Miss.

Where does Nakobe Dean rank?

Dean is a 5-star recruit, the No. 1 player in Mississippi and the No. 2 linebacker in the nation, according to 247Sports.

When will Nakobe Dean commit?

Dean has not mentioned a timetable for his commitment, but there will likely be a decision in December, close to the early signing period.

What schools top Nakobe Dean’s list?

At the Atlanta Opening regional, Dean didn’t reveal his list of top schools, although LSU, Alabama and Ole Miss should be considered to be in his top group.

---

quote:

---

Despite his distance from the mainland, Faatui Tuitele has been as active on the recruiting trail as any prospect out West, making several unofficial visits to prominent national programs ahead of the spring evaluation period.

The 6-foot-4, 299-pound prospect, who ranks No. 25 overall in the 2019 class and No. 2 among defensive tackles, per the 247Sports Composite, visited Ohio State and Alabama last week and told 247Sports both trips -- his first to each campus -- opened his eyes.

"What I actually loved about last week’s visits was that I got to experience two programs who were similar yet different," the five-star lineman from Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis said. "They each had something unique that made them special. My family and I absolutely loved those two visits. They definitely made an impression on me.

"Bama and Ohio State see me playing all over on the line. From the 1-technique, 3-tech, to 5-, 7- and 9-tech. They feel I am versatile and athletic enough to do so."

Both the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes offered Tuitele while he was on campus, putting his tally past the three-dozen mark. While in Tuscaloosa, Tuitele was able to spend time with former high school teammate and national championship game hero, Tua Tagovailoa.

"It was good catching up with Tua and his family," Tuitele said. "I got to eat dinner with his parents, uncle Galu and aunty Diane, for the two days I was there. They told my parents and I about the many good things about Bama and what they do for their kids. It was good seeing them."

From there, Tuitele headed up to Columbus to see what the Buckeyes had in store.

"Ohio State is all about family," Tuitele said. "Coach Urban Meyer, coach Larry Johnson -- all of them. They were very welcoming to my family and I. Meeting coach Meyer was crazy, honestly. I never thought I’d be sitting in a room talking to him. Everyone knows he is an awesome coach, but little do they know that he is an even greater person. I got to watch film with coach Johnson and he gave me some tips and broke down things I could improve on, which was what I needed. Hearing it from him was great. I got to talk to Hiram DeFries, who they call “Uncle.” He is from Hawaii, so that was good too. I got to meet Tommy Togiai as well and it’s good to see Polys on the East Coast. It’s rare."

Before the most recent swing, Tuitele visited LSU, Oklahoma and Texas in the span of four days during his spring break last month and he's previously been to a number of the West Coast schools as well. There are a handful of programs pushing the hardest for the dominant tackle heading into the spring and Tuitele is beginning to sort through potential official visit destinations.

"Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, USC, LSU, Florida, Oregon, Washington, Penn State, Notre Dame, Texas and others," he said. "I have not scheduled any official visits yet. I will sit down and talk with my family on what five schools I want to do that for.

"I will try to hopefully cut my list by the summer and commit before the season starts in August."

Tuitele is the top-rated prospect, per the 247Sports Composite, in a loaded 2019 class in the state of Hawaii. He has committed to play in both the All-American Bowl in San Antonio and the Polynesian Bowl early next year.

---