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

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Class of 2019 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Commitment Watch [ON] OFF Edition

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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.

Blake Alexander @Alapanic
Reason behind his de-commitment? Doesn’t look like anyone is really surprised...

Brendan Gant, a 4-star safety from Kathleen High School (Lakeland, Fla.), de-committed from Alabama on Sunday night. And you’re right, Blake, this really wasn’t a surprise. I had been talking about Gant not being a part of this class for several weeks for two reasons.

First, Gant, the nation’s No. 5 safety in the 247Sports composite, committed to the Tide under the old staff. Gant gave his commitment to former defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley and former defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. Different coaches have different evaluations and different preferences. Gant was preferred by those coaches, while not preferred by this staff. That was evidenced by Gant, who was in Tuscaloosa last weekend for A-Day, not talking to a single coach. If you’re a priority for the staff — trust me — you will have ample time with the coaches.

The second reason for his de-commitment was because of his numerous trips elsewhere. From talking with him and others in the know about his recruitment, it seemed more likely that Gant was going to remain in his home state and play for Florida, Florida State or Miami. After visiting Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Gant visited Tallahassee on Sunday and de-committed shortly after his visit there.

To sum it up, Gant wasn’t going to sign with Alabama and will not be recruited moving forward.

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If true, for the most part, that strategy doesn’t appear to be working. “I hear about it all the time,” said King Mwikuta, an Alabama commit and 4-star linebacker prospect. “I just laugh at it. It’s BS. You don’t do that to another coach. I take offense to it. That’s going to be my head coach.”

Mwikuta has made his own evaluation of Saban. “Coach Saban wakes up at 5 o’clock. He’s the first person in there every day. He outworks everybody,” Mwikuta said. “He is still running around, playing basketball, out there running and doing drills with the DBs. Sum that up, and you tell me how long he’s going to be there.”

One uncommitted recruit had an indifferent reaction. “I’ve heard that from other coaches,” said Clay Webb, a 5-star center prospect considering both Alabama and Georgia. “And some people at my school say, ‘Why are you going to Alabama when Saban’s about to leave?’ I mean, if he did leave, I’m sure someone could follow in his footsteps. But as long as he wants to be there, I think he’ll be there.”

Elliott goes on to make the strong point that Saban’s offseason hires and promotions focused on youth and had significant recruiting connections, something that could be an indicator that Saban wants to be around for longer than just the careers of the players on his current roster.

Saban honestly is probably aware of and used to any and every tactic utilized to try to overtake his team in Tuscaloosa. And he still wins titles. So he gets the last laugh. And a ring.

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