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

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Much like his former teammate at St. Louis and cousin Tua Tagovailoa, Tuitele grew up a fan of the Trojans, his family is fans of the school, and he has visited USC more than any of the schools listed above. What’s even more surprising is Tuitele was just in Los Angeles visiting the school on May 12 and his teammate, Gino Quinones, committed to USC this past weekend.

But just because he released a top-5 list, it doesn’t mean that it’s not subject to change. Such is recruiting. Last year, Alabama cornerback signee Jalyn Armour-Davis didn’t include the Tide in his top-6 list to only commit to the team a few months later.

And USC is, without a doubt, going to continue to aggressively pursue Tuitele until he signs. He’s the best defensive lineman on the West Coast this year. But, with USC currently not in the picture, it’s excellent news for the Crimson Tide’s pursuit of Tuitele, because I certainly thought the Trojans were the Tide’s biggest threat.

I just wrote a story ranking the 10 likeliest commitments for Alabama last week. Tuitele didn’t make the cut, but he was one that I debated over in my head before writing it. With USC currently out of the picture — if I rewrote that story now — Tuitele would be considered one of the Tide’s likeliest commitments.

The reasons why Alabama should now be considered the clear team to beat have to do with his connection to Tagovailoa; having the quarterback’s parents just an hour away in Alabaster, Ala.; Taulia Tagovailoa being committed in this class, though he’s much closer to Tua; his strong relationship with defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi; and the team’s consistent ability to send defensive linemen to the NFL.

Tuitele is planning on committing to his school of choice before his senior season begins. You have to think that Alabama has the best chance right now to land him.

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Eight days after beating Georgia in the National Championship Game on Jan. 8, Nick Saban arrived at Palm Beach Central by helicopter to recruit Dent. A year before, Saban also showed up at the school to recruit Dent and safety Gurvan Hall, who ended up signing with Miami.

Dent said he knows he’s a priority to Saban. “When he recruits you, when he goes in and shows love, it’s real. He knows DBs,” Dent said of Saban.

He continued reminiscing about Saban’s helicopter landing on his school’s football field. “That’s a moment I’ll never forget,” Dent said. “It was a good visit. I liked it. I have a good feeling about it. I’ve got it in my mind.”

Dent said he plans to visit Tuscaloosa this summer. Alabama running backs coach Joe Pannunzio, who doesn’t get enough credit for being an excellent recruiter in his own right, is leading the charge for Dent.

What the Tide have done over these past few months seems to be working to some degree with him wanting to visit. “They ain’t really saying [much],” Dent said. “They’re just showing. They’re doing more action than talking.”

There are some things working against Alabama in Dent’s recruitment, though. His mother’s favorite school is Miami, and his older brother, Adarius, is a walk-on at Florida State.

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Nakobe Dean sets official visit

Nakobe Dean, one of Alabama’s top inside linebacker prospects in the 2019 class, told SEC Country that he will take an official visit to Alabama on June 15. The timing shouldn’t be a concern for fans, even though he has told SEC Country in the past that he would likely make his decision in December.

Dean has visited UA approximately five times already and it’s not too far from his home in Horn Lake, Miss., so he likely can return to Alabama during the season for games if he chooses to.

Dean’s recruitment is wide open, according to multiple sources I have spoken with during the past few weeks. He is a 5-star prospect and the No. 1 inside linebacker in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite.

If we follow his history of visits, Alabama is one of his top schools. He’s been to Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss the most. He’s also taken a couple of visits to Georgia, and the Bulldogs are definitely a contender for Dean. His brother attends Ole Miss, and he’s visited that school more than Bama and LSU. However, Dean is adamant that it won’t play a factor.

Depth charts also will not factor into Dean’s decision. He told SEC Country that he knows he must work to start at whichever school he attends. Inside linebacker is one of the Tide’s biggest needs after signing only one prospect in the 2018 class.

Alabama has a few things working in its favor. Dean seeks a school where he can compete against the top players daily, something the Tide can offer. He’s also emphasizing relationships. That helps the Tide too, because out of all the coaches he communicates with, inside linebackers coach Pete Golding is one of Dean’s closest relationships.

And arguably the most important thing to Dean is academics. He possesses a 4.7 GPA and is interested in majoring in engineering. Dean met with the head of the engineering department at Alabama and left impressed with the program. Because of his academic prowess, Stanford is a big player in Dean’s recruitment. If he ends up taking an official visit to Palo Alto, the Cardinal could end up being the team to beat.

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1. TEN BIGGEST COMMITMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK

Commitments continue to heat up and it’s getting harder already to name the top commits of each week. Here’s my best crack at it this week.

1. RB Devyn Ford, Penn State – By far the biggest commitment of the week, Ford is long-awaited revenge for Penn State for Kevin Jones picking Virginia Tech over the Lions way back in 2000. Yet another elite running back headed to Happy Valley.

2. CB Jeremiah Criddell, Oregon – A big, tall cornerback who is college ready right now will help the defense the moment he arrives on campus.

3. RB Sean Dollars, Oregon – A speedy back who can make you miss is a great fit for what Oregon wants to do on offense.

4. LB Lakia Henry, Tennessee – A big, nasty, downhill thumper at middle linebacker, he’d be higher on the list if he had more years to give and wasn’t a JUCO.

5. DE Brandon Smith, Penn State – He can play defensive end or linebacker or a bit of both and has the versatility that helps any defense.

6. LB Nana Osafo-Mensah, Notre Dame – A stand up kid at times who can also get after the passer as a blitzer or down the line with his hand in the ground.

7. DT Antonio Alfano, Alabama – A tough, cocky defender who can not only push the pocket but can also shoot the gap.

8. WR Ramel Keyton, Tennessee – Good size and downfield speed makes him an immediate impact guy for the Vols.

9. CB Tyler Rudolph, Penn State – He has very good size, is thick and filled out and could end up playing corner or safety in State College.

10. CB Marquis Wilson, Penn State – Long, smooth and cocky, Wilson doesn’t mind being on an island and has a good frame to grow on.

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A LOT OF LSU CHATTER

Ed Orgeron and the LSU Tigers have 10 commitments, but only four are from in-state prospects. Look for that to change. I spent time with a lot of the top LSU targets and talking with them and high school coaches all over Louisiana, it sounds as if the Tigers will add many from the Boot to their commitment list.

If LSU plays well this season, it appears to be in a good spot for Derek Stingley, Ishmael Sopsher, Devonta Lee, Trey Palmer, Ray Parker and Donte Starks. Those are two five-stars and four four-stars in their home state. There is even some chatter I heard when on the road that a couple have already made up their minds.

Stingley looks to be the closest to making a decision and a few plan to hold out all the way until National Signing Day in February. Some talked about the season and how they will watch how LSU performs in the SEC, so other schools will continue to work hard to convince them leaving Louisiana is better than staying. For now though, it looks like if LSU plays well in the fall, it could do a great job with the top in-state talent.

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