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

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NOA POLA-GATES: Alabama vs. Penn State

The four-star defensive back attended Penn State’s White-Out against Ohio State earlier this season and called it “spiritual”. Pola-Gates also had a phenomenal time at Nebraska in the last few weeks but the Huskers would still be considered an outsider as his recruitment winds down in the coming months.

The only other visit Pola-Gates has scheduled and is expected to take is to Alabama for its Iron Bowl match-up against Auburn. That is virtually guaranteed to be an excellent environment and it’s going to be the final visit for Pola-Gates, always a telling sign on where some recruits are leaning. The four-star is a top priority for the Crimson Tide in this recruiting class, he’s liked Alabama for a long time and who says no to Nick Saban?

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Brock Purdy is the new Hackenberg.

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ETA: Also, Tua doesn't "throw dimes". His receivers are open enough to adjust to the ball while it's in the air. The thing Tua is good at is not over-throwing receivers, and I think that's because he doesn't have a strong arm, he puts everything he has into those throws, he doesn't have to place the throw, which is harder to do. I think he has enough time in the pocket to let the WR get to his throwing limit and he chunks it. He under-throws A LOT, you just can't tell because the receivers have enough room to adjust. 

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One of the most unique athletes in the country for the class of 2020 has landed one of the most unique opportunities with an invitation to The Polynesian Bowl. Mt Juliet (Tenn.) High School product Reggie Grimes II will be in Honolulu in January of 2020 to participate in the 2020 Polynesian Bowl.

“The Poly Bowl was something I heard about when it first started,” Grimes said of the honor. “It was cool, but I never thought I would be playing in it. I get to learn about the culture and then play the sport they love to play. When I first started playing football when I was four or five years old, I never knew where it would take me and now It’s taking me to Hawaii so it’s a good thing.”

Already the Polynesan Bowl also features commitments from the likes of five-star quarterback D.J. Uaigalelei, five-star defensive end Sa'Vell Smalls, wide receiver Rakim Jarrett, and Hawaiian linebacker Jordan Botelho. The game also features alumni such as Oregon's starting true freshman left tackle Penei Sewell, USC's true freshman starting safety Talanoa Hufanga as well as a breakout star from last year's game in Oregon starting safety Jevon Holland.

Grimes is ranked as the No. 34 player nationally in the 2020 class currently according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s also ranked No. 1 in the state of Tennessee and the No. 3 weakside defensive end. He’s led his high school team to an undefeated regular season record with the playoffs approaching. He’s done it while playing defensive end, outside linebacker, wing back and split end. In the spring, Grimes put together spectacular testing numbers that included a 4.58 40 yard dash and a 4.25 short shuttle, among the most athletic testing results of any defensive line prospect in the country, regardless of class.

The 6-3.5, 220-pounder is the son of former Alabama and NFL defender of the same name. He holds offers from the likes of Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Clemson and Tennessee. Grimes said that among the schools that haven’t offered him, Florida, Miami and Texas would be a few that he still has his eye on.

"Those would be nice," he said. "Texas, that's a good program down there."

During the season, Grimes has taken visits to Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Louisville and Ohio State. He plans to visit LSU this weekend to see its matchup against Alabama.

“At the moment schools want me at defensive end, outside linebacker and a few people want me at tight end and running back. I just like playing football so wherever is good with me."

Grimes currently has three 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions to land at Alabama but says that he doesn’t plan to make a college decision until after his senior season.

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