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

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The biggest game of the season so far will be played Saturday in Baton Rouge, La., between No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 LSU. This game not only will have a big impact on the College Football Playoffs this season, but in recruiting, this year and the years ahead.

Rivals.com reached out to some of the top prospects in Alabama and Louisiana asking for their prediction on college football’s game of the week between the Crimson Tide and Tigers.

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LOUISIANA PROSPECTS

Bertrand Carrell: “To me, it will be a battle of the defenses. I have Alabama winning 28-26.”

Ashaad Clayton: “LSU 21-14.”

Tyrion Davis: “LSU comes out with a victory by a field goal, 13-10. The game will be intense all night.”

Jacobian Guillory: “I don’t even know. I do know it is going to be a great, electrifying game.”

Koy Moore: "24-21 LSU."

Trey Palmer: “14-6, LSU wins. You know we (LSU) are built different.”

Ray Parker: “I think it will be a very good, close football game. I think both teams will score the ball a lot, but it is hard to say who will win.”

Eric Reed: “It is going to be a good game and both teams will match each other because both have been dominant. I cannot tell you a score, but I think LSU wins.”

Jaquelin Roy: “I have LSU, of course.”

Ishmael Sopsher: “I can’t really say which. I am going to go over and enjoy the game. The only thing that makes it hard is, Alabama and LSU are so unpredictable. Both are packed with big-time players and coaches, so that makes it hard to choose one.”

Derek Stingley: “21-17 LSU is my prediction. I feel like it will be a low-scoring game. Alabama has not seen a defense like the one LSU has and LSU’s offense will put Alabama’s defense to its toughest test yet.”

Kardell Thomas: “I think LSU wins 28-21.”

Sedric Van Pran: “LSU has a great team right now and I think they will play Alabama tough, but ultimately I think Alabama edges it out by a field goal.”

Myron Warren: “I think LSU will win, 40-35.”

Brandon Williams: “My prediction is Alabama 24-17. LSU is coming off some emotional wins and for sure have momentum going against them. They have transcendent talent to beat Alabama, but I think this game will come down to who makes the least amount of mistakes. With Alabama’s experience in winning close road games, I will give them the edge to pull away.”

Joel Williams: “I know it is going to be a very close game, but I don’t know who will win. Both are in my top five schools.”

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1. LSU

The showdown between No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 LSU in Death Valley on Saturday night has huge playoff implications, but it will also be a big recruiting opportunity for the home Tigers. Whether by design or coincidence – the former being most likely, considering the coaching staff will be consumed with stopping the Crimson Tide – none of this weekend’s visitors are expected to be official. There will, however, be a long and distinguished list of unofficial visitors in the stands Saturday night.

Let’s start with the five-stars, because there are several. Cornerback Derek Stingley, wide receiver Trey Palmer and offensive guard Kardell Thomas are already on-board as commitments, though the latter has been taking official visits to other programs in recent weeks.

Other five-star visitors expected include defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher and 2020 running back Zachary Evans. Then, there is the developing storyline of Ed Orgeron trying to sway four-star quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa away from the team his brother will lead from the opposite sideline on Saturday. Tagovailoa is one of five 2019 prospects committed to Alabama expected to be guests of LSU this weekend.

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2. OREGON

In terms of official visitor numbers, Oregon likely ends up with the biggest group on-campus this weekend. At last count six prospects were expected to officially visit Eugene in conjunction with the Ducks' home contest against UCLA, including four ranked among the top 150 prospects in the 2019 class. Those prospects are California wide receiver Kyle Ford, Arizona defensive end Ty Robinson, Salt Lake City defensive tackle Siaki Ika and Los Angeles defensive end Stephon Wright.

Oregon has appeared in this preview section multiple times already this season, showing that Mario Cristobal and Co. are not afraid to utilize that Autzen Stadium atmosphere as a recruiting tool. And, let’s face it, Eugene is not the easiest or cheapest campus to get to for recruits, so official visits are necessary in many cases to expose top targets to that atmosphere. That was key in landing four-star linebacker Jared Casey earlier this fall, and something is obviously working because Oregon has the No. 2 recruiting class in 2019.

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The Early Signing Period is quickly approaching and teams are battling it out for top prospects. Here is a closer look at the top two-team recruiting battles in Texas.

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1. Marcus Stripling: Texas A&M vs. Alabama

Stripling is a tough prospect to read and he insists he’s still weighing several options, but many believe that if any school can beat Texas A&M for his services, it’s Alabama. The Tide are in need of defensive linemen and hold Stripling in high regard, but won’t hold their breath until he gets to Tuscaloosa for a visit. He will watch the Tide play this weekend in person, albeit as a guest of LSU.

As far as Texas A&M, the Aggies have been in pole position for Stripling for a while and he’s expected to be on campus for a visit again later this month. In recruiting, the old adage goes “follow the visit” and Stripling has been a regular in College Station over the past year-plus.

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Nakobe Dean

Visiting: Auburn

Nakobe Dean at one time planned to visit Auburn the weekend of November 17, but he moved it up a couple of weeks and the Tigers will have a big weekend. Dean is the No. 1 inside linebacker in the country and the Tigers are a true contender. Alabama received the first official visit back in the summer and Dean is set to visit Georgia next weekend. Many feel the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs are at the top of Dean's list, so this weekend is key for Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers. Like many AU recruits, Dean likes linebackers coach Travis Williams, the coach most call T-Will. LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M are three others still in play.

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Because Saban and Petito are sabotaging LSU’s recruiting efforts and specifically coaching / instructing Sopsher and his father how to act. We’ve seen this same scenario play out dozens of times only to result in a hat on the table and LA kids leaving the State.

Here’s a recent article on this recruiting subject and quoting Sopdher .... “I am going to take it down to signing day in February because I want to take my time,” he said. “I want to make no mistakes, you know what I am saying. Big decision. You got to take your time and you have to choose wisely because if you don’t choose wisely you might end up making a mistake.”

Sopsher has been presented with good options. He will have to decide between his state’s flagship university and the defending national champion — a program that may have stronger ties to his community. Sam Pettito, Alabama’s director of personnel operations, is a native of Amite and played football with Sopsher’s father, Rodney Sr., back in the late 1980s during a time when the Warriors — the city’s high school team — contended for a state championship......”

If the kid truly loved LSU and wanted to be the next Kevin Faulk, Leonard Fournette, or Devin White he’d tell Saban to “kiss my arse I’m staying home to help win a NC at LSU” ... IMO , the family has already been bought and they’re to loyal to Petito.

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