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

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It's looking like we may actually sign Turnage. Weird recruitment timeline feeling. Reminds me of Deionte Thompson's recruitment. Guy that commits early but it just kind of feels like won't stick and then nothing happens.

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Rivals Rankings week:

Monday: 2019 Top Ten revealed

Tuesday: 2019 Rivals100 revealed

Wednesday: 2019 Rivals250 revealed

Thursday: 2019 position rankings revealed

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GORNEY'S VIEW: NOLAN SMITH

There is no question I like Thibodeaux a whole lot and that’s why he’s still one of the top prospects in the country, but after watching Smith dominate for IMG Academy the last two seasons, I have him as the top weak-side defensive end.

Smith’s aggressive style, relentlessness, toughness, determination to never be denied, his will to win, his leadership on the sidelines, all those things will be loved by college coaches and I can easily see him developing into a star in either the Georgia or Alabama defense. He remains committed to the Bulldogs, but the Crimson Tide is pushing hard - and there’s a reason for that. Because Smith is exceptionally talented and has that non-stop killer instinct that is so rare.

This is by no means a knock on Thibodeaux. I do think he needs to dominate more consistently, especially on the high school level, but his size is so rare, his get-off is so rare and his length makes him someone who could be a star for years to come. But after watching Smith and Thibodeaux multiple times in multiple settings over the last few years, I’d give the slight edge to the Georgia commit.

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THE STORYLINE

It might be hard to believe, but LSU has not finished with more five-stars than Alabama in its respective recruiting classes since 2007 - more than a decade ago - but this might be the year for coach Ed Orgeron and his Tigers.

LSU already has three five-stars committed in No. 1 overall prospect Derek Stingley, Jr., offensive guard Kardell Thomas and athlete Trey Palmer. The biggest fish left is five-star defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher from Amite, La., who has Alabama and LSU as his top schools, although he did visit Texas A&M this past weekend.

Currently, Alabama has the top-ranked recruiting class nationally and no five-star commitments. That’s right. With 18 four-star pledges in their 22-man class, the Crimson Tide lead the way. LSU is tied with Oklahoma and Auburn as having the most five-stars in one class with three.

This looks like the year LSU could beat Alabama for five-star pledges, but the Crimson Tide could also finish with a huge haul. Seven of the top-10 prospects nationally as of Sunday night remained uncommitted and at least four of them - OT Darnell Wright, DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, RB Trey Sanders and Sopsher - are serious about ‘Bama. Up and down the five-star list, Alabama is in the running with top kids.

Can Orgeron and LSU break the streak or will this be yet another year where the Crimson Tide beat the Tigers for five-star pledges?

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SECOND TAKE: MIKE FARRELL, RIVALS.COM

“Alabama will still win the battle. It will close strong. It’s a good recruiting year for LSU, it is doing a good job not only in-state but out-of-state. It had a good season, so it is building on that momentum, but Alabama is probably going to finish first and you’re not going to beat the Tide if they finish first.”

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Jerrion Ealy:

"I think Alabama wins 42-14. Their offense is on another level and their secondary is going to give the Georgia receivers fits."

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Ishmael Sopsher:

"Georgia has a great team, but I think Alabama wins 42-14."

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That can’t be Kendell Jones from Texas. He’s at Kilgore JC now. And only one offer (Southern Miss) on his recruiting profile.

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DJ Dale ran onto the field, and Pinson Valley called timeout.

Dale -- the 315-pound Alabama defensive line commit -- has moonlighted as a short-yardage running back this season for Clay-Chalkville, so it seemed appropriate for him to jog onto the field with the Cougars facing third-and-3 and the Pinson Valley 8 late in the fourth quarter of Friday's Class 6A semfina.

Dale, though, found a new way to show off his athletic versatility.

The beefy lineman took the shotgun snap, feinted a run up the middle and instead threw a jump-ball to a wide-open Joel Macon for an 8-yard touchdown pass.

"We just put it in this week," Dale said. "I was just happy to step up and make a play to help our team."

The TD pass cut Pinson Valley’s lead to 28-20 with 1:32 to go, but the Indians recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock and earned the 28-20 victory. The loss ends Dale’s high school career.

So, DJ, do you think Nick Saban will let you show off your passing skills for the Crimson Tide? “I hope so,” he said.

It’s the second straight season Dale has delivered an athletic play in the semifinals. Last year, on the same field, Dale turned a short pass into a 17-yard catch-and-run for the Cougars' only touchdown in a 31-7 loss.

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