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

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Saivion Smith recruiting Nolan Smith II 

Nolan Smith, a 5-star defensive end from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), is one of Alabama’s top overall targets in the 2019 class. Smith visited Tuscaloosa a few weeks ago and told SEC Country that the Crimson Tide have a shot to flip him from his Georgia commitment.

“It’s a big chance,” Smith said. “Both teams were just in the national championship and Alabama has a great squad and a great group of guys. They are known to put outside linebackers in the NFL.”

Saivion Smith, who signed with Alabama in the 2018 class, was back at IMG Academy this weekend for a 7v7 tournament — where Nolan Smith was also in attendance. That led to ESPN recruiting reporter Gerry Hamilton catching the picture below. Hamilton also noted that Saivion was talking up Alabama to Nolan.


Gerry Hamilton @HamiltonESPN
#Alabama CB @Saivion_1k talking up #CrimsonTide to #ESPNJr300 & #UGA verbal @SmithNoland2 at #NFA7on7 Southeast Regional, @IMGAcademy. For those that enjoy overreacting to what prospects are wearing, here you go -- 12:16 PM · Mar 10, 2018

Nolan Smith is considered the Bulldogs’ leader of their 2019 class. He grew up a fan of UGA and has thought about winning a national championship for his home state. But if any school can change Smith’s mind, it’s Alabama because of defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi.

It won’t be easy to change Smith’s mind. He mentioned 5-star linebacker Owen Pappoe and 4-star defensive tackle Travon Walker as players he really wants to play with in college. Both are considered Georgia leans.

So, I’m not too confident in Alabama flipping Smith. There’s a chance, and I think Alabama has the best chance to flip him out of Auburn, Clemson and Ohio State, which are the other schools he’s considering.

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Alpha Dog

When Homestead (Fla.) South Dade cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is locked in, there are very few, if any, defensive backs that make more plays. The 6-foot, 190-pound Stevenson was locked in Sunday and he recorded at least three interceptions and many more pass break ups.

Stevenson continues to prove he’s a talented cover corner during the offseason after showing he was a big-time hitter during the fall. His versatility to play every position in the defensive secondary is the reason Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Miami, and others are making him a priority this cycle.

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Top Five on Offense

2. WR Frank Ladson: The Homestead (Fla.) South Dade standout continues to look very fluid and fast for a 6-foot-3, 175-pound receiver. As the day went on, Ladson continued to improve and make more and more plays. Ladson consistently creates separation from defensive backs with his crisp routes, but it was his contested 50-50 ball he came down with in the end zone that stood out the most on Sunday. Clemson is in good position for Ladson currently.

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— Most schools are recruiting Lloyd Summerall of Auburndale (Fla.) as an edge rusher. On Sunday, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound prospect took reps as wide receiver. Summerall caught a jumpball for a touchdown, and later shook free from a cornerback to catch a slant. He showed the athleticism that has so many wanting Summerall to rush the passer. Florida, Florida State, Miami, and many others are after Summerall early.

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THE STORYLINE

With an early signing period and earlier official visits starting in the spring, the thinking was that earlier commitments would happen. That has not been the case as the 2019 class navigates through the new recruiting calendar.

If anything has been learned over the last few months, it’s that top prospects are waiting longer to make decisions, even with key dates being pushed up.

Only 21 percent of the Rivals100 have made their commitments so far and only one of the top 12 players nationally in five-star receiver Jadon Haselwood (Georgia). No players from the Mid-Atlantic and only two from the West, quarterbacks Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma) and Dylan Morris (Washington) have made pledges.

That number was below 20 percent before Saturday when four-star athlete Jordan Whittington committed to Texas and four-star athlete Marquez Beason picked Illinois. A string of commitments could continue as official visits start gearing up.

It has been a slow start to the recruiting cycle with fewer than normal commitments, especially among the higher-level prospects but are things about to change heading into the summer?

FIRST TAKE: CHAD SIMMONS, RIVALS.COM RECRUITING ANALYST

“I’m not that surprised. We are talking about the best of the best that are being pursued by elite programs. I still think it is early, even with the early signing period now in place. By the time the summer ends, this number will be much higher. Prospects in this class know they can take official visits this spring, so I think many will take advantage of that, then make decisions. And, even with the number of commits in the South being higher than other regions, many of those prospects are looking around just as much as the uncommitted ones. The number of commitments in the Rivals100 will likely look drastically different come Aug. 1.”

SECOND TAKE: MIKE FARRELL, RIVALS.COM NATIONAL RECRUITING DIRECTOR

“It’s because of the official visits. Now you have official visits in the spring, so kids are holding off so they could actually take advantage of that rather than just commit. It has to have something to do with the early official visits and the early signing period. That’s the only reason I can see the change.

“It will start. Between now and June there are going to be a flurry of commitments and we won’t even be talking about this then.”

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Daxton Hill

Early contenders: Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, among others.

Breakdown: As an Oklahoma native and an elite recruit, it’s no surprise that Hill is of utmost importance to both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. While the Sooners and Cowboys are off to good starts in their pursuit of Hill, they have plenty of company from out of state programs as well. Ohio State has been high on Hill’s list since the Buckeyes offered last year and he’s set to be on campus at Michigan next weekend. The trip to Ann Arbor will be one of several Hill makes but could be very important in terms of the eventual outcome of his recruitment.

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The 2019 class is officially on the clock and with the early Signing Period just about nine months away and the first opportunity for prospects to take official visits coming this spring, it’s time for recruiting fans from across the country to start familiarizing themselves with the class of 2019.

We at Rivals.com are here to help. Over the next two weeks, we will introduce the top five players at each position in the class. Today we take a look at athlete.

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Isaiah Williams

Early contenders: Missouri, Illinois, Notre Dame, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, among others.

Breakdown: Williams recruitment is still really just getting started in earnest as he has yet to take many visits and is planning quite a few trips over the next few months. However, Illinois seems to be in a good early position for Williams, hosting him for a visit in the fall and then again at a junior day last month. Like most prospects from the St. Louis area, Missouri is likely to be a factor as well, while Oklahoma and Michigan are both making Williams a priority as well.

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