re: 2018 Football Recruiting Thread -- Final OP Update Edition

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Where will Alabama’s and Auburn’s top targets commit to come signing day?

Alabama and Auburn always fight over a handful of recruits each recruiting cycle, and the 2018 class is no different.

SEC Country’s Alabama recruiting reporter Chris Kirschner and I give our prediction on where some of the teams’ top targets will sign come National Signing Day in February.

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Andres Fox, 3-star DE, Mobile (Ala.) Christian

Kirschner: Andres Fox is down to four schools: Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Stanford. I think this is an Iron Bowl battle, though. Fox grew up a Crimson Tide fan, and he has previously told SEC Country that his parents want him to choose Alabama. The Tide have a serious need for defensive linemen this class and the team has made him a giant priority. I think he chooses Alabama.

Wolk: Fox’s decision will come down to one of the in-state schools — Auburn or Alabama. There seems to be a sense of confidence from both sides of the Iron Bowl with this one. The Tigers feel good about landing Fox, but the numbers game comes into play here, as well. Auburn already has three defensive linemen committed with another likely to join in December. Fox might not be able to wait until National Signing Day like he wants to secure his spot, but maybe that’s what the “silent commitment” is for. In the end, however, I do expect Fox chooses Auburn over Alabama.

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Asa Martin, 4-star RB, Austin (Decatur, Ala.) — committed to Auburn

Kirschner: Asa Martin committed to Auburn over Alabama. It was a blow to the Tide because he was the team’s top running back target at the time. The only way I see Martin flipping to Alabama is if Gus Malzahn leaves for another job.

Wolk: Auburn has had a few major splashes in the 2018 class, but the biggest might’ve been beating out Alabama for Martin. He’s the top running back in Alabama, and both schools wanted him badly at the time of his commitment. The Crimson Tide are still hosting him on visits in case Martin has a change of heart, but don’t anticipate that happening. He’s become the vocal centerpiece for Auburn’s 2018 class.

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JJ Peterson, 4-star LB, Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.)

Kirschner: If JJ Peterson doesn’t commit to Alabama at some point, it would be a big shock. The Tide have been his leader for more than a year, and his head coach, Rush Propst, told SEC Country that teams have started to back off recruiting him because they think he’s a near lock to Alabama.

Wolk: This was one Auburn hung around for at the beginning, mainly because of Peterson’s strong relationship with linebackers coach Travis Williams. But Alabama wasn’t going to be beaten for this one. As Kirschner wrote last week, Auburn and other programs have begun to back off of Peterson with the understanding he’s Alabama bound.

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Saivion Smith, 4-star CB, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC (Perkinston, Miss.)

Kirschner: Saivion Smith has been a major target for Alabama since he was offered in August. With the Tide needing a cornerback who could step in immediately and start next season, I think the former LSU cornerback is Alabama’s to lose.

Wolk: Auburn has a gaping hole coming up at cornerback, and it’s something the Tigers want filled immediately in the Class of 2018. A junior college option makes the most sense to accomplish that. Smith is priority No. 1, but as Kirschner noted, he’s seemed an Alabama lock this entire fall. Auburn will host him for an official visit this weekend for the Iron Bowl and the pitch will be made clear. Still, I see the Crimson Tide pulling this one out.

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Quay Walker, 4-star LB, Crisp County (Cordele, Ga.) — committed to Alabama

Kirschner: I’ve gone back and forth on what I think Quay Walker is going to do. For several months, I had Walker pegged to flip to Auburn. Now, I have him sticking with Alabama. This recruitment could definitely go either way. The Tigers were always going to make this interesting with his good friend Markaviest Bryant playing for Auburn.

Wolk: There was a point this fall when I would’ve said Auburn for Walker. He was visiting a lot and hinting at a potential flip and his relationship with Williams, Garner and Bryant helped justify it. But the Tigers are starting to weigh all of their linebacker options a little bit more, and that has to do with less confidence Walker will flip. It’s not over yet by any means, but for now, I still peg him to Tuscaloosa.

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4-star OL Tank Jenkins
4-star WR Lawrence Keys
3-star ATH Michael Barrett
3-star DB Joe Foucha
3-star OL Hamilton Hall
3-star TE Tyneil Hopper
3-star DB Roger McCreary -- South Alabama commit
UR DT D.J. Dale

2019

4-star S Cortez Andrews
4-star S Trikweze Bridges
4-star RB Derrian Brown
4-star DE Eric Gregory
4-star DT Trevis Hopper
4-star ATH Tyron Hopper
4-star WR Kenyon Jackson (former LSU commit)
4-star CB Cam'Ron Kelly
4-star WR Ramel Keyton
4-star OT Jackson Lampley
4-star WR Shamar Nash
4-star WR Mark-Anthony Richards
4-star LB Ja'Len Sims
4-star CB Reddy Steward
4-star WR Quinton Torbor
4-star CB KJ Wallace
3-star DE Ahmad Craig
3-star S Kevin Harris
3-star ATH Peter Parrish
3-star S Ray Thornton
3-star LB Joko Willis
UR RB Tony Amerson
UR OT Howard Allen
UR RB Marcus Crowley
UR CB Rhasaan Christian
UR DT Jalar Holley
UR ATH C.J. Yarbrough

2020

4-star DE Sergio Allen
4-star OT Tate Ratledge
4-star ATH Kristian Story
UR ATH Dawson Ellington
UR ATH Jecoryan Davis-Hamilton
UR RB Jo'Quavious Marks
UR ATH Malachi Moore
UR RB Mecose Todd

2021

UR RB Armoni Goodwin
UR QB Aaron Mclaughlin
UR QTH Marquis Willis

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