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

Something interesting about this class is it is on pace to be composed of the most 4* talent we have seen in a Malzahn class. Typically just below half of the class is made up of 4* talent with the rest typically being 3* & then one 5*

This year we are on pace for 0 5* but a class full of 4*. Put it another way, this class might lack top end talent but will be loaded with good to great talent

This obviously could change based off how AU finishes & how final ratings come out but just something interesting to see right now, especially with guys like Oladele & Schwartz possibly coming on board soon too. Both are also 4*s

New Rivals100 Released

HUGE jump for Asa Martin. He's now the #48 overall player. Here's where AU top targets stand in new rankings

#20 5* WR Justyn Ross
#27 4* QB Emory Jones
#48 4* RB Asa Martin
#68 4* LB JJ Peterson
#73 4* OG Trey Hill
#80 4* OT Richard Gouraige
#83 4* TE Luke Ford

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I thought we had Asa locked down?

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Is this a Bama bump joke?

Rivals100 Update: Risers and sliders (Rivals)

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RISERS

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RB Asa Martin

“Martin is a do-it-all running back. He will be able to run the ball between the tackles, on the perimeter and catch passes out of the backfield on the next level. He had 2,900 all-purpose yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior while averaging 11.2 yards per rush. He has hands like a receiver and a nice burst when he touches the football.” – Simmons

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KN says AU visited Emory Jones today

Ya I honestly can say I don't understand the RB rotation. My guess is there is stuff in practice we can't see that's causing concerns. Maybe they are struggling with the playbook? Or maybe they put the ball on the ground too much in practice?

I knew Barrett's season was done when he fumbled against ULM. Freshman who fumble don't play for Gus. Kam Martin sucks at pass pro but I agree he should have gotten more reps than he's gotten this season.

FWIW Asa is a pretty solid pass blocker for a high schooler. It will be interesting to see how he's used next year if at all. I am sure a lot of it will come down to who comes back & who is healthy. Remember we also get JaTarvious Whitlow back and he's a bigger, athletic body back there as well

I think you will see Martin be used more as a pass catcher his first year too FWIW

Well done

Looks like Martins Jr year at IMG was huge for his development. He’s good enough to win the starting job next season if KJ and Pettway are gone.

It appears Bama is going to their backup options on DL. Just offered Malik Langham. Solid player but no way Bama offers if they could have gotten someone like Coynis Miller

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How did Devan Barrett compare to Asa Martin coming out of HS?

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Honestly they are pretty similar players. Both in the 5'11-6'0" range weighing somewhere between 190-200. I think Martin has a bit more weight on him now then Barrett did at this time. Martin is probably the better receiver of the 2 while Barrett might be a bit faster in the open field (don't hold me to that tho). Both tho are guys with really good vision and move well laterally

Here's the Scout evaluation on Barrett FWIW

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Barrett is an instinctive runner that knows how to navigate in and out of traffic. He flashes great vision and cutback ability, and also does a good job of doing the little things, like switching the ball to his outside hand to best avoid any fumbles. His suddenness and ability to make cuts at top speed really soaks up my attention. With all of the success that Barrett's had on the offensive side of the ball, he might possess more long-term potential playing in the secondary. At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Barrett really welcomes contact and takes full advantage of the five-yard bump rule when lacing up the cleats at cornerback. He does a good job of knocking the receiver off their route, but has the instincts, ball skills and leaping ability to make a play down the field as well.

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And the same for Asa Martin

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Martin is a slippery ball carrier that shows impressive cutback ability and foot quickness while navigating through traffic en route to the end zone. He's an instinctive runner that's patient to wait for his blocks to set up, but can continue to work on his acceleration to break off some of those game-changing plays. Martin isn't the biggest running back across the map, but plays bigger than his size and has no problem putting his shoulder down. This is a crafty runner that can do a lot of things on the football field, but he's a high-character young man as well.

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Highly recommend checking out both senior tapes to get a feel for what kind of players they are

Devan Barrett senior season
Asa Martin senior season

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Just wondering how much better AM is than DB, or if he is?

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It's hard to really know who is better or not at this point. Personally, I am a bit higher on Barrett but that's only because I have been on the Barrett hype train since he was a junior in high school & I was following Tampa Catholic because of Nate Craig-Myers. I would not be shocked tho if Martin ends up the better player. He's had an insane senior season

Both imo are perfect fits for our offense. Maybe, just maybe, we can have a real 1-2 punch of similar backs. We will see...