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

quote:

---

Do we have to deal with your bitch arse all offseason?

---

quote:

---

Alabama commit opens up, plans Auburn official visit

Quay Walker will be a top priority for multiple programs in January. The three to consider closely right now are Alabama, Auburn and Georgia. Walker has been committed to the Crimson Tide since the summer, and that hasn’t changed. But pushes from Auburn and Georgia — and recent contact with new Florida and Tennessee coaching staffs — have made his decision process much harder going forward.

With Jeremy Pruitt’s departure from the Crimson Tide, it opens the door for all the other programs.

“Yeah, pretty much [still committed]. But, right now, I’m unsure,” Walker told SEC Country’s Chris Kirschner. “I was looking forward to being coached by Coach Pruitt. That plays a big role in it. And then, sometimes, I hear rumors about [defensive backs] coach Derrick Ansley leaving. That’s my main recruiter, so it’s all about coaches that I can trust and that I know I can go to just in case I can’t talk to my mom or something. I can go and talk to them. So, pretty much Coach Pruitt leaving, I heard rumors about Coach Ansley leaving and my heart pretty much changed a little bit. I’m not going to lie to you about it. That’s what happened, though.”

Auburn has been in this recruitment since the beginning.

Walker’s relationship with Auburn linebackers coach Travis Williams, as he’s noted multiple times, is stronger than it is with any other position coach in the country. He also has a close friendship with high school teammate and Auburn freshman Markaviest “Big Kat” Bryant that, he admits, will have an effect on his final decision.

Now, it’s time for the Tigers to finally seal the deal.

He will take his official visit to Auburn on Jan. 26. Walker also has officials planned to Florida (Jan. 12), Georgia (Jan. 19) and either Alabama or Tennessee the last weekend before Signing Day. As of now, I expect Walker to end up at Auburn or Georgia.

---

quote:

---

Anthony Schwartz will announce his college decision on television Thursday night during the Under Armour All-America Game broadcast. He’ll fulfill a dream he’s always imagined and has had planned for the last month.

As has been the case for a while, Schwartz is down to Auburn and Florida.

The Gators were the runaway favorite for the bulk of his recruiting process, but that tune switched amid the coaching change at Florida. Schwartz called Auburn his leader after the Iron Bowl, though he’s backed off that statement in recent interviews after the new Florida staff initiated contact. At one point, Schwartz — arguably the fastest recruit in the country — flirted with a Houston track-only scholarship, but his love for football eliminated that possibility.

The Under Armour All-America Game will begin at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Four commitments will take place during the the telecast. Schwartz has not yet confirmed when during the game he’ll make his announcement.

As for ranking, Schwartz is listed as the No. 28-ranked wide receiver in the nation and the No. 153 overall prospect. He has been known more for his speed than receiver ability throughout his recruitment, but Schwartz has altered that narrative after a standout summer and senior season that included another state championship at American Heritage in Plantation, Fla.

When SEC Country spoke with Schwartz at the beginning of the week, here’s what he had to say about each of the two programs in consideration.

Auburn: “I saw them throwing the ball a lot more this year and they had an amazing season. That got my attention.”
Florida: “I’ve been talking to Coach Gonzales and Coach [Ju’Juan] Seider. They still want me and they think I can be a big player in their offense. It’s just about having a good relationship. That’s what I had with the old coaching staff.”

The tone there certainly sounds like Auburn, which has been my prediction since Schwartz attended the Iron Bowl. My pick hasn’t changed.

[b]If the Tigers land Schwartz, it’ll move Auburn from No. 10 to No. 9 in the team recruiting rankings, according to the 247Sports composite. Schwartz would be Auburn’s 20th commitment, with 15 of those commitments already signed during the early signing period.

Despite his Thursday announcement, Schwartz plans to take official visits to Auburn and Florida in January. However, he said it’s possible he only ends up taking a visit to the school he selects Thursday.

---

quote:

---

NEXT FIVE ON OFFENSE

1. RB Jerrion Ealy: The Ole Miss commit was explosive and smooth going through drills, which then carried over one-on-one passing routes. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound back was simply too quick for linebackers cover, and that was on underneath routes and vertical routes alike.


2. WR Theo Wease: The Allen (Texas) product has good size at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, but he possesses good speed and looked fluid running his routes. Wease made several catches during one-on-one and seven-on-seven periods, especially working intermediate routes. Oklahoma, Ohio State, and USC are early leaders for the big-play receiver.


3. OG Deyavie Hammond: The Alabama commitment was another interior lineman that excelled during one-on-one reps. The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy bullies defensive tackles and delivers a powerful initial punch.


4. QB Bo Nix: The most consistent passer in the was this Pinson (Ala.) Valley signal caller. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Nix put the ball on his receivers frequently and was especially accurate on the intermediate throws.


5. WR Jordan Whittington: After a slow start, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Whittington started to find openings in the defense during seven-on-seven play for receptions. The Cuero (Texas) product is powerfully build and can carve out space for himself to make contested catches.

---

quote:

---

OTHER NOTES…

— Thousand Oaks (Calif.) Oaks Christian defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux is explosive edge rusher that stands 6-foot-4, 225-pound. He used that quickness to get to the quarterback in one-on-one drills.


— Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy running back Noah Cain is a powerfully build 5-foot-11, 210-pound back that looked effective as a receiver out of the backfield on Thursday.


— Everett (Mass.) safety Lewis Cine was active during one-on-one portion of the camp. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect brings good length to the secondary.

---

quote:

---

SAN ANTONIO — Day 4 of U.S. Army All-American Bowl wrapped up the final practices before the nationally-televised game on Saturday. SEC Country Auburn reporter Benjamin Wolk attended the East practice. SEC Country LSU reporter Sam Spiegelman was at the West practice. The two teams practiced at the same time, but at different venues.

Here are the big Auburn takeaways from Thursday:

---