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

That's it for now. Plan on posting a snapshot of 2018 class today and where we stand. Thinking about doing that at start of every month for those that don't follow too closely or don't wanna read through all my posts

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Surely UGA can't get Hill and Salyer this year and Jones next year...

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Sam Pittman has been a beast on trail for them. Good chance they get all 3

4-star DB just arrived on campus (247)

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Tutt said last week it's a three-team battle between Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State. Auburn trying to get in the game late. He's accompanied by his uncle, former Georgia linebacker Danny Verdun Wheeler, and teammate, unranked receiver Marcus Cade.

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4* CB Christian Tutt on campus

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TigerPaw1

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You need to calm down, son

Watch Bo Nix compete at Under Armour Camp (247)

Slideshow with pics/vids of Bo Nix

5-star WR impressed with Auburn's new offense (Rivals)

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Justyn Ross likes what he has seen so far from Auburn’s offense, and he’s had more than one look.

Ross, a five-star wide receiver from Central-Phenix City, visited Auburn again on Saturday, his third visit to the Plains this spring, and saw the increased number of passes under new coordinator Chip Lindsey during a 55-play scrimmage inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“They looked real good,” Ross said. “I saw how Coach Lindsey is opening it up. They are throwing it a lot. (The quarterbacks) looked real good, too. The freshman (Malik Willis) and (Jarrett) Stidham looked real good. It should be a fun year for them.”

For a wide receiver recruit, a successful passing game led by capable quarterbacks are necessities when choosing a college. It’s no different for Ross.

“It’s real important,” Ross said. “That puts (Auburn) in a better spot. They wouldn’t be where they are right now if they weren’t throwing the ball like they are.”

Ross wants to see more of the Tigers’ new offense, and will next Saturday as he plans to return for Auburn’s A-Day game. He also will get another chance to meet with the coaches, with whom he’s developed strong bonds.

“It was a lot of fun just hanging out with the coaches (Saturday),” Ross said. “Me and Coach (Kodi) Burns talk probably every day. Him and (Alabama coach Derrick) Ansley recruit me the hardest.”

Auburn and Alabama each have an extra recruiter/former teammate in their corner. Auburn has John Broussard, a former standout cornerback at Central. Alabama has former Central linebacker Markail Benton.

Broussard is in his second spring at Auburn; Benton signed with the Tide in February.

“Benton is recruiting me harder because I’m with him every day,” Ross said. “But it doesn’t really matter because at the end of the day I’m going to make the best decision for me.”

Ross doesn’t plan to make a decision anytime soon, and could wait until Signing Day in February. He doesn’t list any top schools and likely won’t until later in the process.

Auburn, however, is expected to make the first cut.

“The people, and having relationships with everyone around here,” Ross said of what he likes most about Auburn. “That’s important if it’s going to be my home for the next 3-4 years.”

Ross, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 195 pounds, is ranked the No. 3 receiver in the 2018 class, the No. 1 player in Alabama and No. 19 in the Rivals100. He plans to visit Clemson one day next week before returning to Auburn.

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I really worry about Markail Benton when it comes to Ross. Getting Reuben Foster/Rashaan Evans buddy flashbacks... Still it sounds like we are in good position early for him. Recruitment won't really start until his mom gets back tho

4-star TE high on Auburn, Porter (Rivals)

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Tyneil Hopper has a long-standing relationship with Auburn tight ends coach Larry Porter, one that dates back to Porter’s time in the ACC.

It’s a trusting bond between the recruit and coach, and one of the reasons Hopper, who is ranked the No. 9 tight end in the 2018 class, is high on Auburn.

“I’ve known Coach Porter since he was at North Carolina,” Hopper said. “He watched me grow up and become who I am today. As soon as he got (to Auburn), he started recruiting me harder. I really enjoyed that.”

Hopper’s older brother, Tyrone Hopper, is a redshirt freshman linebacker at North Carolina. Tyrone signed with the Tarheels in 2016, a year in which Porter coached UNC’s running backs and special teams. There is history between Porter and the Hopper family.

“I really enjoy talking to him,” Tyneil Hopper said.

Hopper got the opportunity to talk more with Porter on Saturday when he made the trip from Roswell, Ga. to Auburn to watch the Tigers scrimmage. It was Hopper’s second visit of the spring to Auburn.

“Auburn is a great place to be,” Hopper said. “I really like being here. Coach Porter wants wants me to come here.”

So does Hopper’s former quarterback at Roswell, Auburn freshman Malik Willis. Willis enrolled at Auburn in January and is going through spring practice.

“Malik loves it,” Hopper said. “He says it’s a great place to be, that the people treat you really good and the food is good. He’s just enjoying the campus and enjoying football.”

Hopper is considering joining the quarterback at Auburn. Hopper could play and learn under Porter and catch passes again from Willis.

“They want me to play everything: H-back, tight end and split out wide some,” Hopper said. “That would be a great fit for me because those are things I like to do.”

Auburn has offered Hopper, as have North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville, Illinois, South Florida and Wake Forest. He doesn’t have any favorites, but expects Auburn to be among them when he does.

“I haven’t decided on certain schools or a top-five or anything like that,” Hopper said. “But Auburn is going to be one.”

Rivals ranks Hopper, who is 6-foot-2 and weighs 220 pounds, the No. 21 player in Georgia and No. 221 in the Rivals250.

“I’ll make (my commitment) either before or after the season,” Hopper said. “I’m still looking around for the right place.”

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4-star defensive line recruit Alfred Thomas has Georgia on top (SBNation)

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The Georgia Bulldogs are standing out for one of Alabama’s best. That’s what Alfred Thomas, a four-star defensive lineman from Montgomery (Ala.) Lanier High, passed along Sunday at the Under Armour All-America Camp tour stop.

The 6’1, 270-pound defensive lineman won the lineman challenge — a series of speed, agility, and strength drills laid out in an obstacle course. It’s been an eventful spring for Thomas.

“Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Southern Mississippi, and Louisville,” Thomas said when asked about new offers. Thomas is strongly considering all of his new offers.

Thomas doesn’t have an official top-eight yet, but said that he will have one out soon. He provided SB Nation with a preview.

“Georgia, Louisville, Missouri, and North Carolina are locks to make my top-eight,” Thomas said. But one school is standing out above the rest.

“Georgia is on top,” he confirmed. After visiting a week ago, Thomas has a better feel for the program.

“I love the environment, the team, they show the most love to me, and I enjoy watching them practice,” he said. “They have a good team this year, I hope they make noise this year.”

Thomas’ best relationships at Georgia are with coaches Glenn Schumann and Tray Scott.

“They tell me how I can fit right in. In their defense they can move me inside, move me outside, and put my in a good position to make plays. That’s what I am going to do.”

Thomas is still keeping his options open, especially when it comes to the in-state schools like Alabama and Auburn. He confirmed both would make his top group if they offer.

Thomas has plans to visit both the Tide and Tigers, along with a return visit to Georgia this spring, and he wants to commit over the summer.

Despite not having ideal size, Thomas is a good blend of athleticism, power, and leverage. He is capable of being a versatile piece of a defense.

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I suspect that if Fehoko goes elsewhere (and I think he does) this kid lands AU offer. We just have to hope we haven't waited too long...

April Recruiting Snapshot

So as promised here's kind of a snapshot picture of AU recruiting right now. Figured some might not like reading through every post and maybe the OP has too much going on so will try and do one of these each month. All this is subjective opinion based off what I have read on recruits

Commits
4* QB Joey Gatewood
4* DE Daquan Newkirk
4* OG Jalil Irvin
3* RB Shaun Shivers

All seem solid right now. Only hiccup I could see right now is if AU decides to go after 2 QBs. Not sure if that would affect Gatewood's commitment or not

Leaders
4* LB Zakoby McClain
4* ATH Nathaniel Watson
4* S Quindarious Monday
4* DT Alfred Thomas --> yes he dropped a top 8 without us but that's because has no offer, has said before he wants to play for Auburn
4* OG Tank Jenkins --> has not said it publicly but based off visits and previous comments from trips I think we are in the lead right now
4* WR Matthew Hill --> again nothing public but based off comments and info seems like we are team to beat
3* ATH Kolbi Fuqua --> not sure if a take
3* S Derek Turner --> only has 2 SEC offers, one from us

Took some liberties on a few guys but I feel pretty confident about AU landing all of these guys if we want em

Top Group
4* WR Justyn Ross --> AU/Bama battle
4* DT Coynis Miller --> Another AU/Bama battle
4* CB Jalyn Armour-Davis --> AU/FSU battle
4* WR Jacob Copeland --> CLEM/AU/UF/FSU battle, with Clemson in the lead
4* RB Harold Joiner --> AU/LSU battle
4* RB Asa Martin --> AU/UF battle, with Gators in the lead
4* LB Quay Walker --> AU/BAMA/UGA/UF battle
4* WR Kearis Jackson --> AU/UGA battle
4* WR Seth Williams --> AU/BAMA/FSU battle
4* TE Tyneil Hopper --> AU/UNC battle
4* OT Richard Gouraige --> CLEM/UF/AU battle
4* S Brendon Harris --> AU/TEN battle
4* OT William Barnes --> UF/UNC/AU battle with Gators most likely in lead
4* DE Andres Fox --> AU/BAMA/LSU battle
4* CB Jordan Miner --> AU/UF battle
3* RB Master Teague --> AU/UGA/SCAR/TEN battle
3* Buck/LB Richard Jibunor --> AU/BAMA/TEN battle
3* CB/S Juanyeh Thomas --> AU/GT/UF battle
3* Buck Caleb Tannor --> AU/UGA/BAMA battle
3* WR Marquez Ezzard --> UGA/AU/VT/OM battle
3* WR Anthony Schwartz --> AU/UF/ORE battle
3* OT Kameron Stutts --> AU/TEN battle
3* OT Cameron Wire --> Lots of teams

Feels like AU is in more battles for better rated prospects at this point in cycle than last year but could be recency bias

Trailing
4* OG Trey Hill --> UGA leader
4* DE Brenton Cox --> UGA/OHST battle
4* LB Teradja Mitchell --> FSU/UGA/BAMA/OHST battle
4* TE Brevin Jordan --> UCLA looks like leader
4* WR Devonta Jason --> Committed to Kansas
4* LB JJ Peterson --> BAMA leader
4* CB Christian Tutt --> BAMA/FSU/OHST battle
3* LB Michael Harris --> Heavy OHST lean
3* OT John Campbell --> MIA/UF battle
3* CB Jaycee Horn --> lots of teams
3* Buck Channing Tindall --> AU could become a major factor soon

Class Prediction

It's a long arse time till NSD so don't expect this to be all that accurate. I went AU on a few battles that I am still not sure about but hey it's April so plenty of time to have dreams crushed. 23 seems to be the number right now AU is looking to sign even tho I think that will change but that's what I went with here

4* QB Joey Gatewood (Commit)
4* RB Harold Joiner
3* RB Shaun Shivesr (Commit)
4* TE Tyneil Hopper
4* WR Justyn Ross
4* WR Seth Williams --> I expect this changes when Bama decides to pursue but right now I think we are team to beat
4* WR Matthew Hill
4* OT Richard Gouraige --> A bit of reach probably
4* OG Tank Jenkins
4* OG/C Jalil Irvin (Commit)
3* OT/OG Kameron Stutts
4* DE Daquan Newkirk (Commit)
4* DE/DT Alfred Thomas --> I think Fehoko lands at LSU or UGA & we offer Thomas this summer
4* DT Coynis Miller
3* Buck Caleb Tannor
3* Buck/LB Richard Jibunor
4* LB Quay Walker
4* LB Zakoby McClain
4* LB/S Nathaniel Watson
4* CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
4* CB Jordan Miner
3* CB/S Juanyeh Thomas
4* S Quindarious Monday

Class Score: 266.78 (8-12)

I probably left off some names I shouldn't but whatever. Again don't take that class prediction too seriously it's just a starting point.