re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

Posted on 9/23/14 at 11:05 pm to chattabama

Posted by chattabama

12essee

Member since Jun 2012

19315 posts

Posted on 9/23/14 at 11:05 pm to chattabama

quote:
Bama already has a stellar No. 1 nationally ranked class for 2015, but the Crimson Tide would love to take a few more top players away from some of their rivals (see the first two players below). Here’s a look at three players Alabama would love to land between now and national signing day. And keep in mind with Alabama: In essence, the Crimson Tide are in the recruiting ballgame for any national blue-chipper they target, so there are many others out there–but these are three that we think may end up with the ‘Tide.

Editor’s note: Saturday Down South’s references to ratings follow the 247Sports.com composite rankings.

1. Kendall Sheffield, DB, Missouri City (Texas), 6-0/180

National rank: No. 16 overall prospect
SEC schools: Texas A&M, Alabama
The skinny: This is an interesting recruiting battle, because should Alabama be able to pull this off, it may open up an even bigger recruiting foundation in the state of Texas. Currently, it almost seems like the Aggies get whoever they want from their own state, but other SEC West powers are peering into the mega-talented state and want to pull out talent (see Tony Brown). This will be a fun battle to keep an eye on. One would think the Aggies will win this battle, but you never know. Everybody thought Brown was going to LSU last year, too.

2. Terry Godwin, Hogansville (Ga.), 6-0/170, ATH

National rank: No. 20 overall prospect
SEC schools: Committed to Georgia, with Alabama and Auburn pursuing.
The skinny: Godwin is one of those commitments who is still considered “in play”. He still considers himself a Bulldogs commitment, but the Crimson Tide and Tigers are coming after him very hard, and he has been on campus several times. He is a game-changing type of athlete. This past weekend, he had a one-on-one discussion with Nick Saban about how he would be a target in the offense just like Amari Cooper. Think that was a powerful statement?

3. Daron Payne, Birmingham (Ala.), 6-2/315, DT

National rank: No. 29 overall prospect
SEC schools: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia
The skinny: It seems like Payne is Alabama’s to lose, but we all know how things can go with this in-state Bama-Auburn recruiting battles. Payne is incredibly strong and can blow by his blocker and plant a quarterback in the dirt. Of the three players mentioned here, Payne is the biggest “lock” to end up with the Crimson Tide. But … can you imagine if the ‘Tide got all three of these five-star players?

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Posted by chattabama

12essee

Member since Jun 2012

19315 posts

Posted on 9/23/14 at 11:10 pm to chattabama

quote:
3 of UGA’s top recruits make visits to Alabama

Three of UGA’s top football recruits, including 5-stars Terry Godwin and Trent Thompson, made unofficial visits to Alabama this past weekend — even though the Bulldogs had a home game.

For Terry, the two-way star from Callaway High School, it marked the second week in a row he attended an Alabama game.

“It was a great visit,” Terry told the AJC. “I was just down there to get to know the coaches some more, and get the feel of it more and more. I’m just checking out other places, seeing how things are going, and enjoying the recruiting process.”

UGA appeared to lock up Terry Godwin after signing his sister to a basketball scholarship but … (AJC)

Terry has a special connection to Alabama. His offensive coordinator at Callaway High School is the brother of the Crimson Tide’s ace recruiter, Billy Napier. Terry went to last Saturday’s game with Callaway’s athletic trainer.
“She is a Bama fan, so I wanted to let her enjoy some of the things I get to do as a recruit,” he said.

After the game, Terry got some one-on-one time with Alabama coach Nick Saban, who had some information he wanted to sahe.

“Coach Saban asked ‘Do you see how we try to get Amari Cooper the ball 10 times or more in one game? That’s how we’re going to use you,” said Terry, who explained that Alabama wants him as a slot receiver.

“I was like ‘That’s great. I want to play both outside and inside (spots at wide receiver.’ Coach Saban said ‘Oh, well then we can make that happen.’ On the second visit I went to, (Saban) said ‘I see you’re getting a little taller and bigger, with more muscle on you. So we probably could use you on the outside and the inside.’ So I liked hearing that.”

Where do things stand between Godwin and UGA? Godwin attended the Clemson game, and he may return for Tennessee, although he hasn’t made final plans. “I’m still 100-percent committed. I’m just enjoying the recruiting process.”

One final note on Godwin: He has identified at least of his two official visits, UGA and USC. Godwin told the AJC that he has already set up a recruiting trip with the Trojans for Oct. 3-4, which is his bye week at Callaway.

What makes Godwin want to visit USC? “I mean, it’s California. Who wouldn’t want to go out there for a visit? It’s a great school, and they put a lot of wide receiver into the NFL. They create great men and great love. And there’s more than life after football. That’s what they try to teach their kids and try to instill into their players.”

Trent Thompson, who is rated as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect and from Albany’s Westover High School, went to the Alabama game accompanied by his mother. They arrived at the game too late to meet with Saban but got to talk with defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.

“He gave me a hug and he was so glad that we came up,” Thompson’s mother told 247sports.com’s Trevor Hewett. “They have been trying to get me up there, but I have been having trouble with my truck, but we got a ride this time and I told them I am coming back and I am glad that we went.”

The other UGA recruit there was Jonathan Ledbetter, the 4-star defensive tackle from Tucker High School who switched his commitment from Alabama to UGA after his older brother (a former Div. II basketball player) signed a football scholarship with the Bulldogs this past summer.