re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition

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If Alabama misses on Todd Harris and Shaun Wade, who does the Tide turn to?

(@From @JOSHB_52)

It’s not the best year for defensive backs, and that’s OK because it’s not a major position of need after signing four in the secondary in 2016. All four of them (Shyheim Carter, Jared Mayden, Nigel Knott and Aaron Robinson) have been talked about as standouts in practice in camp, so even if Alabama misses on some guys, it’s not the end of the world.

With that being said, Alabama would like to add 4-star safety Todd Harris and 5-star cornerback Shaun Wade in this year’s recruiting class, and the Tide are in a solid position for both players.

Harris is down to Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss, and he should make his decision at some point this fall or at the Under Armour All-American game in January. He said earlier this summer how an Alabama offer would shake up his recruitment, and that’s exactly what it did. He visited Tuscaloosa this summer and ended up earning the offer from the staff. If Harris didn’t receive that offer, he was likely going to commit to LSU, which was considered the longtime favorite for him. The Tigers are still squarely in the mix for him, but they do have two other elite safeties on board in 5-star commit JaCoby Stevens and 4-star commit Grant Delpit. The biggest question that needs to be answered is if Harris wants to join a trio or Alabama, which currently has one in 3-star safety Kyriq McDonald. He is not a true safety though, but the staff has told him he’s likely to get snaps there.

If Alabama misses on Harris, the options are bleak. Devon Hunter, a 4-star safety from Virginia, remains a target, but he’s higher on Virginia Tech and Florida at this point. He is going to take an official visit, though, so there’s time to catch up. If Alabama aggressively pursues in the coming months, he’s probably the likeliest candidate. DeAngelo Gibbs, a 4-star safety from Georgia, is also expected to take an official visit. The chances of landing Gibbs are slim right now as Georgia and Tennessee are really the only teams strongly in the mix for him.

When it comes to Shaun Wade, I have predicted for months now that Alabama will flip him away from Ohio State. I still feel good about the pick. As I’ve stated several times, his mother is a big Alabama fan and he has loads of family members in the Montgomery area, and that’s important. He has also said he sees no major differences between the two schools. He can get the same things he desires at Alabama, and it’s closer to his family.

If Alabama misses on Wade, Tariq Castro-Fields, a 3-star cornerback from Maryland, is likely the option. He is going to take an official visit to Tuscaloosa this fall.

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