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

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Alabama commit firmly locked in with his commitment

Alabama 4-star linebacker commit Markail Benton has been to every one of the Crimson Tide’s home games this season, and he’s planning on being at the rest of them.

Benton, the nation’s No. 5 outside linebacker from Central High School (Phenix City, Ala.), is locked in with his commitment to Alabama. To demonstrate just how locked in he is, Benton said he doesn’t talk to any college coaches anymore if they aren’t on Alabama’s staff.

That’s the true “my recruitment is over” speech that a lot of commitments say. Some recruits may say their recruitment is over, but it’s not officially done until you stop communicating with other coaches.

The Under Armour All-American is also not planning on taking any trips outside of Tuscaloosa.

“As of right now, I’m done. I’m not visiting anywhere else,” Benton told SEC Country. “Alabama just has a wonderful coaching staff. The atmosphere on game day is incredible and it’s just a great college campus.”

Even with four linebackers committed in the Class of 2017, Benton isn’t worried about it one bit. In fact, he was ecstatic when he heard the news that 5-star Dylan Moses committed two weeks ago.

“That’s just another great player who wants to come to Alabama and win a ring with us,” Benton said. “I was up there in Tuscaloosa the weekend he had committed. I talked to him for a little bit. I had no clue he was going to commit, but it’s great.”

At one point in his recruitment, Auburn was thought to be the favorite to land Benton. He even told SEC Country at his commitment ceremony that the Tigers did hold a lead at one point in his process, but Auburn is just an afterthought now.

Benton will be suiting up for the Crimson Tide in 2017. He won’t be an early graduate. He’s electing to enroll at Alabama in the summer of 2017 because he wants to play basketball for Central this winter and spring.

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