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

Posted on 12/9/16 at 9:39 pm to TideSaint

Posted by TideSaint

Hill Country

Member since Sep 2008

76026 posts

Posted on 12/9/16 at 9:39 pm to TideSaint

quote:
DeVonta Smith, one of Alabama’s top wide receiver targets in the Class of 2017, has a change of plans that benefits the Crimson Tide.

Smith, a 4-star prospect from Amite (La.) High School, told SEC Country’s Sam Spiegelman on Friday afternoon that he has set official visits to both Alabama and Miami in January. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound prospect has previously said that he wouldn’t take an official visit to Tuscaloosa because he’s been there so many times.

In addition to the schools listed above, LSU, TCU and Oklahoma are the schools he communicates most with, but he hasn’t focused much on his recruitment over the past several months.

“I really haven’t been talking to them a lot, just a little bit because when I told coaches I was focusing on my season, they understood it,” Smith said. “It really made me feel good because they understand where I’m coming from and let’s me know it’s not all about them.”

The Army All-American has been viewed as a lock for the Crimson Tide’s Class of 2017 ever since he de-committed from Georgia in January, but his status with Alabama has gotten a little hazy as of late because numbers are getting tight with 24 commitments and remaining spots needing to go to several defensive linemen and other positions.

Alabama has two wide receiver commits in 5-star prospect Jerry Jeudy and Tyrell Shavers, but the Crimson Tide have told him that when the nation’s No. 9 wide receiver makes his commitment on National Signing Day, there will be space for him.

“They’ve really been telling me to focus on my season,” Smith said of Alabama’s message to him. “They know that it means a lot to me. After last year (playoff loss), they’ve been telling me to just focus on my season and let me know that I’m always welcome.”

Smith and Amite High School will play for a state championship Saturday morning against Lutcher. Alabama wide receivers coach Billy Napier is expected to be in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome watching from the sidelines.