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

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The path for playing time and Alabama's need for four-star Miami athlete Christopher "C.J." Henderson got bigger on Friday when Alabama starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey declared for the NFL Draft.

Henderson, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound cornerback from Christopher Columbus High School, was Alabama's lone official visitor. His coach, Chris Merritt, spoke with Henderson briefly on Sunday and relayed to AL.com that Henderson's visit went great.

According to Merritt, Henderson will make an official visit to Florida next weekend and then make his decision. Miami, a school where Henderson was once committed, is also in the mix. It's likely a Florida-Alabama race.

"He was born, raised and grew up there (in Miami)," Merritt told AL.com. "I think they're going to be in it, somewhat. That's where his first commitment was to and then Florida is a place that he's always been attracted to. I think it was the interest in the University of Florida that got him to decommit.

"When (ex-Crimson Tide assistant) Mario (Cristobal) started putting on the press with Alabama, it picked up. I really don't know what he'll do, to be honest. It could go one way or the other."

But Cristobal is heading to be an assistant coach at Oregon. However, judging by Henderson's social media account, he felt plenty of love from the Alabama coaching staff this weekend. 

"I'd have to talk to him a little bit more (to see if Cristobal leaving has an effect)," Merritt said. "I don't know how much of an effect it was, to be honest with you."

Alabama signed four cornerbacks last year, but there won't be much experience at the position opposite returning starter Anthony Averett. One of the four, Jared Mayden, was listed on the safety depth chart before the Clemson game.

Merritt has had several players recruited by Alabama, including Chicago Bears safety Deon Bush, but even Bush saw a clearer path to playing time at Miami and signed there.

Alabama has four defensive backs committed. Kyriq McDonald, Daniel Wright and Xavier McKinney project as safeties or, in McDonald's case, possibly a nickel.

Junior college defensive back Jhavonte Dean is listed as an Alabama commit, but may not be for much longer. He officially visited Miami this weekend and has not scheduled an Alabama official visit.

"I can't even call it a knock, but that's been a concern by all the kids I've had that Alabama has recruited, that the possibility of getting on the field is tough with their depth and the quality of kids Alabama recruits each year," Merritt said. "I'm sure (Humphrey leaving) helps the cause."

If Alabama signs a true corner in this class, Henderson looks like the best bet. 

"There aren't too many kids with his length and speed," Merritt said. "You're talking about a corner that's 6'2 that's going to be one of the top three or four fastest kids in the state of Florida."

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