re: 2018 Football Recruiting Thread -- Final OP Update Edition

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For most of this summer, Austin four-star running back Asa Martin has had a clear top three.

Monday, he'll decide if Clemson will enter the mix.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Martin will make the trip to see the defending national champions. His mother will join him. Clemson has not offered, but he's expecting it on the trip.

Alabama, Auburn and Florida make up Martin's top three, with his planned commitment date of Aug. 24.

"They're not added to (the top group) yet," Martin said Thursday at the USA Football 7on7 national championships in Hoover. "They've got to show me the same thing other schools have. I've been talking to them, but I don't really have a good relationship yet. My mom has to be comfortable."

It's a hectic time for Martin, and he said he's hearing from coaches nonstop while also taking a summer class so he can graduate in December. Martin has visited Ole Miss, but the Rebels won't be a factor.

Martin will visit Alabama on Friday and Auburn Saturday for their respective recruiting events.

Here's what he said about his finalists on Thursday.

AUBURN: "The school has probably been recruiting me the longest. It feels like home around there. I have a great relationship with (offensive coordinator) Coach (Chip) Lindsey and (running backs) Coach (Tim) Horton. What they do on offense is one of the best fits for me because we run some of the same stuff at Austin."

ALABAMA: "The thing with them, it's the mecca of college football. They're going to be in the position to win a national championship every year and they send their guys to the NFL. That's what helps most about them."

FLORIDA: "My relationship with (assistant) Coach (JaJuan) Seider is probably the biggest asset with them. I love it in Gainesville too. It's a very nice town. It's beautiful. Me living in Florida gives them a little up too, living there last year (going to IMG Academy)."

Martin will visit his three finalists once more before his commitment. No one has separated themselves, he said.

"Everybody's about even," Martin said. "If I knew where I was going, I'd go ahead and get it over with. The recruiting process is long and tiring."

All three are recruiting Martin at running back. He has worked some in the slot at Alabama's camp. Martin said that none of the schools have mentioned defense, though he also plays safety for Austin.

Tournament play starts on Saturday morning, with games at the Hoover Met and Hoover Soccer Fields. Martin and Austin face Thompson at 9 a.m. at the soccer fields in their first double-elimination game.

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