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

Posted on 1/17/18 at 1:06 pm to TigerPaw1

Posted by TigerPaw1

Chattanooga, TN

Member since Apr 2011

16979 posts

Posted on 1/17/18 at 1:06 pm to TigerPaw1

Five-star OL Clay Webb focused on building relationships (Rivals)

quote:
Clay Webb has been dominant at nearly every event he has attended for the last two years. It was no different at the 2018 Future 50 where he shined in the trenches once again.

The 6-foot-4, 295 pound junior offensive lineman out of Oxford (Ala.) is a top 10 prospect in 2019 and he could play up front for any school in America, but he is focused on four.

Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Georgia are Webb's top four schools and when the time comes, he feels he choose one of those to sign with.

"I feel confident it will be one of those schools when I do make my decision," said Webb. "I will wait until after my senior season to commit, but when I do, it will be to one of those four schools."

Webb has visited each of those schools at least twice already and he plans to see each of them again the first half of 2018. Each will be important and he will be focused on one thing — getting to know the people on each campus better.

"Visits for me now will definitely be about relationships. I am just trying to improve my relationships with coaches and players and just trying to see how I fit in the spectrum of things.

"Players and coaches do come and go, but I want to see who I get along with, where I fit in best at and things like that. That will be the main thing I look for moving forward."

The school that made the biggest move during the season was Auburn. He took in a couple of games there and the environment put the Tigers in his top four.

"The atmosphere at Auburn really stands out to me. It is just about how it feels for me there. It feels a lot like home and I really like it a lot."

Alabama has a similar feel. Webb has visited Tuscaloosa more than anywhere and he has a good feel for what the Tide is all about.

"Alabama is just a great program," said Webb. "They know how to win, they work really hard and coach Nick Saban has done a great job there."

Clemson and Georgia are going to do all they can do to convince Webb to leave his home state. Each school has impressed him on previous visits and he has connected well with the people there.

"Clemson has good people and I fit in well there. I like the coaches a lot, the players are great and the atmosphere feels it fits me.

"I feel the same about Georgia. I think Georgia did some really good things in year two under coach [Kirby] Smart. I really like the offensive line coach (Sam Pittman) and offensive coordinator (Jim Chaney) a lot. Those coaches are good guys and they are part of the reason I like Georgia so much."

Webb made it clear that there is no order at this time. All four schools are on a level playing field and he said he will chose the one he feels is right for him when that time comes.

"I could go to any of those schools and be happy," said Webb. "I do not feel pressure to stay in Alabama. I do not even think about that. I will go to the school I feel fits me the best."

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by TigerPaw1

Chattanooga, TN

Member since Apr 2011

16979 posts

Posted on 1/17/18 at 1:09 pm to TigerPaw1

Also meant to post this the other day

Class of 2019 4-star DE high on Woodson, Auburn (Rivals)

quote:
Nathan Pickering supports Gus Malzahn’s decision to hire Marcus Woodson as Auburn’s tenth assistant.

Malzahn wanted an elite recruiter to fill the position, and Pickering, a four-star defensive end in the 2019 class, believes the Tigers’ head coach landed one in Woodson.

“Coach Woodson is an excellent recruiter,” Pickering said. “He’s an excellent recruiter and an excellent coach.”

Pickering, from Seminary, Miss., should know. He’s been recruited by Woodson since his sophomore season. Woodson, while at Memphis, recruited and offered Pickering.

Pickering has seen what kind of recruiter Auburn is getting in Woodson.

“He’s great,” Pickering said. “He takes time on visits to make sure you see everything. He makes sure you get to talk to players face to face. And he always talks to you, asks what is going on with you. He’s just always checking up on you.”

The attention Pickering received from Woodson hasn’t slowed since Woodson accepted the Auburn position. If anything, it has increased.

“Auburn is recruiting me harder than anyone right now,” Pickering said.

The Tigers offered Pickering earlier this week. Pickering already had several SEC and ACC offers, but the one from Auburn was special.

“I was so excited,” Pickering said. “That is one of the offers I was looking to get. Auburn, to me, is a great school.”

Pickering has reasons for his high interest in the Tigers. Woodson is one, but not the only one.

“I like a lot of things about Auburn,” Pickering said. “Auburn plays good, hard football. They play with heart. Auburn has a good atmosphere that I would love to play in. It’s just seems like a great fit for me.”

Pickering plans to visit Auburn soon.

“I’m talking to them about coming over for one of their junior days,” he said.

Pickering stopped short of naming the Tigers his leader, but said Auburn will be a contender for him throughout his recruitment.

“Auburn is a great school and I really like it,” Pickering said. “Auburn is a school that definitely is standing out to me right now.”

Pickering isn’t in a rush to make his college decision. He plans to take several visits, including all five official visits, before announcing a commitment.

In 13 games as a junior, Pickering recorded 85 tackles, 31 solos, 39 tackles-for-loss, five sacks and 21 quarterback-hurries. He also had four passes batted down, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and scored four touchdowns (three receiving and one rushing).

Rivals ranks Pickering, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 275 pounds, the No. 9 strongside defensive end in the 2019 class, the No. 3 overall player in Mississippi and No. 107 in the Rivals250.