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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:06 am to TideSaint
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:06 am to TideSaint
quote:
Jordan Davis shuts down his recruitment
Jordan Davis has arguably been the most loyal commitment Alabama has had in the 2018 class. Davis, a 4-star Jack linebacker from Southwind High School (Memphis, Tenn.), committed to the Crimson Tide on Dec. 10, 2016, and hasn’t looked back since.
He officially ended his recruitment 366 days later, announcing that he was done with the process. Davis will sign during the first day of the early signing period on Dec. 20.
I’ll admit that when Davis committed to the Tide last year, I had never heard of him. I actually had to reach out to a source close to the program to ask if his commitment was legit. He was a 3-star prospect at the time with offers from Kentucky and Memphis. Since then, Davis has turned into a force on the field. He’s now rated as one of the top 100 prospects in the 2018 class, according to the 247Sports composite, and is the nation’s No. 5 weakside defensive end. He’ll finish his high school career in the Under Armour All-America Game next month.
What’s rare about Davis is that he never once wavered on his commitment to the Tide. Nowadays, commitments still talk to other schools, post about every offer they receive and, most importantly, take visits to other schools, which allow those colleges a chance to change the recruit’s mind.
Davis talked about wanting to visit other schools such as Florida and Tennessee, but he only visited Knoxville once to my knowledge. After Jeremy Pruitt took the Tennessee job, the Volunteers were hoping he’d give one last look to the in-state program, but Davis was set on Alabama.
He visited Tuscaloosa several times this fall for games and was always hanging out with other recruits to try to convince them on committing to Alabama. Davis, in a sense, has been the perfect commitment for the Tide — didn’t waver once, helped recruit others and got significantly better on the field throughout the fall.
Not to mention, the 6-foot-5, 238-pound prospect is one of the nicest guys to talk to. There was a time when Davis and his mother were living in a shelter when he was 5 years old. Things have turned around for his family, but one of the main reasons why he chose Alabama is because he feels like it’s the school that will help him provide for his mother one day.
“Going to Alabama just fits my lifestyle with how I grew up,” Davis told SEC Country. “Competing was something my mom had to do every day when I was a child. She had to compete and we had to fight when we were growing up, and we were poor. At Alabama, I’m going to have to compete every day for what I want.
“Alabama just keeps it 100 [percent] with you. That’s what I really love about them. They’re not going to sell you a dream. But what they do say is that if I work out hard and do well on and off the field, I will have a chance to get to the league. [Outside linebackers] coach [Tosh] Lupoi tells me all of the time that he sees a big-time outside linebacker in myself getting drafted in the next four years.”
Davis will enroll at Alabama this January.
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Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:06 am to TideSaint
quote:
5-star Jack LB KJ Henry explains why he canceled Alabama official visit
KJ Henry, a 5-star Jack linebacker from West Forsyth High School (Clemmons, N.C.), had planned to take an official visit to Tuscaloosa this past weekend. He ended up not making it. He explained why he ended up canceling the trip to SEC Country’s Hale McGranahan.
“Just some recruit talked with coach [Nick] Saban and there are a lot of secondary guys going to the league, so they’re putting the outside linebackers on the back burner, for right now,” Henry said. “It’s just the guys that are committed now, that is who they’re focusing on. I know Coach Tosh will be hitting me up this week and just letting me know the news about them.”
Henry is saying that one Jack linebacker, who isn’t publicly committed, has already given his word to the Tide. Alabama has Jack linebacker commitments from Davis and Cameron Latu. The most likely addition at Jack is 5-star prospect Eyabi Anoma. He took an official visit this past weekend, and it would be a surprise if he didn’t end up in crimson.
Even if Henry visited Tuscaloosa this past weekend, I don’t think he would have ended up at Alabama, so it’s not truly a big deal that he didn’t make it. Him not being there allowed the coaching staff to spend more time with Anoma.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:07 am to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama cornerback commit Jalyn Armour-Davis wasn’t planning on signing early because his school didn’t allow early graduates, and he was planning on taking visits elsewhere in January.
Those visits won’t happen anymore.
Armour-Davis, a 4-star prospect from St. Paul’s Episcopal (Mobile, Ala.), will now sign during the early signing period, according to Ben Thomas of AL.com.
“I’m glad he’s going to go ahead and sign,” St. Paul’s head coach Steve Mask told Thomas. “If you know where you are going to go, I think you should go ahead and do it. I’m not a big fan of committing to school and then continuing to take a lot of visits. If you are engaged to someone, you are not going to be dating other people. The word committed should mean something.”
The nation’s No. 15 cornerback was one of the Tide’s prized commitments early on in this recruiting class. He originally didn’t have Alabama in his top 6 schools, but the Crimson Tide, led by primary recruiter Jeremy Pruitt and defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley, helped Alabama get back in the mix for him and eventually land his commitment.
Since he chose the Tide, Armour-Davis hasn’t visited any other schools and hasn’t wavered once on his decision. Armour-Davis will enroll at Alabama next summer.
LINK
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:09 am to TideSaint
Clemson bound?
Unless someone hires his father of course.
Unless someone hires his father of course.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:09 am to TideSaint
quote:
The early signing period is approaching and Alabama is trying to obtain another No. 1 recruiting class. With recruiting ramping up, SEC Country’s Chris Kirschner will answer the Recruiting Question of the Day every day of the week. You can ask him your questions on Twitter or on Facebook.
LINK
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:10 am to TideSaint
quote:
Why the drop off in recruiting Isaac Taylor-Stuart earlier when we were in the lead? Are Georgia LBs Walker and Peterson still leans to BAMA?
For those who don’t know who “ITS” is, Bill is talking about 5-star cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart, the nation’s No. 2 cornerback out of San Diego, Calif. Taylor-Stuart listed Alabama as his leader for several months last summer after taking his first visit to Tuscaloosa.
Alabama slowly faded away after the visit high eventually wore down. The Tide have always been in the mix for him, but it just seemed like other schools were more interested in him than Alabama. As far as your question for why Alabama stopped recruiting him when Taylor-Stuart listed the Tide as his leader, the team never stopped recruiting him. Alabama recruits players it has no interest in signing — the team does that in case it misses on targets or someone de-commits or an unexpected situation arises.
But, a direct source told SEC Country several months ago that the team’s top cornerback targets were the following: 5-star cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Patrick Surtain Jr., 4-star prospects Jalyn Armour-Davis, Kyler McMichael and Josh Jobe. Over time, the cornerback board added 4-star prospects Nadab Joseph and Saivion Smith, but of whom are committed to Alabama now.
The recruiting board for Alabama and other schools is always shifting but the defensive back targets this class have been very consistent.
Taylor-Stuart has been in steady communication with Alabama over the past few weeks. He received an in-home visit from outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi and will take an official visit this weekend. I know that former defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt wasn’t the biggest fan of Taylor-Stuart’s film, so perhaps him leaving helps the recruit’s cause if Alabama is the school he wants to end up at.
We should have a better understanding as to where Taylor-Stuart lies on the board after he visits Tuscaloosa this weekend.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:11 am to TideSaint
quote:
Are Georgia LBs Quay Walker and JJ Peterson still Alabama leans?
As for the second part of your question, I still believe Alabama will land both 4-star linebackers.
It definitely doesn’t help the Tide’s cause for Pruitt to leave. Walker told me that the only coach that he wanted to be coached by at Alabama was Pruitt. He then told me that defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley’s most recent in-home visit shored up his commitment. I still think Auburn has a chance to flip Walker, but I think he sticks as of today.
The one recruit where Pruitt leaving truly affects that player’s recruitment is JJ Peterson. Peterson is extremely close to Pruitt, mainly because his head coach, Rush Propst, is good friends with the former defensive coordinator. I asked Propst how Pruitt leaving would affect Peterson. He told me that he still thinks Alabama would have a strong chance at landing his star player’s commitment because Nick Saban himself has gotten involved with recruiting him.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:13 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
FWIW that's not Coynis Miller, it's Jalen Cunningham
Miller isn't playing due to knee injury
Thanks for the clarification on that, they must have put his name in the highlights by mistake. I thought it was strange for someone so highly rated to look so slow coming off the ball. That makes sense now.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:16 am to TideSaint
quote:
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Day No. 1 of practice at this year’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic is in the books. Day No. 1 one brought standout performances and recruiting news on both sides and the storylines to watch throughout the week are beginning to develop. Below are five observations from the first day of workouts.
LINK
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:16 am to BIGJLAW
Alontae Taylor recommits to Tennessee. We flirted with him for awhile.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:17 am to TideSaint
quote:
ALABAMA LEGACY HAS BIG DAY
Kevontae’ Ruggs looks the part of a Power Five linebacker and shined during both practices on Tuesday. Ruggs, whose older brother Henry plays wide receiver for Alabama, continues to add weight and is starting to see the recruiting momentum to match. He has an official scheduled to Ole Miss for January and is also considering offers from a number of programs including Louisville, West Virginia, Florida Atlantic and Maryland.
Should Alabama push for his commitment, the Tide would be the heavy favorite. As things stand now, however, Ruggs is not a priority target for the home school. This will likely make things interesting down the stretch. - Cassidy
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:19 am to TideSaint
quote:
HATTIESBURG, Miss. — With all of the coaches changes, it has led to a couple of schools re-offering James Foster and one coach offering him for a second time at his new school.
The dual-threat quarterback out of Montgomery (Ala.) Lanier knows he has a big month ahead of him, but he does have it down to a managable number.
"I am just taking things slow and day by day right now," said Foster. "I am kind of focused on four schools — Texas A&M, LSU, Florida State and Alabama. Those are my main schools right now and I plan to take official visits to each of those in January, so it is going to be crazy for me next much."
The only official visit scheduled right now is to LSU the first weekend after the dead period ends on January 12. Each visit will be key for Foster.
"It is going to be stressful, but I want to take all of my official visits. I want to visit the schools and just make sure I make the best decision for me. The visits will be big and play a big role in my decision."
He last spoke with Jimbo Fisher, the new Aggies coach on Monday. Fisher once targeted Foster when in Tallahassee and nothing has changed since he moved to College Station.
"I like how coach Fisher has coached up quarterbacks and that is something I liked about him when he was at Florida State. I do not know a lot about Texas A&M yet, but I will definitely be visiting them because of coach Fisher."
Foster does not know a lot about new Florida State head coach Willie Taggert yet, but he had an in-home visit with Lawrence Dawsey and Randy Sanders Sunday night.
"I know coach Dawsey is staying for sure and he has let me know that I am still wanted," said Foster. "As soon as coach Taggert saw my film the day he was hired, he sent coach Dawsey to see me the next day. Coach Taggert told coach Dawsey that they have to have me."
He is hearing a little bit of that same tune from Alabama. Many feel Emory Jones is a top target for the Crimson Tide at quarterback, but Foster is feeling the love.
"Coach [Derrick] Ansley is asking me almost every day about committing and he is telling I am a guy that they want. He is pushing me to commit, he is always bringing it up and Alabama is showing me a lot of attention right now. I know coach [Nick] Saban is supposed to visit me in January."
The in-state school was Foster's favorite growing up and he is admitted it would be tough to tell them no, but he looks at this as a business decision and that is what could play in LSU's favor.
Like most tope prospects, Foster wants to play early in college to showcase his talent for the NFL scouts. He may have that opportunity in Baton Rouge.
"I talked to coach [Tommie] Robinson a lot at LSU and he tells me I have a good chance to come in and play at LSU," said Foster. "They will not have a lot of experience coming back at quarterback and they like what I do, so they think I can come in and do some things for them early on.
"I will be getting down there first thing in January and see how it goes."
Some have speculated that the Tigers are in front for Foster, but he said there is nothing to that.
"I do not have any favorites right now. Everyone is equal. It will play itself out in January.
"I have to take these visits and see the different cultures around the schools. All four are coming at me the same right now, so it is going to be a tough decision."
LINK
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:21 am to TideSaint
quote:
ALABAMA: Which DBs will sign early?
The Crimson Tide are expected to lose its entire secondary to graduation or early entry to the NFL draft. Alabama has to bring in players who have the athletic ability and competitiveness to compete as new comers. Alabama has commitments from four-star JUCO safety Saivion Smith, Rivals100 cornerback Nadab Joseph and four-star cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis. All are expected to sign next week and enroll early. Alabama is also in very good position to flip four-star cornerback Miami commitment Josh Jobe. He is another early enrollee. Alabama could get four defense backs on campus in January if Jobe jumps on board. That would be a big recruiting win for Alabama at a much-needed position.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:28 am to TideSaint
2 top priority Alabama targets make decisions on when they’ll sign | SEC Country
quote:
Welcome to SEC Country’s daily Roll Tide-ings, a rundown of everything happening in Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting with Chris Kirschner. Today, we talk the latest with two top Alabama targets.
Penei Sewell sets signing date
Penei Sewell, one of Alabama’s top offensive tackle targets in the 2018 class, will make his decision known on the first day of the early signing period, which is Dec. 20. Crimson Tide fans can expect his decision to likely come down to either Alabama or Oregon.
The Ducks appear to be the favorite at this time mainly because of Sewell’s connection to new coach Mario Cristobal. When Cristobal was Oregon’s co-offensive coordinator, he and Sewell developed a strong relationship. One source close to Alabama told SEC Country a few weeks ago that he believed Sewell was going to wind up at Oregon because of his relationship with Cristobal.
But I always go back to what Sewell’s father, Gabriel, told me when comparing Alabama and Oregon. Like many other recruits, Sewell wants to make it to the NFL.
Gabriel Sewell believes Alabama is the best place to make that dream a reality. An Alabama offensive lineman has been drafted every year since 2009, except for 2012. In the same time period, Oregon didn’t have an offensive lineman taken in the 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2017 NFL drafts.
“As it stands today, there’s no comparison,” Gabriel Sewell said. “Historically, there’s a good probability of making it to the league if you play at Alabama. With Nick Saban there and everyone under his watch, things have been good. There’s no argument there. The proof is in the pudding.”
Even with Gabriel saying that, this decision is going to come down to whichever school his son wants to attend. Wednesday will be an important day for the Tide’s chances with Sewell because Saban will make his only in-home visit with the family.
As of now, I think Sewell winds up at Oregon because of his strong relationship with Cristobal. But Saban’s visit on Wednesday night could obviously change everything.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:32 am to TideSaint
Updated Rivals 250
Targets/Commits:
2. RB Quavaris Crouch
3. DT Ishmael Sopsher
5. OT Darnell Wright
9. OC Clay Webb
11. CB Derek Stingley
12. RB Trey Sanders
15. LB Owen Pappoe
23. OG Kardell Thomas
30. OT Quin Carroll
31. QB Bo Nix
35. WR Devonta Lee
38. OT Pierce Quick
46. WR Trey Knox
47. LB Nakobe Dean
56. OG Evan Neal
62. ATH Trey Palmer
72. LB King Mwikuta
89. OT Amari Kight
91. S Jaylen McCollough
103. OG Deyavie Hammond
107. DE Nathan Pickering
135. WR George Pickens
164. ATH Jake Smith
191. CB Brandon Turnage
229. S Trikweze Bridges
236. S Cortez Andrews
239. DE Ani Izuchukwu
240. DE Derrick McLendon
No Lil Tua or Paul Tyson.
Targets/Commits:
2. RB Quavaris Crouch
3. DT Ishmael Sopsher
5. OT Darnell Wright
9. OC Clay Webb
11. CB Derek Stingley
12. RB Trey Sanders
15. LB Owen Pappoe
23. OG Kardell Thomas
30. OT Quin Carroll
31. QB Bo Nix
35. WR Devonta Lee
38. OT Pierce Quick
46. WR Trey Knox
47. LB Nakobe Dean
56. OG Evan Neal
62. ATH Trey Palmer
72. LB King Mwikuta
89. OT Amari Kight
91. S Jaylen McCollough
103. OG Deyavie Hammond
107. DE Nathan Pickering
135. WR George Pickens
164. ATH Jake Smith
191. CB Brandon Turnage
229. S Trikweze Bridges
236. S Cortez Andrews
239. DE Ani Izuchukwu
240. DE Derrick McLendon
No Lil Tua or Paul Tyson.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:33 am to TideSaint
We got a CB for James Foster from one of the Ohio State mods.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:33 am to TideSaint
We also got a CB for Eyabi Anoma. 
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:33 am to TidalSurge1
quote:
Jaylen Waddle not signing early
Jaylen Waddle, a 4-star wide receiver from Episcopal High School (Bellaire, Texas), announced on Tuesday that he will not sign early. Waddle will likely extend his recruitment until National Signing Day.
Waddle has been a major priority for the Crimson Tide since the summer when he was arguably the top performer at camp. He’s taken several visits to Tuscaloosa since the first time he was at camp and he gave a strong indication to where he was leaning to the Alabama staff.
Things change fast in recruiting, though.
With Texas A&M hiring Jimbo Fisher, Waddle has had second thoughts on Alabama. He had a prior relationship with Fisher when he was at Florida State, and there were always behind-the-scenes talks that Waddle could decide to stay in state.
Alabama will see Waddle on Wednesday. The Tide should have a much better understanding of where things stand with him after the visit.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:34 am to TidalSurge1
quote:
Vernon Jackson and Tyler Friday receive visits
Remember, Saban can only have one visit with recruits. So, if Saban has already visited with a recruit, that’s it. Now, assistants can visit once per calendar week until the dead period begins on Dec. 18, but the head coach only gets one visit.
Vernon Jackson and Tyler Friday received their Saban visit on Tuesday.
Jackson, a 3-star linebacker from Boling (Texas), has been committed to Alabama since September. Since then, he has kept his recruitment open. The in-state schools, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU and Baylor, have tried flipping Jackson from Alabama.
He has given no indication to the Tide staff that his commitment is in danger; however, he isn’t planning on signing early, as of the last time I talked with him. That may have changed after Saban’s visit, but SEC Country couldn’t confirm that as of Tuesday night.
Friday has climbed Alabama’s recruiting board at defensive tackle, one of the Tide’s biggest positions of need. He’ll take an official visit this weekend.
RELATED: 2018 Bama recruiting board
This post was edited on 12/13/17 at 10:44 am
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