re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

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New Alabama commit Pierce Quick of Hewitt-Trussville got a chance to speak with one of Alabama's top signees at the A-Day Game on Saturday.

Just six months ago, Quick was battling against James Clemens defensive end LaBryan Ray, a five-star prospect who signed with Alabama over Tennessee, Florida and others. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Quick, a four-star recruit in the class of 2019, had his moments against Ray and a talented Jets defensive line in the Huskies' region championship clinching win.

This was a few months before Quick received his first offer, but it made him feel like he could compete with the best. On Saturday, Quick committed to Alabama over Auburn and other SEC schools.

"It was more of a confidence booster than anything," Quick said of facing Ray. "I had faced some pretty decent guys, but no one like him and I knew that since I could at least hold my ground against him, I was at least getting better every week and it was a real confidence booster for me."

Quick and Ray are giants on the field and personable and respectable off it. It's no surprise that the two get along.

"He's the best defensive end I've ever faced," Quick said. "There's not even anybody close, really. He's insanely good. He's not a trash talker, really. He beats you and just goes on with it like he expects to do that. I like that. It was a tough battle and he gave everything he had and I gave everything I had and we both did good."

Alabama coaches saw Quick play last year for the first time against Bob Jones earlier in the season and Quick, a lifelong Crimson Tide fan, built a strong bond with offensive line coach Brent Key during the recruiting process. He says he's solid and won't take any more unofficial visits, but could take all of his officials. Still, that's a long way from now as Quick can't sign until the 2019 recruits are able.

Quick went into detail on his Alabama commitment with AL.com on Sunday.

What's it like being committed publicly now?

"I'm not even going to lie, waking up this morning and being an Alabama commit is one of the best feelings ever. It really is a dream come true."

How did the commitment process go?

"I told (offensive line) Coach (Brent) Key earlier this week that I wanted to talk to coach (Nick Saban) and I was going to commit, and then I told Coach Saban yesterday when I met with him. They were really excited and t old me they were happy to have me on board. Coach Key was especially excited because he had been recruiting me so hard. Coach Saban told me he's really happy to have me but he me know what I was committing to, the process, four quarters, offseason, all of that stuff."

Was that daunting in any way?

"No sir, that just got me more excited and ready to get there."

What's your relationship like with Coach Key?

"Coach Key makes sure to stay in contact with you. He makes sure that whatever happens, he will never lose contact with you. All of his guys will tell you that. The 2018 guys, he texts them every day. Obviously he can't text me, but he makes sure somehow to get a way for me to call him at least three times a week. He's cool, honestly. He's just a fun guy to be around and a great coach."

What do the Alabama coaches like about you?

"They always tell me how they like my long arms and the length of my arms. They tell me to stay at the weight that I am because they like how athletic I am as an offensive lineman at the weight that I'm at. They like my character and how I finish all my blocks and I play till the whistle blows."

How does your personality change from off the field to between the lines?

"I flip that switch in the game and in a game, I'm a totally different guy. I'm not going to lie - I'm mean and I get down and dirty."

At the game after you committed, do you get started targeting any other prospects?

"Not a target, but a guy that's already committed (in the 2019 class) was Trey (Sanders). That was my first time getting to meet him and it was cool to meet him. (Oxford 2019 lineman) Clay Webb wasn't there, but I'm targeting him. Really, anyone who I saw that was there, I was telling them what the right choice is."

Any other names you want to throw out there?

"I'm trying to get (Jackson-Olin defensive end) Coynis Miller on board. I'm trying to get (St. Clair County defensive tackle) Jalen Cunningham and I'm trying to get a lot of 2018 guys right now because that class is a little bit lower."

Did you let any other schools know before you announced your commitment?

"Auburn was the only school that I talked to before. They were the No. 2 school and they really were a close school and I loved Auburn, but I felt Alabama was the best fit for me and the best school, and growing up a fan of Alabama and getting to fulfill that dream, it just felt right."

What made you decide that now, two years before you graduate, is the time to commit?

"I just felt like it was the right time. I visited so many schools and seeing everything and I didn't feel like there was anywhere better than Alabama. Honestly, I want to try and make my class the best class that Coach Saban has ever got so committing this early can help me go ahead and start recruiting for my class."

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