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

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Nicholas Petit-Frere talks Alabama

Nicholas Petit-Frere is one of Alabama’s top offensive line targets in the Class of 2018. Not only is he a top target on the offensive line, but the staff considers him to be one of the “must-gets” in this recruiting cycle.

There are three main contenders for his commitment at this time: Alabama, Florida and Notre Dame. At least one high-ranking source inside the Alabama program likes where the Tide stand with Petit-Frere when he makes his decision, which he says will most likely happen after his senior season.

“Right now, if I’m focused on football, which I will be during the summer and fall, then that comes first,” Petit-Frere told SEC Country’s Zach Abolverdi. “I understand that college is a very important decision for me, but I’m here to get a good education and play for the Berkeley Buccaneers. What I’ve been told is to make sure I enjoy the process. It’s not like I can do this three or four times. It’s a one-time opportunity.”

The 6-foot-6, 260-pound prospect was last in Tuscaloosa for A-Day. SEC Country spotted the elite offensive lineman on the sidelines prior to the scrimmage with a giant smile on his face for the majority of the time he was on the field. Several Alabama coaches also made sure to check in with Petit-Frere while he was on the sidelines. Only the priority recruits get that attention.

“What I got at the spring game is that they are interested in me and they think I’m a good player,” Petit-Frere said. “I’m glad that they think that. I’m very humbled that they do [think that].”

Academics are very important to the nation’s No. 5 offensive tackle (per 247Sports composite rankings) from Berkeley Preparatory School (Tampa, Fla.). When asked about the most important factor for his college decision, getting a top-notch education was the first thing he listed.

“I just want to make sure that no matter where I go, I get a good education and finish out with my degree,” he said. “I just want to make sure I just do well in all of my subjects.”

Miami, which is one of the schools he’s also considering, is pitching a private school education. Notre Dame, which is most likely Alabama’s biggest competitor, is doing the same. He goes to a private high school now. He said he and his mother don’t have a preference when it comes to a public or private college.

Florida is coming after Petit-Frere very strongly, too. He hears from Gators coaches on a regular basis.

“I talk a little bit with everyone,” Petit-Frere said. “I usually try to talk with [offensive line] coach [Brad] Davis regularly and coach [Jim] McElwain when I’m able to. I see that Coach Davis is a very good coach and I know he’s a down-to-earth kind of guy. I don’t think he’ll ever try to sell a pitch that he doesn’t believe is true.”

He believes the same is true with Alabama offensive line coach Brent Key, who is recruiting him on a daily basis. The message from Key is plain and simple.

“He thinks that I would be a great fit for them,” Petit-Frere said. “I just tell him that I’m very humbled to have an offer like that.”

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