re: Class of 2019 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: That's a Wrap Edition

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Good list Surge. There’s only a few changes I’d make. I don’t think we need 3 WR’s in this class and would prefer another DL or 2. I think Pittman goes to UF and we get Byron Young. If we can get Pickering as well than I would also consider replacing him with Wright. Lee and Turnage are both capable of playing WR and that’s one position we aren’t hurting at. I’m also not very confident in getting Sanders and Hill and would replace them with Ealy and McCollough

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I don't think we need 3 WRs either. But since the timing of landing commitments factors in, here's some food for thought: I think Pittman is high on the board, and I think we can get him, but an Oct decision. So, we take Wright asap because he's a big, fast, athletic, tough WR/H & also a very good safety, like Lee. So, if we miss on Hill (and Cross), then Lee or Wright can become a safety, instead of taking McCollough. But all of that said, I agree that we may take 1 less WR or WR/DB, in order to take another DL, LB or RB.

I think we'll get Sanders. He and his dad are both saying his brother at UF isn't much of a factor, and they'd only be together for one season. CNS himself is recruiting Hill, like he did with PS2. But unlike PS2, Hill might decide pretty soon.

ETA: Chris Kirschner (SEC Country) stated in a recent article that (per a source) UA likes Lee better as a safety than on offense. I asked him yesterday about his confidence that his source is correct. He replied back tonight and said, "My source would know."

I also keep forgetting about “Apu” Ika who has a committable offer. It’s a great problem to have looking at the amount of DL prospects we’re after and trying to figure out how we fit them into this class.

Committed:

DE Alfano
NT Dale
DT Cheney

Targets:

DT Sopsher
DT Tuitele
NT Ika
DE Pickering
DE Young
DE Handy
DE Eboigbe
DE Beamon
DE Moore (May get an offer at camp)

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Sanders and Sopsher both have older brothers that are FCS talents. For them it will come down to whether or not they want to play with their brothers.

I actually feel pretty confident that we’ll get Thibodeaux. He had an excellent visit in April and will be returning for an OV this fall where I believe we’ll lock him up.

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I think Sanders and Sopsher will ultimately make the "business decision" that's best for their own future, vs basing it on being on the same team (only 1 year for Trey, 2 for Ish) with their brother. Our chances with Thibo look strong to me too.

After Reichard I’ll go with Byron Young or Noa Pola-Gates

Ten 5-stars who could end up at Alabama (BamaOnLine)


Patrick Surtain Jr.

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Alabama has a strong history of landing five-star recruits. The Crimson Tide signed two five-star recruits in 2018 in Eyabi Anoma and Patrick Surtain Jr. Prior to that, Bama signed a whopping six five-star recruits in its 2017 class, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, that all became instrumental pieces to the Tide’s championship run last season.

Not only is the Tide landing five-star recruits at a successful rate, but it’s also developing more of them into first round NFL Draft picks than any other program. Recently, 247Sports’ national columnist Chris Hummer published a piece looking into the numbers behind Alabama’s success rate in turning five-stars into first rounders.

“Alabama’s five-star recruits are picked in the first round at a rate of 48.3 percent, while five-star recruits that go to any other school are selected at a 17-percent clip. A five-star prospect who picks Alabama is more than doubly likely be selected in the first round than if he goes anywhere else.”

The Tide looks destined to retake the No. 1 recruiting class ranking come next February. It already ranks atop the standings with 12 commitments heading into the summer with more good news likely coming its way before the end of May.

Last year, Alabama’s seven year run atop the recruiting rankings came to an end when it signed the No. 6-ranked recruiting class and Georgia took the top spot. Don’t expect the same result in 2019 as Bama is in on a number of the nation’s top prospects.

Here are 10 five-star prospects Alabama can potentially sign to its 2019 class.

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Kayvon Thibodeaux, 5-star WDE (CA)

Alabama hosted the nation’s No. 1 player on an inaugural visit to Tuscaloosa in April. The five-star Jack linebacker target gave the Crimson Tide glowing reviews of his multi-day stay in Tuscaloosa:

“Bama is crazy,” he said. “It’s truly like … they have everything. Just really how much detail they show to the players. Everything they do is broken down, everything is meant to be perfect. The coaches make sure everyone is doing everything perfect. I see why they’re great.”

The Thousand Oaks (Calif.) Oaks Christian product plans to return to Alabama for an official visit, which will likely be for the Iron Bowl. What’s notable about that? It will likely mark the elite edge rusher’s last official visit before making a decision.

Alabama has shown the ability to go to California and land the top players. In past cycles, the Tide has secured signatures from five-star offensive tackle Jonah Williams and of course five-star running back Najee Harris. The staff also has a seasoned West Coast recruiter on the staff to assist Tosh Lupoi in new special teams and tight ends coach Jeff Banks.

The Tide has cemented itself among the top contenders for the nation’s top player.

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>>> Highlights - hudl

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Ishmael Sopsher, 5-star DT (LA)

Sopsher, from Amite (La.), is the nation’s No. 1 defensive tackle (if you haven’t caught the theme here yet) and has long been atop the Tide’s priority list.

After not making Sopsher’s top 12 last fall, Alabama is right back in the middle of things. The Bayou State native returned to Tuscaloosa for A-Day and spoke highly of the visit.

“Every time I go up there to Bama, it’s a fun place to be,” Sopsher said. “Coach Saban, he’s a great guy to be around. They have tremendous coaching staff and they show it. They have great hospitality every time you come up. Really, the hospitality and seeing the players and coaches and how well they got along.”

Sopsher wouldn’t be the first prospect the Tide has landed out of Amite, La. Wide receiver Devonta Smith, 50 percent of the Tide’s national-title winning play, attended the 2A power, a region the Tide has had a strong presence in in recent years.

The 6-foot-3.5, 330-pounder plans to narrow his list later this summer. Expect UA to make the cut.

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>>> Highlights - hudl

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Nolan Smith, 5-star WDE (FL)

Alabama has long been after one of Georgia’s top-rated commitments. Like Sanders, Smith is also a product of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. by way of Georgia.

Smith visited Tuscaloosa earlier this year for Junior Day and continues to listen to the Tide’s recruiting pitch despite his over year-long commitment to the Bulldogs.

“Just the people and the environment there,” Smith said of his favorite part about the Tide. “It’s a great place to go.”

Not only that, the five-star edge rusher says Alabama would likely be the team to beat if he were to backoff his commitment to Georgia. Although it remains to be seen if that will actually happen.

The Tide already has a pair of outside linebackers committed in its class in four-stars Kevin Harris of Loganville (Ga.) Grayson and King Mwikuta of Lagrange (Ga.) Troup County. Smith, of course, would still be welcomed, as would the aforementioned Thibodeaux. Linebacker is a priority position in the 2019 class.

Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley was at IMG’s spring game on Thursday night evaluating the Tide’s targets there.

Expect Smith back on campus for at least an official visit if not more trips than that in the coming months.

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>>> Highlights - hudl

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Daxton Hill, 5-star S (OK)

Hill is one of Alabama’s biggest priorities on defense. The five-star safety from Tulsa (Okla.) Booker T. Washington is the younger brother of standout Oklahoma State running back Justice Hill, but that doesn’t guarantee him to be a Cowboys lean.

“I liked it a lot,” Hill told BOL recently of his first visit to Tuscaloosa for A-Day. “Just how the campus looked and everything and just the way I felt about it and the vibes I got from the people and coaches. I talked to most of the coaches about how they run things down there. I enjoyed everything about it.”

It’s Oklahoma that’s actually trending on the 247Sports Crystal Ball for the nation’s No. 1 safety, but Hill is certainly giving the Tide a serious look. Nick Saban called the Sooner State product from the NFL Draft last month.

“Really just the people they put into the league,” Hill said of why he could see himself committing to Alabama. “Just talking with them and seeing how they really enjoy the way I play.

"They said I’m the No. 1 guy they’re trying to get after DB-wise. And just how great they’ve been playing over these last couple years. Hearing that from them, knowing I could come in and dominate, it would be great.”

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>>> Highlights - hudl

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Nakobe Dean, 5-star ILB (MS)

If you want to see what an elite inside linebacker looks like on film, dial up Dean’s Hudl page.

The Horn Lake (Miss.) product and No. 1 ILB in the nation is the Tide’s top priority at a major position of need in the cycle. Dean has visited Tuscaloosa twice this spring and is very high on Alabama.

“Alabama is great,” Dean said. “I love the people there. And the coaches of course are amazing. They always reiterate to me when I come, even if they aren’t there, Coach (Nick) Saban will still be there. They’ll still win championships. That’s another thing I love about Alabama — how they’re all about their business.”

Along with the Tide, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, and Stanford, among others, are working hard to pull Dean out of the Magnolia State. Though Dean himself has said he will likely play in the SEC, people close to the situation have said Stanford is a school in the mix that has favor in the Dean family — something to keep an eye on.

The five-star ‘backer won’t make a decision until late in the process.

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>>> Highlights - hudl