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

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GORNEY’S VIEW: WASHINGTON

I have no doubt Gilbert is special - and both of these players are similar in many ways - but I would give the edge to Washington because he’s so incredibly special all over the field. He can line up wide, he can line up with his hand down and run routes that way, he’s an awesome defensive end, he even runs fake punts for Las Vegas Desert Pines. For someone who is a legit 6-foot-7 and 260 pounds it’s amazing to see Washington play because he’s so smooth, so agile and he never, ever drops a pass. He has some of the best hands in the 2020 class, even when put up against the best receivers. Washington already has 25 offers and any coach who comes to see him must be compelled to offer just looking at the kid. Then they turn on the film and fall in love even more. If there’s one must-have tight end in this class, someone who could be an immediate contributor at the college level, it’s Washington.

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SIMMONS’ VIEW: GILBERT

Gilbert is a freak athlete. It is that simple. He is still viewed and ranked as an athlete because he is being recruited as that and he has the ability to be a star on either side of the ball. When looking at Gilbert strictly as a tight end though, he would be a five-star there, too. He has the size, hands, speed and big-play ability you look for at that position. It is hard for me seeing anyone too comparable to him at that position. What he can do after the catch and the type of mismatch he is makes him the best. Not to mention his ability to block. Gilbert finished with over 1,200 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns in 2018. It is easy to see why Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Penn State, Tennessee and so many others are after him.

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A new Rivals250 comes with plenty of change, Such adjustments help some programs while hurting others. And while the class of 2020 is still in its infancy from a rankings standpoint, it’s never too early to look at schools that should be thrilled by the latest changes. Below is an examination of five teams that should be pleased by their recruiting starts and the news they got with the latest rankings update.

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FARRELL'S TAKE

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“I think more and more schools are going into Alabama to try to beat Saban at his own game, which is stealing recruits from other home states, and it’s working a bit. You expect Auburn to get its share of Alabama players, but for Clemson to go in and land the top player last year and for Georgia to land Webb this year after he was supposed to be a ‘Bama lean for so long is a bit surprising.

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Alabama already flipped two defensive backs this week from other schools, and now has momentum in the chase for the top defensive tackle in the country. Five-star Amite (La.) defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher began trending this week to the Crimson Tide.

Crystal Ball picks continue to arrive in Alabama’s favor, including projections from BamaOnLine’s Hank South and 247Sports director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong. LSU still holds the majority of projections for Sopsher at 67 percent, but the Crimson Tide are up to 29 percent after picking up five new Alabama picks in the last day.

Sopsher recently named LSU, Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ole Miss as his schools of focus in a recent VIP interview where he discussed his shift to recruiting during visit season. He is scheduled to announce a college decision Feb. 6 after completing all five official visits.

Sopsher ranks as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and the ninth best overall prospect.

“Densely built defender with a powerful lower-half and a thick upper-half who brings mass without a lot of bad weight,” wrote lead evaluator Barton Simmons. “Has natural strength and punch and uses his hands effectively when he wants to. Can flash suddenness and get-off for a bigger defender and has demonstrated instances of good lateral quickness. Two-gap ability. Overpowering on the high school level. A high school defensive end that has been extremely productive and has an above average motor. Wins with size in high school and will need to develop a more well-rounded game for the next level including ability to retrace, change directions and play with consistent pad level and technique. May be close to his ceiling physically. Impact high level Power Five defender potential early round NFL Draft pick.”

Sopsher holds a projection as a second- or third-round pick in the NFL Draft with a comparison to John Jenkins of the Giants. Alabama ranks No. 1 nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings for 2019 after recent additions of Daxon Hill and Jeffery Carter. The class sits at 24 hard commitments heading into next week's early signing period.

Sopsher’s stellar high-school career ended last week after the 6-foot-4, 320-pounder from recorded four tackles and one sack in the LHSAA Class 2A State Championship Game with Amite High taking down Welsh (La.), 47-20.

“It kind of feels like a dream,” Sopsher said. “No disrespect to Welsh or anybody, but I had already seen this happening. I had a vision of this happening on this day. My parents always told me to be a firm believer in what you do. We went out there today and got the win the way we knew how. It’s sad though. I am going to miss Amite. And I will miss Amite football.”

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