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re: 2013 Alabama Football Recruiting Thread - DH Decommited from UGA
Posted on 4/10/12 at 3:06 pm to Chadaristic
Posted on 4/10/12 at 3:06 pm to Chadaristic
With over 20 offers from the nation’s top programs, Dulles (TX) corner Maurice Smith is now trying to visit as many campuses as possible before making a final decision.
Alabama will have the opportunity to make up ground on Texas this weekend.
This weekend, the 4-star corner will be making his first trip to Tuscaloosa. The Tide recently offered Smith so he’s eager to see what the reigning National Champions have to offer.
“I’m going to Alabama’s spring game this weekend,” said the No. 16 ranked CB in the nation according to 247Sports. “I already have an offer but it would be an honor to play for coach Nick Saban. He’s going to be my personal coach because he coaches DBs so that would be great too.”
He added, “I’m really looking to see how the atmosphere is up there. I’m hoping it’s got that family atmosphere feel to it. I also want to see how they coach. I know Nick Saban is a great coach but I just want to see the technique they use, the coverages and how they use their corners. I’ve heard about their history so that will be fun to see all the things I’ve heard about Bama.”
Since the Texas Longhorns extended an offer, Smith states the heat has been turned up on his recruitment.
“Oh yea, very much so, things have changed a lot since they offered me” he said. “I’m just trying to take it slow, really. As far as Texas goes, everyone knows, I wouldn’t say pressure, but they want you to commit because that’s who they are and they haven’t had a lot of people turn them down. UT has always been my dream school, so even though I’m taking the process slow and I got the offer, I’m still leaning towards them.”
The Top247 prospect will be in College Station on the 20th for the Aggie’s Friday Night Lights even at Kyle Field.
“I’ll be there,” he said. “I plan on calling Coach (Marcell) Yates today so I’m looking forward to catching up with him. A&M was my first love basically because it was the first offer I got but I’m really just weighing it all out right now.”
Smith, who ran a 10.7 in his district meet on Monday, recently decided that he plans on moving back his commitment timeline.
“I really want to get through the season and see how all these teams are going to do,” he said. “You’re the first person I’ve told this. People always ask me, do I have a tops list? I think I’m just going to wait and chill after the season to make my decision.”
One reason Smith wants to take his time is that he’s aware the landscape of college football is constantly changing. The lockdown defender uses some recent examples in the mainstream media to further explain.
“Anything can change, coaches changes every year,” he said. “Just look at what’s going on at Arkansas. Anything can happen so you’re the first person I’m telling that I’m not going to make my decision until after the season. I’m trying to make a decision that will effect the next 40 years of my life, not just the next four, so I want to evaluate all my options closely.”
He added, “What it also comes down to is numbers. I don’t want to wait until my junior or senior season to start. I also want to look at what schools are putting guys into the draft and the NFL and how many returners they have.”
The 5-11, 178-pounder believes Georgia Tech, West Virginia and Oregon are also close to offering. Smith will narrow his list of schools down during the middle of the season.
Alabama will have the opportunity to make up ground on Texas this weekend.
This weekend, the 4-star corner will be making his first trip to Tuscaloosa. The Tide recently offered Smith so he’s eager to see what the reigning National Champions have to offer.
“I’m going to Alabama’s spring game this weekend,” said the No. 16 ranked CB in the nation according to 247Sports. “I already have an offer but it would be an honor to play for coach Nick Saban. He’s going to be my personal coach because he coaches DBs so that would be great too.”
He added, “I’m really looking to see how the atmosphere is up there. I’m hoping it’s got that family atmosphere feel to it. I also want to see how they coach. I know Nick Saban is a great coach but I just want to see the technique they use, the coverages and how they use their corners. I’ve heard about their history so that will be fun to see all the things I’ve heard about Bama.”
Since the Texas Longhorns extended an offer, Smith states the heat has been turned up on his recruitment.
“Oh yea, very much so, things have changed a lot since they offered me” he said. “I’m just trying to take it slow, really. As far as Texas goes, everyone knows, I wouldn’t say pressure, but they want you to commit because that’s who they are and they haven’t had a lot of people turn them down. UT has always been my dream school, so even though I’m taking the process slow and I got the offer, I’m still leaning towards them.”
The Top247 prospect will be in College Station on the 20th for the Aggie’s Friday Night Lights even at Kyle Field.
“I’ll be there,” he said. “I plan on calling Coach (Marcell) Yates today so I’m looking forward to catching up with him. A&M was my first love basically because it was the first offer I got but I’m really just weighing it all out right now.”
Smith, who ran a 10.7 in his district meet on Monday, recently decided that he plans on moving back his commitment timeline.
“I really want to get through the season and see how all these teams are going to do,” he said. “You’re the first person I’ve told this. People always ask me, do I have a tops list? I think I’m just going to wait and chill after the season to make my decision.”
One reason Smith wants to take his time is that he’s aware the landscape of college football is constantly changing. The lockdown defender uses some recent examples in the mainstream media to further explain.
“Anything can change, coaches changes every year,” he said. “Just look at what’s going on at Arkansas. Anything can happen so you’re the first person I’m telling that I’m not going to make my decision until after the season. I’m trying to make a decision that will effect the next 40 years of my life, not just the next four, so I want to evaluate all my options closely.”
He added, “What it also comes down to is numbers. I don’t want to wait until my junior or senior season to start. I also want to look at what schools are putting guys into the draft and the NFL and how many returners they have.”
The 5-11, 178-pounder believes Georgia Tech, West Virginia and Oregon are also close to offering. Smith will narrow his list of schools down during the middle of the season.
1
Posted on 4/10/12 at 3:10 pm to TreyAnastasio
quote:
I’m trying to make a decision that will effect the next 40 years of my life, not just the next four, so I want to evaluate all my options closely.”
Sounds like a smart kid.Posted on 4/10/12 at 4:38 pm to Chadaristic
Falkins will be there for A Day
Posted on 4/10/12 at 5:28 pm to TreyAnastasio
Alabama-Arkansas 2007 on ESPN Classic right now. Damn I forgot how good Ezekial Knight was edition.
Posted on 4/10/12 at 5:34 pm to GenesChin
Chad Simmos or Kipp Adams said last night that Reuben is 18 and is in fact eligible
Posted on 4/10/12 at 5:46 pm to lsusteve1
Unless you have something meaningful to add, please don't post in this thread anymore. TIA.
Posted on 4/10/12 at 5:50 pm to TideSaint
That was the Matt Caddell game right? That was a great game. Saban's first big win at Bama.
Posted on 4/10/12 at 6:18 pm to Chadaristic
Word is Petrino is out at Ark, anyone we're battling them for? Poor Philon!
Posted on 4/10/12 at 6:20 pm to Moosehead
Just read that on Twitter. I can't think of any recruits off the top of my head we're head to head against them with.
I'd like yo hear TideSaint's thoughts on Austin Allen now.
I'd like yo hear TideSaint's thoughts on Austin Allen now.
Posted on 4/10/12 at 6:21 pm to Moosehead
quote:
anyone we're battling them for
Posted on 4/10/12 at 6:26 pm to TreyAnastasio
they've had some big time in state recruits over the past few years... Coleman and Dyer I can remember off of the top of my head, both of which went to the barn but still.
Posted on 4/10/12 at 6:28 pm to Moosehead
I guess Tenpenny
Posted on 4/10/12 at 6:49 pm to TreyAnastasio
Let's hope they don't hire Butch Davis (and I honestly can't see that happening) because that guy can recruit. Wouldn't be that big of a deal though since we don't really go head to head with Arky for recruits that often.
Posted on 4/10/12 at 7:06 pm to Chadaristic
As I've said multiple times, Austin Allen is a stud. Petrino's frick ups make him fair game. He is a 4-star according to 24/7 so it isn't like he's not worthy. Most programs just assume he is going to Arkansas due to his father being a member of Petrino's staff. No Petrino equals open recruitment, at least I hope.
Posted on 4/10/12 at 7:07 pm to Moosehead
I like TE Hunter Henry, but he's not a good blocker.
Posted on 4/10/12 at 7:38 pm to TideSaint
Since Petrino is gone, is automatically assumed that Allen is off the staff too?
Posted on 4/10/12 at 7:38 pm to sarc
If they hire Butch he will go more head to had with us, but it's still Arkansas.
Posted on 4/10/12 at 7:50 pm to TreyAnastasio
5.3's all day
Posted on 4/10/12 at 8:22 pm to Chadaristic
quote:
Since Petrino is gone, is automatically assumed that Allen is off the staff too?
I don't think Allen will be let go, the situation is in his favor.
If they promote from within, the coach will likely retain that staff, with the exception of maybe Paul Petrino.
If they hire a new HC from outside the organization, he'll have to rush to get a staff together. That gives someone like Allen, who has been there for 10-15 years, an advantage.
Posted on 4/10/12 at 8:39 pm to MagillaGuerilla
quote:
ESPN 150 quarterback Cooper Bateman, a Utah native, had never been to the state of Alabama, so when he arrived in Birmingham en route to visit the University of Alabama, he was pretty shocked with what he saw.
“It was awesome,” Bateman said. “I’m from Utah, and when I picture Alabama, I didn’t know what to picture, just the state, just the surroundings. I kind of went in open-minded. I flew into Birmingham and just saw green everywhere. It was crazy. What a beautiful state.”
On his spring break last week, Bateman made a trip south to visit four interested SEC schools: Alabama, Auburn, Florida and LSU. After visiting Baton Rouge for LSU’s spring game, his second stop was Tuscaloosa.
“The campus was awesome,” Bateman said. “It was probably my favorite campus. It’s gorgeous out there. I learned everything about it. The education is top-notch, but that’s anywhere in the conference.
“They practiced full pads on Wednesday, so that was really good to see. I focused primarily on the quarterbacks, seeing where personally I thought I’d fit in on the depth chart.
“Overall, the practice, I loved it. It was really upbeat, guys flying around. There was no time in between. They didn’t waste anytime flying from drill to drill, guys running in and out each rep. It was just an upbeat, high-intense practice.”
While on campus, Bateman met with virtually the entire Alabama coaching staff, including a sit-down with UA head coach Nick Saban in his office, but the coach who Bateman spent the most time with was Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, his main recruiter.
“It was awesome,” Bateman said. “I had talked to him a number of times before meeting him and going to see Alabama. We had already built a little bit of a relationship prior to going down. I had the opportunity to sit through his quarterback meetings and see how he handles that, which I really enjoyed, seeing how he interacted with the quarterbacks.
“Seeing him out on the practice field, he’s really upbeat. He’s an intense guy. His voice is heard out there. He’s yelling at guys. He’s yelling the whole practice. His voice was shot by the time I got there. I liked it a lot.”
After taking all four visits, Bateman still has no clear leader, but he may be a little bit closer to a decision.
“At this point, I can’t really say, just out of respect to all the coaches,” Bateman said “I’m definitely a step closer to making a decision, but I still have more trips to make, and I’m not ready to really cross guys off the list quite yet.”
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound signal caller has already visited Boise State and Stanford, and he has plans to visit Washington at the end of the month and may also take trips to Cal and UCLA soon. He plans to make a decision over the summer.
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