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re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 6/21/17 at 1:59 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 6/21/17 at 1:59 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Kyler McMichael committing this Friday
Kyler McMichael, one of Alabama’s top cornerback targets in the Class of 2018, will announce his commitment Friday.
McMichael, a 247Sports 4-star prospect from Greater Atlanta Christian School (Norcross, Ga.), has visited Tuscaloosa multiple times this spring. Those visits weren’t public knowledge until he told SEC Country more than two weeks ago that he had been on campus at least three times. That was news to me because I hadn’t received word that McMichael had been on campus recently.
Clemson seemed the likely landing spot for McMichael earlier this year. I still believe the Tigers are in very good position to land his commitment; however, the Crimson Tide are also in a good spot after talking to multiple sources Tuesday night.
The thought right now is it’s a three-team race with Alabama, Clemson and Georgia battling it out for McMichael. The Bulldogs aren’t feeling confident with where they stand as of Tuesday.
One person close to McMichael went as far to say he thinks McMichael will choose Alabama at the end of the week. Hard emphasis on “thinks” there. But, that’s better than what I thought the team’s chances were when I found out he was going to announce his commitment this week, which came as a surprise because he had said earlier this month that he wanted to take some official visits before deciding. His original plan was to commit before his senior season, so it looks like he decided on that, after all.
He released his top 6 of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia and Tennessee on June 14. That was followed with a trip to Tennessee last weekend and the decision Tuesday to go ahead and announce his commitment. Interestingly enough, no one I spoke to thinks the Volunteers are in a good spot even after his decision to go through with a commitment after his visit to Knoxville.
McMichael told SEC Country that Alabama was one of the schools recruiting him the hardest and his interest in the Crimson Tide is high.
“It’s definitely one of my top schools,” McMichael said. “I have been able to communicate with [defensive backs coach] Derrick Ansley almost every day. They talk about how they talk about me all of the time up there. I definitely feel like a top priority to them. I love it.”
McMichael is a giant priority for Alabama. After signing zero cornerbacks in the Class of 2017, the Crimson Tide are strongly pursuing him, along with Tyson Campbell, Josh Jobe, Patrick Surtain Jr., Jalyn Armour-Davis and Jaycee Horn. The Tide would like to sign four defensive backs this cycle.
“They want bigger press corners, so they see that out of me,” McMichael said. “That’s what I love — getting up on the line, pressing and being physical.”
He’s been laser-timed in the low 4.4-second range in the 40-yard dash. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound prospect also has been compared to one of Alabama’s best players.
“I did have one college coach who compared just his size and skill set defensively to like a Minkah Fitzpatrick,” Greater Atlanta Christian coach Tim Hardy told my colleague Jeff Sentell at DawgNation. “It was a knowledgeable SEC coach. So you just see he has all of that. The size. The length. The speed. He can really do some stuff.”
Alabama is definitely a strong player for the nation’s No. 13 cornerback. More than what I originally thought.
1
Posted on 6/21/17 at 2:01 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Tavion Thomas commits to Oklahoma
Tavion Thomas, a 3-star running back from Dunbar High School (Dayton, Ohio), is one of a handful of prospects in the 2018 class to have an offer from the Crimson Tide at running back. But he committed to Oklahoma on Tuesday.
Thomas visited Tuscaloosa in February and fell in love with Alabama.
“I can see myself playing at ‘Bama,” Thomas said. “I’m still open, though. I play just like the running backs that they have now. They love big backs. I can run through you and I can run around you.”
Since then, however, the Crimson Tide have focused their attention on 5-star prospect Zamir White and in-state 4-star prospect Asa Martin. White will make his commitment on June 27. Georgia appears to be the team to beat for White. Martin will announce his commitment on Aug. 24. I think the Crimson Tide is the favorite to land him.
Oh well. Good luck to him at OU.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 2:03 pm to TideSaint
quote:
A couple of years into watching these guys and nearly a full offseason with them taking the center stage, it's become clear that this class of 2018 features a loaded quarterback group. The more this process has unfolded, the more we like this quarterback class and the pecking order is starting to come into focus.
Twelve of the best quarterbacks in this class will be competing at The Opening Finals in one week, offering more opportunity for critique and rankings movement. But, as that event approaches, we wanted to set the stage for where things stand at the position a fresh update.
LINK
Posted on 6/21/17 at 2:04 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Steady at the Top
We continue to like the order of our first four quarterbacks in the rankings. Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 has checked out as a rare talent throughout the spring, backing up what he's put on film. Justin Fields at No. 2 still looks like a real contender for the No. 1 overall spot because of his athleticism and playmaking ability. At No. 3, Matt Corral has generated some off-field questions but we've got no doubt about his arm talent. At No. 4, Colson Yankoff is one of the real darkhorse gunslingers in this class and reminds us of Sam Darnold at the same stage.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 2:06 pm to TideSaint
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The Big Movers
Tanner McKee has jumped all the way up to the No. 32 player in the country and the No. 5 quarterback. If we're talking pure size and arm talent, he may be the most physically gifted in this class. McKee has put up silly numbers as a high school quarterback but in the state of California that's not rare. What is rare is his arm talent. He looks like an NFL guy if he stays healthy. Remember, McKee won't play college football until 2020 because of a planned LDS mission.
Right behind McKee is Utah commit Jack Tuttle. With offers from USC and Alabama, Tuttle's pledge to the Utes will be tested but he's proving with his consistency, size and big arm that he's worth the effort to try to flip. One of the benefits of watching these guys in Elite 11 settings is the opportunity to learn about leadership traits and football work habits and Tuttle has drawn rave reviews as to his smarts and approach to the position.
When his only offers were Western Kentucky, Cornell and a handful of others, we made Tyler Shough a four-star on 247Sports. Since then he's continued to blow up on the recruiting trail and recently committed to North Carolina. He's one of the most fluid throwers in this class and he's now ranked No. 66 overall and the No. 6 quarterback.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 2:06 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Under the Microscope
Justin Rogers and Jarren Williams have seen their stock rise over the course of the spring but both will have opportunities to push that stock even higher next week in Oregon.
Rogers made the rankings leap all the way up to No. 106 in the most recent update. He's got some upper body stiffness in his delivery but he's big and athletic with a strong arm. The TCU commit made The Opening Finals where he has a chance to emerge as one of the best in this class with a good showing.
Jarren Williams has been bumped up to a four-star rating. He had a strong junior season and has shown command throughout the spring and summer too. Among the best of the best, if he can showcase elite arm talent, the Kentucky commit will keep trending up.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 2:07 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Something to Prove
Emory Jones burst onto the scene during the camp circuit as a sophomore. Following an injury riddled junior season and a much less consistent camp circuit this spring and summer, the Ohio State commit remains inside the Top100 but will be looking to his senior year to put the final touches on his ranking.
UCLA commit Dorian Thompson-Robinson received a small bump up into the Top100 but there's not much left for him to prove on the camp circuit. For his ranking to climb any higher, we'll need to see him do work on the field as he takes over for Tate Martell at Bishop Gorman this fall as a first-year starter.
Notre Dame commit Phil Jurkovec was one of the most disappointing camp quarterbacks of the cycle. He remains inside the Top100 and we will see him this fall in pads and this winter in the Army All-American Bowl where he will either validate his ranking and climb back up or slide further.
Right behind Jurkovec at No. 93 nationally is Washington commit Jacob Sirmon. He's a big kid and shows all the tools but we feel like we may have overshot his initial ranking. He's another quarterback with both a season and an Under Armour All-American Game to showcase his talents.
In terms of size and arm ability, there's Trevor Lawrence, Tanner McKee and then there's Miami commit Artur Sitkowski. Those are the guys that jump out walking onto any field but Sitkowski is much less consistent than the other two, he's less fluid and he's significantly less productive. He'll be at IMG Academy this fall where we'll expect him to have a huge season. He needs to finally find production to match his ranking.
From a talent standpoint, Virginia Tech commit Quincy Patterson is a four-star prospect and probably a Top100 prospect at that. We will see him again at The Opening Finals but barring some kind of other-worldly performance, we probably will wait to bump him up from his 89 rating until we see some film this fall. That's because he only threw for about 1,300 yards last year. That doesn't mean he can't be an NFL quarterback but we'd like to take a closer look at what he does in pads before putting the 4-star stamp on him.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 2:08 pm to TideSaint
quote:
These 3-stars are Trending Up
While a lot of three-star prospects have really showcased depth in this quarterback class these are the four that have impressed us the most.
Devin Leary – We will see the N.C. State commit in Oregon next week and we love his arm and ability to throw the ball downfield. His performance this spring has forced N.C. State to fight off other programs to keep him.
Carter Bradley – I love the quick release, love the movement outside the pocket, love the instincts he shows on film. Bradley was one of the under-the-radar invitees to the Elite 11 Finals that proved he belonged.
Will Levis – He recently landed an offer from Florida State but Levis has been steadily turning heads for the months leading up to that offer. At 6-4, 222, Levis was the most athletic prospect at The Opening N.J., clocking a 4.8 40 and a 35-inch vertical but he's been a consistent passer throughout the spring as well.
Jace Ruder – A recent North Carolina commit from Nowheresville, Kansas, Ruder is big and extremely athletic. He's a little bit raw as a thrower but hes's got as much upside as anyone in this class.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 2:25 pm to TideSaint
My reaction to Greg Brown being their DB coach....
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:39 pm to Bama3714
Seems like today has been an extremely slow day
Posted on 6/21/17 at 9:25 pm to Cobrasize
quote:
Seems like today has been an extremely slow day
I've been playing Super Mario 3D World on my new WiiU.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 9:25 pm to TideSaint
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Let’s set the stage for the rest of the summer.
Auburn only has six commitments, but there are several prospective Tigers soon to join Joey Gatewood, Shaun Shivers, Jalil Irvin, Kameron Stutts, Kolbi Fuqua and Daquan Newkirk. The Tigers will shoot to get close to 25 commitments, so there is work left to do in the 2018 class.
Expect to see several prospects add their names to the aforementioned list in the next few weeks or months.
Here are the five guys most likely to join Auburn’s recruiting class by August.
LINK
Posted on 6/21/17 at 9:26 pm to TideSaint
quote:
4-star DE Richard Jibunor, Athens Christian (Ga.)
Jibunor didn’t make it for Big Cat Weekend, but have no fear, Auburn fans. He made it back the week later and had a much more personal experience on campus.
The 4-star defensive end spent most of his time with close friend Prince Tega Wanogho. They enjoyed the Auburn football camp and even stepped away to the barbershop to get haircuts. It was an at-home experience for Jibunor who said he wants to get to the Plains as often as he can.
“Every chance I have to come here, I would definitely never miss it for anything because I always love being here,” Jibunor said. “Down in my heart, it’s just fun for me. I feel very comfortable here.”
Jibunor has a few visits he wants to take, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Auburn and Tennessee are the only two programs who have recruited Jibunor heavily from start to finish.
Ultimately, I think that plays in the Tigers’ favor.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 9:27 pm to TideSaint
quote:
3-star DE Andres Fox, Mobile Christian (Ala.)
Fox — or, as Kevin Steele calls him, Foxy — has a decision coming in the next couple of weeks.
He attended Big Cat Weekend with his parents. He returned two weeks later for a four-day visit to the Plains. That time, he came on his own, which him allowed him to spend the week as if he were a student-athlete at Auburn.
That’s positive sign No. 1 for the Tigers.
Fox also said Auburn players started poking fun at him about a commitment.
“They be playing around, saying, ‘Commit already — if you go to Alabama I’ll beat you up,'” Fox said.
Fox is being pushed by Alabama, Auburn and LSU. Like I’ve said before, when three programs of that caliber are prioritizing you, you’re not a 3-star prospect. Fox will be a defensive line fixture for years to come for whichever program he chooses.
Fox has leaned toward the Tigers in the past, and that’s where I think he ends up.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 9:29 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama and Auburn each have a chance to sign elite quarterback prospects who recently decommitted from other schools.
Justin Fields, the nation's No. 3 overall prospect, decommitted from Penn State earlier this month. He took visits to Georgia, Auburn, Florida State and Florida last week.
Alabama has offered Fields, but he told 247Sports that he doesn't talk to Alabama coaches as much as others. His sister is verbally committed to play softball at Georgia.
Auburn is one of five teams that have his attention, he told 247Sports at the NFA 7-on-7 national championships over the weekend. He played for the Cam Newton All-Star team.
The 6-foot-3, 221-pound Fields, who is from Kennesaw, Ga., is the nation's No. 1 dual-threat quarterback. Auburn is looking to sign two quarterbacks in this class and has a commitment from Joey Gatewood of Jacksonville, Fla.
He isn't the only quarterback to back off a pledge. Matt Corral, a four-star prospect ranked No. 17 nationally, decommitted from USC late last week.
The 6-foot-2, 196-pound Corral, who is from Long Beach, Calif., has three schools that stand out, according to a 247Sports report. Those schools are Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
Corral hasn't made any public comments about his recruiting process, but he and Fields will both participate in the Elite 11 finals at Nike Football's The Opening, which starts on June 29. AL.com will be at the event.
Corral has not visited Alabama yet, but could this summer. Alabama is still after high-profile quarterbacks such as Utah commit Jack Tuttle. The Crimson Tide do not have a quarterback committed for this class yet.
LINK
Posted on 6/21/17 at 9:30 pm to TideSaint
From the Auburn board:
quote:
KN says Harold Joiner plans on announcing in August now. When Joiner was asked about his top group of AU/BAMA/LSU/UGA he says that best being a 10, LSU is a 10 and UGA is a 8 or 9. Sounds like at best we are #3
Posted on 6/21/17 at 10:40 pm to TideSaint
quote:
I've been playing Super Mario 3D World on my new WiiU
Are you going to get Breath of the Wild?
Posted on 6/21/17 at 10:56 pm to Cobrasize
Yeah.
I paid $125 for a WiiU because the Switch is damn near impossible to find.
I decided to back fill my library with titles that I know my kids would enjoy while I wait for Breath of the Wild to be delivered.
This Mario game is fun as hell. Takes me back 30 years.
I paid $125 for a WiiU because the Switch is damn near impossible to find.
I decided to back fill my library with titles that I know my kids would enjoy while I wait for Breath of the Wild to be delivered.
This Mario game is fun as hell. Takes me back 30 years.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 11:08 pm to TideSaint
You were smart to get that for 125. I've heard that there have been a lot of problems with the switch anyway.
Hell, I'm excited about you getting Zelda. I can't wait to hear about it
Hell, I'm excited about you getting Zelda. I can't wait to hear about it
Posted on 6/22/17 at 12:00 am to Cobrasize
quote:
You were smart to get that for 125. I've heard that there have been a lot of problems with the switch anyway.
Up here in Idaho we have a local store that rents movies like Blockbuster used to and they buy and sell video game consoles, games, accessories, etc.
I told the owner I paid $125 for the 32 GB black WiiU and he asked me who I stole it from. He is selling it for $300.
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