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

quote:

---

Thursday afternoon, Wright spoke about several schools that he's either visited or has been in constant contact with. He spoke in depth about Power 5 schools in the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten and Pac-12. All of the schools listed below are in alphabetical order. The schools listed, Wright said, do not reflect a top list, as he said he remains wide open with his recruitment.

ALABAMA: "We went down there, and they didn't really have time to talk, but they made the time. It took about an hour for them to get everything situated, because they had to do interviews and everything, but when I talked to [tight ends] Coach [Jeff] Banks and the wide receiver coach [Josh Gattis], they chopped everything up for me. They showed me where I'll fit in. Alabama is a cool place."

GEORGIA: "I like Georgia. We have a 7-on-7 tournament there, so I'm going to go back and chill. Last time I went, it was with my 7-on-7 team, so I really couldn't get the full experience, but I like Georgia. I hope to get some 1-on-1 time with them."

MICHIGAN: "I went there, and it was crazy how much love they showed. It was 9 o'clock at night, and all the coaches were still there. They all showed love. It was real there -- but it's cold there, too."

OHIO STATE: "It was cold, but it was fun. I tried on all of their stuff, and I had a chance to just chill with the coaches. It wasn't about forcing me to commit like some coaches do. We were just chilling, and I liked that."

OREGON: "They gave me a chance when everybody was sleeping on me. I haven't really been showing any love, so I was thinking to just go down on an official or on my birthday, July 28. I'll turn 17."

TEXAS: "[Wide receivers] Coach Drew [Mehringer]. That's my man. He's young, so he knows where you're coming from. I've been there a few times already. Coach Drew's cool, real straightforward. He'll help you with anything, and I like that."

TEXAS A&M: "[Wide receivers] Coach [Dameyune] Craig. It felt like we had a four-hour talk where we were just talking about everything. He and my dad are similar. They know a lot of the same people. Coach Craig's like family. That's what I want to have when I go off to school."

---

quote:

---

COLONIA, N.J. -- Alabama’s future starting defensive line could have a heavy Northeast lean after the Crimson Tide moved into the region again to land one of the top defensive lineman in the 2019 class.

Antonio Alfano, who is the No. 5 strong side defensive end in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, just announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide during a ceremony at Colonia High.

“They want me as a Jack, which is an outside linebacker but also like a defensive end in their scheme,” the 6-foot-4, 285-pound Alfano said. “I can cover, too. Now that they saw my speed and they saw me move, they were like, ‘Ok, this kid can play Jack for us.’ “

Although Alfano announced his decision Friday, he actually let Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban know about his decision via FaceTime last week. “He was happy, but it wasn’t rejoicing. His reaction was exactly what I expected,” Alfano said. “I was thinking the same way he was thinking. The first thing he said was, ‘Antonio, you’re committing to what we do here.’ I was like, ‘Yes sir. This is a business decision.’ “

In the 2018 class, Alabama landed defensive tackle Christian Barmore out of Philadelphia and defensive end Eyabi Anoma from Baltimore, and Alfano said he is eager to join them. He will sign his binding national letter of intent in December, and enroll at Alabama in January.

“I think coach Saban is a football genius,” Alfano said “I think he’s figured the game out. He’s got it down to a ‘T.’ I’m talking all aspects of college football. Competing against the best talent in the country is awesome, too. I don’t know the last player from Jersey who went to ‘Bama who didn’t get drafted. Anthony Averett and Minkah Fitzpatrick just got drafted.”

Penn State and Georgia were Alfano’s other finalists, and he said the decision was difficult because he connected well with each of the coaching staffs. However, it was the feeling Alfano got when he was on Alabama’s campus and interacting with the players in the program in early April that turned out to be a key part of his decision.

“I was looking for a school that had brotherhood,” Alfano said. “Hanging out with the players and playing video games and listening to music, and just the way they interact with each other, and the way they cared about each other but when it was time to go to work, it was time to work. “That’s what I like. That’s what really attracted me to them.”

Alfano is the 13th member of Alabama’s 2019 class. He is second projected defensive end, joining Loganville (Ga.) Grayson weak side defensive end Kevin Harris. The Crimson Tide also have commitments from defensive tackles Rashad Cheney of Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove and Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville’s DJ Dale.

---