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re: Class of 2019 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: That's a Wrap Edition
Posted on 11/21/18 at 5:37 pm to BamalaAnderson
Posted on 11/21/18 at 5:37 pm to BamalaAnderson
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persevered at West Alabama
Beating his girlfriend must have been so hard for him.
1
Posted on 11/21/18 at 6:58 pm to MagillaGuerilla
How wrestling molded Clay Webb into an elite football prospect (247Sports)
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As he was heading into the eighth grade, Clay Webb approached his mother, Dana Webb, to express his birthday wish: Clay wanted to go to football camp. Dana didn't previously know such things existed. She researched football camps and signed her son up for the one a hundred miles away Auburn.
In just over three years since that moment, her youngest child and only son is the top-ranked center in the 247Sports Composite and narrowing in on a decision between a sampling of elite college football programs: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Auburn.
But before Webb makes his college selection, there's his senior season to worry about. Each Friday night the 6-foot-3, 295-pound lineman puts on his Oxford (Ala.) High football helmet for potentially the last time ever as he and his teammates navigate the state playoffs in pursuit of a championship.
“This year we’ve taken it really slowly,” said Dana. “He’s really enjoyed his high school career.” It's a high school career that Clay and Dana, who teaches at Oxford, have spent in close proximity. Working at the school, the elder Webb has heard countless students tell her they wanted to play football in college or be a professional athlete.
“In 28 years of teaching I’ve seen a lot of kids dream of playing football,” she said. “I’m very optimistic by nature, but I’m also a realist. I’d say that’s really good, that’s a great dream, you can work hard for that but worry about academics more than that.”
Her attitude was much the same when Clay approached her about his birthday present in eighth grade. But things did always seem different for her boy, and that Auburn camp opened her eyes.
This post was edited on 11/21/18 at 7:13 pm
Posted on 11/21/18 at 6:59 pm to TidalSurge1
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Until last football and wrestling season, Webb had always competed against older kids, often times two or three grades advanced. Like so many touted offensive linemen before him, Webb wasn’t allowed to play football until the fourth grade because of the local league weight limit.
Instead, he did karate, played basketball, baseball and soccer. “He did soccer for four years,” Dana laughed. “He loved going after that ball. He didn’t always know what to do with it once he got it but he loved going after it. He was a hyper child.”
Webb’s big breaks athletically came in the fifth grade. He was finally able to play football when the rule was changed to allow him and his 125+ pound contemporaries to play — just not carry the ball. He was also introduced to the pee wee wrestling program.
“We had a wrestling coach at the high school that decided to develop his program,” Dana said. “He told me you need to let Clay wrestle. We won’t find him many to go against but we’ll find somebody.”
“Wrestling it’s a different animal and I didn’t know anything about wrestling. More than anything, it amazed me when I would see how strong he was against those guys. You could tell there was no technique but he had the feet and strength and occasionally he’d manhandle someone. He got his clock cleaned many of times too but he won over half his matches. It made him want to learn more."
Those somebodies were three years ahead of him at an age where that kind of discrepancy can make a world of difference in physical maturity. But Webb battled.
“He has never complained one time in all his years playing sports,” Dana said. “He has always looked forward to practice and the workouts and he loves the intensity of workouts. That’s one thing he really enjoys about sports, the competition, but preparing for the competition."
This post was edited on 11/21/18 at 7:14 pm
Posted on 11/21/18 at 6:59 pm to TidalSurge1
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When Webb isn't competing or preparing to compete, he's reading books about history and war tactics, his mother says.
"He’s always enjoyed museums and different forts," Dana said. "When he was 10 we took a trip across the country in the summer and went everywhere he and his sister were interested in, going to those museums and historical landmarks.
"We saw 22 states. We went as far out as Nevada and went to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone for two weeks, most of Utah, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and had a good time.
"My dad had a fifth wheel and we went the day school let out and came back through Kentucky and Tennessee and got back the day before school let in. I knew we had to make that trip before he started lifting weights and really got into athletics.”
A few years after that trip across the country, Webb was at that Auburn camp he'd requested for his birthday. On the way out, a Tigers coach stopped Dana and said her son — remember, still just an eighth grader — was going to be one to pay attention to.
“I think the wrestling made him super confident in those 1-on-1 drills,” Dana explained. “Helped with balance and leverage. More than that, helped with confidence going against rising seniors at that camp. He wasn’t apprehensive about it at all. As a matter of fact, he volunteered more than anyone at the camp.
"You know you jump in when you want to go. I was shocked. Him just going into the ninth grade, I thought he would hold back a little bit but he was fighting to get back to the front to get into the things.”
This post was edited on 11/21/18 at 7:18 pm
Posted on 11/21/18 at 6:59 pm to TidalSurge1
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Auburn and Mississippi State offered in the spring of eighth grade after watching Webb work out with the high school team.
“I said we’re not even going to discuss that,” Dana said. “You’re in the eighth grade and they don’t know the man you’re going to be the next year or the years moving forward. Work as hard as you can and move forward and we’re not going to talk about it.
“The next year and half went by and a friend took him to the Auburn camp and said, 'Did you know Auburn offered your son a scholarship?' I said yes, but we’re not really discussing that, he’s only in the ninth grade. None of that really means anything until you get to a different point in your high school career.”
The point has certainly arrived now. “I told him once he narrowed it down to two or three I’d take him to college games,” Dana said. “Friends would take him before. We have a great coach here; he is a big Alabama fan that would take him to Alabama. Another person that was an Auburn fan would take him to Auburn. My sister went to Georgia and her husband would take him to Georgia games.
"He got to see them and experience that, but more than that he enjoyed going to camps. I would take him to those. Anything he was competing in and doing something, I would take him to those and once he narrowed down his list I told him I would go to games with him. We’ve been going to several schools this fall and just visiting and trying it out and seeing how it fits for him.”
Those visits have been to the schools mentioned: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Georgia. He’ll be back on the Crimson Tide campus for a third time this fall for the Iron Bowl on Saturday. Dana gave her take on each with a decision now less than a month away. The Early Signing Period for college football begins on Dec. 19 and Webb will put pen to paper regarding his future.
This post was edited on 11/21/18 at 7:24 pm
Posted on 11/21/18 at 7:02 pm to TidalSurge1
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ALABAMA
“Of course Alabama has an outstanding program. Their coaches are just awesome. I can’t say enough about how much better they could make Clay. That’s what he’s into. He wants to become the best football player.
"I think that’s where they stand out in his mind. In my mind I think they also have a great academic program and they seem like a family there. I like the tradition behind Alabama. I really like their tradition.”
AUBURN
“With Auburn I think that Clay likes of course the possibility of playing with (former Oxford teammate) KJ Britt who he is already use to and feels a camaraderie with, which is appealing to Clay because he is very much into the brotherhood. He likes that part of sports and that type of loyalty to teammates.
"I think he thinks a lot of (Auburn quarterback commit) Bo Nix who is committed there. I think that’s a big draw, who the quarterback he’s going to be blocking for is and that sort of thing. I like how nice everyone is at Auburn. Of course everyone is nice wherever you go. Their campus layout, I like the atmosphere there.”
CLEMSON
“Clemson is a really special place. I think their coaches are very special. They have a really good developmental program all-around for the person and player. Not saying all of them don’t but I think they particularly focus on that and they make you feel like that’s a priority with them.
"Coach (Todd) Bates taught here for a year and a half with me. I know him and know he’s a really good man and know he’s an exceptional person and has the best interests of all the kids he’s taught here in mind so I know he’s carried that on to Clemson of course.”
This post was edited on 11/21/18 at 7:35 pm
Posted on 11/21/18 at 7:09 pm to TidalSurge1
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GEORGIA
“I grew up in Georgia. My sister went to the University of Georgia. I’m very familiar with Georgia. It feels like a home-like atmosphere. I love the energy of the crowd in the stands when you attend a game there. I think Coach (Sam) Pittman is a very good coach, just like (Alabama’s offensive line coach Brent) Coach Key. I think they’re so good at what they do.
"They all are but you know I just get the feeling Coach Pittman is all about developing the better player and making them the best player they can be. I’m sure they’re all like that. Coach Pittman has a really good sense of humor about him too which is easier to get to know more because we're reserved people. Clay does better around people that bring 90 percent because he’s only going to bring 10.”
The school that lands Webb will not only get one of America’s top offensive line prospects, but Dana says they’ll get a great teammate too.
“I really do think one of his best attributes is his compassion for helping others,” she said. “He almost always tends to put others before himself. He has a wonderful work ethic. He works harder than anyone I know.”
A punishing player in the trenches and a dominant force on the wrestling mat, Webb is ranked by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 1 recruit in Alabama and the No. 19 prospect overall.
The Crimson Tide are favored to land his signature on the 247Sports Crystal Ball with Clemson and Georgia also having traction. He’s been to each of those places several times.
Steve Wiltfong, author: "When I put in the CB pick (09/19), UGA seemed to be the vibe sources who talked to Clay and his family were getting, but with that being said, I haven’t talked to anyone who knows for sure. He could certainly be Bama bound, and maybe the Tide led the whole time. There’s confidence around Clemson too, so tough to put a finger on this one right now."
This post was edited on 11/22/18 at 10:11 am
Posted on 11/21/18 at 7:51 pm to TidalSurge1
Hauling arse
Posted on 11/21/18 at 8:08 pm to Cobrasize
I knew Ruggs was a burner but the 3-4 strides on the TD that was called back were jaw dropping.
Yeah what's crazy is Smithy wasn't getting any love on here during spring/fall camp. Kinda like D Harris the last 2 years. We need him healthy.
Yeah what's crazy is Smithy wasn't getting any love on here during spring/fall camp. Kinda like D Harris the last 2 years. We need him healthy.
This post was edited on 11/21/18 at 8:14 pm
Posted on 11/21/18 at 8:25 pm to Tide or Die87
Robinson is a homerun hitter and he has good size. Robinson reminds of Clinton Portis but Robinson is bigger and not quite as fast. I like Najee too but I don't think Najee is a better pure RB.
Posted on 11/22/18 at 3:34 am to Shaft Williams
Alabama commits continue deep playoff runs (BamaOnLine)
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Several teams with Alabama commits are still alive in the playoffs this week. Here's a look at where to find them.
Amari Kight, OT, Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson -- The Warriors take on Hoover in the state semifinals on Friday evening.
Byron Young, DT, Laurel (Miss.) West Jones -- The Mustangs face Picayune in the state semifinals on Friday evening.
Kevin Harris, WDE, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson -- The Rams face Lowndes on Friday evening in the state quarterfinals.
King Mwikuta, OLB, Lagrange (Ga.) Troup County -- The Tigers face Cairo on Friday evening in the state quarterfinals.
Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson -- The Warriors take on Hoover in the state semifinals on Friday evening.
This post was edited on 11/22/18 at 8:24 pm
Posted on 11/22/18 at 3:53 am to TidalSurge1
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Braylen Ingraham, SDE, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas -- The Raiders face Dwyer in the state quarterfinals on Friday.
DJ Dale, DT, Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville -- The Cougars face Oxford in the state quarterfinals on Friday evening.
Will Reichard, K, Hoover (Ala.) -- The Buccaneers face Thompson in the state quarterfinals on Friday.
Carson Beck, QB, Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin -- The Mustangs face Wekiva in the state quarterfinals on Friday.
Caden Clark, TE, Dayton (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban -- The Knights are playing Avon in the state semifinals.
Jah-Marien Latham, DT, Reform (Ala.) Pickens County -- The Tornadoes are playing Spring Garden in the state quarterfinals on Friday.
This post was edited on 11/22/18 at 8:23 pm
Posted on 11/22/18 at 4:46 am to TidalSurge1
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Happy Thanksgiving Edition
This post was edited on 11/22/18 at 5:08 am
Posted on 11/22/18 at 8:43 am to TidalSurge1
If that were the case , there'd be a helluva lot less turkey served today!Posted on 11/22/18 at 8:54 am to coachcrisp
Posted on 11/22/18 at 8:57 am to TidalSurge1
Happy Turkey Day!
Posted on 11/22/18 at 9:45 am to Carlton
Crimson and Blue Chips: November 22, 2018 (BamaOnLine Podcast)
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Rundown:
01:55 - A taste of Iron Bowl recruiting
18:40 - Thoughts on the 2018 Iron Bowl
38:30 - Q&A on the team and recruiting
This post was edited on 11/22/18 at 9:50 am
Posted on 11/22/18 at 9:53 am to Carlton
Good luck post. Thanksgiving Edition. It' my damn jib
Posted on 11/22/18 at 10:28 am to Cobrasize
This is funny. 2nd and 26 Street...
Posted on 11/22/18 at 10:43 am to Cobrasize
Any of them named Lil’ Snapping Beaver? If so, I’m in..........
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