Started By
Message
2
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:08 am to TideSaint
Take Two: How will No. 2 prospect Darnell Wright's recruitment shake out?
This is literally the first time I've seen Tennessee mentioned with this kid and the Rivals guys make it out like he was close to committing to them.
quote:
THE STORYLINE
Darnell Wright has moved to No. 2 in the country, a five-star offensive tackle from Huntington, W.V., the highest ranking anyone has earned from that state in the Rivals.com era dating back to the early 2000s.
Sandwiched between Big Ten country, SEC country and ACC country is Wright, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound phenom who is both massive and athletic and coveted by nearly every national power.
Tennessee has been trying to land him, but with a coaching change things have been started over with the Volunteers to some extent. Virginia Tech is squarely in the mix. So are national powers like Ohio State, Alabama and others because in-state loyalty, and maybe not even regional loyalty, will play a tremendous part in Wright’s recruitment.
After an impressive performance last summer at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge, Wright really emerged on the radar as a top national recruit who could pick wherever he wanted to play college football. As he continues to develop, the Huntington prospect could start entering that “special” category.
What does the future hold for the best recruit the Mountaineer state has ever produced?
FIRST TAKE: ADAM FRIEDMAN, RIVALS.COM MID-ATLANTIC ANALYST
“Wright is such a gifted prospect and he is still far from hitting his ceiling. His quickness and sense of timing are probably his best qualities right now and we love his aggressiveness. Wright is the type of player that plays until the echo of the whistle and wears down the defensive lineman across from him. His long arms and strong punch keeps defensive ends out of the backfield and that quickness helps him make sure defensive ends aren’t able to counter back to his inside.
“Tennessee was in a great spot with Wright prior to the coaching change because he was so familiar with the coaches. The Vols took a step back but are still major contenders for Wright and their place in his recruitment will get stronger as those relationships develop. Virginia Tech is the other school to keep an eye on for Wright. The Hokies have capitalized on their momentum and should be a strong player in Wright’s recruitment until the end.
"Expect him to take closer looks at Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, and many others before all is said and done.”
SECOND TAKE: MIKE FARRELL, RIVALS.COM NATIONAL RECRUITING DIRECTOR
“What makes him so special is he’s athletic, he’s long, he’s aggressive and he has really good feet. Wright is more athletic than some of the top tackles from last year such as Cade Mays or Jackson Carman. He's more angular than those guys, so he's more of a natural tackle. Nick Petit-Frere is raw and still filling out, but he had tremendous athleticism at tackle.
“He’s just starting to hit his stride as a prospect. We saw him at the Five-Star Challenge last year as an underclassman. He did very well on his own against some top, top competition and he’s just going to get better. It’s not a great year at tackle and he’s clearly the best one.
"As far as recruiting, Tennessee could have been considered the favorite but the coaching change could mix things up. Virginia Tech, Alabama and others will definitely be in there as well.”
This is literally the first time I've seen Tennessee mentioned with this kid and the Rivals guys make it out like he was close to committing to them.
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:10 am to seanpendleton10
quote:
How does that happen?
I guess his mom or dad gave the tattoo parlor permission, but the better question is how much money did all of that cost?
I have a friend back in Idaho that was getting a new tattoo on his shoulder and the outline work alone was over $500. He said it would cost at least another $1,000 to fill the colors in.
How do these kids afford shite like this?
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:12 am to TideSaint
Pac-12 Spotlight: The must-have 2019 prospects for each program
As always, I'll post the relevant ones.
quote:
In the Pac-12, a lot of top prospects are still on the board as only one of the top 50 players in the state of California is committed. Here’s a look at which “must-get” recruits are needed for each school in the conference.
As always, I'll post the relevant ones.
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:12 am to TideSaint
quote:
ARIZONA - CB Mykael Wright
New cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin has a longstanding relationship with Wright and that could be important as the Wildcats pursue the the four-star cornerback. Martin had been recruiting the Valencia standout since his days at UCLA and the two have continued to talk in the last few months. Wright said Arizona is among four schools recruiting him the hardest at this point but Alabama just offered and he seems in the early stages.
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:13 am to TideSaint
quote:
OREGON - CB Chris Steele
Steele showed up to the Rivals Camp Series presented by adidas event on Sunday wearing an Oregon Ducks headband. He talks highly of his relationship with that coaching staff and the Ducks are definitely a top contender. There is going to be a lot of competition for the five-star cornerback, who has been excellent this offseason and he can basically go wherever he wants, but Oregon should be a player until the end. With Steele’s ability, one side of the field can be locked down and the Ducks’ defense would add a huge piece to the secondary. Steele is that good, that physical and that determined to be special for years to come.
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:14 am to TideSaint
quote:
UTAH - DT Siaki Ika
Ika goes to one of the powerhouse programs in Salt Lake City East and he’s emerged as the top prospect in the state, so it’s important for the Utes to lock him up. It will be a challenge. Alabama, USC, Oregon, Washington and other powerhouses are pursuing Ika and some of those programs have had recent success landing top talent in Utah. The former BYU commit has to be a priority because he’s a dominant defensive lineman who could open up the Salt Lake City East pipeline to the Utes.
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:19 am to TideSaint
I love tattoos but its become such a trend and all of us will regret it later on!! Thats several thousand dollars on him already but im sure hes a well known name in his area and probably gets some kind of deal
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:22 am to TideSaint
I've already invested nearly $1000 into mine. 
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:25 am to Robot Santa
quote:
I've already invested nearly $1000 into mine.
Well you aren't a 16 year old kid either.
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:32 am to TideSaint
NFL mock draft 2018: First-round projections, top players, NFL draft order for the 2018 NFL Draft (3/9/2018)
Ozzie loves him some Alabama players.
Payne next to Joey Bosa.
This would be a great landing spot for Evans. However, they have the Saints taking Arden Key's lazy arse one pick ahead of the Steelers. I'd be pissed if New Orleans passed on Rashaan for that fatass.
quote:
4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama: The Browns went quarterback with their first pick. Next up, they grab the best defensive prospect in the class. Fitzpatrick is a queen-on-the-chessboard-type of defensive back.
quote:
16. Baltimore Ravens: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama: The Ravens might have the worst group of pass catchers in the NFL. This makes too much sense.
Ozzie loves him some Alabama players.
quote:
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama: The Chargers had the second-worst rush defense in the league last season. Payne will help them improve — look at the way he took over the College Football Playoff. Payne also shined at the NFL combine.
Payne next to Joey Bosa.
quote:
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama: With the Ryan Shazier injury casting doubt on his NFL future, linebacker becomes a position of need. Evans isn’t the prospect that Shazier was, but he, like many other Alabama linebackers, can be very good.
This would be a great landing spot for Evans. However, they have the Saints taking Arden Key's lazy arse one pick ahead of the Steelers. I'd be pissed if New Orleans passed on Rashaan for that fatass.
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:37 am to TideSaint
Auburn recruiting: 5-star linebacker Nakobe Dean has Tigers among favorites
quote:
5-star linebacker Nakobe Dean has Auburn in top group
Mark down one 5-star prospect as a potential Auburn commit.
Nakobe Dean, the No. 24-ranked player nationally, released a top list of schools and Auburn was one of them. OK, Dean’s list included 15 programs — Nebraska, Florida State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Georgia, Mississippi State, LSU, Alabama, Duke, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Stanford, Auburn, Florida and Clemson — so it wasn’t the most exclusive of top lists. It also shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Tigers cracked the top 15 when they likely would’ve made their way into a top 5 if he’d cut it that far.
Still, it’s worth mentioning Auburn’s realistic involvement with one of its top linebacker and overall targets.
Dean visited the Plains a little more than a month ago with high school teammate Raydarious Jones. Since their visit, another Horn Lake (Miss.) prospect — 3-star running back Tyler Grim — has taken a trip to Auburn. It shows Auburn is on the minds of the trio from Horn Lake.
Dean has taken several visits since his Auburn trip, but as he said at the time, the Tigers coaching staff made a major impression on him.
“I always say I want a family feel to the university. How they talk about it, they tell me it’s a family vibe. Everybody’s a family around here. You can tell,” Dean said about that visit. “They definitely impressed me.”
From talking with a few sources, one team to watch closely here is Stanford. Dean has visited LSU, Alabama and Georgia, so those are SEC programs to watch. But Dean is a high-academic guy who is intrigued by what the Cardinal have to offer.
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:38 am to TideSaint
Florida recruiting: Top-50 guard Deyavie Hammond high on Gators
quote:
Deyavie Hammond talks Gators
With potentially six offensive linemen leaving after next season, the position is one of Florida’s biggest needs in the Class of 2019.
A priority target for the staff is Deyavie Hammond, a top-50 overall recruit and 4-star guard who attends IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). Hammond is originally from Lakeland, Fla., and has heavy interest in the in-state Gators.
“I like Coach [Dan] Mullen and his new staff. I think they can build the program up,” Hammond said. “They put a lot of offensive linemen in the NFL and even some players from my hometown, the Pouncey twins [Maurkice and Mike]. I’m definitely going to keep them high on my list because it’s close to home.”
The former Alabama commit decided to reopen his recruitment on Jan. 26. Florida offensive line coach John Hevesy serves as the primary recruiter for Hammond, who first received an offer from Hevesy in May 2017 when he was an assistant at Mississippi State.
“The way their offensive line coach is, I like him,” Hammond said of Hevesy. “He wants the team to be great and he seems like a really good coach. He’s truthful. He tells me everything straightforward. He doesn’t BS around, but he’s also a cool dude.”
Hammond last visited Florida as a sophomore and hopes to return to campus this summer. His former teammate at Lakeland High School, James Robinson, has spoken to him about the program.
Robinson was a member of Florida’s 2017 class, but never suited up for the Gators because of a career-ending heart condition.
“I’ve talked to James and he told me it’s great up there,” Hammond said of Robinson, who is pursuing his degree. “He told me everything is really nice and the staff treats them well. It’s like a family up there, so I want to take another visit.
“I don’t have a date yet, but possibly over the summer. I just want to see what the new coaching staff has going on there and what their plans are for the team. I’m looking forward to seeing how they do this season.”
The 6-foot-4, 320-pound lineman is ranked the nation’s No. 3 guard and No. 39 overall recruit in the 247Sports composite. In addition to Alabama and Florida, Hammond also holds offers from Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU and Miami.
“I’ll make a decision during my senior year,” he said. “I want to pick a college where I feel at home and actually feel the love from everybody on campus. I want to be somewhere where I’m comfortable and not worried about anything.
“Going from freshman year with no offers to becoming a top offensive guard my junior year, it’s definitely still surreal. Sometimes I have to slow it down because the recruiting process can get overwhelming. It’s going to be a big decision.”
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:40 am to TideSaint
Defensive lineman Ricky Samuel names Tennessee leader following weekend visit
Anyone got some info on this in-state kid?
quote:
Tennessee leader for Ricky Samuel
Just get a prospect on campus and there is a chance. That was the philosophy of Phillip Fulmer when he coached at Tennessee.
Defensive lineman Ricky Samuel took a trip to Knoxville last weekend for junior day and came away impressed with the school and coaching staff.
“Tennessee would be a leader right now. Yeah, they would,” Samuel told SEC Country.
Samuel said one of his favorite parts of the trip was talking with coach Jeremy Pruitt. While at Alabama, Pruitt had recruited Samuel. Same with co-defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer. The familiarity with some of the staff members helped put the Vols in the lead, too.
“I feel like it’s upped the interest,” Samuel said. “They like me and I like them. The coaching staff up there is great. They are doing a really great job. I’m ready to go back.”
The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Samuel clearly has connected with the coaching staff. He says the Vols are recruiting him harder than anyone.
The 3-star prospect appears to be a good fit in the Vols’ new 3-4 defense. He plays defensive end for T.R. Miller High School in Brewton, Ala., but Pruitt envisions him as a defensive tackle. What he believes he does best lines up with what Pruitt is looking for at the position.
“I feel like I stop the run a lot better than I pass rush,” Samuel said. “I love stopping the run and when the offense runs the ball.”
Pruitt is trying to remake the defensive line in a hurry. Samuel can go a long way in helping accomplish this goal.
Tennessee is the team to beat for the Samuel. He plans to visit Alabama, Georgia and Auburn fairly soon. They will have to do a lot to unseat the Vols.
“To be honest, Tennessee really set the bar high,” Samuel said. “They are going to have to do quite a bit.”
Anyone got some info on this in-state kid?
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:42 am to TideSaint
Nation’s No. 1 recruit Kayvon Thibodeaux sees ‘great things happening’ at Florida
quote:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida is one of several college programs pursuing Kayvon Thibodeaux, the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2019.
The 5-star defensive end from Oaks Christian High School (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) was offered by new Gators coach Dan Mullen shortly after he took the job. Mullen flew to California to visit Thibodeaux on Jan. 22.
“Coach Mullen is a great guy,” Thibodeaux told SEC Country. “We talk on the phone and I like what he’s doing at Florida. I know there’s a lot of potential in the program. I see a lot of great things happening, honestly.”
Thibodeaux said he speaks with multiple coaches at Florida and likes the new defensive staff. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound prospect has already discussed his role in the Gators’ 3-4 scheme.
“They’ll have me rushing the passer,” he said. “In their defensive package, I might drop back sometimes and play a hybrid linebacker/D-end. That was great to hear. That fits my job description. That’s exactly what I am and what I’m good at.”
Thibodeaux wants to take a visit Florida and has a couple possible trips in mind. He could make it to campus in the near future.
“I’m going to see if I can take an unofficial visit this spring. I’m not sure yet,” Thibodeaux said. “I want to take an official visit around the season and try to catch a game. I just want to see how it is. I want to make sure it’s a place that I could actually see myself at.”
Thibodeaux named his 12 finalists on Feb. 24 and Florida made the cut along with Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC, UCLA and Washington. He hopes to make a late-summer decision.
“They play big-boy ball,” Thibodeaux said when asked what he likes about the Gators. “It’s in Florida. I love Florida. I’ve been there multiple times and, honestly, I feel like I can player anywhere. Distance does not matter at all. The biggest factors for me are personnel development and opportunities to play early.”
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:44 am to TideSaint
Auburn recruiting question of the day: Tigers contending for more top prospects than normal
quote:
Is it just me or does Auburn seem in the running for a lot of huge big time recruits for 2019... then again I know it’s way too early but just seems like we are trending up for some big names
Auburn has signed 17 top-100 prospects in the Gus Malzahn era. In his six seasons, the Tigers have average 2.83 top-100 prospects per signing class. There have been a few classes — the 2014 class and the 2016 class — that have skewed that number.
The last two recruiting cycles, Auburn has hauled in Joey Gatewood, Matthew Hill, Calvin Ashley and TD Moultry for an even average of two per class.
Auburn already has one top-1oo prospect in the 2019 class (quarterback Bo Nix), so to match the last two seasons the Tigers would need to add one more. It’s also possible, and I’m projecting here, that wide receiver commit George Pickens rises to the top 100 once more scouts get in front of him and see how talented he is. Even if that doesn’t happen, Auburn is in a great position to sign at least one more top-1oo prospect — and likely more than one.
Below are the top-1oo prospects who the Tigers are in contention to land. I’ve separated the recruits into two categories. “Serious contenders” are the recruits who have Auburn among their top two or three schools, whether that’s from public announcements or what they’ve said to me privately. “Potential contenders” are the prospects who are considering the Tigers, have visited this spring, or have told SEC Country they plan to visit in the coming weeks and months.
By looking at the list below, it appears you’re correct, Jake. Auburn is on track to snag more top-1oo prospects than it has in recent years. There is a lot of work to be done between now and then, but the foundation is there.
Serious contenders
5-star LB Owen Pappoe, No. 7 overall
5-star OL Clay Webb, No. 11 overall
5-star WR Frank Ladson, No. 15 overall
5-star LB Nakobe Dean, No. 24 overall
4-star RB Noah Cain, No. 31 overall
4-star OT Wanya Morris, No. 40 overall
4-star ATH Mark-Anthony Richards, No. 41 overall
4-star LB De’Gabriel Floyd, No. 42 overall
4-star DE Nathan Pickering, No. 51 overall
4-star RB John Emery, No. 71 overall
4-star QB Bo Nix, No. 74 overall (commit)
4-star S Jaylen McCollough, No. 75 overall
4-star CB Christian Williams, No. 88 overall
4-star OT Xavier Truss, No. 97 overall
4-star WR Jashawn Sheffield, No. 100 overall
Potential contenders
5-star WR Jadon Haselwood, No. 2 overall
5-star DE Nolan Smith, No. 5 overall
5-star OL Devontae Dobbs, No. 9 overall
5-star DE Zacch Pickens, No. 21 overall
4-star WR Theo Wease, No. 30 overall
4-star OG Deyavie Hammond, No. 39 overall
4-star WR Devonta Lee, No. 48 overall
4-star ATH Josh Sanguinetti, No. 49 overall
4-star OT Harry Miller, No. 63 overall
4-star WR Jeremiah Payton, No. 87 overall
4-star CB Tyrique Stevenson, No. 89 overall
4-star WR Jalen Curry, No. 90 overall
4-star DE Jaren Handy, No. 94 overall
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:50 am to TideSaint
LSU’s newest commit made his pledge with beating Alabama in mind
quote:
LSU earned its first commitment for the Class of 2020 on Wednesday, receiving a verbal commitment from 3-star Alabama athlete Kris Abrams-Draine. LSU offered Abrams-Draine last week, and the receiver didn’t need much time to think things over.
Despite being from Alabama, Abrams-Draine told SEC Country’s Sam Spiegelman he’s been an LSU fan his entire life. Attending the Tigers’ 2017 comeback win against Auburn left a lasting impression on Abrams-Draine, as has LSU’s history of putting players into the NFL.
Naturally, being from Alabama, Abrams-Draine has some thoughts about the Crimson Tide. When asked about the Alabama rivalry, he said that was one of the selling points about LSU.
“Everyone from Alabama wants to go to Alabama as kids, but I want to be different,” he said. “If I beat Alabama, then they can’t say nothing.”
Maybe that’s the attitude LSU needs to find more of on the recruiting trail. Kids with chips on their shoulders. Kids who want to be different and like to play as the underdog. Athletes who want to prove something about themselves not by joining the best but by competing against the best.
If this is the attitude of a new, scrappier LSU football team, the Tigers might be better for it. No more playing catch up. Acknowledge your position as the underdog and thrive off it. It’s a good look to have.
Posted on 3/9/18 at 8:57 am to TideSaint
Alabama-bound 5-star OT Pierce Quick: ‘I love to put guys on their back and in the dirt’
quote:
Five-star offensive tackle Pierce Quick, who committed to Alabama in April 2017, says he is shutting down his recruitment and heading to Alabama.
“I’ve been taking a few visits lately and I just decided that I had seen everything that I needed to see,” Quick told GN. “Alabama is the school that I’m going to end up at, so I thought I would go ahead and close it down right now. I want to be one of the leaders of this class and I want to help bring in a great class to Alabama.”
Quick (6 feet 5, 285 pounds), from Trussville (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville, in the Birmingham suburbs, is among the top-five offensive tackles in the country and a top-25 prospect overall.
“It’s crazy to think about because even two years ago, I had no offers and now to be thought of that highly is just a great feeling,” Quick said.
What was it about the Tide that originally led Quick to commit?
“I grew up a huge Alabama fan and my whole family are big Alabama fans as well,” Quick said. “I looked at it like if I was never playing college football, I would still go to the University of Alabama just to be a regular student. I knew because of that fact that Alabama is the school I wanted to go to.
“I have a great relationship with all the coaches there. I’ve already been there like nine times just this year. Coach Key (Brent Key, the offensive line coach) actually went to the same high school that I go to, so we are really close. And then me and Coach (Nick) Saban have gotten a lot closer as well.”
Quick chose Alabama over offers from Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee and others.
“It really has been like living the dream,” Quick said. “Just growing up watching all these SEC schools play and especially just growing up watching Alabama play – I mean ever since I could walk, that’s all I can remember, watching Alabama football. Now, to say that some other kid is going to be watching me play someday, that’s just a crazy feeling.”
Quick describes himself as an athletic offensive lineman but also says, “I’m just mean and I like to put guys on their back. That’s just how I play the game. I love to put guys on their back and in the dirt.”
Alabama’s 2019 class has four commitments, and all four are ranked among the top-130 prospects nationally.
Posted on 3/9/18 at 9:02 am to TideSaint
quote:
LSU’s newest commit made his pledge with beating Alabama in mind
I'm sure LSU fans are loving that. He's "got chest" and he'll be a leader in that class (nevermind it's almost 2 years from when he can sign and keeping him committed that long will be a challenge for any team).
quote:
If I beat Alabama
At least the kid was smart enough to go with IF instead of WHEN. In the back of his mind he knows.
Posted on 3/9/18 at 9:06 am to TideSaint
quote:
Well you aren't a 16 year old kid either.
Don't remind me.
Page 91 of 1558
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News