re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition

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The first big impact of the Iron Bowl recruiting weekend came on Sunday afternoon when Baton Rouge, La., four-star linebacker Christopher Allen committed to Alabama.

The 6-foot-5, 234-pound Allen comes from LSU country and picked the Crimson Tide over LSU and a host of other high-major offers just one day after Ed Orgeron was announced as LSU's head coach going forward.

How it happened: Even though Allen was in LSU's backyard, he said as far back as April that Alabama was his leader. Alabama led for most of the last several months though there was a time when LSU was tied. Even though Alabama has gotten some good prospects out of Louisiana and got a commitment from Dylan Moses earlier this fall, LSU is normally going to keep its top prospects at home. The timing was a surprise, but Allen went with what he thought was his best fit.

What he brings: I saw Allen compete at the New Orleans Opening regional and was surprised he didn't get selected for The Opening in Oregon. He likely ends up as a JACK/outside linebacker at Alabama though he could probably play all positions. If you enjoyed watching Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams go after quarterbacks for the past few years, get used to watching this guy.

247Sports' Steve Wiltfong described him as "an alien surrounded by aliens in this recruiting class."

What it means: It gives Alabama another elite linebacker prospect in this class. Allen joins five-star Dylan Moses and four-star prospects VanDarius Cowan and Markail Benton. It may not be done here, as five-star Baron Browning of Kennedale, Texas (nation's No. 9 prospect) is scheduled to announce Tuesday and is trending toward Alabama, but coming off an Ohio State official. Four-star Jarez Parks, an OLB/DE type, is also trending towards Alabama.

Rankings

247Sports composite (industry-generated): 4-star, No. 118 nationally, No. 7 OLB, No. 4 in Louisiana

247Sports individual: 4-star, No. 110 nationally, No. 7 OLB, No. 4 in Louisiana

Scout: 4-star, No. 81 nationally, No. 5 OLB

Rivals: 4-star, No. 209 nationally, No. 12 OLB, No. 7 in Louisiana

ESPN: 4-star, No. 166 nationally, No. 9 OLB, No. 6 in Louisiana

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