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

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The breakdown: Alabama whiffed at inside linebacker recruiting in the 2018 class. The Crimson Tide wanted JJ Peterson, but once Jeremy Pruitt left for Tennessee, that was a done deal. The Tide also liked Vernon Jackson, but it came apparent that he wasn’t going to sign with Alabama, so the staff stopped recruiting him. The team also liked Brandon Kaho, but he surprisingly signed with Washington.

Bama did sign 3-star inside linebacker Jaylen Moody, who surely was a backup plan for the team. He got offered in the final days leading up to National Signing Day. He’ll likely redshirt this season.

Getting ILBs this class is of the utmost importance. Dylan Moses and Mack Wilson are likely the starters heading into this season. Moses showed that he’s bound for stardom while Wilson has shown that he’s likely the next Tide linebacker who’s going to get selected early in the NFL draft. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him leave after this season. Outside of Moses and Wilson, there are lots of unknowns. Ben Davis hasn’t developed the way we thought he would coming out of high school and Markail Benton hasn’t played yet.

As for the Class of 2019, Nakobe Dean is a major target. He’s very interested in Alabama and has made several visits to Tuscaloosa. He’s from Mississippi, so there’s going to be that pressure on him to play for Ole Miss or Mississippi State. He did tell SEC Country that Alabama and LSU were two schools that would surely make his top 5.

Christian Harris is also a top priority for the Tide. The Louisiana athlete listed Alabama as his leader a few weeks ago, but then he got offered by LSU and Florida State, two of his dream schools. It caused him to pause on listing Alabama as his leader, but the Tide are still in good shape.

Vonta Bentley attends Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham, which has sent two players to Auburn (TD Moultry and Coynis Miller) in the past two classes. Bentley has listed Alabama as his leader, though.

Alabama seems to always sign at least one junior college prospect in every class. Lakia Henry is considered the top option right now.

The good news for the Tide when it comes to inside linebackers this year is that there are several of them who are already high on the Tide. I don’t think Bama will strike out this cycle.

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As I referenced in my Auburn recruiting Facebook Live chat, most of the Tigers’ top targets are taking their time with their decisions.

Five-star linebacker Owen Pappoe would like to make a decision by May, if possible. Other than that, there have been a lot of “before my senior year responses” and even more “no timeline” for decisions.

This has been the trend the last couple recruiting cycles, as Auburn — and some of its SEC counterparts — has done most of its damage in the summer and fall. The spring has been more about laying the foundation. Auburn has two commitments, from quarterback Bo Nix and wide receiver George Pickens, and the Tigers are poised to build on that high-caliber start.

Auburn is in competitive position for many of its top targets. The decision processes might be in the early stages, but the Tigers are at or near the top for many of them. Here’s a look at the best-case scenarios for Auburn at each position in the 2019 class.

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Defensive line: 4-star Nathan Pickering, Seminary, Miss.

Nathan Pickering didn’t end up making his second Auburn visit last weekend, as expected, but the Tigers have him on the docket for the weekend of March 24.

Pickering’s return plans to the Plains show how interested he is in the Tigers. He has taken several college visits this spring, but he continues to say how much the Auburn visit stood out. Pickering will be courted by anyone and everyone, including Alabama, Georgia, LSU and his in-state schools, so this won’t be an easy recruiting win in Mississippi.

Auburn hopes new assistant coach Marcus Woodson’s ties to the state will be the difference maker.

Second choice: 4-star Justin Eboigbe, Forest Park, Ga.

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Cornerback: 4-star Christian Williams, Daphne, Ala.

Auburn missed on many of its top 2018 cornerback targets. The Tigers will try to correct that in 2019.

Christian Williams will be a classic Iron Bowl recruiting battle, much like the Jalyn Armour-Davis contest won by the Crimson Tide last cycle. Williams grew up an Alabama fan in an Alabama household, so the common belief is he’ll end up with the Crimson Tide. Auburn won’t go away quietly, though.

Williams made one of his first recruiting trips to Auburn this spring. He and his family had a full weekend of 1-on-1 time with Tigers coaches. Williams suggested his Alabama fandom won’t affect his decision, though the Crimson Tide’s cornerbacks-to-the-NFL track record might be enough.

Second choice: 4-star Kaiir Elam, North Palm Beach, Fla.

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After picking up an offer from the Crimson Tide during an unofficial visit for the LSU game back in November, new UA inside linebackers coach Pete Golding reaffirmed the news to 3-star safety  Jarrian Jones on Tuesday night.

"I'm very excited. It's a blessing," Jones told BamaOnLine.


3-star DB Jarrian Jones says Alabama re-offered on Tuesday night.

Despite being rated as a safety, the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder says it's corner that Alabama likes him at. Jones says he and head coach Nick Saban are expected to talk on the phone Wednesday. 

"Just the environment," Jones said of what he likes about UA. "It's Alabama, so you know it's a great environment. They are strictly about business."

The Flowood (MS) Northwest Rankin product visited LSU last weekend, after which he named the Tigers his leader. He says that remains the case despite Alabama coming back into the picture because he hasn't had a chance to meet the new defensive staff in person yet. 

Jones is rated the No. 36 safety and the No. 499 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite rankings. 

The 247Sports Crystal Ball currently favors Mississippi State at 67 percent.

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