| RECRUIT Andrew Bone: Insider report on recruiting

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Marlon Humphrey, five-star cornerback from Hoover High School in Ala.
A lot of eyes are on the state's No.1 player and Alabama legacy. There are some who are definitely think Humphrey will sign with the Tide for an abundance of reasons including family legacy, grew up around the program, Nick Saban as his future DB coach, relationship with Kirby Smart, 40 miles from campus, playing time, friends/community who want him at Alabama, etc.

These factors should tilt the scale in Alabama's favor. However, the Alabama knew heading into the weekend official visit there was ground to make up. The coaching staff knew they needed to hit a home run with Marlon and the Humphrey family with all the other factors which are in favor of the Tide.

Humphrey has a close relationship with Jimbo Fisher. Forget Jeremy Pruitt leaving FSU for UGA. He helped FSU's chances, but not a determining factor.

The weekend trip to Alabama couldn't have been any better for Humphrey. The five-star and his family will not comment on visits or schools until he announces his decision next Wednesday. They have opted to avoid media interviews this month pertaining to the recruitment.

Those close to the Humphreys have said for a while this race is very close even said FSU is considered the team leading into this weekend. Alabama came out strong after the official visit. Time to let the rest play out until signing day.

Humphrey traveled to Starkville on Sunday after his time in Tuscaloosa. He will depart Mississippi State on Monday. He plans to take an official visit to UCLA next weekend before announcing his decision.

I don't think Alabama is as optimistic as some, but still think he will commit to the home-state school next Wednesday. One close to the Humphrey family feels very strong after this weekend Humphrey will roll with the Tide. We'll obviously continue to monitor the situation.

The pressure will mount heavily this next week and possibly a big reason why he is taking an official visit to UCLA next week before announcing his decision. There is a lot of pressure on Bobby Humphrey from friends, former teammates, etc. about pushing Marlon to Alabama. He won't do it. He will let Marlon make his own decision. This remains a close race, but Alabama is pulling ahead.

Humphrey will announce his decision at Hoover next Wednesday around 10:00 a.m.


Rashaan Evans, five-star linebacker from Auburn High School in Ala.
Rashaan Evans took an official visit to Auburn this past weekend. Tre Williams and Deshaun Davis, both AU linebacker commitments, returned for unofficial visits to help recruit Evans for the Tigers. It certainly helped, but is not a deciding factor.

Evans will announce his decision next Wednesday on ESPNU at 10:00 a.m. He cancelled plans to attend UCLA this weekend for an unofficial visit. He was scheduled to visit without his parents. UCLA assistant coach Jeff Ulbrich will have an in-home visit on Thursday. Evans will attend the Alabama/Auburn basketball game in Auburn on Wednesday night.

Kirby Smart will have an in-home visit with Evans on Saturday. Gus Malzhan will also have an in-home on Saturday with plans on attending Evans' grandfather's 80th birthday. Evans was asked to go to the Auburn complex a couple of weeks ago to meet with Malzahn rather than the head coach using his in-home visit. He wanted the last visit which he will get. Auburn feels confident after the weekend.

Evans stock has skyrocketed since the spring. His interest in Alabama has grown, as well as Auburn. He has named Georgia and UCLA as favorites during the recruiting process while never naming the in-state schools as a leader. The decision will come down to the two rival programs. He will need to decide which position he wants to play in college, outside linebacker at Alabama or the 'Star' position at Auburn. The family will sit down and determine which is the best fit for his future not just in college, but also if he has aspirations of playing in the NFL.

His family really likes Alabama. They like the coaching staff and especially like the position at Alabama. They also like Auburn. Strong family connections with the Tigers and also heavy pressure from the community and people at his high school as his father said last week. The Alabama staff knows they are in the race, but an uphill battle. The edge goes to Auburn, but Kirby Smart has not let up on his long-time relationship with Evans.


Matt Elam, three-star defensive tackle from John Hardin High School in Elizabethtown, Ky.
It certainly has been interesting following Matt Elam's recruitment. It's wild to see Alabama battling against Kentucky for a prospect they believe is a must-get in this class. Elam's announcement is set to take place on Thursday at his high school at noon (EST). Elam told me after his visit to Alabama the decision would likely come before signing day. People don't need to read too much with him setting an announcement as soon as he comes back from an unofficial visit to Kentucky.

The odds for Elam have shifted probably every 24 hours in the last six months. Elam was scheduled to announce his decision at the U.S. Army All-American game, but decided to wait. I received an interesting response as of late about Elam's decision. The response, "He'll probably wear a hat with half Alabama and half Kentucky on it." That's how close it has been throughout the process. It remains the same.

Kentucky contacts feel very good about Elam committing to the Wildcats. Alabama still has a shot with several in Elam's corner hoping he picks the Tide. They believe he has a better chance to develop into a great football player in Tuscaloosa especially with needs in the weight room with Scott Cochran. Elam is treated like a celebrity in Kentucky. The Kentucky student section chanted his name at the basketball game on Saturday. Alabama hopes he can put all those distractions aside and commit based on where he feels he can develop into a great player.

Alabama assistant coach Lance Thompson will return to see Elam this week before he announces his decision with hopes of seeing him after the Kentucky staff gives their final pitch. Regardless of where Elam announces on Thursday, this is still a wait-and-see where he signs on February 5.


Dupre/McDowell/Thomas/Allen-Williams

Four out-of-staters in the mix still linked to Alabama

Malachi Dupre, wide receiver from John Curtis Christian in River Ridge, La., visited Tuscaloosa two weeks ago. Alabama made a very strong impression led by new offensive coordinator, Lane Kiffin. The coaching staff knows they have become a contender, but it's likely a little too late for Dupre. The odds remain in favor of LSU. UCLA was considered the biggest threat to the Tigers. However, the trip may not take place. He will visit Ole Miss this week. He does have a close relationship with Marlon Humphrey. It might have made a difference if Humphrey had committed earlier to the Tide. You never know what may happen.

It's likely a long shot Malik McDowell, five-star defensive end from Southfield High School in Mich., signs with Alabama. McDowell visited Alabama in December. The staff has been to see him the last two weeks. He took an official visit to Michigan State this past weekend. Most expect him to stay in-state. He was never a backup plan for Alabama. The Tide staff has always been high on him for several months. It's just difficult to land those elite players from Michigan unless you are a four-star running back with aspirations of a Heisman trophy.

Alabama offensive line coach Mario Cristobal will visit with Chad Thomas, five-star defensive end from Washington High School in Miami, Fla., on Tuesday. The Miami commitment took an official visit to FSU this past weekend. He is currently scheduled to visit Alabama this weekend. It's possible the trip may not take place. Coach Cristobal will likely gauge his interest level this week before making a final decision to bring him on campus. No one from the defensive staff or Coach Saban has been to Miami to see Thomas at this point. His music career is something of a major concern to him. He likes the programs offered at Miami. I don't think the same opportunities are available at Alabama, at least not at a large scale like there is in Miami. We should know by Wednesday if the visit will take place, but I don't consider him a major threat to flip to Alabama.

Bryson Allen-Williams, four-star linebacker and South Carolina commitment from Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Ga., visited Alabama this past weekend for an official visit. He has been very solid with his commitment to the Gamecocks. Alabama gave a lot to think about this weekend. It's definitely a tough pull for the staff, but certainly one to keep watch until signing day.


New offers?
I have heard the UA staff members have lobbied for last second offers to new players, but most have been denied especially with the tight numbers.

A pair of prospects visited Alabama this past weekend hoping to earn an offer: Markell Boston, safety and East Carolina commitment from East Cowetta High School in Newnan, Ga., and Ty Flournoy-Smith, tight end from Georgia Military Academy in Milledgeville, Ga.

These prospects did not receive an offer from Alabama during their weekend visit. However, both were informed they might receive a call this week. The staff really likes Boston's ability as aa defensive back. The staff was very impressed with Flournoy-Smith. The tight end position is a little bit more of a pressing need for Alabama. It's wasn't a deep year, and the former Georgia Bulldog emerged late in the process. It's possible he receives an offer. I've heard he may have a little bit better shot of landing an offer than Boston based on need. The staff is still working to get LSU commitment Jacory Washington, four-star tight end from Westlake High School in La., on campus for a visit.


Commitments visiting elsewhere..
Josh Frazier, Rivals100 defensive tackle from Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Ark., was scheduled to visit USC last weekend. Frazier cancelled the visit, but also tweeted he rescheduled the visit for this weekend. Alabama does not want Frazier to take the trip to the West Coast. There is likely a good chance the visit is cancelled again as assistant coach Billy Napier will visit Frazier again this week. The USC numbers are very tight with several key guys still in the mix. I doubt they will bring Frazier out for a visit unless he is genuinely interested.

Bo Scarbrough, five-star athlete from Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport, Ala., returned to Florida this weekend to take a test at IMG Academy. He took an unofficial visit to Miami while in the Sunshine State. He is considering an official visit to Miami this weekend. He wants to enjoy one more visit. Miami is not as big of a threat as a possible trip to Florida. Ole Miss is out of the mix. I can't see Scabrough flipping his decision. He may enjoy one more trip, but will sign with Alabama next week.

Johnny Dwight, three-star defensive tackle from Wilcox County High School in Rochelle,Ga., received heavy attention this month from Florida and LSU. Both schools wanted him to visit. Dwight has opted not to visit any other schools. He is solid with his commitment.


***Bonus note: There was rumor Roc Thomas, five-star running back from Oxford High School in Ala., visited Alabama on Saturday instead of returning to Auburn to help recruit Rashaan Evans. Thomas was not in Tuscaloosa.


Academic update
What's the latest on the academic front for the Tide commitments? I'm told the Alabama coaching staff will review every transcript this week to determine if any academic casualties in this class. There have been hints two need grade evaluations.

There was once some concern about Dominick Jackson. He is in the clear and will enroll in the summer. Johnny Dwight's name has popped up a few times, but I'm told there is zero concern with him. Montel McBride has been a bit of a question mark for a few months. I was told on Sunday night there is a good chance he will qualify. Chris Williams made a 20 on his ACT. However he still needs to pull up his core GPA this spring. The ACT score tremendously helps. Scarbrough still has some ground to make up, but Alabama will sign him. O.J. Smith is also one to watch.


Coker is the man
There are high hopes regarding Jacob Coker who officially signed with Alabama on Sunday. This has probably been the worst kept secret, but it's finally official. Coker and his family wanted to make sure it was the right fit. Coker and his family met with Nick Saban on Tuesday in Mobile. He committed to an official visit with intentions of making his decision official shortly after the trip. He committed to Alabama on Saturday night.

Several believe Coker has the ability to make an immediate impact. He was neck-and-neck with Jameis Winston for the starting quarterback role at FSU which was eventually won by the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion. This isn't to say Coker is a Heisman hopeful, but certainly one who many believe can lead the Tide's offense in the fall. The staff will give him the playbook since he will not arrive until the summer. Coker will have an abundance of talent surrounding him on the offensive side. Alabama is also very high on David Cornwell. I've heard the Coker/Cornwell combo was a major reason why Town decided to flip his commitment to USC.


Looking for that Recruit X?
TideSports had a Recruit "X" several years ago when Kenny Bell flipped his commitment from LSU to Alabama on signing day. TideSports sent a crew to Rayville to cover the first Wednesday in February. It was a big surprise for Tide fans. A year ago it was A'Shawn Robinson, but many knew of Robinson's interest in Alabama at the time.

Anything is possible the final week of the recruiting season. Players may decide to visit at the last minute....
Something might happen that suddenly turns off a commitment, and they reach out to another school. This is not to say there is a Recruit X this year. You just never know if a major surprise is in store. There are certainly a few players who remain in play. To be continued...


Junior Day
Alabama will host its first Junior Day this Saturday with many of the state's top prospects planning to visit. Top players expected include Daron Payne, five-star defensive tackle from Shades Valley High School, Tyler Carr, four-star offensive tackle from Southside High School, Kerryon Johnson, four-star running back from Madison Academy, Nick Gibson, four-star running back from Pinson Valley High School, Darrell Williams, four-star linebacker from Hoover High School, and Maurice Smitherman, three-star cornerback from Minor High School in Adamsville, Ala. Several news offers may go out this weekend.


Something funny I heard when asked if any south Florida players plan to visit this weekend. "The staff probably wants to wait until there is a little more green on the trees and on the ground before they bring those guys on campus. They are surrounded by palm trees year round."

http://alabama.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=427&tid=197627546&mid=197627546&sid=885&style=2
 
Here's an odd statement:
The weekend trip to Alabama couldn't have been any better for Humphrey. The five-star and his family will not comment on visits or schools until he announces his decision next Wednesday. They have opted to avoid media interviews this month pertaining to the recruitment.

Last week Bone published an article where he was interviewing Bobby about things like Marlon's recruitment.
 
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