🏈 Anyone Want to Talk Recruiting? (Saban updates numbers/status of '17 class)

[BamaMD]

Just curious about everyone's opinion on our slow start. Seems like a fair amount of the top recruits have BAMA listed, but don't seem to be seriously considering us. Yes, I know its early. No, I'm not concerned. Just steering some conversation. I attribute some of this to the coaching carousel that has occurred over the past couple of seasons. Any thoughts?

 

[OldPlayer]

As you said, it's early. Too early to be worried. I guarantee you that some prospects that have committed elsewhere will change to Alabama. Some prospects that we don't expect to get will choose Alabama. And, some of the top ranked players will pick Alabama. It happens every year.

CNS' recent contract extension tells recruits he expects to be around. Rivals can't play the "he'll retire soon" card.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

No doubt.... Saban has recruiting down pat.....

 

[UAgrad93]

I believe the numbers are going to be tighter 19-20 slots available tops, so coaches are really taking their time. Also, with the staff turnover, our new guys are having to go in and sort of build their own relationships with these players and these HS coaches and their schools. Saw where Daboll has really tried to take the inside track with the big WR from Central Phenix City. The kids mom is overseas serving and he was the first to tell the kid that he wanted to talk with her. Supposedly, he is in as much if not more contact with her than he is the kid. The kid has said that no decision will be made until his mom returns and she will have a say.

 

[BamaFan334]

I know TerryP has talked about numbers and therefor a tighter acceptance on recruits. I don't buy the whole "it's still early" concept. In past years we've already had commitments from our biggest targets. Lord knowd anytving can change in recruiting, but most of the Top 20 is committed, and the ones that aren't don't even have us on their list. I was curious myself to what's going on.

 

[TerryP]

I believe the numbers are going to be tighter 19-20 slots available tops, so coaches are really taking their time.

I know TerryP has talked about numbers and therefor a tighter acceptance on recruits. I don't buy the whole "it's still early" concept. In past years we've already had commitments from our biggest targets. Lord knowd anytving can change in recruiting, but most of the Top 20 is committed, and the ones that aren't don't even have us on their list. I was curious myself to what's going on.

This I know. 22 is the number today.

This squad is, with no mistake, a reload. They are being VERY selective in the process this season versus others. It's May, for god's sake, and we KNOW what camp performance means.

 

[TerryP]

If I may add...

Bama isn't living in a "25 world" anymore. It's about the 85--something you've just year Saban mention in 10 years.

10 years.

 

[TUSKtimes]

This I know. 22 is the number today.

This squad is, with no mistake, a reload. They are being VERY selective in the process this season versus others. It's May, for god's sake, and we KNOW what camp performance means.

Seems like that would have been our number this past cycle had not a few impatient players decided to pack it in. I'm guessing it would probably have to happen again to get the #1 class.

 

[alabama mike]

Bama does not have to be in a hurry to offer a student athlete unless they are 100% sure the kid is a player in college. Some of these kids will change their minds several times before signing on the dotted line.

 

[94 Grad]

Didn't they change the 25 counting rule again this year too? IE, you can't delay/greyshirt anymore... IE if they are recruited in 2017, they count to 2017 even if they don't enroll until 2018... will make it a bit harder to manage numbers. Not sure about back counting anymore either... I think the rule stipulates only 25 NLI can be signed... so wouldn't that essentially eliminate back counting too?

Don't we now have an early signing period in December too?

Anyone have a better understanding of the new rules ?

 

[BamaFan334]

This I know. 22 is the number today.

This squad is, with no mistake, a reload. They are being VERY selective in the process this season versus others. It's May, for god's sake, and we KNOW what camp performance means.

This change your mindset at all? Almost three months shorter of a period now. Those flips we get will need to know in December, some as they are still finishing up their Senior seasons and getting right into basketball.

December early signing period officially OK'd

 

[TUSKtimes]

This change your mindset at all? Almost three months shorter of a period now. Those flips we get will need to know in December, some as they are still finishing up their Senior seasons and getting right into basketball.

December early signing period officially OK'd

For some reason, the pundits believe this early signing period will effect coach Saban most. As if Saban's ability to slow play recruits isn't universal in scope. I still believe with examples like Parks and Brannon, a lot of this will still come down to where kids want to be. I'm anxious to see what the new dynamics looks like in December. I would think a lot of attention is having to be spent on making sure even the solid commits are feeling the love up to signing day. We then get a month and a half to give total attention to all the flips, slips, and drips. And for a month and a half, some recruits will still get slow played and some teams will still be left hanging as numbers get tight. Book it.

 

[TerryP]

This change your mindset at all? Almost three months shorter of a period now. Those flips we get will need to know in December, some as they are still finishing up their Senior seasons and getting right into basketball.

December early signing period officially OK'd

Change my mindset? I don't believe I have any say in the matter.

The changes that came down weren't unexpected to the staff. And, if we didn't see some of these changes we'd be looking at the same class (in terms of verbals.) I first heard the 22 number right after signing day in past February.

Due to the numbers I'm not thinking we'll see another #1 ranked class. I do think we'll see some big names pop and the Bama recruiting machine will be "front page news" again. It's almost as if their selection process this season is lulling some to sleep, so to speak.

They are looking at two position groups of need--defensive line and the defensive secondary. Everything else is just going to be the normal plug and play...icing on the cake, if you will.

 

[BamaFan334]

Change my mindset? I don't believe I have any say in the matter.

The changes that came down weren't unexpected to the staff. And, if we didn't see some of these changes we'd be looking at the same class (in terms of verbals.) I first heard the 22 number right after signing day in past February.

Due to the numbers I'm not thinking we'll see another #1 ranked class. I do think we'll see some big names pop and the Bama recruiting machine will be "front page news" again. It's almost as if their selection process this season is lulling some to sleep, so to speak.

They are looking at two position groups of need--defensive line and the defensive secondary. Everything else is just going to be the normal plug and play...icing on the cake, if you will.

I just meant mindset that "it's May for goodness sake". I have no doubt we'll get ours in recruiting, and I have no doubt the coaches knew it was coming. Six and a half months left with Fall camp, big time opening game, and pursuit of another Natty leaves even less. In the end, we just want anything football to talk about, and a couple big recruits would get us excited.

 

[UAgrad93]

Top DL-DE targets
Eyabi Anoma 6'5" 230 WDE 4* #47 nationally Maryland kid Locksley lead recruiter
Coynis Miller 6'1.5" 300 DT 4* #272 IN STATE KID
Jalen Cunnigham 6'6" 345 DT 3* #518 IN STATE KID
Teair Tart Spencer 6'4" 295 DT 4* #2 overall JUCO

Top OLB targets
JJ Peterson 6'1.5" 210 OLB 4* #35 Georgia kid
Quay Walker 6'4" 220 4* #192 Georgia kid

Top DB targets
Isaac Taylor-Stuart CB 6'2" 187 4* #32 California kid Tosh Lupoi lead recruiter
Christian Tutt CB 5'10" 193 4* #175 Georgia kid
Myles Mason S 6'2" 185 4* #252 IN STATE KID
Jaycee Horn CB 6' 174 4* #341 Georgia kid

Other recruits like @TerryP stated would be plug and play.

 

[TerryP]

I just meant mindset that "it's May for goodness sake". I have no doubt we'll get ours in recruiting, and I have no doubt the coaches knew it was coming. Six and a half months left with Fall camp, big time opening game, and pursuit of another Natty leaves even less. In the end, we just want anything football to talk about, and a couple big recruits would get us excited.

Oh, I got ya. No, that's the same. The second part of that sentence was the main point--camps are still coming up. If there's one thing I think we know it is the importance this staff puts on camp performances. There are some of the big names that Bama is in good shape with according to what's out there. It's just a bit of a different path the staff is taking this year...with spring evaluations and summer camps playing a larger role.

This summer will likely be one of the more boring off-seasons we've experienced in the last decade. That's part of the reason I believe you're seeing these "controversy" type articles with the quarterback(s). Now, on the other hand we could be having a very eventful month. But, ask yourself, when's the last time May was eventful with Alabama football?

 

[musso]

They are looking at two position groups of need--defensive line and the defensive secondary. Everything else is just going to be the normal plug and play...icing on the cake, if you will.

We are going to require an unusual degree of game day readiness from next year's DL signees, especially at NG. We absolutely CANNOT whiff on our evaluations.

 

[TUSKtimes]

We are going to require an unusual degree of game day readiness from next year's DL signees, especially at NG. We absolutely CANNOT whiff on our evaluations.

It's the thought of next year's starting DBs that have me waking up in a cold sweat.

 

[musso]

Good point, but if we don't reload in the trenches offenses may not need to pass. Haha.

 

[RTB_Eric]

It's the thought of next year's starting DBs that have me waking up in a cold sweat.

All based on A-day?