1. Let's start the week on a positive note.. Alabama added two major commitments this past weekend: Dax Hill and Jeffrey Carter. I know a lot of people have been predicting Carter to flip to Alabama so it didn't come as a surprise. However, I believe if you read the interview with his father I posted on Sunday evening it definitely didn't sound like it was something that was in the works. Almost as if this was Carter's decision and his alone. Parents possibly wanted him to stay closer to home. Just how it sounds. I believe Carter will sign with Alabama on December 19. I don't think this is a Bobby Brown situation. A lot different. Carter is also out there tweeting at other Bama targets. Alabama and Texas A&M will have in-home visits this week. I am sure his family will sit down one final time before next Wednesday to go through everything and make sure this is the right decision.
Dax Hill's commitment likely took everyone by surprise on Saturday evening. I have been saying for a month or so the Alabama remained in close contact with Hill. He was hoping to make it for the Iron Bowl. Alabama DBs coach Karl Scott went to see him last week. Yes, I knew Alabama was in touch, but I was not expecting a sudden flip on Saturday night. I know Alabama fans want him to go-ahead and sign on the 19th. It's not going to happen. He will sign in February. He has taken his official visits. I don't expect him to change his mind. I think Alabama was in the driver's seat for a long time with him, but Michigan came in at the end right before he made his decision. I don't see it changing.
2. So what happens next at DB? Most, including myself, imagined Alabama had completed its DB class when Hill and Carter jumped on board. I always try to check to see if the position is full. Not quite. Obviously, Alabama remains in dog fight with A&M to keep Carter on board and Hill won't sign until February. Alabama wants to get another one of its top DB targets on board during this early signing period. Which direction will it go? It's hard to say. Every one seems to have their own opinion as to who is the No. 1 target. Some think Jordan Battle has already given Alabama indication he is coming. That's not true. I was told it's not about which player commits, it's about the overall number. Alabama has three DB targets it remains in heavy pursuit to sign.
Noa Pola-Gates- The four-star DB from Arizona told me on Sunday evening that Alabama was coming back for an in-home visit on Monday. Pola-Gates is fresh off a visit to USC. Some have been claiming he isn't a take for the Crimson Tide. Which is completely false. It seems he will get the first crack at possibly going ahead and making a decision. Alabama is the leader, but he has been adamant about waiting to announce until the Polynesian Bowl on January 19.
Marcus Banks- Banks received a visit from Karl Scott and Jeff Banks last Monday. Alabama was originally scheduled to visit with him tonight, but changed the visit to Thursday. Nick Saban is spending the day in the Baltimore/DC area instead. Coach Saban, Coach Scott and Coach Banks will have an in-home with Banks on Thursday.
Jordan Battle- Battle is the one most seem to think will join the Crimson Tide. He has been committed to Ohio State for a long time. Many felt he would flip if something happened with Urban Meyer. Coach Meyer has retired which has made most assume Battle will flip. New head Coach Ryan Day is expected to have an in-home visit with Battle this week. His family has said a decision is likely reached in the next day or two. Alabama has not scheduled anything with Battle this week. They only have visits scheduled with Pola-Gates and Banks.
3. I know I've talked about Clay Webb a little bit today, but will add to it. Webb was a big recruiting win for Uga against Alabama. Yes, it is more about perception than anything. Kirby Smart and the staff came into Alabama and landed a five-star wanted by Alabama. No one takes the time to peel back the layers of his recruitment. KS got a really good football player, but he also has plenty of headlines about taking a five-star from Alabama on a national scale. I think that's also pretty important to the guys in Athens. Players like Nakobe Dean, Trey Sanders, Evan Neal are much more vital to Alabama's class.
When Alabama took Darrian Dalcourt, four-star center from St. Francis in Baltimore, at the end of the summer I think it signified they weren't sure what Clay would do.
I think CW is a high character kid. He doesn't like the recruiting spotlight. He has kept things very quiet. He doesn't have a cell phone. He prefers to stay at home and read books instead of doing much outside of school, football, wrestling and working out. I don't think he ever wanted to upset any coaches.
His mom's side of the family does live in Athens. I do think that probably helped because I've also heard his mom is likely to move back to the Peach State. Alabama had an in-home visit last Monday, but there was really no sort of vibe after the visit except that he told Alabama some positive things. Not necessarily a commitment. I think overall it was just a tough deal for him and he handled it the best he could without ever tipping his hand publicly.
Alabama has four OL commitments- three of which are likely going to play on the interior. Darrian Dalcourt and Tanner Bowles are definitely inside players. Pierce Quick, although he is listed as one of the top tackles in the country, worked out at guard and center during the Tide's camps. So I can easily see him move inside. Alabama is not taking another guard/center type in this class.
4. So let's discuss these remaining head-to-head battles with the Dawgs.
Trey Sanders- There is a lot of smoke coming out of Athens after the official visit this weekend and comments he has made on Twitter since the visit. I trust the guys on the Uga site when it comes to info. They certainly think UGA has become a major contender for the nation's top back. It's hard for me to see Sanders not going to Alabama because of how long the Crimson Tide coaches have been in the lead. Word is he cancelled an official visit to Georgia, but then they convinced him to come in this past weekend.
One thing to always remember especially for players who take official visits to big time schools- it's never a bad time. It's one of the best experiences any player will ever have. So emotions run high after these trips. Remember when Cyrus Kouandjio announced for Auburn on signing day after taking an OV to Auburn? I do think the Dawgs have become a threat. I still believe Alabama gets Sanders. Nick Saban and co. will visit with Sanders and his family on Wednesday. I believe Kirby Smart will also have a visit tomorrow or Wednesday.
Evan Neal- Neal also took an official visit to Georgia this past weekend. This one will shock every one if he goes to Georgia. I think it's still Bama or Miami. I really like Alabama's chances here even though Miami is offering his brother an walk-on spot. Neal will spend time with Nick Saban on Wednesday. He will announce on December 19. Neal's final decision could also impact Darnell Wright. Wright is scheduled to take an official visit to Georgia this weekend. It seems like it’s Alabama-Tennessee battle for Wright, but the five-star won't decide until February.
Nakobe Dean- The five-star LB will announce his final decision on December 19. This one is really coming down to the wire. It seems there is positive momentum on a few sides. It still looks like an Alabama-UGA battle to me. Definitely a top priority target for the Crimson Tide. Kirby Smart will have an in-home visit with Dean this evening. Coach Saban will have an in-home visit on Tuesday. I don't really have a good sense on what Dean will do. I know a lot of people think it's Bama on Bama's side, but there are a lot of people on the Georgia side who feel the same. The next two days will determine his ultimate choice. Which coach can close him this week?
5. Kayvon Thibodeaux will announce his college decision on Saturday. I believe some production company in Cali., is doing a video which will be released on social media. He is also having a press conference. There’s a lot of positive vibes regarding Alabama as of today, but I don't think anyone is calling it just yet. Oregon remains very much in the picture here. I am hearing it's between those two schools. Tosh Lupoi and Jeff Banks are expected to visit with Thibodeaux again this week prior to his announcement.
KT has been a major target for Alabama for a long time. A lot of Alabama recruits have been after him on social media and formed a good relationship. This can certainly put Alabama on the right path heading into signing day next week. Nolan Smith announced today he was sticking with his commitment to UGA. No big surprise there. Smith visited Alabama several times throughout his recruitment, but shocking if he flipped. KT, Smith and Khris Bogle have been on the Tide's wish list as edge rushers for a very long time.
So what's the latest on Bogle? He still is very likely to make a commitment sometime this month. I don't think anything is scheduled yet. He will not enroll early. He just seems ready to go ahead with a decision. I don't want to rule out the possibility of Alabama saying no to him of KT jumps on board. It's starting to become all about players over numbers at positions right now. Bogle is one of the top players on Alabama's recruiting board. Nick Saban had an in-home visit with Bogle last week. He will get another visit from the Tide staff on Wednesday.
6. We've discussed Keon Zipperer throughout the last few months. It wasn't until recently when I said he is likely the only tight end/wide receiver type Alabama will take in this class. I know a lot of people have asked me about George Pickens, but academic hurdles remain in place. Zipperer took an official visit to Florida this past weekend and will visit Miami this weekend. Nick Saban visited Zipperer last week. He will get a visit from Alabama again this week (likely on Wednesday).
I've heard a few different things on this front. Some believe Florida has taken the lead following his official visit to Gainesville this past weekend. I keep hearing its Bama or Miami. Alabama would definitely like to add Zipperer to this class. Very talented athlete at this position. Sort of like a few other players we have mentioned- elite players, but not a critical need. Alabama is not expected to offer another TE/WR if Zipperer ends up elsewhere.
7. A lot of discussion since Friday regarding Ishmael Sopsher and his statement regarding his brother joining him at the school of his choice.
“We’re going to sign together,” Ishmael said. “It’s a factor. All seven schools (know) if you want me, you’ve got to take him. Right now, I’d say one (school), LSU, put the offer out there. Three of them are still looking into it, looking into seeing if they’re going to go ahead and pull the trigger.
“They (Alabama) like my brother -- as a player and a person, too. With my brother, they're getting a good player, the person I learned from who showed me the game. It’s about me and him playing together.”
His brother, Rodney, dropped out of junior college after a month and has not played football in two years. It definitely seems like he will have a hard time getting in anywhere including LSU.
Long way to go with this one. Please stop with the guarantees.
8. A quick update on some of the other DL targets....
It was reported last week that Jared Hunte, three-star defensive tackle from Christ the King in Middle Village, New York, received an offer from Alabama. Not quite. There is some interest, but Alabama will have to miss on some guys first. Nick Saban will visit Hunte this week. The hope is to bring him down for an official visit this weekend. He is currently scheduled to visit Miami, but could change to Alabama after his visit with Coach Saban.
Ty Robinson, four-star defensive end from Higly High School in Gilbert, Arizona, has been one of the few defensive linemen still pursued Alabama. Nick Saban visited Robinson at his school last week. Alabama definitely has a lot of interest and likes Robinson, but it looks more like he will end up at Nebraska. Scott Frost will have an in-home visit with him later this week. Family connections in Lincoln.
I know a lot of people want to know about Alabama commitment Justin Eboigbe. Alabama is in a tight one here and we may not know of his final decision until the 19th. The good news he will take an official visit to Alabama this weekend. Eboigbe was in Miami this past weekend.
Nothing new with guys like Nathan Pickering or Jaquaze Sorrells. Alabama went to see those guys early last week. Both are expected to make a decision in January/February.
9. Alabama 2020 four-star QB commitment Carson Beck won the Class 8A state championship this past weekend in a 37-35 win against Columbus (Miami). Beck finished 25-of-36 passing for 329 yards and 5 touchdowns with no interceptions.
10. Finally, how about this past week in the NFL for the Crimson Tide. The pros just keep giving Nick Saban plenty of recruiting material.
https://twitter.com/BillsQBwatch