| RECRUIT Early National Signing Day starts Wednesday, December 19th.

Recruiting - BONE: Sunday recruiting notes.. | BamaInsider.com

The best news so far from the weekend is Justin Eboigbe returning to Tuscaloosa for his official visit. I think his tweet on Thursday worried a few, but there isn't much reason to worry. I believe he is locked in with the Crimson Tide.


Justin Eboigbe@JustinEboigbe

https://twitter.com/JustinEboigbe/status/1073388441235279872

No need to talk to anymore coaches, go on anymore visits, I know where I’m signing to.

1,298

7:25 PM - Dec 13, 2018 · Forest Park, GA
T



Yes, Alabama missed on Kayvon Thibodeaux on Saturday. I've mentioned for about six months Alabama hoped to sign at least one of its top three edge rushing targets: KT, Nolan Smith or Khris Bogle. So..Bogle remains the key/remaining target. He will announce on January 5.

I still expect Alabama to add Jordan Battle at some point between now and Wednesday.

My confidence is pretty high on Evan Neal joining the Tide's class.

Anything can change between now and Wednesday, but as of right now I'm predicting Trey Sanders and Nakobe Dean to Uga. I think Dean is Uga or Ole Miss.

Does Sanders to Uga automatically mean DJ Williams to Alabama? No. Let’s just wait and see what happens in the next few days. It won't surprise me if Deondrick Glass is told he can go ahead and commit/sign if Sanders gives the official word.

Still not sure what will happen with Keon Zipperer. I keep hearing Miami or Bama. Hope to get some more scoop on him later today. I posted last week I expect Ty Robinson to Nebraska.

No word yet if Dax Hill will sign early. Bama is hoping he will. Probably won't know until Wednesday.

Reminder: A lot of big targets remain in the fold after this early signing period.

Ishmael Sopsher
Henry To'oto'o
Nathan Pickering
Khris Bogle
Marcus Banks
Noa Pola-Gates
Darnell Wright (though Neal to Bama could end things here)
Jaquaze Sorrells
Deondick Glass
1 Andrew Bone, Today at 11:49 AM

Alabama is in very good shape for Henry To’oto’o. Yes, I think Dean would have been a huge addition especially since he enrolls early. Alabama will sign a very good LB class in the end. Shane Lee, the No. 2 inside LB in the country, arrives in January.
 
Recruiting - BONE: 10 recruiting thoughts/things to watch | BamaInsider.com


New1. We are in the final days before the early signing period. I know there is some frustration among some of the fans regarding how things look coming down the home stretch. I know all want to land every five-star recruit in the country. I know it seems Alabama is losing a lot of head-to-head recruiting battles, and it doesn't look good for some of the top remaining targets.

I also understand the frustration on coming to this board to know which school a prospect will choose and not get a 100-percent answer. A week ago, we predicted Clay Webb to Uga, but as we said earlier in the week he had at least given Alabama some reason to believe he would choose the Tide. We expected Kayvon Thibobeaux to choose Alabama or Oregon. We heard through one of his main contacts it was Alabama earlier in the week. Our FSU sources mentioned it was between Alabama and FSU which made us re-think a little bit, but we still expected it to come down to Alabama and Oregon. It was Oregon.

I've talked to my closest contacts/sources in the last 24 hours who said this is nothing like they have ever seen in the past in terms of not having the slightest idea as to what these last few prospects will do come Wednesday. It's coming from all sides. This is my 16th recruiting class. I typically have a pretty good feel/know what at least most of these players will do when the decision day arrives. As of today-It's all up in the air. Most know we don't provide much BS around here. I try to give it to you straight. Does a recruit have a legit offer- yes or no? Here is the complete list of players visiting this weekend. I have high or low confidence in a player joining the class, etc...

These are 17-18 year old players making a college decision. They aren't trying to please you by going to your favorite school. They are trying to make the best decision for themselves and their minds change on a hourly basis. So we might provide a nugget or the latest update. It's what we are currently hearing from multiple sources. I tend to check with several people before I throw something out there hoping it sticks. We don't just hang on every rumor. Trust me - there are a lot of rumors, and we sort through the BS many times before anything is posted.

Let’s move on to the recruits...


2. Trey Sanders will announce his decision at 1:20 p.m. (CST) on ESPN. This one is definitely coming down to the wire. Uga appeared to have a commanding lead after his official visit in Athens last week. I feel like there has been 10 different rumors since Thursday. Some think it's Georgia/Texas, others Georgia/Florida. Some have it Bama/Georgia and I've even heard Bama/UF. As of this morning- it's Bama or Uga from talking to different people. I still think Uga is in the lead, but Alabama definitely remains in this thing. I believe he will give a final decision to schools by Tuesday.

3. I was told on Monday morning if Sanders decides to goes elsewhere Alabama will push hard to sign DJ Williams. I know there are some mixed reports regarding an offer to Williams. I confirmed again Williams knows he has an offer from Alabama if Sanders does not jump on board. I mentioned Deondrick Glass could possibly receive a call about going ahead and signing this week, but the first call will go to Williams.

4. Evan Neal will announce his decision on Wednesday. Uga has made up a lot of ground with Neal in the last two weeks. The Dawgs weren't considered much of a threat until his official visit in Athens two weekends ago. Uga continues to push hard, but I continue to hear positive things for the Tide. I don't know if Neal has informed staffs of a final decision just yet, but I think Ga expects him to choose Alabama on Wednesday.

5. Why hasn't Jordan Battle announced yet? It seemed like the four-star safety was all set to flip to the Tide on Friday. He had an in-home visit with Alabama on Wednesday. I started hearing a lot of positive buzz after the visit. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day had an in-home visit on Thursday. More positive buzz for Alabama after the visit. I think a lot of people expected a flip to happen on Friday. Now it's Monday and still nothing. I know Ohio State has yet to give up on Battle. I talked to some people I trust in Oklahoma who said the Sooners are also still pressing hard. Every person I've talked to (on the Bama, Ohio State, and OU side) still think Battle ends up at Alabama. It just looks like the final announcement won't happen until Wednesday.

6. Nakobe Dean will also announce his decision on Wednesday. This is another recruitment that is coming down to the wire. It's very odd to see three different schools have a good feeling on one recruit. There are positive feelings in Tuscaloosa, Oxford and Athens. I've talked to a few people on the Alabama side who still believe Alabama is in it. However, people outside of Tuscaloosa believe it's a two-team race between Uga and Ole Miss. I never expected Ole Miss to be in it this late in the process. I know most are predicting Dean to Uga. Some still predict him to Alabama, but I'd really watch out for Ole Miss this week. I think they are making a very late surge here. Just not hearing any good vibes on Alabama outside of people in Tuscaloosa which make me believe Dean will not sign with the Crimson Tide on Wednesday.

7. I posted a Rivals Forecast on Keon Zipperer last night for Florida. I know some posted Zipperer does not have a committable offer. He actually does. I spoke with someone in Tuscaloosa today who told me Zipperer is scheduled to call Alabama today. I am sure he is calling all schools to give them word on his final decision. This is one of those situations where Zipperer is more of an elite target who Alabama will accept a commitment rather than a key position of need. I believe Locksley leaving has an impact on him. I expect the final decision comes down to Florida and Miami. I am picking Florida.

8. Ty Robinson has been on Alabama's radar for a long time. He visited Alabama for the Iron Bowl. I've said pretty much since his visit that Nebraska is in the driver's seat. Coach Saban visited him two weeks ago. There were some national headlines about Scott Frost and the entire Cornhusker staff going to see Robinson after Coach Saban's visit. I am sure most in Lincoln will celebrate this big recruiting win, but he's been a Nebraska lean for a long time and nothing has really changed.

9. Justin Eboigbe calmed some nerves on Friday when he arrived in Tuscaloosa for his official visit. He said via Twitter on Thursday, "No need to talk to anymore coaches, go on anymore visits, I know where I’m signing to." No need to sweat, right? Alabama is watching this one extremely close until Wednesday. Eboigbe will sign at 10:30 a.m. (CST). People have told me despite what he has said on social media, and the fact he visited this weekend that Alabama will not feel 100-percent confident until he officially signs.

10. This has certainly turned into a drama-filled week leading up to the early signing period. It's not something we strive or attention. Trust me- I wish I could tell you all for sure which prospects are choosing the Tide this week. There is a lot of back-and-forth happening. The good news for Alabama is it will sign an elite class.

Several of these players are also scheduled to enroll early:
Paul Tyson (on campus)
John Metchie (on campus)
Pierce Quick (on campus)
Taulia Tagovailoa
Amari Kight
Justin Eboigbe
Antonio Alfano
Shane Lee
Darrian Dalcourt
Jeffrey Carter
Kevin Harris
DJ Dale
Will Reichard
Tanner Bowles

Keep in mind there are a lot of other recruiting battles which will continue into next month.

What if Jordan Battle sticks with Ohio State?
Noa Pola-Gates will announce on January 19, Marcus Banks will announce on January 5.

Alabama commitments who won't sign this week: Dax Hill, Christian Williams, Christian Harris, Byron Young, Keilan Robinson, King Mwikuta

What if Bama misses Trey Sanders and DJ Williams?
Deondrick Glass is scheduled to announce on January 14.

Alabama remains in pursuit of three very talented defensive linemen who won't sign until February: Ishmael Sopsher, Nathan Pickering and Jaquaze Sorrells.

Henry To'oto'o will announce his final decision on January 19. Khris Bogle will announce his decision on January 5.


Alabama is going to have a top 2 or 3 class when the dust settles in February. Still No.1? Very possible. Will Alabama meet its needs? Yes. Will some Alabama fans still be angry? Yes. Will most Alabama fans be excited about the future? Yes.​
 
FWIW, 247 Crystal Ball predictions (boasting a 90+% accuracy rating current on 2019 commits) has Sanders at 94!!% Bama and Dean at 37% over Georgia at 32%. They also have Sospher 60+% LSU over Bama at 30 something %.
 
So hard to believe Sanders goes to Georgia to sit behind Swift, Holyfield, Cook, and Zeus. Swift most likely stays all four years, so two more years, and Cook and Zeus are minimum two more years. Already losing Fields, so let's see if Curbee can keep his guys.
 
So hard to believe Sanders goes to Georgia to sit behind Swift, Holyfield, Cook, and Zeus. Swift most likely stays all four years, so two more years, and Cook and Zeus are minimum two more years. Already losing Fields, so let's see if Curbee can keep his guys.

UGA people claim that Holyfield is coming out for the draft, Swift leaves after next year, Herrien will transfer out, and Zamir White isn't going to be pushed after 2 ACL surgeries. A lot of moving parts I know.
 
So hard to believe Sanders goes to Georgia to sit behind Swift, Holyfield, Cook, and Zeus. Swift most likely stays all four years, so two more years, and Cook and Zeus are minimum two more years. Already losing Fields, so let's see if Curbee can keep his guys.

UGA people claim that Holyfield is coming out for the draft, Swift leaves after next year, Herrien will transfer out, and Zamir White isn't going to be pushed after 2 ACL surgeries. A lot of moving parts I know.

Preseason National Champions 38 years running. They do love a good forecast.
 
ESPN Recruiting Analyst Makes A Bold Claim For Alabama The Spun


An ESPN college football recruiting analyst has made a bold claim for Nick Saban and his Alabama football program.
The Crimson Tide have consistently brought in elite recruiting classes to Tuscaloosa. Usually, Alabama’s classes rank No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation.

This year’s class could be special, though.

ESPN’s Tom Luginbill believes Alabama’s 2019 class could actually end up being Saban’s best class ever.
“Over the next three days, if the chips fall where I think they will, this could end up being Nick Saban’s best signing class at Alabama,” he said this morning.



Alabama’s 2019 class currently ranks No. 1 in the country. The Crimson Tide have 24 commitments, including two pledges from five-star prospects.

ESPN Recruiting Analyst Makes A Bold Claim For Alabama | The Spun
 
About what? You were smart in not making exact statements, but you were eluding to a lot. So not sure why you're shaking your head to my comment.
It was expected Bama would receive a verbal from a defensive back this weekend. That didn't come to fruition, but it very well may tomorrow.

Eluding to a lot...which, within this thread, also was mentioned that FSU thought they were still in it, Oregon had strong feelings about him, as did some of the Bama staff.

But, to get to the point of my response, the "SMH" comment was in response to "the last cycle" comment. My thought/feelings about those thinking this way are echoed here ...

We are letting an acorn make us think the sky is falling.
It's one kid. And, losing out on one players isn't new or something to fret over. No matter where any of these guys end up it's a hell of a class if it's capped off tomorrow—which, of course, it won't be.

People are getting so freaked out over UGA when nothing has changed in the last 15+ years in Athens.

As evidenced by ...
 
Just looking Ovah at the Bama secrant recruiting page many of our friends seem to more worried about UGA finishing ahead of Bama than they do about the actual talent/players. JMO but you're not going to out talent UGA and more now that Kirby is at UGA. Marc Richt was in high cotton there but he couldn't take advantage of all that talent. Nick/staff/and players are going to have to do what they just did and that is beat them on the field.....year after year. Our fans needs to bow their neck and get tuff. Some need to just pull up their panties.

I don't know why people get so lost in this whole thing. UGA is still recruiting at the same level they did under Richt. Where are the two programs now AFTER Bama has signed the #1 ranked class so many years in a row?

Going into the season UGA had 84 players on scholarship who ranked (on their star averages) higher then Bama's 81 (3.88 vs 3.86 stars.)

They had more five stars(14-12,) two fewer four stars, five more three stars, and two fewer 2 star players. It's practically equal.

The funny thing about this is Bama has a larger percentage of underclassmen than UGA. UGA has more upperclassmen than Bama (by 3) and yet we see so many talk about something changing.

There were a few of us that cautioned others to look at UGA's experienced depth going into '18. It's a bit ironic to me that UGA started more upperclassmen than Bama, and Bama started more underclassmen than UGA. But the concern is where?

BTW, the average star ranking of players in the SECG favored UGA as well.

But, in the end, it comes down to the same thing it always comes down to with UGA—coaching.
 
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