📝 Early Signing Period 2019 commitment / signee tracker.

[#80]

Watch the J. McClellan video clip he can tote the rock.

 

[Tidestalker]

Going back to 2008, I think the best Saban teams stuck out because of the nastiness on defense. There has been great 'O' players, obviously as the game has evolved even more dynamic players over time, but the D is what made Saban's Teams...."Saban's Teams". Can't help but wonder how that has slipped the last 2 years... And I'm not talking about the talent, scheme, and offenses evolving... Just the overall attitude of being the aggressor! Where have those players gone?! Tone setters... McClain, Hightower, Barron, Upshaw, Ashawn Robinson, Ruebn Foster, Javy Arenas, Ronnie Harrison, Mosley, Eddie Jackson, Minkah Fitz, etc. WHERE ARE THE PLAYMAKERS?! I'd say McKinney was the closest to being in that bunch, Jennings was good... But we need alpha dogs!

Attitude, aggression, confidence.... And just all out nastiness. Who's got that potential? The talent is there from Moses (if he comes back). Ray flashed as a frosh. Barrimore showed some dominant traits... Other than that, who's got "it"?

Going through this years class, there are a couple of guys that stand out:

-Drew Sanders. If he sticks at OLB (or maybe even ILB?), he could be a huge problem. That kid is fast, mean, and has coaches son' football IQ. He just looks "different"... In the way we've been missing.

-Will Anderson. OK now... This cat is special. His quick twitch athleticism is freakish. Maybe a little undersized but the speed & aggressiveness on the snap is something we may have seen from Rashaan Evans in high school. If he gets on the field he has electric potential
.
-D. Kennedy. You can't help but see the CJ Mosley comparison from the same HS. He's got the body type we've been asking for at LB... Length, strength, and speed. If he's got it mentally, maybe he's the next great one.... We need special at LB.

-C. Braswell. He's got all the tools of a dominant pass rusher... We've had some promising guys the last couple of years but not a dominant edge player. His burst is impressive... Length really stands out... And plays with some force. If the attitude matches the measurables, maybe his time comes quickly.

-M. Moore. Range, speed, aggression.... Very promising

-Last but not least - Ronald Williams. He looks, moves, plays like a grown ass man. Yes the SEC is another level from JUCO, but he's going to be way ahead of the HS cats in terms of physicality. I can't remember the last JUCO impact player we've had (there has certainly been some stinkers) but CNS is due for a big hit. He absolutely looks the part at a potential position of need. Hopefully he's "that dude".

RTR

 

[bamachine]

TBH he could be a Pro Bowler at LB too... That dude could probably pass rush and track dudes down in the open field. Just a freak lol

DH does not have the short area burst and hip flex needed to be a Pro Bowl level LB. He would be poor in coverage. His strengths are well, his strength, his vision and his top speed. He is also pretty durable. Not saying he could not be a starter at LB, just not Pro Bowl level guy.

 

[OldPlayer]

If anybody is worried about where Alabama ranks in recruits, don't be. First, the recruiting class isn't complete. The haul yesterday was the early signing period. Second, recruiting ranks are like the polls - it's somebody's opinion, not fact. How many highly ranked recruits in the past (at any school) have not panned out (not met expectations)? I think CNS has a good track record of getting the best out of lower ranked recruits (Josh Jacobs). Finally, recruiting for stars is worthless. You recruit for need, now and in the future. Again, I think CNS's record of filling the needs has been impressive (not perfect, but impressive).

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

If anybody is worried about where Alabama ranks in recruits, don't be. First, the recruiting class isn't complete. The haul yesterday was the early signing period. Second, recruiting ranks are like the polls - it's somebody's opinion, not fact. How many highly ranked recruits in the past (at any school) have not panned out (not met expectations)? I think CNS has a good track record of getting the best out of lower ranked recruits (Josh Jacobs). Finally, recruiting for stars is worthless. You recruit for need, now and in the future. Again, I think CNS's record of filling the needs has been impressive (not perfect, but impressive).

Almost half of the 2016 #1 class have never played a meaningful down and that is with Nick Saban doing the recruiting. You will not know (for the most part) until year two about the overall class. Some studs will be known by the 3rd pre-season scrimmage. Nick better have two ILB's in his collection.

 

[alabama mike]

I agree with @OldPlayer and @JoseyWalesTheOutlaw. The bottom line is about the development of the player while they are in college. High school accolades are fine but its just that, high school. All of us want to see what these kids can do once they get on the field in the SEC. I think we have a fine group of potential stars in the making but we are going to have to wait until next season and even longer for some to make their mark on the field. Unfortunately, some will transfer, have an injury or just not make be a contributing factor. I have no crystal ball to see into the future but that is the cold reality of college football. Best wishes to all the young men who signed yesterday in the early signing period with Bama.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

If anybody is worried about where Alabama ranks in recruits, don't be. First, the recruiting class isn't complete. The haul yesterday was the early signing period. Second, recruiting ranks are like the polls - it's somebody's opinion, not fact. How many highly ranked recruits in the past (at any school) have not panned out (not met expectations)? I think CNS has a good track record of getting the best out of lower ranked recruits (Josh Jacobs). Finally, recruiting for stars is worthless. You recruit for need, now and in the future. Again, I think CNS's record of filling the needs has been impressive (not perfect, but impressive).

But...bama fans make a big deal of it when #1?......
Dont think being #2 is a problem.....
Just Clemson n lsu are loading up too

 

[UAgrad93]

It’s all about development!! All of the stars look good to the fans, but you have to still develop them. Meet your needs and then coach them up.

 

[94 Grad]

But...bama fans make a big deal of it when #1?......
Dont think being #2 is a problem.....
Just Clemson n lsu are loading up too

I don’t really care about team rankings. They mean very little. What I really care about is did the team get the players they went after? I think we got the majority of the main guys we wanted at each position of need, so I’m very happy with this class.

We lost some studs from previous classes to transfer, but I don’t find the “uncommon” for these highly rated kids. For the most part they’ve had a pretty easy road to the top due to physical size and strength over their competition. Once they step foot in a program like Alabama they will have to work hard to develop in techniques and metal capabilities to really make the field. Some of these “5 star” are up for the challenge, some are not and move on to where they have an “easier” road. It is what it is. Really, I get more excited for a 3/4 star kid that’s worked his ass off to get to that level and has struggled all they way to that point. They tend to have more “staying” power over the 3-5 years they are part of the team.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

I don’t really care about team rankings. They mean very little. What I really care about is did the team get the players they went after? I think we got the majority of the main guys we wanted at each position of need, so I’m very happy with this class.

We lost some studs from previous classes to transfer, but I don’t find the “uncommon” for these highly rated kids. For the most part they’ve had a pretty easy road to the top due to physical size and strength over their competition. Once they step foot in a program like Alabama they will have to work hard to develop in techniques and metal capabilities to really make the field. Some of these “5 star” are up for the challenge, some are not and move on to where they have an “easier” road. It is what it is. Really, I get more excited for a 3/4 star kid that’s worked his ass off to get to that level and has struggled all they way to that point. They tend to have more “staying” power over the 3-5 years they are part of the team.

@UAgrad93
So....got a stud QB....what happens between him n T.
Tagavoila.....Tuas brother

 

[BamaFan334]

Going back to 2008, I think the best Saban teams stuck out because of the nastiness on defense. There has been great 'O' players, obviously as the game has evolved even more dynamic players over time, but the D is what made Saban's Teams...."Saban's Teams". Can't help but wonder how that has slipped the last 2 years... And I'm not talking about the talent, scheme, and offenses evolving... Just the overall attitude of being the aggressor! Where have those players gone?! Tone setters... McClain, Hightower, Barron, Upshaw, Ashawn Robinson, Ruebn Foster, Javy Arenas, Ronnie Harrison, Mosley, Eddie Jackson, Minkah Fitz, etc. WHERE ARE THE PLAYMAKERS?! I'd say McKinney was the closest to being in that bunch, Jennings was good... But we need alpha dogs!

Attitude, aggression, confidence.... And just all out nastiness. Who's got that potential? The talent is there from Moses (if he comes back). Ray flashed as a frosh. Barrimore showed some dominant traits... Other than that, who's got "it"?

Going through this years class, there are a couple of guys that stand out:

-Drew Sanders. If he sticks at OLB (or maybe even ILB?), he could be a huge problem. That kid is fast, mean, and has coaches son' football IQ. He just looks "different"... In the way we've been missing.

-Will Anderson. OK now... This cat is special. His quick twitch athleticism is freakish. Maybe a little undersized but the speed & aggressiveness on the snap is something we may have seen from Rashaan Evans in high school. If he gets on the field he has electric potential
.
-D. Kennedy. You can't help but see the CJ Mosley comparison from the same HS. He's got the body type we've been asking for at LB... Length, strength, and speed. If he's got it mentally, maybe he's the next great one.... We need special at LB.

-C. Braswell. He's got all the tools of a dominant pass rusher... We've had some promising guys the last couple of years but not a dominant edge player. His burst is impressive... Length really stands out... And plays with some force. If the attitude matches the measurables, maybe his time comes quickly.

-M. Moore. Range, speed, aggression.... Very promising

-Last but not least - Ronald Williams. He looks, moves, plays like a grown ass man. Yes the SEC is another level from JUCO, but he's going to be way ahead of the HS cats in terms of physicality. I can't remember the last JUCO impact player we've had (there has certainly been some stinkers) but CNS is due for a big hit. He absolutely looks the part at a potential position of need. Hopefully he's "that dude".

RTR

We should have gone after Justin Flowe harder if you wanted alpha dog with a mean spirit on the field. Think Reuben Foster three inches taller and faster.

 

[#80]

We should have gone after Justin Flowe harder if you wanted alpha dog with a mean spirit on the field. Think Reuben Foster three inches taller and faster.

I agree I wanted him bad. At least he stayed on the west coast and Clemson did not get him.

 

[OldPlayer]

But...bama fans make a big deal of it when #1?......
Dont think being #2 is a problem.....
Just Clemson n lsu are loading up too

How much money are you willing to bet that LSU will repeat their success of this year? LSU has pulled itself out of the middle of the pack, but they won't have the same success in 2020 that they did in 2019.

 

[#80]

How much money are you willing to bet that LSU will repeat their success of this year? LSU has pulled itself out of the middle of the pack, but they won't have the same success in 2020 that they did in 2019.

You are correct they will have a QB with no experience. This year was an aberration.

 

[BamaFan334]

I agree I wanted him bad. At least he stayed on the west coast and Clemson did not get him.

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[BamaFan334]

How much money are you willing to bet that LSU will repeat their success of this year? LSU has pulled itself out of the middle of the pack, but they won't have the same success in 2020 that they did in 2019.

In all honesty, have any teams had undefeated success year after year? What LSU has done is transform into a top tier program as you mentioned. They have always recruited and had talent, but it seems they have finally got the coaching and the right pieces to the puzzle the last couple of years. I think they can hang in the 9-10, maybe 11 win area, but their success this year was one for the books. Kind of like our year and a half with Tua at the helm, it just won't happen again in my mind. Of course people said that about Bear, and we have Saban, so who really knows.

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

LSU got lucky with a transfer QB, similar to what Oklahoma has been doing. Can they keep it up? That will be the big question. I think some of their recruiting losses yesterday may indicate that players have the same question.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

I don’t think lsu has changed...if they have...they gotta prove it...
Face it....they had a generational QB...JB was really outstanding...
Before that...they were good but not great program....
Like AU with Cam....
Reach hard to base anything on one season...and they are....
Put them in there with AU...and AnM....
Still the alphadog is bama...all the injuries...bad luck vs AU...new coaching staff...
And lost 2 games by 7 points total......
Only Finebaum will write the Tide off...and thats just for "stirring the pot"

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Lone Waite, Ten Bears, and myself believe that Nick is at the CrossRoads of his career. He made a mistake two years back in trying to keep Tosh pleased (needed his recruiting I guess) and promoted a guy to a seat that way too big for him. That mistake turned into two mistakes with Pete. We as a group believe that Nick will again hired a new DC and maybe another defensive staff member (could actually go to three). Sure we had a terrible injury situation that put incoming freshmen on the spot. What we saw was a collective group on defense that never got any better for the most part. The SEC is getting to be even more difficult to keep at the top with Jimbo, Shrimp Boat Captain, Pruitt, Gus, Dan, and Kirby all bringing in talented players and some of those elite guys Nick would have cherrypicked years ago. This is Nick's last charge up the hill and he needs a better defensive staff to get there. Once the Bowl game is out of the way then I expect changes to be made but nothing like last years rebuild.

 

[TerryP]