📝 January Recruiting

[TerryP]

So if they oversign, it just takes away those spots in the next class?

Yep. For every player that a team over-signs they lose two initials off of the next season's class.

The rule is very similar to what UF had to deal with when they were trying to sign Zaire. If they'd have enrolled him (before the SEC offices allowed the waiver) they'd have faced "penalties" which are the same.

Basically, the rule reads you can only sign 25 but if you do sign more you'll face _____.

 

[TerryP]

Yep! '19 class is loaded too!!! We could have and will likely have a monster haul in the OL with 3-4 5* kids!!!! It means we may choose to risk losing one or two at another position, likely only take 1 QB, either Little Tua or Tyson, or lose out at another position.

That's one of the reasons I mentioned we might not see the Tide sign a linebacker; granted that was two weeks ago and things change really quickly this time of the year.

Hypothetically, or theoretically, we could see Bulovas and Brannon take a different 'shirt, Parker take a grey shirt, and maybe even the QB signed (if they do sign one) take a 'shirt as well. Suddenly that number of eight spots left could turn into 10 spots, or more.

Bottom line as I see this? Let it play out--going to be a heck of a class either way.

 

[BamaFan334]

Coach knows his stuff, but I would rather see us not sign a quarterback (three on scholarship) and pass on a tight end (three to four very capable options), giving us two more spots for defensive backs or linemen. Some transfers may even open up room for a couple of more. I also don't see it as bad to take the two stroke penalty for oversigning this year seeing as we need defensive backs ASAP, and need receivers as well. If we can pull Surtain Jr, Taylor-Stewart, Griffin/Cambell and Ross, Waddle/Copeland, and Petite-Frere, Sewell it may be worth the penalty.

 

[TUSKtimes]

The 2 spots at LB may open soon leaving coach Saban not much to consider. Just sign all the DL and DBs we need. Much like RB, LB is nothing to get too upset about this recruiting cycle.

 

[colbyjacks]

Just before we jumped into a "basketball weekend" I almost made a comment/post that would have read exactly like what you've said here. Over the last few years I'm a little vague on how many we've seen pull the trigger a week before NSD. I know it's not that many. The only "real news" we heard last year was with Mathis. In '16 the only "news" was when Jacbos committed and that was news mainly due to him being a relative unknown.

The other day I mentioned the possibility of a blue shirt in this class. I've seen a few mention gray as well. Here's something another option suggested in the last few days: there's a possibility Brannon and Bulovas aren't on scholarship for the spring (I fully aware we've seen it reported they will be but we don't know if they actually are or not.) I've heard there's consideration on over-signing and taking the penalty of losing two initials in '19.

I strongly suspect these last few positions left will boil down to how many defensive backs the Tide signs. I know they want to sign two more and also know they've considering adding a third. Who? Does it really matter? It's reached a point with these last few targets and any combination would be a good one. Griffin, Smith, Surtain, and Campbell: can you see a combination of two (or three) as a bad fit? I don't. I like 'em all (and wish they could sign them all.)

ON a side note: those that say "I stopped worrying about recruiting 1/2007" aren't really telling the truth because the majority of them are still trying to figure out them numbers themselves. I'm not "worried" about it but I'm definitely curious.

I noticed you left out ITS from those DBs. Is he in the fold or in the out group?

 

[BamaFan334]

I noticed you left out ITS from those DBs. Is he in the fold or in the out group?

He's a definite take from everything I have read and been told. As a matter of fact I hear he's just about the most assured idea we have on the defensive backs. Heard that from a guy that heard from his source, so take that for what it is, but I like to be optimistic about a 6'2 five star cornerback.

 

[TerryP]

Coach knows his stuff, but I would rather see us not sign a quarterback (three on scholarship) and pass on a tight end (three to four very capable options), giving us two more spots for defensive backs or linemen.

If we look at the depth chart (yeah, I know...) it's not really three or four tight ends. It's more along the lines of two true TE's and two guys who are filling the H-back position. Parker isn't slated for a true TE but more of a passing threat from the H-back position.

Personally, I'm seeing the TE position in '18 to be Forristall and then Hentges and that's likely a 1A and 1B scenario with the question left as to what we see from Kendrick James. Forristall still has two years left of eligibility as a I recall and Hentges is on his last year having never 'shirted.

I can see the team being able to go through '18--barring injury--with two guys like Smith and Tennison but I can also see the need to add one more. That's one reason I'm wondering what shirt Parker ends up wearing in '18.

Of note: Did you realize that they've played all four guys (excluding James here) played a lot in their frosh years. They may have planned to 'shirt James until Forristall went down.

 

[TerryP]

I noticed you left out ITS from those DBs. Is he in the fold or in the out group?

The ones I listed were the guys off the top of my head. I mentioned those four while pointing to my thought that any combination would be a good one. That's why I'm sitting in the position of "does it really matter?"

Taylor-Stuart is definitely in the mix along with Eddie Smith. The reason I mention Smith along with Taylor-Stuart is they both have USC strongly in the mix. (Eddie Smith has been high on the Tide's list for awhile now and that is boiling down to MSU, UT and Bama it appears.) Olaijah Griffin is another with USC in that final mix so we've got several guys here that all have Bama and USC as one of their finalist. Who ends up in Tuscaloosa? Anyone's guess with these numbers.

I'll say this and I've really avoided mentioning it before now. As close to a quote as I can get ... "I'd share what I've heard from the DB recruiting but I'll remain conservative. If word got out of how it's finishing on DB's we'd likely see boards just burn up." That statement was met with a question, "why so vague?" The final word was along what has been said here...just got to let it play out and see where the guys fall.

Consider the guys in play ... and let's say Bama chooses two.
Surtain,
Smith (underrated by the main recruiting services,)
Taylor-Stuart,
Campbell,
Griffin,
and Julius Irvin (another Cali kid who a lot think is a UCS lean.)

Any two or three out of that group is a great pull.

 

[TerryP]

As a matter of fact I hear he's just about the most assured idea we have on the defensive backs.

I've heard both sides to that story.

Things on the recruiting trail have changed quickly since the NC game. IE: A lot thought Bama was losing ground with Waddle and they were in the sense A&M was making a strong push. Petit-Frere was thought be out out of the picture until the NC game and he's been in contact with the Bama staff a lot these last few weeks.

 

[BamaFan334]

I've heard both sides to that story.

Things on the recruiting trail have changed quickly since the NC game. IE: A lot thought Bama was losing ground with Waddle and they were in the sense A&M was making a strong push. Petit-Frere was thought be out out of the picture until the NC game and he's been in contact with the Bama staff a lot these last few weeks.

Yes, I 100% agree. I had the thoughts we were losing Waddle as well. 247 was getting hot on Texas and Texas A&M with him, and we were simply an afterthought. While we still seem to be sitting behind those two in their predictions, it was refreshing to hear he's still favoring us currently with Bone's write up.

I feel like Petite-Frere came out of nowhere with us between multiple events, after the Clemson win, his big performance at the Under-Armor game, us winning a title, and the latest and final recruiting re-workings where he saw a major bump and five star status. I'm glad he's giving us a look, and I'm wondering if Jonah Williams playing last year and then seeing Leatherwood step in as a Freshman in the Championship game struck a chord with him and his renewed interest?

In the end, just watching this class fall into place on Signing Day will be fun and anxious to watch. I feel we haven't had this much intrigue in a while. We could fall on our faces and it not be much fun, but word is that we're gonna finish strong. Stronger than we felt a month ago.

 

[TerryP]

I feel like Petite-Frere came out of nowhere with us between multiple events,

There hasn't been a lot of talk about him though I remember mentioning him last month. He's never been out of the picture, in my opinion at least. The surprise to me was Sewell coming back in the mix after the playoff run. The last time I gave him any serious thought was in the later third of the season: maybe earlier. That's been down to a USC vs Oregon race until some are suggesting Utah is making a late run. He's been contacting the staff a lot lately as well.

It's still Bama signing one more as far as I know.

In the end, just watching this class fall into place on Signing Day will be fun and anxious to watch. I feel we haven't had this much intrigue in a while. We could fall on our faces and it not be much fun, but word is that we're gonna finish strong. Stronger than we felt a month ago.

The "fall on our face" bit is one of the reasons I've been pointing to the DB's. Bama is in on all of them and not looking to grab but a couple. Any combination ... but if they landed three?!?! Oh geez, that's a strong class.

 

[TerryP]

Yep! '19 class is loaded too!!! We could have and will likely have a monster haul in the OL with 3-4 5* kids!!!! It means we may choose to risk losing one or two at another position, likely only take 1 QB, either Little Tua or Tyson, or lose out at another position.

From what I've gathered it's two next season and one this class.

 

[Matt Zenitz | mzenitz@al.com]

Isaac Taylor-Stuart is the fourth-best cornerback and 32nd-best overall prospect in this year's recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Isaac Taylor-Stuart first visited Alabama in 2016 and named the Crimson Tide his top school after that visit.

That was referenced in a tweet that the four-star cornerback posted after taking an official visit to Alabama this past weekend.
It's looking like Alabama may be the favorite to land him at this point.



"Alabama has a high chance, honestly," Taylor-Stuart told SEC Country.

Taylor-Stuart is one of several highly-ranked cornerbacks that Alabama is in the mix for, even after signing three cornerbacks during the early signing period.

The California product is the fourth-best cornerback and 32nd-best overall prospect in this year's recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Taylor-Stuart, who is also considering USC, Tennessee and Texas A&M, told SEC Country that he enjoyed being able to see and hold Alabama's new national championship trophy.

"That definitely weighs on me a lot because not too many schools can even say they have been to a national title or even won one," Taylor-Stuart said. "Basically, my main goal is to win a national title. And if Alabama is the best place for me, then I'm going to go there and win that title. Seeing that crystal ball, that was my first time seeing a crystal ball. I was just like 'Whoa.' I actually got to hold it and take a picture with it. It was a pretty awesome moment."

Also working in the Tide's favor is the recent hiring of former Texas A&M assistant Jeff Banks.

Banks was Taylor-Stuart's primary recruiter for A&M.

Continue reading...

 

[BamaFan334]

Taylor-Stewart was also the fastest timed prospect at a 4.34, atleast from a 247 article it states that.

 

[crimsoncorner]

Julius Irvin will commit to Washington

Tosh visited ITS today.

Pecking order is Surtain, Campbell, Griffin, ITS and Smith

 

[UAgrad93]

From what I've gathered it's two next season and one this class.

That was why I said "might" risk losing 1 at the QB position. I too think we take both at QB and doubt Saban wants either one to get away.

 

[crimsoncorner]

Pannunzio and Scott visiting Surtain and Campbell Thursday.

Saban visited 4 star safety Leon O'Neal, Jr. this morning

Saban visiting Walker tonight and Walker may cancel his Uga visit this weekend.

Saban and Tosh are visiting Peterson tomorrow.

Burns visited Vernon Jackson today.

Banks visited Waddle today along with Brown.

 

[planomateo]

What is a quiet period?
During a quiet period, a college coach may only have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents on the college’s campus. A coach may not watch student-athletes compete (unless a competition occurs on the college’s campus) or visit their high schools. Coaches may write or telephone college-bound student-athletes or their parents during this time.

What is a dead period?
During a dead period a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write and telephone student-athletes or their parents during a dead period.

 

[crimsoncorner]

Bama is gonna get Surtain, Waddle, Smith, Ross for sure.

Quay Walker will most likely go elsewhere.

 

[T&B]

Jaylen Moody just announced that he got an offer from Bama

Jaylen Moody, Conway, Inside Linebacker