The latest on every major Alabama recruiting target
Justyn Ross, five-star wide receiver from Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama
The latest: Ross will take an official visit to Florida this weekend. He is visiting Alabama next weekend. He will visit Auburn on January 26. He has taken an official visit to Clemson. Ross is expected to announce his decision on National Signing Day.
The edge: It currently appears like a tight battle between Alabama and Clemson for the No. 1 player in the state based on the comments he made in Orlando at the Under Armour All-America game. Will Derick Ansley's departure make a difference? Ross had the closest relationship with him of any other coach recruiting him.
Patrick Surtain, five-star cornerback from American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida
The latest: Surtain will take an official visit to LSU this weekend. He is scheduled to visit Alabama on January 19. A decision is set for National Signing Day. It won't come as a surprise if he announces before then. Surtain is also still considering an official visit to Ohio State or FSU.
The edge: Surtain is expected to choose between Alabama and LSU. He sees opportunity to compete right away at both schools. Alabama is in dire need of elite cornerbacks. Surtain would have a great opportunity to start next season. He has been recruited by Derrick Ansley for a long time. Joe Pannunzio has also recruited him.
Isaac Taylor-Stuart, five-star cornerback from Helix High School in San Diego
The latest: Taylor-Stuart will take an official visit to USC this weekend. He took a visit to Texas A&M in October. Alabama will receive a visit from the elite cornerback on January 19. He is slated to visit Georgia on January 26 and Tennessee on February 2. A decision will take place on signing day.
The edge: Things are starting to get very interesting with Taylor-Stuart as he is pursued by Nick Saban and Tosh Lupoi. He was very high on Alabama early in the recruiting process. USC will push hard for him to jump on board this weekend. Taylor-Stuart has very high interest in playing in the SEC. Nick Saban also still has an in-home visit remaining with the five-star.
Tyson Campbell, Rivals100 cornerback from American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida
The latest: Campbell will take his first official visit to Georgia this weekend. He is scheduled to visit Alabama next weekend. He will likely take an official visit to Miami and possibly Clemson before announcing a decision on February 7.
The edge: Campbell was considered an Alabama lean during the summer. Then he was a lean to Miami. Now all the talk is around Georgia. Campbell focused on his senior season and winning a state championship. He is now focused on recruiting. Alabama has an opportunity and can sell him on immediate playing time in Tuscaloosa. I think Alabama has some ground to make up with UGA and Miami slightly ahead at this time.
Jaylen Waddle, Rivals100 wide receiver from Episcopal High School in Houston
The latest: It's all about in-home visits from assistant coaches the next few weeks. Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher have used their in-home visit with the electric receiver. Both schools are pushing to get Waddle on campus for another unofficial visit before announcing a decision. It's very possible it may happen.
The edge: There is some talk about Waddle's commitment coming down to Texas A&M and Texas. His commitment will come down to Alabama and A&M. Alabama has felt very good about Waddle for a long time, but A&M has really come on strong the last month or so. Really ever since Jimbo Fisher became the head coach. Interesting to see what happens. It's an extremely tight battle at this time.
Nick Petit-Frère, Rivals100 offensive tackle from Berkeley Prep in Tampa
The latest: Petit-Frere had a great week in Orlando for the Under Armour All-America game. It will surprise if he doesn't make the move to five-stars in the final rankings. Petit-Frere has been a top Crimson Tide target for a long time. He has taken official visits to Michigan and Notre Dame. He will take an official visit to Alabama on January 19. A visit to Ohio State is scheduled for February 2.
The edge: It's hard to say which way Petit-Frere is leaning at this point. Some believe it's a battle between Notre Dame and Michigan. Alabama is definitely in the race because of OL coach Brent Key. The two have an outstanding relationship. He does not claim a favorite. He says a decision announced on signing day (February 7).
Penei Sewell, Rivals100 offensive tackle from Desert Hills High School in St. George, Utah
The latest: Sewell decided to hold off from announcing his decision on December 20. He will continue to consider his top four schools- Alabama, Oregon, USC and Utah. All head coaches have conducted in-home visits. Only assistant coaches can visit with him this month. Sewell has taken all of his official visits. He is likely to wait until February 7 to announce.
The edge: It seems like it's been a battle between Alabama and Oregon for a long time. Sewell could surprise everyone and go elsewhere. He has been a very hard prospect to read. His family really likes Alabama, but he seems like he wants to stay closer to home.
Tyler Friday, Rivals100 defensive tackle from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, New Jersey
The latest: Friday has taken official visits to Alabama, Michigan and Ohio State. It looks like he will announce a decision on Friday.
The edge: Alabama made a very strong push for Friday, and it was impressive how the Crimson Tide got in the race late in the game. There is a lot of talk surrounding Ohio State right now. Friday remains in communication with Alabama. It doesn't mean much. Guys like Brenton Cox and Asa Martin were in touch with Alabama prior to their announcements to UGA and Auburn. I'm leaning OSU because of the confidence coming out of Columbus, but will make a final prediction later this week.
Jacob Copeland, four-star wide receiver from Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida
What's next: Copeland took an official visit to Tennessee in December after Jeremy Pruitt was announced as the head coach for the Vols. He was recruited by Coach Pruitt when he was at Alabama. He is set to take an official visit to Alabama on January 26. He will take a final trip to Florida on February 2. A final decision is expected on February 7.
The edge: Copeland, a former Florida commitment, has seemed like a strong Alabama lean since he decommitted from the Gators. It's a tough prediction to make at this time which school is in the driver's seat. His decision will likely come down to Alabama and Florida. I don't think he will go to Tennessee. Nick Saban spoke to Copeland immediately after the championship win earlier this week. He is a very important recruit for the Crimson Tide. New UF head coach Dan Mullen and recent signee and RIvals100 QB Emory Jones have been all over Copeland hoping to get him back on board. It's very close right now.
Malik Langham three-star defensive end from Lee High School in Huntsville, Alabama
The latest: Langham has shot up Alabama's recruiting board in the last month. He is considered one of Alabama's top remaining targets. Langham will visit Vanderbilt this weekend. He will visit Alabama next weekend. He is visiting Florida on January 26 and Tennessee on February 2. Langham took an official visit to Notre Dame in December.
The edge: It's hard to imagine Langham going anywhere other than Alabama especially with the Crimson Tide putting the full court press on him after winning the national championship. Alabama also has a big need at the position.
Alabama commitments
Bobby Brown, four-star defensive tackle from Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas
The latest: Brown announced his commitment to Alabama on December 22. Two days after decommitting from Texas A&M. He has taken all of his official visits. Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher have used their in-home visits with the four-star lineman. It's possible he may take an unofficial visit back to A&M this month, but nothing is currently scheduled.
The edge: Brown said shortly after committing to Alabama the only school he will still consider is Texas A&M. The Aggies announced on Wednesday that Terry Price will remain the DL coach. Brown has a very close relationship with him. He also has a close relationship with Tosh Lupoi. He has received a lot of grief from A&M fans since his flip to the Crimson Tide which has hurt the Aggies. Alabama is in very good shape to keep Brown on board. Alabama will have to continue to recruit him as if he wasn't on the commitment list.
Quay Walker, four-star linebacker from Crisp County High School in Cordele, Georgia
The latest: Walker will take an official visit to Tennessee this weekend. He is set to visit Georgia on January 19, Auburn on January 26 and Florida on February 2. He will not take an official visit to Alabama.
The edge: Walker just doesn't seem like he is locked in with Alabama. He is still on the commitment list, but he appears to be looking for any reason to not sign with Alabama. He has stated several times concern regarding the depth chart. Jeremy Pruitt is gone as well as Derrick Ansley (lead recruiter). He won't sign with Alabama IMO.
Vernon Jackson, three-star athlete from Boling High School in Texas
The latest: Jackson opted not to sign with Alabama in December. He wants to take official visits this month. He will take an official visit to Texas this weekend. Jackson is set to visit Alabama on January 19. A visit to Texas A&M also remains a possibility.
The edge: Alabama remains in good shape to keep Jackson on board. He will receive a heavy amount of in-state pressure the next few weeks. The Crimson Tide should put things to rest when he returns to Tuscaloosa next weekend.
1 Andrew Bone,
Yesterday at 10:34 AM
Recruiting - BONE: Where things stand with every remaining target | BamaInsider.com
