Alabama set for another big recruiting weekend
Andrew Bone • BamaInsider.com
@AndrewJBone
West Coast DBs heading to Tuscaloosa
Five-star CB Olajiah Griffin visiting Alabama this weekend.
Nick Lucero/Rivals.com
Alabama hosted three of its top defensive back targets a week ago in
Patrick Surtain
,
Tyson Campbell
and
Julius Irvin
. The Crimson Tide will bring in a few more elite defensive back targets this weekend.
The group is headlined by a pair of highly-touted players from the West Coast-
Isaac Taylor-Stuart
, five-star cornerback from Helix High School in San Diego, and
Olajiah Griffin
, five-star cornerback from Mission Viejo High School in California.
Taylor-Stuart has been a target for the Crimson Tide for a while. Alabama has really amped up its recruiting efforts in the elite prospect the last few months with Tosh Lupoi in charge. Taylor-Stuart took an official visit to USC two weeks ago. He has also visited Texas A&M. A visit to Tennessee is scheduled for February 2. He was previously recruited by new Alabama special teams coach Jeff Banks for the Aggies.
Griffin is a relatively new name to the Crimson Tide recruiting board. Coach Lupoi visited him earlier this week. Griffin, the son of rapper Warren G, decided to travel to Tuscaloosa. He likes the SEC after decommitting from UCLA. Auburn, Tennessee and USC are on his short list. Will things change this weekend?
Alabama is also hosting
Eddie Smith
, three-star cornerback from Salmen High School in Slidell, Louisiana. He received an offer from Alabama, and he received a visit in the last two weeks. Nick Saban had an in-home visit on Tuesday. Smith decommitted from TCU in December. He is strongly considering Alabama, Mississippi State and Tennessee.
California QBs heading South
Brevin White received an offer from Alabama on Thursday
Nick Lucero/Rivals.com
Nick Saban has made it clear he wants a quarterback in this year's recruiting class. Alabama may have elite, young talent at the QB position, but another signal caller has become a priority. Saban has always wanted to sign at least one in each class.
Brock Purdy
, three-star from Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona, had a tremendous senior season. He passed for 4,410 yards with 57 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. He also added 1,016 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona.
Purdy is recruited by Alabama special teams coach Jeff Banks. Coach Banks has visited Purdy each of the last two weeks. Purdy is high on the Crimson Tide. He will make his first trip to Tuscaloosa. He is considering several schools including Boise State, Iowa State and Oregon State. Texas A&M has also recently started to recruit him.
Brevin White
, four-star quarterback from Paraclete High School in Lancaster, California, received an offer from Alabama on Thursday evening. White is currently committed to Princeton. He had great senior season with 3,931 yards passing and 54 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.
Alabama wants to bring in a quarterback to give the Crimson Tide four scholarship players at the position this season.
James Foster
, three-star quarterback from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, visited Alabama last weekend. Alabama will evaluate Purdy and White off-the-field this weekend. Each will also teceive an opportunity to sit down with new offensive coordinator Mike Locksley and new quarterbacks coach Dan Enos.
Copeland in play for the Tide
Four-star wide receiver Jacob Copeland returning to Alabama
Nick Lucero/Rivals.com
Jacob Copeland,
four-star wide receiver from Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida, will take an official visit to Alabama this weekend. The former Florida commitment was long thought of as a lean to Alabama after he decommitment from the Gators.
Things changed a little bit when his long-time recruiter for Alabama took the head coaching job at Tennessee. Copeland has taken an official visit to Knoxville. The Volunteers are in the race. He is also still highly interested in Florida with new head coach Dan Mullen. Copeland has a strong relationship with Alabama OC Mike Locksley. The Crimson Tide hopes to sign two more wide receivers in this class.
Copeland, along with Justyn Ross, five-star from Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama, and Jaylen Waddle, five-star from Episcopal High School in Houston, remain the Crimson Tide's only targets. Copeland will also have an opportunity to spend time with new Alabama wide receivers coach Josh Gattis this weekend.
Is Beal a possibility?
Jumbo athlete Glenn Beal still on the Tide's radar
Rivals.com
Glenn Beal
, three-star tight end from John Curtis Christian in River Ridge, Louisiana, will return to Alabama this weekend. He has been recruited by Alabama for a very long time.
Beal can play on ether side of the ball. He is a jumbo tight end. He can move inside to play tackle or guard. He can also play on the defensive front. There are a lot of things to like. Alabama will get a final opportunity to look at him this weekend. Beal visited Ole Miss last weekend. The Rebels appear as the favorite.
BONE: Weekend visitors (Subject to change)
Isaac Taylor-Stuart, five-star cornerback from Helix High School in San Diego
Olajiah Griffin, five-star cornerback from Mission Viejo High School in California
Jacob Copeland, four-star wide receiver from Escambia High School in Pensacola
Eddie Smith, three-star cornerback from Salmen High School in Slidell, Louisiana
Brock Purdy, three-star quarterback from Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona
Brevin White, four-star quarterback from Paraclete High School in Lancaster, California
Glenn Beal, three-star tight end from John Curtis Christian in River Ridge, Louisiana
Former Temple kicker Austin Jones is also expected to visit Alabama this weekend.
A small batch of juniors are also expected in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. A few below are confirmed. I'll have a complete list sometime on Friday.
Owen Pappoe, Rivals100 linebacker from Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia
Warren Burrell, three-star cornerback from North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia
LaVonta Bentley, three-star linebacker from Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham
Recruiting - BONE: Weekend visitors (Subject to change) | BamaInsider.com
