📝 NATIONAL SIGNING DAY: 2017

[TUSKtimes]

He's been tweeting with those two for the last 24 hours.

Now I'm hoping for a 3-headed conspiracy.

 

[TerryP]

We've talked about how athletic Allen was as a defensive lineman. We'll see how Mathis develops but it's encouraging to me this kid played on special teams--as in the kickoff team.

 

[RoeTied]

 

[It Takes Eleven]

This is all good. I love raiding Lowsyana.

 

[TUSKtimes]

We've talked about how athletic Allen was as a defensive lineman. We'll see how Mathis develops but it's encouraging to me this kid played on special teams--as in the kickoff team.

Unlike Gary Danielson, I believe in momentum, I do, I do, I do. I just want Bama to grab every high school All-American they can get their hands on for our interior defense.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Mathis made an odd statement that LSU's DL coach never spoke to him. Mathis said I feel like if I'm going to play for you, we should have a relationship. Well, thank you coach Jenkins.

 

[bama alum]

Yet another one taken from the Ogre's backyard...Screw it! That's Saban's third property (behind Bama and Lake Burton).

 

[UAgrad93]

Mathis said that he literally had no contact with Pete Jenkins, DL coach for LSwho. How do you NOT make contact with him?

 

[BamaFan334]

Hoping that doesn't mean we aren't expecting Solomon. He'll be the cherry on top if we can snag him.

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Mathis explains decision
Andrew Bone | Editor

Phidarian Mathis, four-star defensive tackle from Neville High School in Monroe, Louisiana, announced his decidion on Tuesday afternoon. He became the latest from the Bayou State to commit to the University of Alabama.

"Alabama is where I felt like home was for me," Mathis said. "I have avreally good relationship with the coaches and players and all the people involved around the football program. I just love it there. It was the decision I wanted to make.

"I informed the Alabama staff around 3 or 4 p.m. today. They loved it. They were happy. They were very excited. They thought I would announce a little earlier. They have been calling and waiting on me to commit. They never pressured me or anything. They were just ready to get down to business.

"In my heart I have been knowing for a pretty long while I wanted to go to Alabama from my first ever visit there. I loved Alabama. It's where my heart was. I took the visits to LSU and TCU. Alabama was where I felt at home."

Mathis announced his decision next to the gravesite of close family member, Tyrell Cameron. His family is also 100-percent behind his decision.

"He was my cousin, but more like my brother," he said. "We grew up together. All season I played my heart out for him every time I stepped on the field. He was always in my head from the start. I am doing this for him and his family. His mom doesn't have a son anymore. She has me now.

"My family is feeling great about my decision. They were going to support me either way. They were going to always be there for me. The decision was all up to me. It was all about what I wanted to do."

Alabama developed a very strong bond with Mathis throughout this recruitment.

"It's a blessing to have a good relationship with the head coach (Nick Saban)," he said. "I also have a really good relationship with the defensive line coach (Karl Dunbar). I communicated really well with the entire staff. I know all of them. I know all the players. It's great to have that kind of relationship.

"All of this is just a blessing. I love everything about it. I am going to do everything I have to do to get to the next level. I am going to work hard in the classroom. I will do whatever it takes."

The Crimson Tide continues to have success in the state of Louisiana. Alabama has a class littered with Louisiana-born products which includes Mathis, Dylan Moses, Isaiah Buggs, Chris Allen, Joseph Bulovas and Alabama hopes to add Rivals100 wide receiver DeVonta Smith on Wednesday.

"They recruit well in this state," Mathis said. "Alabama is like a big home away from home. It's a good place to be from everything I can tell you."

Mathis also gave a shout out to his teammates and coaching staff at Neville High School.

"I love each and all of the guys in our class," he said. "We are blessed to the fullest. Many schools around here don't have teams that sign many players. Some players don't get the same opportunities like we do. We have great coaches. I love everything they did for us. They help us become young men. It doesn't get much better."
TideSports.com - Mathis explains decision

 

[Alabama17Tide]

I spoke with my best sources on Monday evening regarding Henry Ruggs, four-star wide receiver from Lee HS in Montgomery. All were confident Ruggs will sign with Alabama.

Late last night I got a text from another source in Tuscaloosa saying they were starting to hear Ruggs was now leaning to FSU. I didn't think it was true. Every one I've spoken with, even those close to Ruggs, have said he was all Bama.

This morning, my best sources, confirmed things have changed. Let me be very clear-THINGS CHANGE EVERY DAY.

I said yesterday- it was a little eye opening how confident FSU feels in landing Ruggs on Wednesday. Some laughed it off. Some said how stupid it was to think Ruggs was going elsewhere. I said I wasn't going to predict any school other than Bama.

I'm not ready to make my prediction just yet. There are a lot of people in Ruggs' corner who want him at Bama. They are still hoping he signs with Alabama on Wednesday. Right now- FSU has the edge. Bama hopes in 24 hours that has changed. Guess what? It can change.

UPDATE: It's tight right now, but Bama believes they will sign in the end.

1 Andrew Bone, Today at 10:27 AM
Last edited: Today at 12:54 PM

 

[planomateo]

LOL.

Tough loss here. Mathis really elevated his stock during his senior season and LSU felt good about their position, perhaps as recently as yesterday. Mathis recruitment remained 50/50 throughout the process, but Alabama did enough in the end to secure his commitment.

This isn’t the lead into National Signing Day that Orgeron hoped for. LSU has 6 spots to fill and Mathis was hoped to take one of those vacancies. Does that staff try and nab someone like Justin Harris now? We’ll find out in 24 hours.

The most painful part here is that LSU continues to hemorrhage in the northern part of the state. Mathis is a top 100 DL that would have added superb depth to LSU’s growing group, but instead he’s off to Bama. Despite it not being a banner year in state, LSU is sitting with only one top 10 player in state committed, if you count Dylan Moses as a Louisiana athlete.

That’s a tough way to begin your tenure, if you are Ed Orgeron.

LSU now must hope to pull Marvin Wilson and hold on to Neil Farrell.

 

[Tidestalker]

Boom on Mathis! If Soloman doesn't want on board, leaves room for Parks. RTR

 

[TerryP]

Unlike Gary Danielson, I believe in momentum, I do, I do, I do. I just want Bama to grab every high school All-American they can get their hands on for our interior defense.

Today is the one day of the year where people being selfish doesn't bother me.

"He was my cousin, but more like my brother," he said. "We grew up together. All season I played my heart out for him every time I stepped on the field. He was always in my head from the start. I am doing this for him and his family. His mom doesn't have a son anymore. She has me now.

I read a comment this week from a guy who'd interviewed Mathis on sevearl occasions. One of the things he pointed out was how serious he (Mathis) presents himself. If I recall correctly, the exact wording was "a no-nonsense kid."

Take that description, combine it with what he said about his friends mother, and it begins to paint a picture, doesn't it? It's a refreshing, and seldom seen, view of how some of these kids are raised now-a-day.

 

[TerryP]

Here are the four guys I'm watching today and one I'm curious about.

As I've said all along, even with the late push by FSU with Ruggs, I'm going with Ruggs and Smith to Bama.

You guys have seen the comments on Solomon. I know he's pretty much telling every coaching staff--UM, UGA, and UA--everything they want to hear. What I find interesting is those who have talked to the coaching staff and others at LCHS have different opinions. One says he thinks Michigan, another UGA, and then others Bama.

I don't know. No one knows as far as I can tell. The thing is I'm hung up on those saying Michigan isn't in as strong of a position with Solomon as some have suggested. I'm also hung up on those saying UGA is out of it when I believe this is Kirby being Goff.

Based on what I want and think, not what I know, I'm going with Solomon to Bama.

I believe Ray signs with the Tide today giving us Buggs, Mathis, and Ray. Heck of a pull there for a defensive line class.

IOW, if the Tide misses on Solomon I'm not going to be greatly upset. IF he does choose the Tide?

Oh chit.

 

[TerryP]

Oh, I am curious what Harris does as well. I wish/hope they have room but I doubt it.

 

[alagator]

@TerryP Thoughts on Parks?

 

[TerryP]

@TerryP Thoughts on Parks?

It's my impression it depends on Solomon.

One name to keep in mind is Breiden Fekoko.

 

[TUSKtimes]

@TerryP Thoughts on Parks?

He really is the enigma of the signing day bunch. If he's pure DE, is he more of an asset than Harris at this point?

 

[TerryP]

If he's pure DE, is he more of an asset than Harris at this point?

Here's where it gets a little interesting. Juedy and Smith have played corner. Do they get a look on defense?