| RECRUIT Recruiting News: The Alabama class of 2017

[TerryP]

Oh, and on the place kicker. I mentioned in the Ruiz thread they staff has been evaluating Cole Phillips. I've heard there was a possiblity they would bring in two kickers. At first I dismissed that as some fantasy but now it's popping up in conversations, posts, emails, etc. consistantly.

While I know they are looking at Phillips, I also know they are considering three different guys (including Phillips.)

This is about like Solomon...as fans, we're just going to have to sit back and watch it play out.

 

[RTB X Bot]

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Per Andrew Bone, Tidesports.com

I sent Alabama commitment Chris Allen a text earlier today about his visit with Nick Saban.

He responded back to me late Tuesday night.

Allen said he met with Coach Saban, Coach Pruitt, Coach Dunbar and Coach Burns.

He said, "The visit was great! It was very good. I loved it."

Allen said he is looking forward to returning to Tuscaloosa this weekend. LSU is putting on the full court press to stay home. Alabama is not backing down.

I think Alabama has a great chance to hang on to Allen. I don't think anyone needs to feel completely comfortable until he publically says he is 100-percent Alabama, and LSU is out of the race or when he signs.

Bama has a great opportuntiy to end things this weekend. He will be around a lot of future teammates including close friend, Dylan Moses.

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Alabama head coach Nick Saban had an in-home visit with Todd Harris, four-star safety from Plaquemines High School in Louisiana, on Tuesday night.

Alabama has usually visited all potential targets, even those who may not have the ability to commit. I would not rule Harris out just yet. Alabama likes him. There is a possibility room may be available in the end. So we will keep an eye on this one.

It appereared Alabama was finished at safety. Harris can play corner or the star position. Chris Henderson was the only possible name a few days ago, but Bama is now showing increased interest.

What does it mean? There are a few different things to consider. Henderson has some grade issues. Bama wants to sign Henderson, but he still has some academic hurdles. An additional spot came open after Ruiz decommitted. Bama wants to use all available scholarships. They will take the best available prospect. Best not to have too much concern and just let it play out in the next few weeks.

He has not scheduled an official visit to Alabama at this time. However, Bama is trying to get him on campus sometime in the next two weeks.

 

[alagator]

Why can't we keep a freaking kicker? Do the girls in Tuscaloosa not like em?

Chris Henderson, four-star cornerback from Columbus High School in Miami, was the only official visitor for Alabama this weekend

He has a spot to commit. He is the only DB who can commit right now. Alabama is pressing a little harder for him now after Humphrey's announcement to turn pro on Friday.

These two go hand in hand.

Bama wants to sign Henderson, but he still has some academic hurdles. An additional spot came open after Ruiz decommitted. Bama wants to use all available scholarships.

Nice work keeping us apprised.

 

[UAgrad93]

It has been mentioned before, BUT, I wonder what is the latest word on Dean's intentions and Byers' grades. Is Dean going to flip to Miami? Is Byers going to make the needed grades to qualify? Also, will Brannon remain a grayshirt/blue shirt?
Without these 3, that puts BAMA at 22 with the number to sign sitting somewhere in the neighborhood of 27. I believe that has been the number most often associated with this class.
Remaining targets:
Solomon
Ray
Parks
D. Smith
H. Ruggs
CJ Henderson
T. Harris
Mathis
R. Johnson

Who gets a spot in this class and who has to go elsewhere? #BAMAPROBLEMS

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

 

[TerryP]

The reason I find this noteworthy is the guy that runs these camps does them free of charge for the most part. That, versus, what what we see from Michigan.

 

[TerryP]

Have you guys looked at what Bama is doing in the state of Louisiana this year?

If you look at 247's rankings there's a chance Bama can pull four of the top five players out of their state.

Dylan Moses, from Louisiana, went to IMG last year so he's listed under state of Florida. Cough, cough, cough .... errr, enrolled.

Buggs? JUCO guy from Ruston, Louisiana.

 

[Bobby Kunz]

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

EXCLUSIVE: Alabama's Saban lands helicopter at Sebastian River


Apparently Nick Saban doesn’t like sitting in traffic.

Alabama’s head football coach took a helicopter to Sebastian River High School on Wednesday afternoon to visit senior defensive end/linebacker Jarez Parks.

Saban’s chopper landed and took off from the practice field behind the school.

“I’ve never had anything like this – never,” Sharks coach Kevin Pettis said. “I guess when you’re the G.O.A.T. you do whatever you want.”

Saban made recruiting stops throughout the state Wednesday, with helicopter being his preferred mode of transportation.

He visited Jacksonville-Bolles quarterback Mac Jones on Wednesday morning. Jones tweeted out a picture of Saban’s helicopter landing on Bolles’ campus. He also saw recruits at Sandalwood and Providence School in Jacksonville. Pettis said Saban was headed to Miami on Wednesday night.

College coaches using private planes and helicopters during recruiting has become more commonplace over the past decade, but it isn’t exactly a new tactic. Former Miami and Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger landed a helicopter at St. Thomas Aquinas in 1984 to recruit wide receiver Michael Irvin.

Parks, the top ranked player on the TCPalm Super 11, is one of the top uncommitted players in the nation. The four-star recruit has taken official visits to Alabama and Florida State and has official visits scheduled for Auburn and Florida the next two weekends.

National Signing Day, the first day a high school senior can sign a national letter of intent, is Feb. 1.

Parks said he might wait until after National Signing Day to make his college choice

EXCLUSIVE: Alabama's Saban lands helicopter at Sebastian River

 

[Tidestalker]

Have you guys looked at what Bama is doing in the state of Louisiana this year?

If you look at 247's rankings there's a chance Bama can pull four of the top five players out of their state.

Dylan Moses, from Louisiana, went to IMG last year so he's listed under state of Florida. Cough, cough, cough .... errr, enrolled.

Buggs? JUCO guy from Ruston, Louisiana.

Absolutely. Chris Allen is extremely impressive too. Looks like a Tim Williams clone, but more college ready out of HS. Good looking group!

 

[BamaFan334]

What's the normal distance or max distance a helicopter is used for out of curiosity?

 

[planomateo]

What's the normal distance or max distance a helicopter is used for out of curiosity?

SMU's coach regularly uses a helicopter to get around during high school football season to see recruits, allows him to see many kids in the night, think he saw 8 kids one night around DFW (he landed at our game to see our RB who committed to Boise State). Was a huge show, circled the field 2-3 times, everyone was curious who he was...myself included, then I realized it was Chad Morris w/ SMU. No way he'd be able to do that if he drove.

With it being this close to NSD, just enables him to get out and see more kids in a day. Limited time until NSD.

 

[Destiny's Child]

What's the normal distance or max distance a helicopter is used for out of curiosity?

A helicopter's range depends on the weight and rate of speed. Helicopter's aren't the most comfortable ride especially compared to a private jet but a helicopter is more economical to use when making frequent stops like he is doing. It's also more time efficient because he is landing right where he needs to go and getting back aboard and heading to the next spot.

This is the most effective, efficient way to hit several spots in an area.

If you are flying more than a couple hundred miles.. take a plane!

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Bone is saying this class is shaping up to be the best ever with Rivals

 

[TUSKtimes]

Bone is saying this class is shaping up to be the best ever with Rivals

Best ever from just about all the prognosticators out there. Rivals have us with 7-five stars, 15-fours and a few more to go. Crazy good stuff.

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Visitors this weekend

LaBryan Ray, Rivals100 defensive end from James Clemens HS in Madison, Alabama
DeVonta Smith, Rivals100 wide receiver from Amite High School in Louisiana
Henry Ruggs, four-star wide receiver from Lee High School in Montgomery, Alabama
Phidarian Mathis, four-star defensive tackle from Neville HS in Monroe, Louisiana
Todd Harris, four-star safety from Plaquemines High School in Louisiana

Commitments

Chris Allen, four-star linebacker from Southern Lab HS in Baton Rouge
Mac Jones, four-star quarterback from The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida
Markail Benton, four-star linebacker from Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama
Kendall Randolph, four-star offensive tackle from Bob Jones HS in Madison, Alabama
Kedrick James, four-star tight end from La Vega High School in Waco, Texas
Akial Byers, three-star defensive tackle from Fayetteville High School in Arkansas.

Recruiting - BONE: Official visitors | TideSports.com

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Hunter Brannon
It certainly seems like he is on the blueshirt path based on my conversation with him.

Brannon has graduated from high school. He is working out, doing yoga and pilates in Cullman. The coaching staff has remained in close contact. I don't expect him to take an official visit to Alabama. I believe with him already graduating from HS, this is not allowed if he is going the blueshirt route.

However, if he does decide to look around he is allowed to take visits elsewhere. Lane Kiffin extended an offer on Thursday. He said he is considering a possible visit.

I'll have a story with Brannon on TideSports later this afternoon.


From USA Today regarding blueshirts

Meanwhile, blueshirts represent the newest loophole for FBS programs to accumulate depth while not affecting their annual numbers. Like grayshirt recruits, blueshirts are counted toward the next season’s scholarship total.

There is one distinct difference, however. Unlike grayshirts, a blueshirt is able to enroll and participate in team events in the fall. This allows programs to get the best of both worlds: FBS schools can delay a scholarship for the following year, allowing them to over-sign beyond the 25-scholarship limit, and get the use of a prospect immediately rather than waiting until the following spring.

The use of a blueshirt was first popularized by New Mexico State, which would support its numbers by enrolling prospects right after the beginning of the fall semester and then place them on scholarship. Tennessee has also embraced the use of blueshirts under coach Butch Jones.

1 Andrew Bone, Today at 3:09 PM

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Just so you all don't expect any surprises tomorrow.

Devon Hunter, Rivals100 safety from Indian River High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, will announce his decision on Friday. His finalists include Alabama, Florida and Virginia Tech.

Alabama did not bring him in on an official visit. He's not a take.

No reason to pay much attention to this announcement tomorrow.