| RECRUIT Recruiting News: The Alabama class of 2017

[Tidestalker]

FWIW, this isn't an Upshaw type of injury he's got with his knee. His doctors are saying he'll be running soon.



? Lost me.

Mistake... Forgot we haven't signed a JUCO MLB. Altough 1 of them won't play next year anyway, right?

 

[Tidestalker]

Will Averett be injured like he was after his red-shirt year? Remember, he didn't play in half of the Tide's games his sophomore year because he was battling through injuries the entire season.

Who was he going to beat out?

Even when healthy he was a special teamer

 

[TerryP]

Who was he going to beat out?

Even when healthy he was a special teamer

He did play some at corner.

As to who he might have beaten out? You're missing my point (or I didn't make it clear.) AA was hampered in his development because of injury. Who knows what may have happened?

I took your suggesting Knotts or Mayden might beat him out "like Humphrey." The two situations aren't remotely identical when you consider AA's injuries. I'm certainly not saying Humph wouldn't have beaten him out if AA was healthy. I am saying I don't see any of these other guys mentioned in this thread getting his position.

 

[BamaFan334]

He folded against Clemson. Please re watch the second half.

Guess you sit with the minority on this one. Like I said, spare me the acrobatic leaping catches by the best receiver in college football.

By your standard, the entire defense folded, because Clemson scored 21 in the 4th quarter and all of that did not come against Averette. Nice try though.

 

[Tidestalker]

Guess you sit with the minority on this one. Like I said, spare me the acrobatic leaping catches by the best receiver in college football.

By your standard, the entire defense folded, because Clemson scored 21 in the 4th quarter and all of that did not come against Averette. Nice try though.

Absolutely not. Evans, Anderson, Foster stood as strong as ever. Averette was running from contact instead of holding his edge. One play the TE burned him and he didn't even attempt to run him down. Minority or not, if you want to argue please re watch. It was obvious.

 

[Tidestalker]

He did play some at corner.

As to who he might have beaten out? You're missing my point (or I didn't make it clear.) AA was hampered in his development because of injury. Who knows what may have happened?

I took your suggesting Knotts or Mayden might beat him out "like Humphrey." The two situations aren't remotely identical when you consider AA's injuries. I'm certainly not saying Humph wouldn't have beaten him out if AA was healthy. I am saying I don't see any of these other guys mentioned in this thread getting his position.

Don't know what would have happened, do know what did happen. Marlon beat out a handful of CB's after a RS year. AA wasn't the only one.

 

[BamaFan334]

Absolutely not. Evans, Anderson, Foster stood as strong as ever. Averette was running from contact instead of holding his edge. One play the TE burned him and he didn't even attempt to run him down. Minority or not, if you want to argue please re watch. It was obvious.

Not arguing, simply stating fact. You're blaming one guy out of eleven. That's not very good analysis. Pretty sure I saw Ronnie Harrison get blown up by Wayne Gallman, not holding the edge and letting Watson stroll in for a touchdown. Probably Averette's fault though.

 

[TerryP]

This has got to be the biggest bunch of primadonna D-Linemen I remember. I guess they're the rock stars this cycle.

What makes you say that?

Beyond a JUCO EE and an iffy 3* this position group isn't saying and probably won't till signing day or beyond.

When this exchange happened last Friday it started me thinking a bit. Is it fair, or accurate, to call these guys primadonna's because they aren't saying much to recruiting beat writers? Or, making their decisions on NSD instead of announcing early?

Hypothetical: You're Phidarian Mathis. You've two schools recruiting you heavily; Alabama and your home state school in LSU. You've seen how other recruits have been treated in the past. You've seen how other players, from your own state, have been treated when they've played out of state. You've seen/heard how Allen was, literally, begged to decommit on a radio station out of BR.

What do you do? Wait until NSD to avoid a lot of that?

It's my opinion the way these guys respond to reporters is due to the way reporters have treated these guys over the last five years (or more.) Even if I know where I'm going I'm keeping my mouth shut--much like Mathis and several other have been doing over these past few months.

 

[UAgrad93]

I agree @TerryP. These kids have been vilified for leaving their home state since he likes of Landon Collins and others declared early. I don't blame these kids for keeping silent or even trolling to be honest. I would say that Solomon is in the same position in Georgia. UGA fans are desperate for a winner and Smart is trying to keep the best talent in state. I have seen people tweeting at these kids, begging and then cursing them if they choose to play elsewhere. WTH?

 

[TerryP]

I have seen people tweeting at these kids, begging and then cursing them if they choose to play elsewhere. WTH?

I won't pretend to understand what motivates adults to tweet to prospective players. I won't waste my time trying to understand it, either.

That said, I did see a tweet in the past week with one of our current commits asking Bama fans to "show him some love." I can't recall who it was.

It leads me to believe some of these kids love the attention and ask for that attention but don't realize where (from whom) some of that attention is going to come from.

I would say that Solomon is in the same position in Georgia. UGA fans are desperate for a winner and Smart is trying to keep the best talent in state.

Just this past weekend a UGA fan I know mentioned they had offered a JUCO DT in the last few days. I mentioned a few days ago that Mansell and Adams (UGA, 247 guys) CB'd Solomon to Michigan.

A few thoughts on this: One, I think the UGA guys are quietly "suggesting" to their readers don't expect him in this class. Secondly, it's probably a good idea to remember he was committed to UM earlier. And, rounding this out, I do find it interesting that the majority of those CB'ing Solomon to UM are guys from Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, etc.

I know the Tide has a few guys that haven't announced as of yet. I don't think Solomon is one of those.

 

[TUSKtimes]

When this exchange happened last Friday it started me thinking a bit. Is it fair, or accurate, to call these guys primadonna's because they aren't saying much to recruiting beat writers? Or, making their decisions on NSD instead of announcing early?

Hypothetical: You're Phidarian Mathis. You've two schools recruiting you heavily; Alabama and your home state school in LSU. You've seen how other recruits have been treated in the past. You've seen how other players, from your own state, have been treated when they've played out of state. You've seen/heard how Allen was, literally, begged to decommit on a radio station out of BR.

What do you do? Wait until NSD to avoid a lot of that?

It's my opinion the way these guys respond to reporters is due to the way reporters have treated these guys over the last five years (or more.) Even if I know where I'm going I'm keeping my mouth shut--much like Mathis and several other have been doing over these past few months.

You should sell no-fault insurance, Terry. There are enough psycho-analytics in your assessment to keep the Bryce hospital staff on call. With people, everything is a calculated guess, so your personal guess is fine with me. We may not always be privy to personal motive when it comes to their decision, but it usually doesn't take long to see the meism in the theatrics.

And many of these recruits have had plenty to say to reporters and twitter world and that's part of their irresistible charm in this " primadonna" stuff I speak of. While all these cause and effect ideas about reporters sound noble, it is going to end up being a lot more about teenage kids who are standing in a bright spotlight and frankly, some are handling the moment better than others.

 

[TerryP]

There are enough psycho-analytics in your assessment to keep the Bryce hospital staff on call.

As long as they prescribe psychedelic drugs, I'm good with that.

While all these cause and effect ideas about reporters sound noble, it is going to end up being a lot more about teenage kids who are standing in a bright spotlight and frankly, some are handling the moment better than others.

I believe you're missing the point here (and believe you me, nobility is the last thing on my mind right now.)

I don't disagree with the fact some handle things better than others. However, I'm emphatically stating those kids "standing in the bright spotlight" that are getting all of this attention ... it's a world created by these very writers and reporters. It's something I've warned of for years now and we're seeing it in its full blown glory. In fact, I recall the first day I mentioned we were going to be facing this in the future--October of 2007.

The Tide had a silent committment from one of the top defensive backs in the country and one of the writers for BOL (still employed there, btw) broke the news. That players started getting a lot of hell from those in his home state and changed his mind.)

(H/T for the use of the word meism! h/t)

 

[Tidestalker]

Not arguing, simply stating fact. You're blaming one guy out of eleven. That's not very good analysis. Pretty sure I saw Ronnie Harrison get blown up by Wayne Gallman, not holding the edge and letting Watson stroll in for a touchdown. Probably Averette's fault though.

Who's blaming one guy? Get out of your feelings. Harrison absolutely got blown up also. There were plenty of mistakes to go around.

When we are "evaluating" recruiting at the CB position, and which jobs are open for competition, it's fair to point out a guy who had a terrible final game.

If we were talking about JUCO safeties we would talk about Harrison/Jones/Minkah. Pretty simple.

 

[BamaFan334]

Who's blaming one guy? Get out of your feelings. Harrison absolutely got blown up also. There were plenty of mistakes to go around.

When we are "evaluating" recruiting at the CB position, and which jobs are open for competition, it's fair to point out a guy who had a terrible final game.

If we were talking about JUCO safeties we would talk about Harrison/Jones/Minkah. Pretty simple.

You've been blaming one guy! The entire reason I engaged in a conversation with you was because you were blaming one guy and saying he folded when he was actually playing better than most others. You're wanting to say he folded because of one series, which is pretty obtuse. His year was pretty damn good considering how worried we were. He had a better year than Humphrey, I can tell you that much. My feelings have nothing to do with what we saw on the field and how off your analysis of Averette is.

Any position is open. Hurts had a killer year, but you know what, his job can be taken if Tua or someone else steps up. Averette is definitely up for evaluation just like everyone else, I agree with you on that. My issue is you saying he folded, which is not accurate in my opinion, and a few others. You saying Ridley better watch out as well?

 

[Tidestalker]

You've been blaming one guy! The entire reason I engaged in a conversation with you was because you were blaming one guy and saying he folded when he was actually playing better than most others. You're wanting to say he folded because of one series, which is pretty obtuse.

1. No. Just told you there was plenty of blame to go around. Move on.

2. Playing better than others? I'd ask who he was playing better than but then I'd have to accuse you of "Blaming" those guys

3. Again, misrepresenting and false. He played bad poorly for most of the half, not one series.

4. This is a recruiting thread. Let's get back to that. RTR

 

[BamaMD]

:hijack:

 

[BamaFan334]

1. No. Just told you there was plenty of blame to go around. Move on.

2. Playing better than others? I'd ask who he was playing better than but then I'd have to accuse you of "Blaming" those guys

3. Again, misrepresenting and false. He played bad poorly for most of the half, not one series.

4. This is a recruiting thread. Let's get back to that. RTR

Whatever makes you feel better, but you're still incorrect.

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Per Andrew Bone, Tidesports.com

I know all are wanting to know how things went with every prospect on campus this past weekend. Alabama had the majority of top remaining uncommitted targets in town. There was communication with prospects on Sunday as they returned home, but most asked to hold off on interviews until sometime this week.

Here's what I do know (from the weekend in Tuscaloosa)

I'll start with Chris Allen, four-star linebacker from Southern Lab High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Allen had a great official visit. I spoke to him briefly on Sunday. His flight was delayed on Sunday, and not expected back home until today. Allen was joined in Tuscaloosa by his parents and sister. He spent a lot of time with close friend and Alabama early enrollee Dylan Moses. Moses was Allen's official visit host this weekend. Allen remains solid with his commitment, but admits LSU is still in the race. I think he will stick with his commitment. No, I'm not going to put a percentage on it at this time.

It was another great visit for LaBryan Ray, Rivals100 defensive end from James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama. The state's No.1 recruit was accompanied by his dad and brothers during the weekend visit. Most assume Ray is a lock to Alabama. Florida and Tennessee are definitely in the race, but Bama will likely pull away in the end. I believe, very strongly, Ray will sign with Alabama. He wants to major in engineering.

I was told last month to expect a possible announcement for Henry Ruggs, four-star wide receiver from Lee High School in Montgomery, on his birthday (January 24). Ruggs has not given an indication he is set to announce on Tuesday, but it will not come as a major surprise. Alabama, once again, rolled out the red carpet for Ruggs and his family (parents, brothers). Some believe Ruggs will surprise and sign with Florida or FSU. I definitely don't expect it to happen. He's been a top priority for Bama for a long time, and I expect him to sign with the Tide.

DeVonta Smith, Rivals100 wide receiver from Amite High School in Louisiana, was also in town. Smith has done a good job throughout his recruitment of staying relatively quiet. His finalists include Alabama, LSU and Miami. He was once committed to Georgia. Alabama was then considered the long time favorite. Some in Louisiana started to believe he was trending heavily to the Tigers. Some questioned if Smith made it to Tuscaloosa because of lack of photo evidence. He was definitely on campus with his mom, brother and grandparents. I think his relationship with Billy Napier and the other members of the Alabama coaching staff play a big role in his decision. I feel very good about Alabama's chances of signing the elite prospect.

Will Alabama sign Phidarian Mathis, four-star defensive tackle from Neville High School in Monroe, Louisiana or Todd Harris, four-star safety from Plaquemine High School in Louisiana? These two have been question marks for a long time. Alabama has liked both for a long time. Mathis was targeted very early in the recruiting process before most really knew about the big defensive lineman. Harris wanted to commit to Alabama prior to the start of the season (some will remember his announcement when he committed to his own high school). I was told back then he intended to announce for the Crimson Tide, but was asked to wait.

Alabama has made a stronger push for both in the last month. Mathis is a big position of need especially with the uncertainty of five-star DL Aubrey Solomon and academic concerns of commitment Akial Byers. Mathis has very high interest in Alabama. He had a great trip to Tuscaloosa.

Bama has always liked Todd Harris. The plan this month was to push for one more DB in this class based on how tight the overall numbers are right now. Chris Henderson, four-star cornerback from Columbus High School in Miami, is considered a take. Alabama loves his size at corner. Henderson likes Alabama a lot, but there is a lot of confidence coming out of Gainesville about him signing with the Gators. We'll see what happens there. Harris seems like he wants to go to Alabama. Both of his parents joined him on the official visit. He plans to wait until signing day to announce a decision.

So, it looks like Bama will close very strong with this group of players who visited Alabama this past weekend. I haven't heard much on Akial Byers academic situation after his official visit. I hope to know more later today or sometime this week. All of Alabama's other commitments who were in town are very solid, and will sign with the Crimson Tide.

Recruiting - BONE: Update on weekend visits... | TideSports.com

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Well I think it plays out like this- Byers will have academic issues. Hunter Brannon is a blue shirt. So that drops the number down to 22.

Bama will sign 27. I'm not sure the number gets to 28, but we will see.

Parks still appears as an Alabama lean. I know he's not signing with Florida.

Per Andrew Bone

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Four-star DB recaps Alabama official visit
Andrew Bone | Editor

Nick Lucero/Rivals.com
Todd Harris, four-star safety from Plaquemine High School in Louisiana, was one of the top uncommitted prospects in Tuscaloosa for an official visit this past weekend.

"The visit was good," Harris said. "I had a good time. My mom, dad, brother and aunt went with me. My mom and aunt have been there with me before. It was my dad's first time. My bother went up there for a game with me.

"Hanging out with the staff was really great. It was good to spend time with Coach Saban. Just getting to know him and the players better. It was good to have a fun weekend. We put football aside. It was fun going to Coach Saban's house and riding go-carts. That was something new. I haven't done that on any visits.

"The food was great. We had a lot of food. I didn't leave hungry. The best meal was probably when we went to Chuck's Fish. They had a ton of food. My plate was heavy. I had steak, fish, potatoes and fries."

I plan on majoring in Sports Management. We sat down with the academic advisor. He was telling us different things like the background of his career. He talked about how successful he was with taking the major and stuff like that.

"My mom and dad really enjoyed the visit. They told me it's my decision. I can say they really enjoyed the visit at Alabama though."

Harris spent a lot of time around Coach Saban and the rest of the coaching staff.

"Coach Saban just telling me about the opportunities the University of Alabama brings outside of football," he said. "He talked about how successful I can be at the University of Alabama.

"He talked about how hard it is to fail with so many people in your corner. He said you really only fail if you want to fail. The support will be there. If you want to play ball at Bama you have to work hard. Nothing is handed to you. You have to take advantage of opportunities in front of you.

"Coach Burns is my recruiter. He is the one who comes around a little more. I feel like I have a great relationship with the whole staff. Coach Saban and I have a good relationship. Coach Pruitt is cool. He is real straightforward. Coach Ansley is my dude. He also keeps it straightforward. The players said he is real cool outside of football."

Alabama has recruited well in Louisiana throughout the years. It comes as no surprise he was hosted by a Bayou State product.

"Shyheim Carter was my player host," Harris said. "He is cool. We were on the same 7-on-7 team a few years ago. He is also from the Boot (Louisiana). I already knew him a little bit. I was just getting to know him better. I enjoyed hanging out with him. He was telling me just to come in and work really hard. He was also saying to take advantage of opportunities. He said at Bama you have to come work hard.

"I already knew a lot of the guys in my class who were there like DeVonta Smith, Dylan Moses, Chris Allen, Markail (Benton) and Mac Jones. I know a handful of those guys from previous events. Of course, I kept hearing 'savages want to play with savages' and come play with Bama. They didn't give me too much pressure. They are just trying to see what's going on with me."

Harris has very high interest in the Crimson Tide following his final trip to Tuscaloosa before he announces a college decision.

"How they feel and go about everything," he said when asked what he likes about Alabama. "They are successful in everything they do. They develop great men. Football will end one day.

"They have the 1st and 10 club with alumni. They sit down with players. They help set them up with a career after football. That stood out. Coach Saban said the only other program that does that he knows about is Ohio State. It's something my mom really likes about Alabama. They are also winning championships. They create young great players. Everyone seems so focused. The brotherhood is really strong there."

The finalists are Alabama, Arizona State, LSU and TCU. A decision is expected on National Signing Day (February 1).

"They are all pretty close if not equal," Harris said. "After the TCU visit I will sit down with my parents and see what they think about everything. All pretty equal in terms of recruiting me the hardest. It's getting down to the end. I am hearing from all a lot right now.

"Arizona State is coming on Wednesday. Coach O (Ed Orgeron) is coming sometime this week or maybe this weekend after my TCU visit. I know Coach Ansley is also coming back down there this week."

TideSports.com - Four-star DB recaps Alabama official visit