| RECRUIT Recruiting News: The Alabama class of 2017

[Tidestalker]

This time last year we had a ton of ground to make up to get our 6th straight recruiting title. Wednesday doesn't have that feel to me but it's still been a strange year with our defensive line and with a couple of homegrown elite players in the state.

Not sure what we did to alienate Nico Collins, from Pinson Valley, but we seem more like an afterthought than a surprise pick. Ray and Ruggs don't exactly leave me with the impression they're feeling it for the Tide. Doesn't mean I'm not hopeful, unlike Collins, but they have Bama nation holding their breath.

Ray seems like a lock IMO.

If the staff didn't feel good about Ruggs and/or Smith, Collins wouldn't be an afterthought. IMO

 

[TUSKtimes]

Ray seems like a lock IMO.

If the staff didn't feel good about Ruggs and/or Smith, Collins wouldn't be an afterthought. IMO

I have no special vibe on Ray and the ballz point our way. I like Ruggs, but he looks like he's built for the slot. Collins is a 6'5" wideout that can get it. I have no idea why Smith would be a priority over Collins.

To be fair, if the barners were in on these kids, the drama would almost make sense, it's everywhere but.

 

[Bobby Kunz]

Predictions:
Aubrey Solomon - Alabama
LaBryan Ray - Alabama
Henry Ruggs - Alabama
Devonta Smith - Alabama
Jarez Parks - Alabama
Todd Harris - LSU
Phildarian Mathis - LSU

When kids are down to it, they're going to the best program to elevate their game and get them to the NFL. Alabama does that.

 

[planomateo]

Nico Collins, from Pinson Valley

I thought he was from Clay-Chalkville?

 

[Tidestalker]

I have no special vibe on Ray and the ballz point our way. I like Ruggs, but he looks like he's built for the slot. Collins is a 6'5" wideout that can get it. I have no idea why Smith would be a priority over Collins.

To be fair, if the barners were in on these kids, the drama would almost make sense, it's everywhere but.

I was baffled why Collins wasn't more of a priority... But after watching Rugs speed in the UA practices and games... I could see why he was a top target.

As far as Smith, he's pretty skinny. But at 6'1 he will add some weight and be a decent size WR.

When I look at the bigger WR's on the roster, basically none of them have panned out yet. Cam Sims being the best of the bunch and his impact has been minimal. Falkins & Keif aren't seeing many snaps. Always surprises me we haven't tried to use the bigger WR's more in downfield passing game, but it just hasn't been in our DNA to throw those 50/50 balls over the years.

 

[Bobby Kunz]

I thought he was from Clay-Chalkville?

Plano is right, he's from Clay-Chalkville.

 

[TUSKtimes]

I thought he was from Clay-Chalkville?

He's from Pinson and went to school at Clay-Chalkville.

Nico Collins, Clay-Chalkville, Wide Receiver - 247Sports

 

[planomateo]

Clay-Chalkville has had a few guys make it to the NFL, not bad considering they haven't been around that long. My youngest sister graduated from Clay-Chalkville, I want to say she was one of the first graduating classes. The rest of us graduated from Hewitt Trussville.

I don't follow Alabama HS football, but I would imagine Clay-Chalkville has had a significant impact on the Hewitt Trussville talent pipeline. That being said, Hewitt Trussville is still sending kids to Power 5 schools every year.

 

[TUSKtimes]

When I look at the bigger WR's on the roster, basically none of them have panned out yet. Cam Sims being the best of the bunch and his impact has been minimal. Falkins & Keif aren't seeing many snaps. Always surprises me we haven't tried to use the bigger WR's more in downfield passing game, but it just hasn't been in our DNA to throw those 50/50 balls over the years.

We've been seeing a lot of teams that have them and they usually play well against our man to man. We have the Texas recruit Tyrell Shavers at 6'6" coming in, so we are trying.

 

[TerryP]

There are a few wait and see guys...among those who are not are Ruggs, Smith, and Ray.

Mathis: Orge went on a little "walk-about" in Monroe last week trying to find any and all who would put pressure on Mathis to stay in state. If you talk to LSU guys they're confident. Yet, as of yesterday, there's a real positive feeling on the staff that he chooses Alabama tomorrow.

Solomon: While a lot buy into the notion that UGA is out of this race, sell, sell, sell. Kirby, through guys like Mansell, are trying to pitch that idea. There's no one in Tuscaloosa (as in the staff) who feel that way. Bama is in the thick of this, no doubt. There's some confidence he'll sign with the Tide. BUT, this one (as stated many times in this thread) is going down to the wire.

Parks is still in this story but we'll have to see how it ends.

There are five, perhaps six, slots they are trying to fill.

 

[TUSKtimes]

There are a few wait and see guys...among those who are not are Ruggs, Smith, and Ray.

Mathis: Orge went on a little "walk-about" in Monroe last week trying to find any and all who would put pressure on Mathis to stay in state. If you talk to LSU guys they're confident. Yet, as of yesterday, there's a real positive feeling on the staff that he chooses Alabama tomorrow.

Solomon: While a lot buy into the notion that UGA is out of this race, sell, sell, sell. Kirby, through guys like Mansell, are trying to pitch that idea. There's no one in Tuscaloosa (as in the staff) who feel that way. Bama is in the thick of this, no doubt. There's some confidence he'll sign with the Tide. BUT, this one (as stated many times in this thread) is going down to the wire.

Parks is still in this story but we'll have to see how it ends.

There are five, perhaps six, slots they are trying to fill.

In that you just mentioned Solomon, what do you think about his cryptic tease about the team he says he has already picked? According to Solomon, his selection was based on graduation rate and unbelievable success on the field.

http://www.maizenbrew.com/2017/1/29/...labama-georgia

 

[TerryP]

In that you just mentioned Solomon, what do you think about his cryptic tease about the team he says he has already picked?

Just that, a cryptic tease.

I truly believe that the UGA writers, like Mansell, who are pushing the Michigan story on their sites are doing so at the behest of Goff.

Put yourself in Kirby's shoes just a minute. If Solomon goes to say, Michigan, Kirby can tell all the UGA people "it was expected." BUT, if he picks UGA what does Kirby look like then? What do the UGA fans, and those writers say about him at that point? Hell, they'll be crowning a new king like they did with the past several coaches.

Look. I very well may be wrong here (won't lose sleep over it.) But, my gut feeling is this isn't a three team race between UGA, UM, and UA. I see it as UGA and UM today.

Let me add this. I think too many are reading too much into what he was saying when he mentioned the "large lead" thing to the press at that All-Star game.

If there's one thing I'm very tempted to put in the "I know" category it's this. No one at Bama, Michigan, or Georgia knows where he's going to sign. Hell, he might not know.

My only wish is those who keep saying "he's not coming to Bama" would shut the heck up. They don't know that either.

 

[Max]

 

[TUSKtimes]

Just that, a cryptic tease.

I truly believe that the UGA writers, like Mansell, who are pushing the Michigan story on their sites are doing so at the behest of Goff.

Put yourself in Kirby's shoes just a minute. If Solomon goes to say, Michigan, Kirby can tell all the UGA people "it was expected." BUT, if he picks UGA what does Kirby look like then? What do the UGA fans, and those writers say about him at that point? Hell, they'll be crowning a new king like they did with the past several coaches.

Look. I very well may be wrong here (won't lose sleep over it.) But, my gut feeling is this isn't a three team race between UGA, UM, and UA. I see it as UGA and UM today.

Let me add this. I think too many are reading too much into what he was saying when he mentioned the "large lead" thing to the press at that All-Star game.

If there's one thing I'm very tempted to put in the "I know" category it's this. No one at Bama, Michigan, or Georgia knows where he's going to sign. Hell, he might not know.

My only wish is those who keep saying "he's not coming to Bama" would shut the heck up. They don't know that either.

Can we go ahead and call him a primadonna? :hyper:

 

[TerryP]

Can we go ahead and call him a primadonna? :hyper:

Only if you'll agree that the opinion he has of himself has been birthed/created by those writers in the recruiting industry.

(I've come real close to making that joke a few times the last few days.)

BTW, do you remember Willie Williams? That's what I'd call a primadonna. Or, that kid who delayed his announcement for months? I can't recall his name off the top of my head...seems he was a UT commit, visiting Auburn, committed to Miami (maybe) and ended up in the mid-west before flaming out. He had a brother playing ... had a handler involved.

Geez, what was that kids name?

 

[UAgrad93]

This time last year we had a ton of ground to make up to get our 6th straight recruiting title. Wednesday doesn't have that feel to me but it's still been a strange year with our defensive line and with a couple of homegrown elite players in the state.

Not sure what we did to alienate Nico Collins, from Pinson Valley, but we seem more like an afterthought than a surprise pick. Ray and Ruggs don't exactly leave me with the impression they're feeling it for the Tide. Doesn't mean I'm not hopeful, unlike Collins, but they have Bama nation holding their breath.

Nico Collins is a big time talent BUT, I believe the staff felt that if the ball wasn't coming in his direction, he took plays off. Staff wants someone that will go full speed EVERY PLAY. The eye in the sky don't lie.

 

[TerryP]

ICYMI, Byers is headed to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College...

 

[TUSKtimes]

Takes the heat off Bielema.

 

[JoshB]

Only if you'll agree that the opinion he has of himself has been birthed/created by those writers in the recruiting industry.

(I've come real close to making that joke a few times the last few days.)

BTW, do you remember Willie Williams? That's what I'd call a primadonna. Or, that kid who delayed his announcement for months? I can't recall his name off the top of my head...seems he was a UT commit, visiting Auburn, committed to Miami (maybe) and ended up in the mid-west before flaming out. He had a brother playing ... had a handler involved.

Geez, what was that kids name?

Bryce Brown?

 

[TerryP]

Bryce Brown?

Bingo!