2020 Prospect: 2020 Commits and Prospects

I think that you may not have elite depth, but will likely have quality depth at ILB next year. If Moses comes back, he will be that elite starter for you. If McMillon comes back then he adds quality depth, but a year later I am not sure that he would be a starter. One of these other guys with more physical ability may have passed him on the depth chart. He would definitely start if Moses doesn't come back out of necessity (calling the defense), but otherwise, I am just not sure.

Kaho has the measurables to become an elite ILB, as does Benton. I am not sure why neither has taken the next step.

Harris is a little stiff but reacts well to the ball. He is sometimes out of position early (would be helped by having someone more competent lining him up and making sure that he understands his job on every play), but he really attacks the ball.

Lee - I am not sure that he can play ILB against spread offenses.

Kennedy - He has the tools to play right away. Could he play at 215? Maybe. The game is changing. Being a big thumper at ILB is no longer a selling point.

I don't think that Bratton will see the field this year at ILB.
In fact, in this day of every rule favoring the offense, being a big thumper usually means getting a penalty.
 
Let's assess that list:

Moses - checks all the boxes

McMillon - certainly knows the D inside and out, assertive making calls and won't let us be in the wrong D, but lacks top end mobility, fluidity and speed.

Harris - very high ceiling, but candidly does not know how to play LB yet. Just as likely to take the wrong assignment as the right one. Will have to make massive improvements in his understanding of the position

Lee - For a TF, he was mostly sound on assignments although there were some busts and he had a tendency to try to dodge blocks versus take them on with his hands, even late in year, but he lacks fluidity and mobility required and has very stiff hips. He'll need a major physical remake to slim down get more agile.

Kaho - honestly we haven't seen enough to know. Seemed to play ok in relief, but I think we have to assume that for Harris and Lee to start over him there is a reason.

Benton - This one is confusing. Played awesome in spring game, then was barely in contention for a starting role when Moses and Mcmillon went down, then passed by two TF. Then played pretty well against LSU and vanished again. Not sure what is it, but something is amiss.

Moody (wasn't listed) - likely a special teamer.

so, really capable, complete players, we have 1, and we don't know if we will have him back yet. Kennedy would be the highest rated (247) player out of that entire list other than Moses, so chances are better that once he adds a few pounds he'll be good to go. Bratton, even though a 4 star, has a lower rating (.9276), although not by much, than all but McMillon and Moody, and while the ratings aren't perfect, they do kinda set a trend in our history. Other than SDH, all our starters from 2014-2018 were 247 rated as .98+ This year both were in the .95-.96 range. Bratton could defy the odds and become the next SDH, but it would be really, really nice to have another highly rated guy in the class who is slotted to play ILB given that history.

If Moses comes back, I would favor Harris to start next to him. I thought he improved a lot as the year progressed, and he has all the physical tools needed to play LB these days. You're right that he doesn't know all the ins and outs of playing the position yet because he is so inexperienced there. I expect he would benefit greatly from a full spring and off-season to gain a better grasp on the mental side of things. He was not an early enrollee so he didn't arrive until August. McMillon and Lee will both get a shot too. At the least, they can provide quality depth and will probably get plenty of chances to play.

Benton didn't play very well against LSU in my opinion. I was at the game, and I saw him miss multiple assignments in coverage. I think the coaches were pretty much forced to play him as they knew Lee didn't have the coverage skills to play in dime. And they couldn't put Harris in because he didn't know the defense well enough yet. I think Benton still has a chance to be a really good player, but he needs to start making strides this offseason.

Kaho is going to figure it out eventually once he gets a grasp on the playbook. Kennedy too.
 
Sorry to say, but i don't see much happening tomorrow besides jase signing with the tide. I think for us , it's gonna be pretty much chalk. That being said, the class looks excellent, another good job done by the staff and commits who helped. RTR
 
AS OF RIGHT NOW:
McClellan: Bama
Webb: LSU
Burch: Toss up (everybody is guessing...his mom doesn't let anything leak and he doesn't talk to reporters)
Tim Smith-Sticks with Bama
Arian Smith-UGA
JJ Pegues-Bama
After early NSD targets:
Rakim Jarrett
McKinley Jackson
Darnell Washington
 
AS OF RIGHT NOW:
McClellan: Bama
Webb: LSU
Burch: Toss up (everybody is guessing...his mom doesn't let anything leak and he doesn't talk to reporters)
Tim Smith-Sticks with Bama
Arian Smith-UGA
JJ Pegues-Bama
After early NSD targets:
Rakim Jarrett
McKinley Jackson
Darnell Washington
If we do indeed miss on Smith and fail to flip Jarrett is there another receiver to watch? Obviously the staff wants to add one more especially with the kid from Powder Springs committed right now possibly have qualifying issues... Maybe the transfer portal to fill that spot??
 
AS OF RIGHT NOW:
McClellan: Bama
Webb: LSU
Burch: Toss up (everybody is guessing...his mom doesn't let anything leak and he doesn't talk to reporters)
Tim Smith-Sticks with Bama
Arian Smith-UGA
JJ Pegues-Bama
After early NSD targets:
Rakim Jarrett
McKinley Jackson
Darnell Washington
this is a really great run down. Smith A. is still up in the air but leaning uga
 
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this is a really great run down. Smith A. is still up in the air but leaning uga
Yeah..Bama has made it a fight for sure for Arian Smith. Coach Saban spoke with Burch for 30 mins this evening...I don't he think is slam dunk UGA or Clemson. Things have just been too quiet on him.
 
Yeah..Bama has made it a fight for sure for Arian Smith. Coach Saban spoke with Burch for 30 mins this evening...I don't he think is slam dunk UGA or Clemson. Things have just been too quiet on him.
ive heard good things on bama for Burch but his recruitment is so lock down I dont trust anything lol We have sold Smith on being used like Ruggs. We shall see. Holden taking down a lot on twitter tonight might be nothing or indication how we feel about Smith & Rak
 
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Morning everyone and happy early signing day! Hoping we sign the studs we already have committed and snag one or two more to fill out this already stellar class! Roll Tide!
 
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It use to be when you asked coaches “Is this a great recruiting class?” the response would be “I’ll tell you in 3 or 4 years”. Now days, with more players coming out of high school better prepared plus early enrollment, it isn’t the case.

Fingers crossed that this class can contribute early and often and have a huge impact in 2020 and beyond.

RTR!
 
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It use to be when you asked coaches “Is this a great recruiting class?” the response would be “I’ll tell you in 3 or 4 years”. Now days, with more players coming out of high school better prepared plus early enrollment, it isn’t the case.

Fingers crossed that this class can contribute early and often and have a huge impact in 2020 and beyond.

RTR!

I agree... and fingers and everything else crossed that we don't have any season ending injuries next year, especially to QB and linebackers! I think some of these guys signing today can contribute early if they stay healthy.
 
i dont see the list of LOI that have/will come in. Where am i missing this or are we using this thread? rtr

I wonder how long the player has to actually sign/turn in the LOI once they announce? I remember last year we were all waiting on the LOI for Trey Sanders, I think. He or whomever it was took until late at night to turn it in after his party or something.
 

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