The Final Drive To National Signing Day

Photo credit for featured image: Ronald Martinez-Getty Images

With just over 2 weeks until National Signing Day and with a big official visit weekend that just passed, the Tide coaching staff is zeroing in on their remaining targets for the last push before the pen hits the paper on the letters of intent. Alabama is currently sitting at 16 commits with 8 already enrolled including D.J. Pettway, who will not count against the signing limit for the 2014 class since he previously signed with the Tide. That will leave the Tide with 23 prospects that will count if every one of the commits sign and there are no grade casualties or commitment flips to other schools. Jimmy Smith of Nola.com reported today that there is a growing interest between 4* defensive tackle Johnny Dwight and LSU.

"A new name to watch out for is Wilkinson County High School defensive tackle Johnny Dwight. The 6-3, 300-pound Alabama commitment from Rochelle, Georgia has been a target of LSU’s for some time, but things cooled off once he committed to the Crimson Tide. Well, the door may be opening again as we have learned that he has been reaching out to LSU’s staffers regularly as his contact with Alabama dwindles. From what we have gathered, he hasn’t set up an official visit to LSU, yet, but it’s very likely that it will transpire soon. Multiple sources in Georgia feel that LSU will land Dwight, which would be somewhat of a shock to most fans because his name has been rarely mentioned in regards to LSU. From all the info I have gathered, expect him to be in the LSU class if everything works out as planned."

If Dwight does indeed flip to LSU, that would bring the number down to 22 and the Tide could sign 3 with the possibility of 4. The numbers are going to be tight but it would be hard to turn down any of the remaining targets that Coach Saban and staff seem to be targeting the most. All of those targets except for Chad Thomas visited Tuscaloosa this weekend.

5* DT Matt Elam: Elam was supposed to make his commitment at the U.S. Army All-American Game but delayed that announcement to allow time to take an official to Alabama. Kentucky was believed to be his destination at that time but now analysts believe after the official, Bama could possibly lead. From all accounts, his visit in Tuscaloosa went very well. The 6 foot 5 inch 370 pound prospect’s high school coach Chad Lewis told BamaOnline on Sunday “I don’t know what the highlight of the visit was for him, but I know that he really enjoyed riding that four wheeler at coach Saban’s house,” Lewis said. “He rode down to the lake and back three or four times. I know that he enjoyed that for sure.” Elam says that he knows he can come to Alabama and win championships or stay loyal to his home state and help rebuild that program.

5* OLB Rashaan Evans: Evans told Andrew Bone of Rivals that his official to Alabama was “By far one of the best visits I’ve ever had”. Most feel Evans will end up at Auburn but that the Tide made a strong push this weekend. Evans talked to BamaOnline about the rumors that Alabama does not treat their players well. “The one thing I learned from this visit is that things that people said about Alabama were not really true. A lot of people said the coaches really do not care about the players, but I actually found out they want them to have the highest level of success on the field and in life, as they want the type of players who are looking for both.” Reuben Foster was Evans’ host but current Bama commit 5* RB Bo Scarbrough was recruiting him to Tuscaloosa pretty heavily. Bama and UCLA are recruiting him as an outside linebacker while Auburn sees him in their STAR position. Evans’ father told AL.com that that could play a part in his decision.

5* CB Marlon Humphrey: Humphrey took his official visit to Florida State this weekend but ended up in Tuscaloosa on Sunday night to spend some time with friend 5* WR Malachi Dupre. With the departure of Jeremy Pruitt from Florida State, some feel that this puts Alabama in a better position to land the Tide legacy.  Former Tide RB and Marlon’s father Bobby Humphrey told AL.com a few days ago that Pruitt’s departure will have no affect on his decision according to Marlon. He says he was interested in Florida State before Pruitt arrived. He will take his official to Alabama next weekend and hopefully we will know a bit more on his situation. Most believe it will be hard for Humphrey to not commit to Alabama.

5* WR Malachi Dupre: This one is a wild card and could possibly be Saban’s Signing Day surprise that has happened many times before. Most feel Dupre will commit to LSU but according to reports after his visit, the Tide could have given him something to think about. Dupre visited LSU this weekend before arriving in Tuscaloosa on Sunday. He felt the trip to Tuscaloosa was more beneficial to him since he got to see some new things that he had not seen yet and due to the fact that he has visited LSU so many times already. Dupre came away very impressed with new Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and his usage of wide receivers. Dupre told BamaOnline last night, “This was my first time meeting him. I thought he was a pretty cool guy. I was very impressed with his offense. That was the biggest thing- how he uses his receivers. He uses them very well. He showed me Robert Woods, Marquise Lee and all those other great receivers.” He also mentions the possibility of playing with Marlon Humphrey and admits that they have talked about that. Dupre will take an official to Florida State this coming weekend.

5* DE Chad Thomas: This one could be another wild card as well. 247Sports reported today that Thomas will take an official visit to Tuscaloosa the weekend before National Signing Day. He will visit Florida State this weekend. He maintains that he is still a solid Miami commit and is only taking visits to see what else is out there and to see if he is making the right choice. Thomas had this to say to 247Sports’ Josh Newberg about Alabama. “(Alabama) is a top program. I know they know how to get guys to the NFL from college. They have a nice facility all around and it’s just top school”.

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Below are a few photos from this weekend’s official visitors.

Chris Williams

Rashaan Evans and Ronnie Clark

Shaun Hamilton and Matt Elam

Hassenauer, Miller, Casher, and Pierschbacher

Chris Williams- Out with Derrick Henry, Kirby Smart And Monte.

Casher, Pierschbacher, Cristobal, Hassenauer, McBride

Lane Kiffin Singing “Sweet Home Alabama”

Humphrey on Dupree on campus

Reuben Foster and Rashaan Evans