Question: Alabama recruits leaving the state

[CityCafeUsual]

Every recruiting season, we read about kids from Louisiana keeping their commitment decisions on the down-low because they catch so much grief for leaving the state. I would name some examples, but honestly, just name a top tier prospect from Louisiana and I'm sure there are articles about the in-state pressure.

Kids from parts of Mississippi feel the same pressure. This year, I seem to remember Nick Brassell talking about the pressure to stay close to home (although, I'll concede there might have been other reasons he stayed home).

Also this year, a lot of Georgia kids were heeding the call of the 'Dream Team' (or as people outside of Georgia see it - the last ditch effort by CMR to stay employed).

And then now we hear about how Jadaveon Clowney was feeling the heat to stay close to home.

My question is, why do you never hear about this with the top prospects leaving Alabama? A few years ago, I don't remember anyone making a big stink about Dee Finley leaving auburn, Al to go to Florida (you could argue just how good he's been, but at the time, I believe he was a 5 star Safety). Granted, since CNS has been at the helm (and to a degree with Chizik) no one in the top 15 even seem to be leaving the state.

But a few weeks ago, a potential top 5 kid in AL, Chris Casher, commits to Florida State and I didn't read one sentence about how he had pressure to stay home.

I mean, I'm not worried about it. We seem to be doing okay in recruiting these days , it just crossed my mind today perusing through the Clowney thread.

Thoughts?

 

[mulletover]

You make a good point. Prospects leave the state all the time with very little known pressure to attend the in state schools. Most of the time the players that leave aren't highly rated prospects with firm in state offers.

In the 2010 class Sam Gibson ATH 6'2'' 202 lbs from Prattville High School left Alabama to play at LSU. In the 2011 class Stephen Rivers QB 6'5'' 200 lbs from Athens also left for LSU. You didn't hear much from people in state about these guys leaving for one of our heated rivals because Bama hadn't offered either one a firm scholarship. So the basic perception was Bama didn't offer so they should go where they can get a free education.

With top tier prospects the pressure does arise. Chris Casher is one of Alabama's top prospects for the 2012 class. You better believe the pressure will heat up for him to stay in state as 2012 signing day draws near. The only reason we haven't heard about any pressure to stay in state is because signing day is so far away. Right now there's plenty of time for in state schools to recruit him.

Another factor in some cases is whether or not an in state prospect plays at a position of need. If Bama has a need for players at Casher's position I would expect these pressures to become more public.

The better the prospect the more out of state offers they'll rake in. Alot of times it hit or miss with these kids. Dre Kirpatrick signed with Bama but he also strongly considered Texas and almost signed there. I say get used to it. 2012 is a loaded class in Alabama. Lots of schools will come after these kids. Saban does tons of out of state recruiting also. In the 2011 class Saban reeled in commitments from 11 different states. Only 6 players in our most recent class came from Alabama.

 

[derek4tide]

With top tier prospects the pressure does arise. Chris Casher is one of Alabama's top prospects for the 2012 class. You better believe the pressure will heat up for him to stay in state as 2012 signing day draws near. The only reason we haven't heard about any pressure to stay in state is because signing day is so far away. Right now there's plenty of time for in state schools to recruit him.

Chris is an FSU verbal.

 

[mulletover]

Chris is an FSU verbal.

Exactly he's a VERBAL commit which isn't binding. Once signing day gets closer the pressure for him to sign with Bama or auburn will increase. How many times have we seen verbals to one school sign with another on NSD? That's why NCAAFB needs an early signing period. These kids who already know where they want to go should be able to sign their LOI's before the first Wednesday in Feburary. It would help coaches better manage their time vs the continued recruitment of kids already verbally commited. But that's an argument for another day.

 

[TideMan09]

I seem to remember Markus Manson said he was under extreme pressure to switch to Bama or auburn once he committed to Florida..

 

[BamaMTA06]

I remember seeing Alabama kids getting blasted on the message boards when they chose to go out of state, or simply not to go to Alabama. Jai Miller was called every name in the book. I think a lot has changed because we are a lot better under Saban and our recruiting has gone national. Now we pick and choose which in state kids we want. A 3-star kid from Montgomery or Huntsville isn't going to make or break our class anymore.

 

[bamahippie]

There is some pressure with the football kids. But there seems to be way less for bona fide basketball stars to stay here. There has been no BBall power in the state for a while, but I think that's about to change too, thanks to Grant.

 

[NoleTide]

Jacob Coker saw some late pressure to stay in state when Bama offered a couple of weeks before signing day.

 

[ElephanTideis]

Why isn't there pressure on Chris Casher to switch to Bama? Somebody's not doing there job down there.

 

[rolltide2213]

Why isn't there pressure on Chris Casher to switch to Bama? Somebody's not doing there job down there.

i agree.

 

[RamJamHam]

To some extent this depends on the definition of "pressure" you are using. I know if I knew somebody from here who committed elsewhere, I would probably give them a friendly "Man, we need you at Bama." I'm sure to some kids that would be "pressure," and to some it would not.

I suspect we don't know the half of what some of these kids and their families go through on the road to signing day.

 

[BEATtutorsee]

Our state isn't any different from any other state in regards to "high profile" recruits staying or leaving. The simple fact of the matter is each and every year there are going to be prospects of that caliber that are going to leave their home state, it happens every year.

 

[DurdenTider]

I can already tell you that Casher has be asked by many people here in mobile to think about staying and picking UA over FSU. Ultimately, it comes down to his decision and his parents. I don't think the "pressure" is very high right now b/c we don't know if we've filled the need at the LB/DE spot yet that Casher would contribute to. If we land a few good prospects in his position by the end of this year, you won't see that much pressure on him to pick UA. I've seen him play and he's a great talent and I would love to see him in crimson but if we can fill the need with similar talent then great.

 

[chris]

solomon patton comes to mind.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

maybe, just maybe the fans in the state of Alabama aren't crazy or obsessed like their surrounding neighbors...:rolleye2:

Bama has loss some high profile recruits over the years (Saban era as well) but Bama fans generally wish the young man good luck except when facing us. perhaps I am a homer, but I don't see the same rabid and spiteful fanbase as some others in the SEC and beyond.