Question: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal?

[P. C. Pachyderm]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

You can say we'll be fine without Allen all you want, but I want to be more than fine. One play can be the difference between a perfect season and a one-loss season. Allen should be a helluva playmaker. It's players like him that could be that extra difference in a loss or victory when we meet another great team. Just saying, I think he's worth it.

Your post beat mine by just a bit ... and I agree wholeheartedly. The way this guy exploded over at the Army All-American practices, he's about as close to a sure thing as a big-time playmaker--on offense or defense either one--as anyone Coach Saban has recruited since Julio.

 

[bamacon]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

I know many of you feel that Allen is not worth two scholarships, but it's starting to look like our coaches think so, and I think they're right. Instead of looking at it as losing a scholarship, look at it as trading Allen for one of the players that we would've offered a scholarship to. Allen's vacany will mean an extra scholarship in addition to getting to keep a scholarship we've would've offered his brother. Yes, we had plans for that scholarship, but what about Allen's. We weren't planning to have this many scholarships, and I don't think we've got a difference-maker the caliber of Allen to fill his scholarship. You have to look at the players that will take those two scholarships' place. One will probably be one of the solid offensive lineman or defensive players that Saban has been after. But who will the other be? Does Saban have anyone in line for that extra scholarship, not just a target, but someone who will commit to Alabama. Will the value of the two players combined equal Allen's? I doubt it.

You can say we'll be fine without Allen all you want, but I want to be more than fine. One play can be the difference between a perfect season and a one-loss season. Allen should be a helluva playmaker. It's players like him that could be that extra difference in a loss or victory when we meet another great team. Just saying, I think he's worth it.

While I mentioned it might be a bad precedent I agree with your logic. I have always said that I trust Coach Saban has a plan and that everything he and the staff do relate to trying to achieve ultimate success for the football program. If he think the 2-1 is best there is a reason. Like you said...we don't know everything about the conversations that have taken place. Hope everything works out though.

 

[TiderinArkansas]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

I've wavered on this a bit, I don't really like the idea of it but if he's as good as Coach Saban thinks he is then its probably worth it. I mean you can say with the state of our program that we don't need any one player bad enough to give away two scholarships to get him but you can turn that around and say that with our quality depth across the board we can better afford to "give away" a scholarship than some programs.

I also don't see any reason to be mad at the kid. If anything I'm impressed by him being willing to go to his second or third choice school in order to help his brother.

 

[VirginiaTider22]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

Some of you asked about the scholly that was up in the air anyway. This kid Dequan Menzie is incredible and wants to come to BAMA. We will only have him for a short time (i.e. Mount Cody), but I want him as bad as K. Allen. The staff knows what they are after and willing to sacrifice a scholly then by all means, but this kid has the potential to be a playmaker from day one as well. I think its a win/win situation. If we get KA and his brother perhaps he (brother)will develop into his own if the right set of variables fall in line and contribute to the team. Mark my words, if the ship sails for KA then Menzie will keep you happy. If we get both I will be forever satisfied. Dequan Menzie will commit if the brothers exit the radar and he has a commitable offer (he will). Then again you are trading 2 yrs for four (Dequan Menzie) or two schollys for one (Allen).

BTW I hate UCHEAT as much as any man but Eric Berry is the best pure secondary man I have seen in high school and college in a long, long time (difference maker). K. Allen is pretty close, (I would never down him) but IMHO (may not mean much here)so is Dequan Menzie.

 

[Hometown Barron]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

I know many of you feel that Allen is not worth two scholarships, but it's starting to look like our coaches think so, and I think they're right. Instead of looking at it as losing a scholarship, look at it as trading Allen for one of the players that we would've offered a scholarship to. Allen's vacany will mean an extra scholarship in addition to getting to keep a scholarship we've would've offered his brother. Yes, we had plans for that scholarship, but what about Allen's. We weren't planning to have this many scholarships, and I don't think we've got a difference-maker the caliber of Allen to fill his scholarship. You have to look at the players that will take those two scholarships' place. One will probably be one of the solid offensive lineman or defensive players that Saban has been after. But who will the other be? Does Saban have anyone in line for that extra scholarship, not just a target, but someone who will commit to Alabama. Will the value of the two players combined equal Allen's? I doubt it.

You can say we'll be fine without Allen all you want, but I want to be more than fine. One play can be the difference between a perfect season and a one-loss season. Allen should be a helluva playmaker. It's players like him that could be that extra difference in a loss or victory when we meet another great team. Just saying, I think he's worth it.

At first, i didn't believe that he was worth two scholarships.

But with your argument, I am in your favor.

We need him in Tuscaloosa any way we can get him there.

 

[ElkhartTider]

It's cliche to say that I trust the coaches to make the right call here, but if there was ever an instance where that was the case, it's this one. Our coaches evaluate talent like nobody's business. If they think he is worth two scholarships, I really don't think he will be a bust.

I agree.. lol I guess I'm just playing devils advocate. Heck maybe Maynard will turn out to be the next great Bama QB! lol
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[P. C. Pachyderm]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

Just a follow-up....

(1) Like any recruit, KA could end up being a "bust."

(2) All the evidence is that he is going to be a big-time playmaker for someone.

(3) Yes, we just won the national championship and yes, we could lose any recruit on our list and still be in good shape.

(4) Fact is, we almost lost a couple games this year, partly because of a lack of big play explosiveness.

(5) I just don't want anyone reading message boards and coming to the conclusion that we really don't care if one of the two or three best players in the country goes elsewhere ... because "we're Alabama and we'll be fine." Getting elite players like Keenan Allen is how we will stay an elite program.

 

[runtheoption22]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

Andrew Bone just tweeted that he thinks Allen goes to Clemson.

 

[Jessica4Bama]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

Just a follow-up....

(1) Like any recruit, KA could end up being a "bust."

(2) All the evidence is that he is going to be a big-time playmaker for someone.

(3) Yes, we just won the national championship and yes, we could lose any recruit on our list and still be in good shape.

(4) Fact is, we almost lost a couple games this year, partly because of a lack of big play explosiveness.

(5) I just don't want anyone reading message boards and coming to the conclusion that we really don't care if one of the two or three best players in the country goes elsewhere ... because "we're Alabama and we'll be fine." Getting elite players like Keenan Allen is how we will stay an elite program.[/QUOTE]

Ditto

 

[Tide Warrior]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

My question is this. If we offer both to retain KA what precedence does it set for future 5 star recruits? Also we have a redshirt freshman QB (AJ) and another QB coming in (PS) possible rs, with the addition of Maynard that many assume will never see the field does it still look bad for future QBs like Lemay to see when they get here that they will still have 3 with atleast 2 years left to play. Maynard will have to sit out a year but could play in 2011 and 2012.

The other thing is people are concerned about the scholly to Maynard if that happens, but my understanding it would only count against the 85 not the incoming class, just like P Jones who transfereed here from LSU last year. So I do not think we can not add someone else to the class this year because we offer him. Just it will make the numbers interesting come summer again.

 

[runtheoption22]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

So you're saying we can go ahead and chalk him up as a member of the 2010 Alabama class?

lol

Like I said, I think it's 50/50 right now.

 

[Harmost]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

Lately, I get the vibe Bone's guess is as good as anyone's...

 

[RedStar]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

My question is this. If we offer both to retain KA what precedence does it set for future 5 star recruits? Also we have a redshirt freshman QB (AJ) and another QB coming in (PS) possible rs, with the addition of Maynard that many assume will never see the field does it still look bad for future QBs like Lemay to see when they get here that they will still have 3 with atleast 2 years left to play. Maynard will have to sit out a year but could play in 2011 and 2012.

The other thing is people are concerned about the scholly to Maynard if that happens, but my understanding it would only count against the 85 not the incoming class, just like P Jones who transfereed here from LSU last year. So I do not think we can not add someone else to the class this year because we offer him. Just it will make the numbers interesting come summer again.

I'm not sure it sets any type of precedent. Things like this have always gone on. Maybe not jrecently at Bama, but kids get offers all the time based on who they are teammates/related to.

IF we did offer his brother, it wouldn't bother me. We've got Sr's already on the team who barely played meaningful snaps in their careers, but we still won a championship with them.

 

[Bama1970]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

I could care less what KA decides to do. I would like for him to sign with Bama but if he is using leverage trying to get his brother in, then I say good riddance.
Bama has always been about "team", not individuals. If Bama wastes a scholly just to get KA, then I will be very disappointed.

 

[ElkhartTider]

Would remind everyone that Trent Richardson's status went this route last year and he ended up with us. As mentioned elsewhere in threads, it's neat being given the "star treatment" on these officials.

Speaking of Trent... what if his brother who plays at UL Lafayette now wants to come play at Bama?
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[BigEasyTider]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

Lately, I get the vibe Bone's guess is as good as anyone's...

Andrew Bone just tweeted that he thinks Allen goes to Clemson.

I agree, Harmost, I think Bone's just making an educated guess-at-best right now. Rest assured, if he really had any "inside" information confirming that guess, it would be behind the pay-wall of Scout.com, and not just thrown up on Twitter for everyone to read for free.

With that said, however, I'll be frank and say that I don't expect Allen to sign with Alabama. I don't think there's really any "inside" information out there just because Allen has been so quiet on this, but even so I still expect that he will go to Clemson. The mere fact that this is all happening after the in-home visit tells me that we either didn't offer his brother or that we did and it really did phase him one way or the other. Neither outcome bodes well for the chances of him signing with 'Bama.

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see much out there that would convince me otherwise right now.

 

[GMacFan]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

Just a follow-up....

(1) Like any recruit, KA could end up being a "bust."

(2) All the evidence is that he is going to be a big-time playmaker for someone.

(3) Yes, we just won the national championship and yes, we could lose any recruit on our list and still be in good shape.

(4) Fact is, we almost lost a couple games this year, partly because of a lack of big play explosiveness.

(5) I just don't want anyone reading message boards and coming to the conclusion that we really don't care if one of the two or three best players in the country goes elsewhere ... because "we're Alabama and we'll be fine." Getting elite players like Keenan Allen is how we will stay an elite program.

Bingo. We can't be so haughty as to pretend like losing Allen wouldn't diminish, even if only slightly, our chances of success in the future. As competitive as college football is today, we need to win every battle we can. This battle (for Keenan) is pretty big, and will have long-term implications.

 

[37bamagrl]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

... because "we're Alabama and we'll be fine." Getting elite players like Keenan Allen is how we will stay an elite program.

WINNER!

 

[GMacFan]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

This reminds me of the fourth quarter of the Texas game when many a-negative comment began to litter the game thread. Let's try to keep the faith here.

 

[derek4tide]

Re: Is Keenan Allen a soft verbal? (Put all discussion of Allen's visits in this thre

My cousin in Charleston (Clemson grad, yuck) just emailed me saying that Keenan is theirs and it is over. I shot him my retort of "we don't take package deals."