Link: RB James Wilder committed to FSU

[derek4tide]

I don't know who told them James had dropped Bama. That is not the case at all. It's really down to this (in no order):

FSU - wants him as LB, but have hinted at RB
UF - wants him as LB
Bama - wants him as RB
GT - RB

From what I am hearing, it is down to FSU and Bama. We shall soon see.....

 

[dWarriors88]

We were one of his finalists awhile back, but he's changed his mind several times. There seemed to be an 'invisible cut' about 3 weeks ago or so. More than anything, I think it has to do with Wilder being completely locked into playing RB and not being open to LB. In fact, he said that we were contacting him much less often then we had in the past.

Even if our staff really likes a player at a certain position, I think they prefer being able to move them around if thats what the team needs... Wilder doesn't seem to be interested in being that flexible.

We have a LOT of LBers this class though, why would he think he's going to play LB? We have 3 LBers committed and one more thinking about it. That should tell this kid we have LB covered. Right?

 

[Crimson Surfer]

The Tampa Tribune and FlaVarsity are the sources of Wilder's updated favorites list which does not include Bama.

Sports - from TBO.com Blogs

Wilder ready to make college announcement UPDATE
Posted August 09, 2010 by Katherine Smith

UPDATE: The Tribune was first to report James Wilder, Jr. would make his college announcement next week. We now know the exact date.

Plant coach Robert Weiner said Wilder will announce his college decision on Aug. 18, a week after teammates Phillip Ely and Tony Posada make their commitments.

Wilder has narrowed down his lengthy list of scholarship offers to six - Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU and Miami.

Athlete James Wilder Set to Announce | U Recruit | High School and College Football Recruiting

 

[VegasTide]

We have a LOT of LBers this class though, why would he think he's going to play LB? We have 3 LBers committed and one more thinking about it. That should tell this kid we have LB covered. Right?

Beats me? I just don't think the coaches want to be hamstrung w/ a recruit (i.e. 'you put me here or I'm not happy'). For those that think we're still in the mix, I'd be seriously surprised if he chose us.

 

[Braveheart]

If you watch film of him, he's a good RB but a REALLY good LB. That's where his long term future lies.

 

[i_live_4_bama]

He will not play RB in college. Schools will tell him that just to get him top sign and they may give him a shot there but he will be moved to LB by the end of his freshman season or before he starts his sophmore season. He WILL NOT be a college RB.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

We were one of his finalists awhile back, but he's changed his mind several times. There seemed to be an 'invisible cut' about 3 weeks ago or so. More than anything, I think it has to do with Wilder being completely locked into playing RB and not being open to LB. In fact, he said that we were contacting him much less often then we had in the past.

Even if our staff really likes a player at a certain position, I think they prefer being able to move them around if thats what the team needs... Wilder doesn't seem to be interested in being that flexible.

You could be on to something there. Even though Wilder is being recruited to Bama as a RB, he would most likely better serve the team at LB if things fall into place as expected at RB in the 2011 class.

Wilder himself seemed to indicate that Bama has cooled on him recently. I think that has a lot to do with both Malcolm Brown and Isaiah Crowell strongly considering Bama.

Look at last year's RB signee Jalston Fowler for example. He was recruited to Bama as a RB/H-back and he is now a MLB. There is already talk early in the Fall camp that Fowler is making a move up to the #2 spot at Mike LB behind Dont'a Hightower. It appears that Chris Jordan has been moved from Mike LB to Will LB where he is challenging Nico Johnson for the top spot there. The LB quality and depth is realling looking good right now.

Jalston Fowler - College Football

 

[VegasTide]

You could be on to something there. Even though Wilder is being recruited to Bama as a RB, he would most likely better serve the team at LB if things fall into place as expected at RB in the 2011 class.

Wilder himself seemed to indicate that Bama has cooled on him recently. I think that has a lot to do with both Malcolm Brown and Isaiah Crowell strongly considering Bama.

Look at last year's RB signee Jalston Fowler for example. He was recruited to Bama as a RB/H-back and he is now a MLB. There is already talk early in the Fall camp that Fowler is making a move up to the #2 spot at Mike LB behind Dont'a Hightower. It appears that Chris Jordan has been moved from Mike LB to Will LB where he is challenging Nico Johnson for the top spot there. The LB quality and depth is realling looking good right now.

Jalston Fowler - College Football

Ha, ya, I just posted the same thing about Fowler in his 'crown jewel countdown' thread. I'm lovin' it...

 

[tidefan26]

He will not play RB in college. Schools will tell him that just to get him top sign and they may give him a shot there but he will be moved to LB by the end of his freshman season or before he starts his sophmore season. He WILL NOT be a college RB.

Yea just ask Allen Bailey.

 

[Tweeder]

we would have moved him as soon as he signed JMO

 

[RedStar]

we would have moved him as soon as he signed JMO

Just depends. If he was the only RB we signed this class, I think he would have stayed there. If we signed him and almost any other back we're going after, I think he would have eventually been moved to LB, but I guess we'll never know now.

 

[i_live_4_bama]

Yea just ask Allen Bailey.

Who? Are you referring to Rivals Profile: Allen Bailey

 

[RedStar]

Who? Are you referring to Rivals Profile: Allen Bailey

That's him. Bailey was promised by some schools (specifically Miami) that he'd play LB in college even though the rest of the world knew he'd end up at DE. He just wasn't fast enough to play LB in college, but Miami promised him they'd give him a shot just so they'd get his name on the dotted line.

 

[mjstide]

Saw today that James announced at the press conference for Ely that he was down to 3 teams, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. I would still be utterly shocked if he went anywhere but Florida but I suppose we will all know in about a week.

 

[BLAKE55]

What effect, if any does Ely committing have on Wilder?

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

Saw today that James announced at the press conference for Ely that he was down to 3 teams, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. I would still be utterly shocked if he went anywhere but Florida but I suppose we will all know in about a week.

It will be nice to have his qb in his ear all season about bama. I've still got my fingers crossed on this guy.

 

[37bamagrl]

Saw this today on Andrew Bone's Twitter:

"Scout.com five-star LB James Wilder will announce college decision next week, possibly Wednesday. It's down to Fla, Mia,FSU,LSU,GA and GT"

I guess we didn't make the cut.
:BigA:

Guess he might not know what he is talking about.

 

[Tide Warrior]

If it is coming from Wilder I will believe him over Bone, and than I still doubt I would believe anything Bone says.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Saw today that James announced at the press conference for Ely that he was down to 3 teams, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. I would still be utterly shocked if he went anywhere but Florida but I suppose we will all know in about a week.

Well that is good news indeed. I had heard it said that Wilder was down to UF, UGA, and FSU. I am a little surprised that FSU will not have a hat on the table, but it is no surprise to me that Bama will.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

If it is coming from Wilder I will believe him over Bone, and than I still doubt I would believe anything Bone says.

Bone seems to be crawling out on some very shakey prediction limbs lately. Some of those limbs have been swaying back and forth with the wind. :eek2: