Recardo Wright signs LOI with FSU

[CRIMTIDE]

According to TI, Wright not sure....

Here is the jist of the conversation:

Contacted this afternoon, Wright denied that he had made a final decision.

Asked if he had a favorite, Wright replied, "I'm still committed to Alabama."

"I really liked my Alabama visit the best. At Florida State, I found myself comparing everything to Alabama. But I grew up an FSU fan, and I'm just kind of confused about things right now."

Sounds like the kid is truly torn by what he is faced with. God Bless him and I hope he makes the right decision.

 

[bamaslammer]

I never fault a kid picking the home team, but when Bear was getting old alot of kids saw the writing on the wall.

I see a billboard on Bobby Bowden.

Think about the future boy...

 

[spb34]

The guy has changed his mind three times already. For those that didn't know, Wright gave WVU a verbal after his visit. Then gave us a verbal. Now it is FSU.

By the time he signs the paper he will probably be going to Ole Miss.

 

[WPtider]

priorities

This may seem a little harsher than I want it to but the only thing I would really criticize Shula about this recruiting season is his apparent inability to prioritize his positions of need. While I don't have an hourly log of his recruiting efforts it seems like the effort we spent to recruit Tebow was a little ridiculous. We have 3 quarterbacks (with what I consider a very good 2nd teamer who was only a Freshman) and we ended up getting a guy most of us are very happy about with a lot less effort. This class is heavy in OL and DB's but until Talbert commits hasn't got a single DL. That means we face the possibility of having a year where we don't have a senior on the DL or we don't have the option of redshirting guys one year. Our defense was too good to explain our failures in recruiting highly regarded DLs and LBs on that side of the ball this year.

 

[Bamafanman]

He's gone.

 

[Mamacalled]

I will really hate it if we lose him. I think that he will be a tremendous player wherever he goes.
If he does go to FSU, I will wish him the best still. Just think, we really made an impression on him. If I had received an offer to any school other than Bama, decided on one that really stood out as exceptional, made a commitment to that school then aftermaking my commitment, I recieve an offer from Bama, what would I do? I know I would choose Bama. So if he grew up a FSU fan and he is torn between Bama and FSU, Coach Shula still has done something right even if he does end up at FSU.

 

[Tide49]

He has told FSU he is committed. Probably just trying to build up suspense.

If he is being honest, just a short while aftering telling FSU he was coming there, he is possibly the most mixed recruit I have ever seen.

 

[runtheoption22]

I apologize for being optimistic about him, but all sources pointed that he had reaffirmed with the Tide and he was waiting to avoid the pressure. Apparently, he was waiting to "suspense" us all.....

 

[UA All the Way]

Maybe people could post something on Recardo's My Space account telling him again how much we want him to stay with the tide. Anything helps at the last moment.

 

[Elwood Crimson]

Are our LB recruits getting overlooked?

the only thing I would really criticize Shula about this recruiting season is his apparent inability to prioritize his positions of need. . . . until Talbert commits hasn't got a single DL. ... Our defense was too good to explain our failures in recruiting highly regarded DLs and LBs on that side of the ball this year.

I understand your frustration with the lack D-line recruits. I think that the D-line is the toughest position to recruit. Few bigtime highschool D-linemen pan out in college. We will have to develop talent like we have done with Gilberry. Also, I do not think that our LB recruits are getting enough credit. For some reason I think that CJK will have our defense ready next year.

For a look through my crimson glasses see my earlier post: No D-line recruits, No problem

 

[Crimson Surfer]

I hope what TI is saying is true and he sticks with Bama but my guess is that he justs needs another hat besides the FSU hat on his table tomorrow. I wouldn't think his coach would announce it unless it was a sure thing and I definitely don't think both Scout and Rivals would report it unless it was from a credible source. This is not totally unexpected after all his web site does say he is "undicided" even though he has told everyone that he was still committed to Bama. He is off my board. If doubt very serioulsly that he changes his mind and de-commits for the third time and signs with Bama tomorrow.

 

[runtheoption22]

I disagree that we overlooked DL and LB. We went after what we WANTED to and didn't branch off to the B or C list-- Except for maybe the Powers kid from Tanner who MIGHT have gotten an offer recently.

Next year should be a much better year for overall DL and LB talent. The staff knew they could get by with the minimum at those two and said we'll take what we can get. Next year, I see us stocking up at those two spots.

 

[KrAzY]

Dang, I sure am glad WE are not depending on your opinion whether or not WE are having a successul recruiting class or not. I have seen to many 4 & 5 stars flop to give much attention to the "star" system. Give Me a team of players who want to play for the "team" and who has "heart" any day.

If a team consistantly misses the guys they are going after, IN STATE, then one would be foolish to consider it a success.

We went after Peanut, missed him, missed Hawthorne and if we miss Andre as well then yeah its a failure. You can't miss the top 3 kids in the state and pretend like you did a good job.

 

[Johnwants#15]

Linebacker?

What about Labronski Hutchins? Is he no longer a prized commitment or has something changed?

 

[UA All the Way]

We didn't miss Peanut, he went to L'Ville because of academics. Blame the SEC for that, not UA.

 

[Johnwants#15]

What about?

Kirchman? Higginmotham?

 

[Crimson Surfer]

If a team consistantly misses the guys they are going after, IN STATE, then one would be foolish to consider it a success.

We went after Peanut, missed him, missed Hawthorne and if we miss Andre as well then yeah its a failure. You can't miss the top 3 kids in the state and pretend like you did a good job.

How about Bama gets one, the best one Andre Smith. Auburn gets one, Tim Hawthorne, the me first premadonna that was late for his own press conference therefor it was not televisied by ESPN and they both miss on Whitehead because of his academics. Whitehead said in his own words he was caught between a rock - The Capstone and a hard place - The Plains so he picked Louisville.

"We" can say what we want to say and "you" can say what you want to say about this Bama recruiting class. I suggest that you wait until tomorrow to see if Bama misses on Smith before you start to whine about it would you?

 

[KrAzY]

What about Labronski Hutchins? Is he no longer a prized commitment or has something changed?

Well, given the fact that Wright it out of the picture the remaining three become pretty prized I suppose. They are promising but they are not Rivals 250 guys, they are not 4 stars and I don't see anything to indicate they are as prized as Wright was. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy we have them but we needed a strong LB class. When you lose the best of the class then it hurts.

As far as my comments in relation to everything goes, I'm simply saying that I would expect some 4 star guys at LB/DL considering the loss of starters and how good our defense was. As it stands now Alabama probably doesn't land a single one and that was certainly not because Alabama didn't go after any.

Heck, I see 4, 4 star DL (top 250 Rivals) guys in-state and 'Bama doesn't land a single one. 'Bama also appears to have missed out on Stephens and Wright their top two LB targets (at least since I've been watching things closely).

Now, as I said. If Alabama DOESN'T land Andre this class is a failure. If they land him? I would have to look at things differently but as it stands now I see a LOT of failures in landing defensive guys along with failing to land two of the top three (and I hope to god not three of the top three), in-state.

 

[BamaNTN]

Well, given the fact that Wright it out of the picture the remaining three become pretty prized I suppose. They are promising but they are not Rivals 250 guys, they are not 4 stars and I don't see anything to indicate they are as prized as Wright was. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy we have them but we needed a strong LB class. When you lose the best of the class then it hurts.

As far as my comments in relation to everything goes, I'm simply saying that I would expect some 4 star guys at LB/DL considering the loss of starters and how good our defense was. As it stands now Alabama probably doesn't land a single one and that was certainly not because Alabama didn't go after any.

Heck, I see 4, 4 star DL (top 250 Rivals) guys in-state and 'Bama doesn't land a single one. 'Bama also appears to have missed out on Stephens and Wright their top two LB targets (at least since I've been watching things closely).

Now, as I said. If Alabama DOESN'T land Andre this class is a failure. If they land him? I would have to look at things differently but as it stands now I see a LOT of failures in landing defensive guys along with failing to land two of the top three (and I hope to god not three of the top three), in-state.

One guy does not make a class. I don't care who it is. If you would have tuned in over the last couple of years, you would know not to take a lot of stock in star-ratings.

 

[cooleddie]

I'd say that the in-state recruiting looks as if it has went rather well so far. According to Rivals Top 100, there are 4 kids from Alabama (if i've observed correctly). The Aubs got Hawthorne, Peanut goes to L'ville, Earl Alexander to Bama, and then Smith possibly to Bama. That doesn't look too shabby. Plus, Bama landed Grant, Mr. Football from Mississippi. Just keep your heads up.

Try this: go here Bamamag and you can select different years from the list. Just scan through the different positions and take note of the players and their rankings. Some of those guys that are 4 and 5 stars have never panned out and some of the lesser ranked fellas like Prothro (2 stars) end up being your "football players".