Tag: Eli Holstein

Let’s Talk About It: How is ‘Recruiting the Boot’ going for LSU?

Coach Brian Kelly has silenced much of the criticism surrounding his in-state recruiting.

For the past few months, there have been many posts on social media and football message boards about how LSU coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] was not doing a great job recruiting the best players from Louisiana. So, we’re going to take a look into how well the Tigers are doing when it comes to ‘Recruiting the Boot’.

Of the top 15 recruits in Louisiana for the class of 2023, LSU currently has five commits ([autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag], [autotag]Kylin Jackson[/autotag], [autotag]Rickie Collins[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyree Adams[/autotag]) and they have  Crystal Ball projections for two more ([autotag]Zalance Heard[/autotag] and [autotag]Khai Prean[/autotag]).

If you go back one more spot, LSU could possibly land eight out of the top 16 players in the state — [autotag]Trey Holly[/autotag], another LSU commit, is No. 16 on the list.

Sure, Kelly missed out on some of the top prospects like [autotag]Arch Manning[/autotag], [autotag]Derek Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Eli Holstein[/autotag] and [autotag]Tackett Curtis[/autotag], but this isn’t Pokémon.

You aren’t going to catch them all.

Landing 50% of the top 16 players in the state is a very high clip. It’s also a lot more than anyone else has in your state. Out of the top 16 players, LSU could land eight while Texas has two (Manning and Williams). Alabama ([autotag]Eli Holstein[/autotag]), USC ([autotag]Tackett Curtis[/autotag]), Notre Dame ([autotag]Jaiden Ausberry[/autotag]), Nebraska ([autotag]Omarion Miller[/autotag]), Tennessee ([autotag]Jordan Matthews[/autotag]), and Washington ([autotag]Curley Reed[/autotag]) each have one.

No, it has not been a perfect recruiting cycle, but, in my opinion, it has been pretty successful.

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Alabama takes over top spot in On3’s Consensus Team Rankings

After a dominating month of July on the recruiting trail, Nick Saban and Alabama take over the top spot in On3’s Consensus Team Rankings.

After a week that saw not one but two five-star commitments, [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and Alabama have now taken over the top spot in On3’s Consensus Team Rankings.

Over the last few days, the Crimson Tide has received commitments from both the nation’s top safety in [autotag]Caleb Downs[/autotag] and the nation’s top running back in [autotag]Richard Young[/autotag]. Downs and Young join fellow five-star prospects [autotag]Tony Mitchell[/autotag] and Jahlil Hurley as the top-rated commitments in Alabama’s class.

Alabama has two of the top ten quarterbacks in [autotag]Eli Holstein[/autotag] and Dylan Lonergan as well as two of the top three running backs in the aforementioned Young and [autotag]Justice Haynes[/autotag].

Currently, Alabama has a total of 16 commitments, 10 of which are ranked within the top 200 and there are no signs of the Tide slowing down anytime soon.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to monitor the Alabama Crimson Tide on the recruiting trail and beyond.

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Alabama lands 2023 four-star OT Olaus Alinen

Alabama gains a MASSIVE commitment from one of the most sought after OL in the 2023 class!

Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide are off to a dominant start on the 2023 recruiting trail, and things continue to heat up with a commitment from four-star OT Olaus Alinen.

Alinen is a 6’6, 315-pound elite lineman from The Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, CT. He is the No. 14 offensive tackle in the class and was also heavily recruited by Ohio State, UGA and Miami. Alinen was also in Tuscaloosa the same weekend as the recent QB commit, Eli Holstein.

This was a key commitment for Alabama, as Alinen’s interest in the Crimson Tide had seemingly wavered, with predictions of him leaning toward Miami surfaced in the last few weeks.

He announced his commitment via Twitter.

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Alabama Morning Drive: ‘Bama has incredible future at QB position

With the addition of Dylan Lonergan, the future of the quarterback position in Tuscaloosa should have Tide fans excited.

Good morning, ‘Bama nation! Welcome to our Tuesday edition of Alabama Morning Drive.

Four-star quarterback Dylan Lonergan committed to Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide over the Standford Cardinal and the South Carolina Gamecocks on Monday, joining fellow four-star quarterback [autotag]Eli Holstein[/autotag] as a member of the 2023 recruiting class.

Alabama now has two of the top 10 ranked quarterbacks in the 2023 class which got me thinking about the future of the position in Tuscaloosa.

Currently, Alabama has the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and future first-round NFL draft pick, [autotag]Bryce Young[/autotag] calling the signals. But the talent that waits behind him isn’t too shabby either.

Let’s take a quick look at what the future holds for the Tide at the quarterback position and where 247Sports’ composite rankings have (or had) them ranked.

Alabama receives three crystal balls for 2023 4-star QB Dylan Lonergan

Alabama has received three crystal balls in their favor to land 2023 four-star quarterback Dylan Lonergan.

Alabama already has one signal-caller committed in the 2023 recruiting class in Eli Holstein. It appears that another quarterback in the class could be headed to Tuscaloosa as well. That quarterback is Georgia native and two-sport athlete Dylan Lonergan.

Three experts put in crystal ball predictions for him to commit to Alabama. Two other schools in the mix are Stanford and South Carolina, but all three programs will have to wait until July 12 for his decision.

Lonergan plays both football and baseball for Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia. He is rated as a four-star prospect according to 247Sports’ recruiting rankings. Lonergan is listed at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds. With a decision coming soon, 247Sports expert Steve Wiltfong put in a crystal ball prediction in favor of the Tide. Two other South Carolina insiders did the same.

If Alabama can land Lonergan, they will have one of the best quarterback classes in the country for 2023. The quarterback room could be composed of Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, Eli Holstein, and Dylan Lonergan. The coaching staff has been pushing to sign two quarterbacks and it looks like that could happen in the coming days.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Lonergan’s recruitment and other Alabama Football prospects.

Five recruits that the Alabama faithful should be keeping a close eye on

Roll Tide Wire breaks down the five recruits that all Alabama fans should have their eyes on.

Alabama’s 2023 recruiting cycle didn’t start out so hot in comparison to other elite programs like Texas, Georgia and Ohio State. However, as of this past week, things seemed to be trending in the right direction.

In this week alone, Alabama has landed five-star Tony Mitchell, three-star Brayson Hubbard, four-star Cole Adams and junior college linebacker Justin Jefferson. If it is a sign of things to come, Alabama fans should be stoked.

As for the coming months, many expect the Tide to land a lot of recruits. Thus far, the class is mainly defensive players, with the only offensive players in the class are [autotag]Eli Holstein[/autotag], Wilkin Formby, and Cole Adams. That is subject to change over the next few months with numerous highly-touted recruits favoring the Tide. On the other hand, [autotag]Pete Golding[/autotag] and the defensive staff could receive quite a few commitments on that side of the ball as well.

Today, Roll Tide Wire discusses the five recruits that Alabama fans should keep a close eye on in the coming months and why.

Where Alabama’s current 2023 commits rank according to each recruiting service

Even with just a few commitments, Alabama is off to a strong start for the class of 2023.

We all know that recruiting is the lifeblood of any college program and in the modern age of NIL, perhaps recruiting has undergone the most sizeable change.

One thing that hasn’t changed is that [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and Alabama continue to be dominant on the recruiting trail. Currently, Alabama has five commitments in the class of 2023 and all five are ranked within the top 200 according to both On3 Consensus and 247 Composite.

Speaking of rankings, I thought we could take a few minutes to look at where each of Alabama’s 2023 commits rank according to each of the major recruiting services.

Alabama received its first commitment in the class from four-star defensive back Elliot Washington II on Jan. 31. Just a few weeks later, five-star cornerback Jahlil Hurley announced his commitment to Alabama.

Alabama wouldn’t receive its next commitment until mid-April when four-star EDGE defender Yhonzae Pierre chose the Tide. Alabama has received one commitment in each of the last two months, first from four-star quarterback Eli Holstein in May, then four-star offensive tackle Wilkin Formby earlier this month.

Let’s take a look at where each of these prospects ranks according to each service.

5 star quarterback breaks down where LSU stands in his recruitment

Dante Moore is one of LSU’s top uncommitted targets.

Things are really starting to heat up in the race for the top available 2023 quarterbacks.

LSU may be focusing on Pittsburg (California) passer [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag], who recently took an official visit to Baton Rouge, but the Tigers remain in the mix for another elite prospect.

Detroit five-star [autotag]Dante Moore[/autotag] visited LSU on April 22, and it is currently listed as the favorite to land him on the On3 RPM. Moore, the No. 12 overall prospect and No. 4 quarterback per the 247Sports Composite, told On3’s Sam Spiegelman that the Tigers remain high on his list.

He had a strong relationship with the prior coaching staff, and he has formed a good bond with the new staff under [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], as well. Several other schools remain in the mix, including Texas A&M — which he will visit this weekend — as well as Michigan and Oregon.

Kelly is still looking to land a signal-caller in 2023, and if he misses on Moore and Rashada, things may be starting to look bleak. The top two passers in the state of Louisiana are likely heading elsewhere, as [autotag]Arch Manning[/autotag] doesn’t seem to have much interest while [autotag]Eli Holstein[/autotag] is committed to Alabama.

The Tigers’ quarterback room is in solid shape for the near future with [autotag]Walker Howard[/autotag] on campus, but landing a player like Moore would be a big get for Kelly.

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Alabama Morning Drive: Each official visitor set to arrive today in Tuscaloosa

Alabama has a massive recruiting weekend that starts today!

Good Friday morning, Alabama nation! Welcome back to another edition of Alabama Morning Drive where we do our best here at Roll Tide Wire to deliver the latest news and notes involving your beloved Crimson Tide each weekday morning.

We have a really fun installment this morning as we are going to take a quick look at which prospects are expected to be in Tuscaloosa today to start their official visits with the Tide.

This weekend is one of the most impressive lists of prospects that will be in town at one time as you will ever see. Seven of the top 100 players according to On3 are set to be on campus over the weekend, five of which are five-star prospects and national top 25 players.

Alabama head coach [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] has a chance to impress some of the nation’s best, and I expect this weekend to generate a lot of national buzz on the recruiting trail.

Let’s take a look at who is set to be on campus, shall we?

5-star quarterback target locks in June official visit to LSU

Jaden Rashada has set official visit dates to both LSU and an SEC rival.

LSU’s recruitment of the 2023 quarterbacks continues to get more interesting as another five-star will be visiting campus.

According to 247Sports, [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag] — a five-star recruit from Pittsburg, California — will be taking an official visit from June 6-8. He also has one lined up with division rival Texas A&M several days prior.

LSU’s quarterback targets in 2023 could now be down to three players: Rashada, [autotag]Dante Moore[/autotag] and [autotag]Rickie Collins[/autotag]. Moore, a Michigan prospect, is uncommitted while Collins, a Baton Rouge native, is currently committed to Purdue, but his recruitment is far from over.

LSU doesn’t appear to be a serious contender for [autotag]Arch Manning[/autotag] and Louisiana native [autotag]Eli Holstein[/autotag] recently committed to Alabama.

247Sports has Rashada as the fifth-best quarterback in the class of 2023. His scouting report mentions his poise in the pocket and ability to add touch to throws.

LSU is still probably fighting an uphill battle here, and I don’t think the Tigers are the favorite, but they appear to be right in the thick of it. If [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] and staff can pull this off, it would be a big win.

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