'14 KS OL Braden Smith (Auburn Signee)

[STLDomer]

LOL they might legit finish w/ IMO:

Robinson #1 OT
Mama #1 OG
Hassenauer #1 C
Smith #1 OT/OG

 

[Irishnuke]

Changed it because he's visiting? Normally I wouldn't care but its Wiltfong and he's usually right. Shits.

 

[koonja]

LOL they might legit finish w/ IMO:

Robinson #1 OT
Mama #1 OG
Hassenauer #1 C
Smith #1 OT/OG

SLU, who do you think gets B. Smith?

 

[STLDomer]

SLU, who do you think gets B. Smith?

Alabama

 

[Cpnd1]

Crazy that Alabama goes from outside his top three, to the favorite. Wonder if Bama is his only summer visit?

 

[STLDomer]

Crazy that Alabama goes from outside his top three, to the favorite. Wonder if Bama is his only summer visit?

He hasn't even been talking to coaches, it's his only summer visit.

Alabama was a early favorite for Smith BTW so this wasn't that out of the blue

Wiltfong said he's felt bad about Smith & ND for a while so he needed to change it to someone.

 

[Cpnd1]

LOL they might legit finish w/ IMO:

Robinson #1 OT
Mama #1 OG
Hassenauer #1 C
Smith #1 OT/OG

If that happens, and they get fournette, everyone should just give up.

 

[Cpnd1]

He hasn't even been talking to coaches, it's his only summer visit.

Alabama was a early favorite for Smith BTW so this wasn't that out of the blue

Wiltfong said he's felt bad about Smith & ND for a while so he needed to change it to someone.

Well this sucks, not like we need another O-linemen, but if he doesn't go to ND, I was hoping for TCU, or anyone but BAMA.

 

[NDdomer2]

haha everyone saying tcu just yesterday

all hail the great and powerful wiltfong

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Well this sucks, not like we need another O-linemen, but if he doesn't go to ND, I was hoping for TCU, or anyone but BAMA.

Meh. It's sort of like USC getting 5 skill players. They've got so many it doesn't really change anything.

 

[koonja]

Hey at least it's not Michigan.

 

[STLDomer]

FWIW I've never bought that TCU had a chance. I had him pegged for ND post visit and then switched it to A&M a while ago.

 

[NDWorld247]

LOL they might legit finish w/ IMO:

Robinson #1 OT
Mama #1 OG
Hassenauer #1 C
Smith #1 OT/OG

I'm not sure you could find four guys with different backgrounds/personalities than these four. They also have Dominick Jackson (#1 composite JuCo OT) and Viane Talamaivao (#8 composite OG) as well as another recruit that's listed as a DT but reportedly will play OG for them. Must be nice to sign 25 guys every signing day with no regard for the 85-player limit.

Re: Smith, I don't see him ending up at Alabama. I'm going to chalk this up to Wiltfong wanting to change his prediction and generate some buzz with his story.

 

[STLDomer]

I'm not sure you could find four guys with different backgrounds/personalities than these four. They also have Dominick Jackson (#1 composite JuCo OT) and Viane Talamaivao (#8 composite OG) as well as another recruit that's listed as a DT but reportedly will play OG for them. Must be nice to sign 25 guys every signing day with no regard for the 85-player limit.

Re: Smith, I don't see him ending up at Alabama. I'm going to chalk this up to Wiltfong wanting to change his prediction and generate some buzz with his story.

If this was JC, Terry or Gerry Hamilton (who just left 247 BTW) I'd agree but Wiltfong (& Barton Simmons) doesn't play that game.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Re: Smith, I don't see him ending up at Alabama. I'm going to chalk this up to Wiltfong wanting to change his prediction and generate some buzz with his story.

I'm leaning this way as well. TCU v. ND made sense, as both schools share a lot of similarities. 'Bama is an entirely different experience. I'll never count them out, but it would be a radical change in his apparent priorities if he lands there.

Plus, Hiestand is a recruiting juggernaut.

 

[STLDomer]

I'm leaning this way as well. TCU v. ND made sense, as both schools share a lot of similarities. 'Bama is an entirely different experience. I'll never count them out, but it would be a radical change in his apparent priorities if he lands there.

Plus, Hiestand is a recruiting juggernaut.

It's more Bama vs A&M though now IMO w/ TCU hanging around


I remember when I changed my prediction now, he mentioned ND weeks after his visit and was still hung up on BK leaving, for him to mention that twice after his visit, to me meant he was never going to get over the possibility.

Also I wonder how hard the staff is really going after Smith & Mama anymore.

 

[NDWorld247]

If this was JC, Terry or Gerry Hamilton (who just left 247 BTW) I'd agree but Wiltfong (& Barton Simmons) doesn't play that game.

Wiltfong didn't play that game until he signed a long-term extension (this morning) with 247. Now he's acting reckless with his new found job security!

Shannon Terry: Hey, Steve, now that you've developed this great reputation, we need you act like the other guys and generate some buzz. Page clicks, baby. Page clicks.

Wiltfong: But, Shannon, I don't play that game.

Terry: Here's a long-term extension. You do now!

Wiltfong: You got it, boss.

I'm leaning this way as well. TCU v. ND made sense, as both schools share a lot of similarities. 'Bama is an entirely different experience. I'll never count them out, but it would be a radical change in his apparent priorities if he lands there.

Plus, Hiestand is a recruiting juggernaut.

I agree with all of this. I think it's still a ND vs. TCU battle.

 

[koonja]

I think we probably have nothing to base these guesses on since Smiths so quiet. He loved his ND visit and here's to hoping.

 

[STLDomer]

I'm not sure you could find four guys with different backgrounds/personalities than these four. They also have Dominick Jackson (#1 composite JuCo OT) and Viane Talamaivao (#8 composite OG) as well as another recruit that's listed as a DT but reportedly will play OG for them. Must be nice to sign 25 guys every signing day with no regard for the 85-player limit.

Re: Smith, I don't see him ending up at Alabama. I'm going to chalk this up to Wiltfong wanting to change his prediction and generate some buzz with his story.

I'm leaning this way as well. TCU v. ND made sense, as both schools share a lot of similarities. 'Bama is an entirely different experience. I'll never count them out, but it would be a radical change in his apparent priorities if he lands there.

Plus, Hiestand is a recruiting juggernaut.

Wiltfong didn't play that game until he signed a long-term extension (this morning) with 247. Now he's acting reckless with his new found job security!

Shannon Terry: Hey, Steve, now that you've developed this great reputation, we need you act like the other guys and generate some buzz. Page clicks, baby. Page clicks.

Wiltfong: But, Shannon, I don't play that game.

Terry: Here's a long-term extension. You do now!

Wiltfong: You got it, boss.



I agree with all of this. I think it's still a ND vs. TCU battle.

From the Rivals Main Board (this is why AAVIP is awesome on 247 because I don't know if this is actually true):

His coach told the Bama site that it's down to Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, A&M, Clemson, and TCU.

 

[fitz_bu47]

I will ask my brother (coach at Olathe South), but he told me pretty recently that it's shaping up to be A&M/TCU/ND battle, and that he loved his ND visit.

 

[Irishnuke]

That's pretty disappointing if true. He's not a major need anymore but he's still elite.

 

[STLDomer]

There's a article on it now on Rivals. We're out.

"The schools he has shown interest in are Texas A&M, Georgia, South Carolina, Clemson, of course Alabama, and TCU," he said. "He did show a little bit of interest in Michigan and Notre Dame earlier in the recruiting process. That was about the extent of it. Some schools have dropped off. Some have gained momentum."

 

[Emcee77]

That's pretty disappointing if true. He's not a major need anymore but he's still elite.

Exactly my thoughts. The depth chart will be fine without him with the guys we have already gotten commitments from, but I can't help but be disappointed to learn that we are no longer in the running for a freak of a physical specimen like Braden Smith, when until recently we thought it looked good for us. Big bummer.

 

[NDWorld247]

There's a article on it now on Rivals. We're out.

Like I said, he's all TCU.

Who is the guy quoted in that article? His coach?

 

[jerboski]

If Steve changed his pick then there is a reason behind it so that sucks for us. Steve is the best in the business and doesn't play those games trying to create buzz.

 

[STLDomer]

Like I said, he's all TCU.

Who is the guy quoted in that article? His coach?

Actually u said ND vs TCU

But yes his coach is the one quoted.

I'd be suprised if he ended up at TCU. I think your overstating his reported personality (ex liking the small campus of ND)

 

[NDWorld247]

Actually u said ND vs TCU

But yes his coach is the one quoted.

I'd be suprised if he ended up at TCU. I think your overstating his reported personality (ex liking the small campus of ND)

Maybe, but the real draw to TCU is his sister. They are reportedly VERY close. But, honestly, who the hell knows. I certainly didn't see him blowing up his top 3 (TCU, ND, A&M) and adding half the SEC + Clemson. This kid is an enigma to me.

 

[irishff1014]

Well this sucks.

 

[rtrn2glory]

guess we go all in for D Mama

 

[BleedBlueGold]

The one and only reason I'm slightly bothered by this is because he may end up at Bama. Other than that...meh. The staff has recruited OL great last year and this year so far and already off to a solid start for next year.

I was pretty much banking on him ending up at ND, so for my "board" this opens up a scholly to use elsewhere. And honestly, I like the sound of that right now. I have a great feeling about this year's class.