Alabama LB commitment embracing the LANK mentality
Luke Metz, four-star linebacker from Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Ga., was among the 12 official visitors in Tuscaloosa this past weekend. He is also one of three commitments who returned to the campus after taking an official visit elsewhere.
Metz saw his stock continue to rise during the spring as more coaches extended offers during the spring evaluation period. He received an offer from Georgia after his commitment to Alabama. It piqued his interest after the heavy attention from Glenn Schumman and Kirby Smart. Metz decided to take an official visit to UGA last weekend.
This was Alabama’s turn to impress, and mission accomplished during the weekend in T-Town. Metz has not publicly said his recruitment is completely shut down, but the comments after the official visit with the Crimson Tide should eliminate any doubt on where things currently stand in his recruitment.
“I feel awesome about my commitment, for sure,” Metz told BOL. “I loved every minute of the visit. That’s exactly where I want to be. The whole weekend was just an awesome experience.”
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Luke Metz during Alabama official visit
Alabama has received eight commitments in June (so far) and currently the No. 4 recruiting class per On3 Sports. Predictions have also recently been submitted in favor of the Tide for five-star WR Caleb Cunningham, five-star OL Ty Haywood, five-star CB Dijon Lee and Top 100 EDGE Dawson Merritt. Metz said things are just different in Tuscaloosa.
So what does Metz think has prompted the recruiting momentum after receiving the red carpet treatment?
“Bama just does it so differently than everyone else,” he said. “It’s just so different there. They are just better than everyone. I can’t explain it. We can really get just about anyone we want right now. It’s just the vibe of the program. The whole ‘LANK’ mentality has changed everything.”
Metz was hosted by freshman linebacker Cayden Jones during the official visit. He mentioned looking forward to joining future teammates when he arrives for early enrollment (December bowl practice). The endless supply of lobster tails served inside The Zone at Bryant-Denny Stadium stole the show for Metz when discussing the best meals.
The weekend was also spent trying to help the Crimson Tide recruit more defensive targets, three big ones who have yet to announce decisions. Metz named five-star DL Justus Terry, five-star corner Dijon Lee and No. 1 linebacker Ty Jackson, as players he spoke with during the visit.
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Luke Metz during Alabama official visit
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack didn’t have to recruit Metz as hard as the others this weekend, but the relationship he has established with the new coaches have solidified his commitment status.
“Coach DeBoer was really just letting me know that I’m their guy,” he said. “He talked about how I am a little bit more physically developed, and that I need to be prepared to play early there. He said I will have some opportunities.
“I love when you talk to him you wouldn’t really know that he’s the head coach. He’s just a regular person. He’s really easy to connect with. You can tell he’s really smart.
“The time with Coach Wommack was awesome. I was with him Jax Washaw (defensive analyst) and Coach (Chuck) Morrell (Special Assistant to the head coach). We talked a ton of ball. We went over installs and saw how quickly I can retain the info. That’s what we will be doing when I first get there. So they wanted to see how well I did with it.”
Metz has been a life-long Alabama fan, so have his parents. He mentioned how they also loved the weekend, “They thought it was awesome. They love Alabama. They also know it’s my decision and want to be fully supportive.”
The recruiting dead period begins on Tuesday (through July 25). Metz will not take any additional official visits this fall. He will return to Alabama on July 28 for the final recruiting event of the summer.
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