Hungry for a Wolf: Alabama looking to close one of its top defensive targets

Things are going well for Dawson Merritt , Top 100 linebacker from Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, Kansas. Merritt recently met with coaches from the final two schools, will complete his junior year on Friday and take a final official visit before revealing a college decision.

Merritt recently trimmed his list of contenders to Alabama and Nebraska. It was evident by the way he discussed both programs in such high regard in addition to multiple spring visits to each school. Oklahoma and Missouri were also recently eliminated from the previous final four.

The Merritt family visited Tuscaloosa on April 19-20. The Tide seemed to gain a lot of momentum with the ‘Wolf’ target, and things quickly changed in his recruitment. Merritt was originally scheduled for an official visit to Nebraska in June. He moved it to 4/26. He cancelled trips to Norman, Okla., and Columbia, Mo.

CLICK HERE for the updated list of summer official visits

Alabama eager to host Merritt again

Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson visited the 6-foot-3, 215-pound defender last Thursday. They watched Merritt goes through drills and work-out. The coaches also met with Merritt’s mom, head coach and another familiar face.

“It’s always great to see those guys,” he said. “One of Coach Robinson’s old players at Baylor (Michael Allen) was out there that day. He came and talked to us. We had a really good conversation for over an hour. They were impressed with my drill work and how I looked out there.

“We didn’t talk much football. We were just catching up and staying connected. Coach Robinson and I talk every day, multiple times a day. The relationship with him is unlike any other. I know if he’s my position coach we’d go really well together. I know I would thrive 1,000-percent.”

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Vibes after official visit may lead to decision

Merritt said Alabama’s development aspect, and knowing how far he can go by playing for the Crimson Tide are two other significant factors in his high interest in the program. He will have a final weekend in Tuscaloosa on June 7-9. There are critical considerations on the check-list, but Merritt knows who will lead him to a final decision.

“I’ll pay attention to the small details and soak up every moment,” Merritt said of the future return to the Capstone. “I want to have a connection with the players. It doesn’t have to be strong, but I just want to have a good feel and catch a good vibe with some of these guys.”

“I want to make a decision and not regret it. I want my decision to be as perfect for me as it can be. I’ll know the deciding factor when the time comes. I’ll stay strong with my faith in the Lord. He will reveal that final factor for me.”

A decision date is unknown at this time. Merritt has considered announcing in early July. This was before he changed his official visit schedule. He said the race is tighter which signals a tougher decision ahead.

“I was honestly thinking I would decide right after my (Alabama) visit,” he said. “You never know when it might happen. I’ve just been thinking more about each school. There is a lot of indecision with these two. It’s a really tight race right now. I don’t think I have a commitment date in mind.

“My mind changes all the time. Both staffs are so great. They are also different in a lot of ways. At the same time I feel like I can thrive in both environments.”

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BOL Take:

Merritt was offered by Alabama in mid-February, and he was one of the first players contacted by Christian Robinson when he was hired. Merritt has also known members of the Tide staff from when he received an offer from Washington, including Coach Kalen DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan. Alabama has made a big push and considers him one of the top overall defensive targets on its board.  Nebraska has made this a tight race after his OV last month. Alabama will also provide the five-star treatment with hopes it can secure his commitment.

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