re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

quote:

---

Adam Friedman ?@RivalsFriedman 2m
Per his mother, 2016 DE Shane Simmons @Shizzeee_ will be committing on July 30. Top five is #Bama #FSU #UMD #OSU #PSU.

---

quote:

---

4. Blake Barnett, Santiago High School (Corona, California)

Trending: Up

Committed to: Alabama

The Elite 11 MVP gives everyone another reason to envy Nick Saban's recruiting success. Blake Barnett doesn't come from a California powerhouse and has been slotted below multiple in-state contemporaries during the majority of his recruitment, but that perception changed for good in Oregon.

The 6'4.5", 200-pound prospect established himself as a truly elite prospect without even showcasing rushing skills that resulted in 695 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground in 2013. Though he wasn't running downfield, Barnett displayed superb athleticism while moving around in the pocket and going through his progressions.

He proved he can make pinpoint passes along the sidelines and routinely burned defensive backs with well-placed throws down the seam. Barnett seemed to be part of more highlight plays than any quarterback in seven-on-seven action, and several of them were touchdown passes to fellow Crimson Tide commit Calvin Ridley.

Alabama has enjoyed immense success under Saban, but the formula could change when Barnett arrives in Tuscaloosa. First-year offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin was searching for someone capable of making plays in a variety of ways and found his target in the former Notre Dame commit.

"Coach Kiffin and Coach Saban were very fond about the idea of their quarterback being able to run the ball several times in each game," Barnett said. "It's something they were looking for, and it made sense as a fit for me."

When Barnett teams up with a talented stable of Alabama running backs, SEC defenses should be on high alert.

---

quote:

---

On East Mississippi CC defensive lineman D.J. Jones, sources tell me that the commitment is FSU appears to be solid. Jones plans to continue taking visits, including trips to Alabama. He has a very good relationship with his former EMCC teammates, D.J. Pettway and Jarran Reed. But during the FSU visit he was swayed to Tallahassee. Again, it's a long way until he signs in December. Things can change several times from now until then, but a close source believes the commitment is very solid.
One thing to think about with Jones, most believe that he's a better prospect than both Pettway and Reed were coming out of EMCC. Sources say that Jones is hoping to be a "one and done" player, and many believe he has the potential to do that.

--On Brookhaven, MS linebacker Leo Lewis, sources say that the UA staff was not caught off guard by his decommitment. It had been expected. As I had posted several weeks ago, Mississippi State sources felt that they would flip him. Alabama will still continue recruiting Lewis, but word out of Mississippi last night was that it didn't look promising for UA at the moment. According to sources in Mississippi, there are several factors at work here, one of which is academics. He's got to buckle down to have a chance to have a chance to qualify. Sources say that JUCO is a possibility.

---