re: Class of 2016 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Waiting On Demetris Robertson Edition

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Alabama legacy T.J. Rayam hopes wrestling success leads to recruiting interest

The son of former Alabama defensive lineman Thomas Rayam, T.J. tips the scales at nearly 300 pounds. He's the reigning Class 7A heavyweight wrestling champion. He earned a spot on the All-State team last season as a defensive lineman.

"The only thing holding him back is his height," first-year Thompson coach Mark Freeman said. "He runs like a 240-pound guy. He's got great hips and great hand reflexes, and he plays with great leverage."

How tall is he? Rayam says he's "6 feet, 6-1," but that's not exactly the prototypical size for a college defensive lineman. The shorter stature means shorter arms, and that's a handicap when many college linemen measure 6-foot-5 or taller.

That's why most college coaches project Rayam as an offensive lineman in college – perhaps at center, where his powerful frame and wrestling background can be major advantages.

"At o-line, I can handle just about anybody," Rayam said.

Rayam currently has only one offer, from Jacksonville State, but Louisiana-Lafayette, Auburn and Mississippi State have shown plenty of interest. Alabama has not shown deep interest.

T.J. said his father didn't begin receiving widespread recruiting attention until the mid-point of his senior year of high school, and the younger Rayam hopes his recruiting will begin picking up momentum this fall.

He has played mostly at nose guard and defensive tackle throughout his high school career, with sporadic duty on the offensive line, and he said he expects to play on both sides of the ball in 2015.

Freeman said the Warriors need Rayam to continue his dominant play on defense, but conceded that the senior will also see time on offense.

"He's so big and strong, we've got to utilize him," said Freeman, who took over this spring after Thompson finished 0-10 last year.

Despite the lack of major recruiting attention, opposing coaches know about Rayam and understand that he often demands a double-team.

"The thing I like about him is his explosiveness," Mountain Brook coach Chris Yeager said. "I think he's one of the best around."

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'Sky is the limit' for Alabama defensive tackle commit Kendell Jones, coach says

Kendell Jones Jr. surprised many when he committed to Alabama over the likes of home state Texas, Texas A&M and Baylor, but the four-star defensive tackle from Killeen, Texas had a good reason.

"I think it was Alabama's structure," said Channon Hall, Jones' coach at Shoemaker High. "Like I told him, you're not going to make a bad choice, you just have to feel comfortable, go somewhere you'll see yourself in four years and make your decision, and that's what he did."

Jones, who committed to Alabama in late May and will participate in Nike Football's The Opening this week in Beaverton, stands nearly 6-foot-5 and weighs 360 pounds. You won't find many bigger college football recruits than Jones, but his athleticism and strength stood out.

It wasn't always that way. Hall got a good look at Jones when he came up from junior high.

"He's always been big," Hall said. "For being so young, he was always above-average size. He wasn't very coordinated and wasn't very strong, but he hadn't lifted weights in junior high. We got him on the fast track in the weight room and he got stronger and stronger. I still don't think he knows exactly how strong he is."

Right now, Hall estimated Jones' bench press at 455 pounds and said he could squat close to 600 pounds. He compared his strength to former Shoemaker standout Roy Miller, an all-conference selection at Texas who now plays defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The on-field performance coincided with the strength gains. He's currently ranked as the No. 65 overall prospect in the 247Sports composite.

"He's just one of those kids, he's going to do exactly what you tell him to do football-wise, be a yes sir, no sir kid, and try to do something exactly how you tell him to do it," Hall said. "That's the big thing about Kendell, almost to a fault. We play a 3-4 (defense), so he plays the nose. He can move around. He's pretty athletic.

"I think his upside is big. If he taps into that potential, the sky is the limit."

Jones visited Alabama for the A-Day game and went back for the offensive and defensive line camp in June. Defensive line coach Bo Davis recruited Jones when he previously coached at Texas, so the ties have been there for a few years.

Jones could still take other official visits.

"He's left himself kind of open to the situation a little bit," Hall said. "I'm sure being that big and especially if he has a big season, people are still watching him and looking at him. You never know, but Alabama's been there for a while."

Even though he moves well at 360-plus pounds, Hall wants his star lineman to shed a few pounds before his senior season.

"We want him to play at 345-350, but with pads on and sweat, he'll get down to that," Hall said. "I think he'll be ready to go."

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quote:Greg Powers ?@GPowers79 5h5 hours ago Greg Little is set to have final decision on his birthday Nov. 4th. TAMU, Bama, Ole Miss, Auburn, Ohio State, LSU. @scoutrecruiting Is it happening?

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Ironic in a way. People in Texas have raised some of the biggest issues for immigration. Even have their own border patrol groups in form of civilian militias guarding the boarding against the influx of people from Spanish speaking countries and yet you are required to pass multiple classes in the Spanish language to get in the state colleges.

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GAME CHANGER
@DevinWhite_40
Just went 4.4 laser at @TheOpening Its Game Time Now Baby

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Barton Simmons ?@bartonsimmons 49m49 minutes ago Beaverton, OR
Nigel Knott blowing the combine up as expected. 4.30 in the 40.

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41-foot powerball toss by DL Raekwon Davis.

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Bama RB commit Najee Harris w/ 42-foot powerball toss.

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