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

quote:

---

Fast-rising Saraland 2016 WR Velus Jones racking up college offers
velus.JPG

Fast-rising recruit Velus Jones of Saraland has received nine scholarship offers in the last three weeks.

The 6-foot, 175-pound receiver was a first-team All-State and All-Region performer in 2014. In leading the Spartans to the Class 6A title game, Jones caught 51 passes for 1,118 yards and nine touchdowns.

He currently holds offers from Louisville, Tulsa, Troy, Southern Mississippi, Louisiana Tech, South Alabama, Louisiana-Lafayette, Arkansas State, Georgia Southern and Alabama A&M.

He attended Auburn's Junior Day last weekend and is scheduled to attend Louisville's Junior Day on March 7. Saraland coach Jeff Kelly also said Jones will likely visit Alabama soon.

"It was really just a matter of getting videos sent out and making a few phone calls," Kelly said Jones' quick recruiting rise. "After Signing Day, schools start pointing to next year and really evaluating the 2016 kids.

"When people see Velus on video, it doesn't take long to figure out what type of player he is. That - combined with the kind of student he is and how hard he works - is very appealing to colleges."

Jones has 4.4 speed in the 40.

"He is extremely explosive," Kelly said. "When you see him and see how quick he accelerates ... he has a great knack for running by folks on deep balls and making big plays.

"He is a good student with a good ACT score already. As schools get to know him this spring, I think he really has a chance to be one of biggest recruits in the state. He is very humble and working to get better all the time."

Kelly said Jones' banner junior year may have be just a sign of things to come in 2015 and beyond.

"Not many guys that can run like Velus can," Kelly said. "That will give him a chance. As he continues to work on being stronger and more explosive, I think he can play at any school in the country. He is an outstanding young man but a better kid to coach."

Truck giveaway will benefit Saraland programs

Saraland City Schools, with the help of Shell Chemicals, are giving away a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Z 71 Crew Cab Truck this fall.

Tickets are available for $5 in person at one of the schools and also online at gosaraland.com. Participants online can designate one of 20 programs for their money to benefit.

On Nov. 7, two names will be drawn from the entrants. Those two people will compete in a bean bag toss at a home basketball game Nov. 17 against Jackson. The winner takes home the truck.

"This is not necessarily a football fundraiser, though football will benefit from it," Kelly said. "Hopefully, it will touch a lot of different avenues and participants in our school system."

---

quote:

---

Auburn likes Leeds quarterback TaDarryl Marshall at cornerback

Auburn isn't the first program to show interest in Leeds standout TaDarryl Marshall, but Saturday's offer from the Tigers is unique.

They are the first to offer the 6-foot, 175-pounder as a defensive back, a position he hasn't even practiced at since ninth grade, as opposed to quarterback.

During his unofficial visit, Marshall spoke with defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp about playing in the secondary before receiving the offer from head coach Gus Malzahn.

"T-Rob started bringing up clips of my highlight tape off the top of his head, and that caught my attention," Marshall said. "He said I have great change of directions and the leadership he's looking for and basically said it's everything he wants in a cornerback. Muschamp said the same thing T-Rob did about where they wanted me."

Marshall was surprised, but said he has no positional preference at the next level. His father, a former receiver at Samford, was present during the visit and has played a key role in his son's training and development.

"This was new to us," Marshall said. "My dad and the coaches got to talking and he said we don't know where to start. Muschamp said before I attend camp he'll stay with me the whole day. With me not having a quarterback coach, I wasn't feeling the quarterback thing, so this offer at cornerback is relieving but stressful on my dad's part. He has to look at more stuff to train me on. But it really doesn't matter where I play in college."


Marshall doesn't have a leader, but said Auburn is "up there." He is also considering Alabama, Georgia Tech and Samford. Tennessee and Kentucky are interested as well, and he plans to visit Knoxville March 7 before heading to Lexington March 14.

The Crimson Tide offered last month, a sign Nick Saban could be targeting more dual-threat quarterbacks given the success Blake Sims brought to the offense in 2014. Saban told Marshall he can't make a commitment until he evaluates him more, but Malzahn told him he can commit any time he wants.

Marshall, however, does not currently have a time frame for a decision.

"Not right now," he said. "For me it might be National Signing Day, but it might be before. I really don't know."

Marshall racked up 1,376 rushing yards and 1,252 passing yards for Leeds last season, leading the Green Wave to victory over Deshler in the Class 4A state championship. He is ranked as a three-star prospect and the nation's No. 37 athlete in the 247Sports Composite.

---

quote:

---

willie allen @Willie31Allen · 17h 17 hours ago
I think I'll committing in December

---