Started By
Message
re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:14 am to TideSaint
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:14 am to TideSaint
quote:
Paul Tyson has the curly hair just like his famous great grandfather, and he has the height, too.
As for an unwavering loyalty to the Alabama Crimson Tide, that's going to be tested over the next year.
This next sentence is going to seem inconceivable, but it's true. The great grandson of Paul "Bear" Bryant is being coached by a former protege of Gus Malzahn, says he might consider going to Clemson and is visiting Notre Dame over spring break. College football recruiting is a crazy business in Alabama, but it has never seen anything quite like this.
Every single descendant of Paul Bryant has attended the University of Alabama, and now his first descendant with a chance to play college football is being courted by Alabama's rivals.
"Growing up I was an Alabama fan, but now as I'm growing up and becoming more of an athlete and prospect I'd say I'm open to anybody," Paul Tyson said. "Whoever has an interest in me."
Clemson just defeated Alabama in a come-from-behind national championship game that dashed crimson hearts everywhere, but that hasn't stopped young Paul from loving Dabo Swinney, and visiting Clemson. He recently attended Clemson's junior day, and was invited to visit Notre Dame by new offensive coordinator Chip Long, who has ties to Birmingham.
Bear Bryant's great grandson, Paul Tyson's, highlights from Alabama high school
Yes, Alabama has shown interest in the 6-foot-4, pro-style quarterback, too, but the very thought of Paul Bryant's DNA playing for Notre Dame probably resonates like blasphemy in a state where Bryant isn't just revered as the greatest coach in the history of college football, but rather worshipped more like a deity.
Take the gravitas of Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley and the Pope, and meld that into one persona. That's what Bryant is to the Heart of Dixie. Decades after Bryant's death, Alabamians still name their children after the coach, and in a state so relatively small it is not uncommon to know three or four people named after Bryant.
With so many Bryants running around, one would assume Paul Bryant had a lot of kinfolk. Not so. The Bryant family tree isn't very large. The coach had two children (Bryant Jr. and Mae Martin Tyson), and five grandchildren.
Marc Bryant Tyson was the only grandson, and of the seven great grandchildren only two are boys. Paul Bryant Tyson is the oldest, and so far the only football player.
"Just us two football players so far, and that's it" said Marc Tyson, who is now 54 years old.
LINK
3
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:15 am to TideSaint
Cont'd:
quote:
HIGH SCHOOL PRIORITIES
Marc played at Montgomery Academy in the early 1980s for legendary high school coach Spence McCracken, who played center at Auburn with Pat Sullivan. After high school, Marc attended Alabama, but didn't play for his grandfather. Looking back, he says he wishes he would have walked onto the team.
"It was one of those things we never talked about," he said. "It was a strange thing. I think we probably both wanted to talk about it, but we just never really talked about it. I wish I would have played, just to be on the team.
"If I had to do it over again, I wish I would have."
Marc Tyson tore his ACL in high school, which limited his athletic ability. He focused on his classes once he enrolled at Alabama, and majored in civil engineering. He was a student when Paul Bryant died on January 26, 1983.
"It was terrible," Marc said. "The funeral riding from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham, it was the first time I realized how many people cared about him. I just knew him as my grandfather."
Mourners famously lined the interstate and overpasses between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham to see Bryant's hearse, and pay their respects to a man who shaped the image and history of the state. Since Bryant's death, the family has remained heavily involved with the Crimson Tide and the college game, but until now there hasn't been a member of the family to play high school football. Paul Tyson transferred to Hewitt-Trussville from Mountain Brook in January, and will play quarterback for the Huskies next season.
Because of his lineage, he has already received some buzz and press from recruiting websites and regional news outlets, but, in truth, he's still an unknown quantity as a quarterback. He played mostly junior varsity football last season for Mountain Brook, and transferred to Hewitt to play for a coach who specializes in teaching quarterbacks.
He hasn't received a scholarship offer yet, and, despite recruiting trips throughout the Southeast and now Notre Dame, his main focus is simply growing with his new team and helping Hewitt-Trussville reach the playoffs.
"We're killing it out there," Paul Tyson said. "I just feel like we're going to dominate this season. We're all going for a state championship, and nothing less. That's what we're expecting."
Paul's new high school coach, Josh Floyd, is a quarterbacks guru who learned his craft in Arkansas under Gus Malzahn. Floyd's relationship with Auburn's coach goes back to Malzahn's high school days. Auburn hasn't shown much interest in Tyson yet, but it's an interesting twist to his development that one of Malzahn's former assistants is now charged with preparing the great grandson of Paul Bryant for college football.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:16 am to TideSaint
Cont'd again:
quote:
MALZAHN INFLUENCE
Floyd runs a no-huddle, hurry-up offense, and Paul Tyson says "you can't really be in a better offense, especially in the state."
"It's the best place you can be, and really it's the best fit for me," he said.
Paul will be closely watched his junior season, and scrutinized, but the family says they aren't worried about the pressure. After all, he has been around Alabama football his entire life, says his father, and that will help. Paul has attended every SEC championship and national championship involving Alabama since he was five years old.
"As a kid, you don't feel any of that pressure," Marc Tyson said. "I loved playing football and just played, and I think Paul, my son, is the same way. He just loves playing. He has never been a kid to get nervous. He has been to four national championships and been on the sideline. You go to a high school game, it's pretty laid back compared to the games he has been to."
Most recently, Marc and his son were on the 50-yard line for the 2017 national championship. While they're close friends with Dabo Swinney, the Tysons naturally were rooting for Alabama to win the game. Still, there is a strong connection to Clemson, and it's not like the Tysons are hiding it.
Marc has awarded Swinney the Paul Bryant National Coach of the Year two years in a row, and Paul's Twitter page features a picture of him on a visit to Clemson. Last season, Paul attended Clemson's 54-0 victory against Syracuse and was in the postgame locker room for one of Swinney's signature victory dances.
The Tysons are Alabama fans by birthright, but their relationship with Swinney could be the foundation of a recruiting saga two years in the making if Paul Tyson emerges next season as an elite quarterback prospect.
"He's so energetic," Marc Tyson said of Swinney, "and clearly being from Birmingham, making it from Pelham, my son right now, his goal is to win a high school state championship, and then play for a national championship, and then maybe one day coach for a national championship. And Dabo is from Birmingham and did it.
"So, for any kid who is from the same hometown, and to watch them grow up and win a national championship, you tend to follow them, and, of course, he played at Alabama."
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:17 am to TideSaint
quote:
One school is coming hard after four-star Paul Bryant receiver Seth Williams, but it's not the hometown school.
The 6-foot-3 Williams, fresh off a basketball state championship with the Stampede of Cottondale, said while everybody thinks he's going to Alabama, it's Auburn that is making a bigger push.
Williams said Sunday at the Atlanta Opening Regional that Auburn, Ole Miss and Georgia seem to be coming after him the hardest.
"Just Auburn, it sticks out from the rest," Williams said. "Every time I go down there, it's something new."
Williams lives just minutes from Alabama's campus, but Alabama hasn't reached out lately. The Crimson Tide won't sign a big receiver class this year and already have a commitment from south Florida four-star recruit Xavier Williams.
"Not pretty hard," Williams said when asked how hard Alabama was recruiting him. "They've died down a little bit. It is what it is. It's part of the recruiting process. Some teams are going to want you and some teams are not going to want you."
Williams was going to commit in January, but decided not to. When pressed if he was going to choose Florida State at the time, he smiled and said, "something like that."
He said it was a combination of other schools pushing him to hold off on his decision and talking it over with his parents, but more so the rushed decision.
"I thought about it and I felt like it was an early decision and I rushed into it," Williams said. "I have to think about it more. I'll probably (commit) after football season."
Here's what Williams said about Ole Miss and Georgia:
Ole Miss: "They've got a new receivers coach in from Cal (Jacob Peeler). They're rotating a lot of receivers in, so it would be a chance to play."
Georgia: "I've got to get down there some more to get a feel for it. I've only been down there once."
Williams said he will take visits this spring and summer before narrowing down his recruitment. He caught 51 passes for 626 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior and added five interceptions.
LINK
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:19 am to TideSaint
quote:
Several of the quarterback prospects with Alabama offers are committed to other schools, but one got a chance to visit Alabama on Saturday.
Emory Jones, a four-star recruit from Heard County High School in Franklin, Ga., made the trip and met with head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll for the first time.
Jones, the nation's No. 27 overall recruit and No. 1 dual-threat quarterback, committed to Ohio State last July. Alabama offered him on March 6.
"It was a pretty good visit," Jones said Sunday while competing at the Atlanta Opening Regional. "It wasn't a personal visit. My 7-on-7 team went up there (after competing in Birmingham), but I really didn't have a choice but to go."
The 6-foot-3, 174-pound Jones doesn't have a return trip set up for Alabama, but coaches would like for him to come back.
"That was my first time talking to (Saban) in person," Jones said. "He wanted to get to know me more and get me back up there and more comfortable with his staff."
Jones and Daboll have stayed in contact since the offer.
"He likes that I can run a little bit," Jones said. "I can throw like a pocket passer and how they had Jalen Hurts last year (freshman quarterback who won SEC Offensive Player of the Year), I can be kind of similar to that.
"He was saying he wanted to get me back up there again and get to know him better."
While Jones said the Alabama offer was very exciting, he also maintained that he's "solid with Ohio State and really strong with them right now."
Jones said he may make spring visits to Florida and Florida State as well. He is on track to be an early high school graduate.
LINK
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:20 am to TideSaint
quote:
AL.com will be on hand Sunday for the Atlanta Opening Regional, where several top in-state and Alabama targets will be participating.
We'll have coverage from the event, plus interviews from targets who compete.
Here is a look at some top Alabama targets to watch from a pretty good event.
Prospects below are in the 2018 class unless otherwise noted. This is not a complete list.
QUARTERBACK
Bo Nix (2019) - Alabama recently offered the Pinson Valley QB who is the son of former Auburn QB Patrick Nix
Emory Jones, Franklin, Ga. - Jones is the nation's top dual-threat QB and he is committed to Ohio State, but Alabama has offered.
Harrison Bailey (2020), Marietta, Ga. - Alabama offered Bailey before his varsity career got underway and so did several other big programs.
RUNNING BACK
Trey Sanders (2019), Bradenton, Fla. - The top athlete in that class is committed to Alabama. He was listed on the New Orleans regional roster, but wasn't there.
La'damian Webb, Beauregard, Ala. - The state's Mr. Football is being watched by Alabama, but no offer just yet
Dameon Pierce, Bainbridge, Ga. - Pierce committed to Alabama before his junior season.
RECEIVER
Jayson Jones (2020), Fultondale, Ala. - Very young, but just keep your eye on this athletic guy and 2019 linebacker Ja'Len Sims, who has an Alabama offer.
Justyn Ross, Phenix City - The state's top receiver should put on a show against some very good defensive backs. Likely ends up being an Alabama-Auburn battle.
Kearis Jackson, Fort Valley, Ga. - Alabama has offered, but Georgia seems to be the favorite for the four-star recruit.
Will Mallory (TE), Jacksonville, Fla. - Nick Saban stopped by to get a look at him in January.
Seth Williams, Tuscaloosa - Alabama is the favorite for the Paul Bryant standout, but Florida State, Auburn and others are definitely in the mix.
Matthew Hill, Snellville, Ga. - The four-star receiver lists an offer from Alabama.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Pierce Quick (2019), Hewitt-Trussville - Alabama is among several SEC offers for the Huskies standout.
Jamaree Salyer, Atlanta, Ga. - Salyer is a five-star recruit and among the top 10 recruits in the nation. Alabama is battling Georgia and many others.
Clay Webb (2019), Oxford - Alabama is off to a good start recruiting one of the top prospects in the 2019 class.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jalen Cunningham, St. Clair County - Alabama offered the massive lineman earlier this spring.
Coynis Miller, Birmingham - Alabama is battling Auburn for the talented four-star recruit.
Brenton Cox, Stockbridge, Ga. - Alabama is trying to get the talented defensive end out from Georgia's grasp.
Robert Cooper, Snellville, Ga. - Alabama is trying to flip the Florida State commit
Darnell Jeffries, Newton, Ga. - Alabama recently offered the defensive end.
Malik Langham, Huntsville - Alabama has not yet offered the Lee standout, but could in the future.
LINEBACKER
Jacquez Jones, Tuscaloosa - The linebacker and former teammate of Alabama signee Brian Robinson is one to watch.
Ja'Len Sims (2019), Fultondale - Alabama is looking at the rising junior standout. He has an Auburn offer.
Richard Jibunor, Athens, Ga. - Alabama and Auburn are among offers for Jibunor.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Christian Tutt, Atlanta - Alabama offered the four-star elite corner early in his high school career.
Myles Sims, Atlanta - Another cornerback with an Alabama offer
LINK
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:21 am to TideSaint
quote:
Pleasant Grove's Myles Mason thought he had his top schools narrowed down to three - Alabama, Auburn and Florida State.
But a recent visit and offer from LSU made him take a step back. Mason, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound four-star athlete who is being recruited at receiver and safety, isn't in a rush to make a commitment.
Mason now has a top five of Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Clemson and LSU.
He was an Alabama fan growing up, but realizes his college decision is more about business. Alabama and Florida State are recruiting Mason as an athlete, while LSU, Clemson and Auburn like Mason, a starter since his freshman year, in the secondary.
A starter since his freshman year at Pleasant Grove, Mason is undecided on where he wants to play in college, but says he's leaning toward safety.
"He is very athletic," Pleasant Grove coach Jim Elgin said. "He runs very well. His agility and ball skills are very good. He has a good football IQ. He gets it. He brings a lot of different things to the table. You've got kids who are big and fast who can do certain things. Myles has the ability to do a lot of different things.
"Some of them are definitely looking at him as a defensive back, but he can play receiver and be a slot guy. At times he's been our running back and at times he's been our quarterback."
Mason said he's spending this spring building relationships with coaches and making visits. He has been to Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and LSU, and will go to Auburn's spring game on April 8.
LSU is the most recent offer.
"I went up there for a Junior Day," Mason said. "They looked at my highlight tape and said they were very interested and offered me. I loved their campus, coaches and really loved their DB (defensive back) coach, Coach (Corey) Raymond, and their history with DBs."
Here's the low-down on how Mason feels about his other top schools. He'll also visit Georgia soon, so that could expand his recruitment more.
Alabama: Mason said that departed assistant Mario Cristobal was recruiting him harder before he left for Oregon, but he's building a relationship with new area recruiter Brent Key. Mason has been to Alabama numerous times and will continue to visit Alabama.
Auburn: Area recruiter Rodney Garner is recruiting Mason pretty hard, he said. "They say they're really interested in me. They think I'm a good fit for them."
Florida State: Mason said he felt like home on a trip to FSU. "Their coaches and their food was great. I loved the seafood."
Clemson: "I liked it. Their football and their campus is top notch. The head coach (Dabo Swinney), I like him. He's a real down-to-earth guy."
Mason said all the schools are even. The schools that recruit him as an athlete say they'll let him make a choice on where he wants to start his career out.
Mason is looking at a summer commitment, but will extend that timeline if he's not ready to make a decision yet.
"Since I got the offer from LSU, it kind of opened up some things," Mason said. "(I'm looking for) a place where I can have the biggest impact early on, and a place that can develop me for the next level on and off the field, and a place where I feel at home."
Mason had 84 tackles last year on defense, and didn't come off the field much on either side of the ball.
LINK
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:28 am to TideSaint
quote:
MIAMI – The Rivals 3 Stripe Camp Series presented by adidas arrived in Miami on Sunday and plenty of talent came out for the event. As usual, there were some new faces that emerged to go along with familiar names. Below are the top 12 offensive performances from Sunday’s event.
LINK
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:29 am to TideSaint
quote:
2019 RB Nyquan Wright
Recruiting wrap: Wright already has offers from many programs, with Alabama, Miami and Notre Dame among the most notable to date.
Performance: Wright was in the mix for running back MVP honors after an impressive day both in drills and during one-on-ones. He found a way to shine as a pass catcher as well, using his quick feet and sharp route-running ability to get open against some of the camp's best defenders. His versatility is part of what makes him a special prospect.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:30 am to TideSaint
quote:
WR Xavier Williams
Recruiting wrap: Williams is committed to Alabama.
Performance: Williams had no problem getting open. In fact, he shook Rivals100 cornerback Al Blades so badly that the rest of the campers let out a unified gasp. His problem was with finishing. Williams has great acceleration and runs crisp routes. He struggled to hold on to the ball, however, and dropped a number of easy catches.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 11:32 am to TideSaint
quote:
One of the top prospects in the class of 2019, Nayquan Wright showed up at the event carrying offers from Miami, Florida, Alabama, LSU, Alabama, Notre Dame and others.
On Saturday, Wright says he’s taking his recruitment slowly and hasn’t been in much recent contact with any FBS coach. He did, however say that Miami has tasked his high school teammate and current UM commit Camron Davis with the task of recruiting him for the Hurricanes. Wright has set no dates for visits but says he intends to tour Alabama, LSU, Georgia and Tennessee.
LINK
Posted on 3/27/17 at 2:50 pm to TideSaint
quote:
Alabama is expected to host four-star quarterback Tanner McKee on Thursday, he tells BamaOnLine.
McKee is taking a Mormon mission trip immediately after high school so he wouldn't be coming in until 2019.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 6:50 pm to TideSaint
Two new offers out today for the Class of 2018 in Ohio. Both players attend the same high school as Ryan Kelly. First one is a DT:
Tyler Bentley Highlights
Tyler Bentley Highlights
Posted on 3/27/17 at 6:53 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 3/27/17 at 7:02 pm to TideSaint
It feels like it's been a year since we've gotten a commitment 
My gosh
My gosh
Posted on 3/27/17 at 8:23 pm to Cobrasize
This is way off topic, but I'm posting it anyways. Girl on Auburn's softball team didn't take any shite from Florida's coach.
I know the girl should have had her hand up, but that coach shouldn't have put his hands on her. I'm glad she didn't take any shite and then apparently went after the Florida team. LINK
I know the girl should have had her hand up, but that coach shouldn't have put his hands on her. I'm glad she didn't take any shite and then apparently went after the Florida team
. LINK
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:30 pm to Cobrasize
Montgomery QB James Foster gets 'dream offer,' but Alabama isn't his No. 1 school | AL.com
quote:
Alabama went in-state with its latest quarterback offer, but Sidney Lanier's James Foster didn't rush in with a commitment.
The Montgomery standout, a three-star recruit in the 247Sports composite, measured in at 6-foot-2.5 and 210 pounds on Sunday at the Atlanta Opening Regional. He'll have to perform well throwing in front of Alabama coaches to get the go-ahead to commit, but Alabama coaches like what they see early on with Foster.
"I went into Coach (Nick) Saban's office after practice (Saturday) and he offered me a scholarship," Foster said. "He said I'm athletic, but I pass first and I use my legs when I have to."
Foster said he's built a relationship with Alabama secondary coach and area recruiter Derrick Ansley since Ansley was at Kentucky. He said Ansley and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll are supposed to come watch him throw at practice this spring and video it for Saban.
Daboll, who has been an NFL offensive coordinator and recently an offensive assistant and tight ends coach with the New England Patriots, made a good impression on Foster.
"He talked when I first got there and we had a good little conversation," Foster said. "He was the (coach with) the Patriots, so he had Tom Brady as a quarterback. I see he could prepare me for the next level."
On the Alabama offer, Foster said, "It was great because that's my dream school. I was excited."
But Alabama is not his leader. That designation belongs to Missouri.
"Me and (offensive coordinator) Coach (Josh) Heupel, I've got a great bond with him," Foster said. "He's been recruiting me since tenth grade. He stays in touch with me every day. I went up for a visit two weeks ago and the visit went great. They rolled out the red carpet for me."
Foster also said Tennessee, Louisville, South Carolina, Georgia and Arizona are in the mix, and he'll visit Florida State on April 8.
He was committed to North Carolina at one point, but admitted he made that decision too early in his high school career and backed off.
How could Alabama overtake Missouri for the No. 1 spot?
"Put a good impression on my mom, recruit me hard and show me that they really want me," Foster said.
Foster is ranked as the country's No. 17 dual-threat quarterback in the 247Sports composite.
Check out Foster's junior film.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:55 pm to TidalSurge1
Path hasn’t been easy for nation’s No. 1 OLB with Alabama on top who says ‘I’m not going to fail’ | SEC Country
quote:
Welcome to SEC Country’s daily Roll Tide-ings, a rundown of everything happening in Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting with Chris Kirschner. Today we discuss the latest with the nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker JJ Peterson and top 2019 LB King Mwikuta.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 9:58 pm to TidalSurge1
quote:
Alabama on top for nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker
BUFORD, Ga. — JJ Peterson said he was with Tykerious Raheem “Grump” Jones, who was 17 at the time, 30 minutes before a shooting claimed the life of 68-year-old John Hester Sr. Jones was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to a burglary earlier in the day of Hester’s death, an additional count of burglary and criminal attempt to commit home invasion, according to a story by the Moultrie Observer.
Jones was going to be the starting running back for Colquitt County High School, but now he sits in a jail cell.
“Grump was going to be such a good running back,” Peterson told SEC Country. “He was supposed to be out here. He would have crushed everyone. We were all together before it happened. It was right after a party. I had told him to not do anything wrong. He didn’t listen.”
Peterson has stayed on the right track. He’s ranked as the nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker in the Class of 2018. He has scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia and others. He received a ticket to the Opening finals in Oregon this summer at Nike headquarters after a dominant performance on Sunday.
The odds are stacked against Peterson to fail in life. He says several of his family members have gotten caught up in gangs and drugs; football is his way out of Moultrie, Ga.
“This is so important to me because I can’t stay in Moultrie,” Peterson said. “I can’t stay around my family. All of my family had opportunities to get out, and they never got out. When I get to college, I’m going to turn it on. It will be on. “All of my people have failed. I’m not going to fail.”
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect has support from Colquitt County coach Rush Propst. Peterson calls Propst his father figure. That’s who drove Peterson to Buford on Sunday in order for him to have a chance to compete.
“He has really helped me through this process,” Peterson said of Propst. “It may not seem like a lot, but he buys stuff for the team and we get our clothes washed every day. That’s just crazy to me. He’s like my father.”
Before Sunday, Peterson rarely had spoken to the media about where things stood with his mysterious recruitment. It’s safe to call him the most unrecognized top prospect in the Class of 2018.
He has a Twitter account, but he doesn’t use it. He has a phone, but rarely answers texts or calls — that includes numerous texts from Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. To put it simply, Peterson doesn’t care much about the recruiting process.
“I’m just busy. I’m just working on the field all of the time. And with recruiting, I’m not a very good talker,” Peterson said.
Peterson did give up some info with his recruitment. The elite 4-star prospect from South Georgia has Alabama as his No. 1 school. Georgia and Oregon are also in his top three. But it’s the Crimson Tide who have Peterson’s attention.
When he visited Tuscaloosa in the past and put on the No. 6 jersey, Peterson said it just felt right — he was home. Jeremy Pruitt’s connection to Propst shouldn’t be glossed over, either. Pruitt was Hoover (Ala.) High School’s defensive coordinator under Propst in 2005. The two remain very good friends to this day.
“I love Alabama,” Peterson said. “I love the home feeling I get there and how their coaches coach. The atmosphere there is great. I had a chance to talk to Coach Saban, too. It’s nerve-racking talking to him. I just remember seeing all of the rings in there and he had a bunch of chocolate in there — I think it was Dove chocolate. I love it.”
Pruitt sees Peterson playing inside linebacker for Alabama if he were to commit there. Peterson doesn’t know when a commitment could come. He has no visits to any schools planned.
For now, he’s focused on raising his soon-to-be 3-month-old daughter, Alexandria Peterson. “I have to go hard for her,” Peterson said. “I will not fail because of her.”
This post was edited on 3/27/17 at 10:00 pm
Posted on 3/27/17 at 10:04 pm to TidalSurge1
quote:
Grandson of former African soccer great has Tide on top
Howard Mwikuta (pronounced Muh-koo-ta) was a soccer star in Zambia. He played for the national team in the 1960s before giving up soccer for a chance to be a placekicker for the Dallas Cowboys in 1970. Mwikuta was the first African-born player to appear in an NFL preseason game.
His grandson, King Mwikuta, now is a top Class of 2019 football recruit who holds offers from powerhouses such as Alabama, Auburn and Georgia.
It’s the Crimson Tide who’s on top for the Troup County High School (Lagrange, Ga.) standout.
“They just treat me like I’m already on campus and a student,” Mwikuta told SEC Country. “I also love (outside linebackers) Coach (Tosh) Lupoi like a father. I talk to Coach Saban all of the time, too. We just have that 1-on-1 thing going on. People always tell me that they’re scared of him because he’s all business. I just love him.”
The 6-foot-5, 216-pound prospect said his relationship with Lupoi is a major factor why Alabama is his favorite school. Mwikuta has been going to Alabama football camps since he was in the ninth grade, and that’s when his relationship with the Tide assistant started to grow. They’ve been close since.
“He’s just like the father I never had in my life,” Mwikuta said. “My father has been in and out of jail, and from being in foster care and growing up with my grandma — it was just hard. Tosh has stepped in my life and my head coach at Troup and the other coaches at Troup have really taken me under their wings. I am thankful for it every day.”
Lupoi would like Mwikuta to play JACK if he ended up being a part of the Tide’s Class of 2019. He came close to being the second member of Alabama’s Class of 2019. When he visited Tuscaloosa last month, he said he almost told Saban that he wanted in after putting on a Tide jersey. Like Peterson above, it felt right to him.
“I was ready to commit, but I was like, ‘Don’t do it, King. Don’t do it, King.’ I wanted to take home that No. 24 jersey. I wanted to just take it,” Mwikuta said.
He described what the feeling of wearing that Alabama jersey was like using a fantastic analogy.
“Have you ever been on a roller coaster and you’re about go down a hill and you get that feeling in your stomach?”’ Mwikuta rhetorically asked. “It’s that exact feeling right there.”
Expect the top 2019 linebacker to make a decision before his senior season begins next year. He wants to be an early enrollee at the school of his choice and be an unofficial recruiter for that school.
Page 50 of 1304
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News