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

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UA PLEDGE SIMMONS STRUTS STUFF IN SPRING GAME
John Garcia Jr.John Garcia Jr.
Recruiting Analyst
Alabama commitments took to the field last week in spring game action and BamaMag.com was on hand for that of T.J. Simmons, who made big plays in front of Mario Cristobal Friday night against Bessemer City High.

T.J. Simmons has been focused on his Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville teammates since making a commitment to the in-state Alabama Crimson Tide some two weeks after national signing day.

But Friday was his first full-pad, different opponent action as a Nick Saban pledge, as the defending Class 6A champions took on upstart Bessemer (Ala.) City, a physical squad that had the prospect-heavy program circled on their collective calendar for some time.

Simmons was bottled up early, but he’d hit the century mark on just three catches by the time the starters were pulled early in the second half of a Clay-Chalkville victory.
“The offense didn’t play as good as we could have, the rain slowed us down a little bit, but we came out after halftime and picked up the pace a little bit,” he said after the game. “I was just keeping my eye on the ball, trying to make something happen for my team. I played OK, not my best game, but I did well. It was a bad first half, but we got something going in the second half, had to turn up for the team.”


T.J. SIMMONS
Clay-Chalkville HS / 6'2" / 192 lbs
POSITION
WR
WR RANK
99
COMMITTED

The three-star made plays with Alabama assistant coach and his lead recruiter, Mario Cristboal, in attendance. It all went down just days after Florida, now led by a pair of former Tide coaches offensively, offered a scholarship.

“Just knowing another SEC team wants me is just great,” he said. “Coming from where I come from, the SEC is big. Just knowing that SEC teams want you is just great.”

Despite the added interests, Simmons’ lone camp destination is in Tuscaloosa. Other visits haven’t yet been ruled out, but everything remains “solid” with Saban’s program.

“It’s been good, I’ve been talking to coach (Mario) Cristobal and Coach (Billy) Napier,” he said. “Both of them are real laid back. Coach Cristobal is a family guy and coach Napier is one of those cool guys, they complement each other.”
When talking Tide, the Yellowhammer State’s top receiver prospect often goes to a point beyond the program itself.

“It’s really the fan base, how the fans tie into the program and school,” Simmons said. “They’re really all in, just encouraging everybody else. Whether you’re looking at ‘Bama, committed to ‘Bama, they’re all in.

“I think they’re going to have good season and make it back to the playoffs, though.”

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HOME COOKING
Yancy PorterYancy Porter
Mississippi Scout
This story was originally published on ScoutFootball.com.

National 150 member A.J. Brown out of Starkville, Miss., didn't have to travel far for their school's spring jamboree. Will that hold true for his four years after high school?

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"It's still the same," Brown said before his team matched up against South Panola Friday in their jamboree. "Mississippi State and Ole Miss kind of come after me differently than everyone else, but a lot schools are showing me a lot of love. I'm still wide open. I really don't have any favorites right now."

The in-state schools plus a few more showed up to see him practice this spring.

"Alabama, Ole Miss, of course Mississippi State, LSU, and Auburn are a few who come to mind."

It comes as no surprise that the two Magnolia teams were the first to call the first day the colleges coaches were allowed to call the rising seniors in May.

"I want to say Mississippi State was the first one to call me. Ole Miss called me shortly after that. Both of those schools never miss a chance to talk to me (laugh)."

What has the nation's #121 overall ranked prospect learned about Ole Miss through the recruiting process?

"To be honest I don't even really pay attention because I'm taking the recruiting process really slow. I haven't put a lot of thought into it. But what I like about Ole Miss is the ability to throw the ball. They throw the ball around a lot with a lot of success."

What does Ole Miss like about Brown's game?

"They like my size and how big and how fast I am. I can do the things that most people can't. They tell me that I have everything in one package. That's what they say they like about me. I'll be over there in a few weeks for one of their camps. I'm looking forward to getting to work out with their coaches."

MSU is literally right down the road and the home town pull could be a big factor.

"I mean this is home. You know. That's always a great thing. It's just five minutes from where I live. That's always a positive. I don't know."

A.J. BROWN
Starkville HS / 6'1.5" / 218 lbs
POSITION
WR
WR RANK
24
INTEREST
12

Will distance from home play an important role in the All-State's decision?

"It really doesn't matter to me. I'll just see how my family feels about it. God will also play a big role in my decision. We'll just have to sit down as a family and go over that when that time comes. But right now I'm not even focusing on recruiting or making a decision."

Alabama is also been making a big push.

"It's a powerhouse team. I like their environment down there. They tell me they want me to be the next Amari Cooper, but all colleges tell you good things. I don't know. I just like it down there."

What other out of state programs has A.J. visited up to this point?

"I've only visited Ole Miss, MSU, and Alabama. I'm going to try and get around and see some more schools coming up after school is out. I would like to go check out LSU and Auburn as well. There's a lot of schools I would to see."

What will be the main factors when it does come decision time?

"Most definitely my relationship with their coaches and what they are bringing in quarterback and wide receiver wise. I want to see who can throw the ball around when I get there."

For now Scout's #24 rated receiver is concentrating on his game and team.

"I think I've improved a lot since the season. I have the ability to make more plays and break more tackles and help my team out a lot more. I'm just trying to get stronger in the weight room."

A.J. was selected to The Opening after his performance at the Nike Regional in Atlanta. The various combines have given him a chance to measure his game against some of the country's best.

"It has given me a whole lot of confidence. It tells me that I can't be stopped. I feel like I fit in pretty good. I think I can do a lot better, but my confidence has really grown since I got to compete against the top players around the country. You never know how you stack up until you get a chance to compete against them."

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National Signing Day is a long way off, but recruiting classes are slowly -- or in Miami's case, not so slowly -- filling up. Plenty of highly-rated prospects are yet to commit, so with roughly nine months to go, here are the top 10 uncommitted prospects in the country, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.

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1. Rashan Gary, DT, Paramus (N.J.) Catholic

Steve Dykes, USA Today
The first school the 6'4, 290-pounder (who can run a 4.74 40) mentioned when I interviewed him in 2014 was Alabama, and the Tide have been on this Garden State prospect for a long time.

But my pick for the country's No. 1 overall recruit is Michigan. Gary's former coach Chris Partridge is the new director of recruiting operations, and two former teammates of Gary's, Jabrill Peppers and Juwann Bushell-Beatty, are also in Ann Arbor.

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3. Shavar Manuel, DE, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy

At 6'5, 262 pounds, Manuel possesses a body that seems unfair for an 18-year-old. Manuel named Florida State his leader this spring and has visited the Seminoles many times. FSU has a major defensive line need, and IMG teammates Malik Henry and Isaac Nauta are already committed to the Seminoles. Florida State.

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8. Rashard Lawrence, DT, Monroe (La.) Neville

Has LSU showed long-term interest in a Louisiana prospect? Yes. Has the prospect made repeated visits to Baton Rouge? Yes. Then the prospect is a good bet to play at LSU.

Alabama is interested, but doesn't seem to have the same traction with Lawrence that it has with previous Monroe-area prospects like Cameron Robinson.

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Highly rated LB recruit Lyndell 'Mack' Wilson high on Alabama, Auburn
By Peter Berkes ? @peterberkes on Mar 23, 2015, 2:08p +

Student Sports
The five-star recruit stopped to talk about his recruitment and what he's looking for in a prospective school.

Lyndell "Mack" Wilson is a five-star prospect, a top 10 overall player and the top overall player in the state of Alabama for the 2016 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. The Montgomery (Ala.) Carver star stands 6'2 and weighs in at 230 pounds, and it seems like the battle for his signature will come down to the two in-state teams, Alabama and Auburn.

SB Nation caught up with Wilson at the Nike Opening Regional in Atlanta to talk about his recruitment and what he's looking for in a school.

Alabama, Auburn, and everybody else

Wilson is not planning on leaving the state of Alabama, but didn't rule it out completely. The one school from outside the state of Alabama he did mention was Tennessee. He took a visit to Knoxville last summer, and he said he liked the facilities and coaches. He thinks he could play with the Vols right away.

With regards to Alabama, Wilson said he likes Kirby Smart, who related him to C.J. Mosley since they can both cover and make plays. He also thinks he could play more quickly with Alabama than at Auburn. When it comes to Auburn, Wilson was blunt: "They have the best defensive staff in the nation." He also said he thinks they could win it all.

The most important factors when making a decision for Wilson are academics, the coaching staff's relationship with players and playing time. He said he doesn't care whether he ends up playing inside or outside linebacker, which could help him get onto the field sooner. He would like to study either photography or sports management.

Future visits and timeline

Wilson didn't know of anything planned right now, but wants to get to Louisville and would like to go to the spring games at Alabama and Auburn. He's planning on announcing his decision on National Signing Day.

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Four-star quarterback Woody Barrett of Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange has his commitment date set.

The 6-foot-2 225-pound Barrett will announce his college decision 1:30 p.m. on June 3 at his school, reports Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.

Auburn leads in the 247Sports Crystal Ball and is getting 83 percent of the predictions.

Alabama and Notre Dame are the primary programs still under consideration according to Bartow.

Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee stopped by Barrett’s school early last week and is expected to return for his spring game next Friday night in Gainesville, Fla. -- only a few days before Barrett will announce.

Barett is the No. 6 dual-threat quarterback and No. 219 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite.

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