Started By
Message
re: Class of 2016 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Waiting On Demetris Robertson Edition
Posted on 2/22/15 at 5:10 pm to chattabama
Posted on 2/22/15 at 5:10 pm to chattabama
quote:
Brice Marich @BriceMarich · 50m 50 minutes ago
#Badger commit, NC RB Antonio Williams (@A_B_Williams34) has cancelled his unofficial visit to Alabama on February 28th
1
Posted on 2/22/15 at 7:04 pm to chattabama
quote:
InsideBamaRecruiting ?@RTRnews 38m38 minutes ago
2016 4-Star WR @TrevonDiggs ended his #AllState Speech with a #RollTide (Tonight)
Posted on 2/22/15 at 7:50 pm to jatebe
Some dude on TSWSNBN is adamant that Diggs is a tPOS and hopes we pass on him.
Posted on 2/22/15 at 8:54 pm to TideSaint
Any back story why?
Posted on 2/22/15 at 9:00 pm to chattabama
I think this guy is going to be a stud for Auburn, but only if he can get his arthritis under control.
Posted on 2/22/15 at 9:02 pm to CCTider
That guy can't be younger than 40. 
Posted on 2/22/15 at 9:17 pm to chattabama
2017 LB Jaden Hunter.
quote:
J.H™ @onejhunter · 43m 43 minutes ago
Alabama is my Leader right now #1 ??
Posted on 2/22/15 at 9:25 pm to jatebe
Georgia legacy. Hmm...
Posted on 2/22/15 at 9:44 pm to chattabama
Some dude on BOL posted that KJ Costello's top 3 is Stanford, USC, and Michigan.
Too bad. I think he has some serious potential.
Too bad. I think he has some serious potential.
Posted on 2/22/15 at 9:46 pm to CCTider
he literally looks like he played for the 85 Bears
Posted on 2/22/15 at 9:48 pm to chattabama
quote:
This has been quite a recruiting week for the football team at Clay-Chalkville.
Junior wide receiver T.J. Simmons received an offer from Alabama this week and committed on Thursday afternoon. Friday's big news was that 6-foot-5 sophomore receiver Nico Collins also received an offer from Alabama coach Nick Saban this week. Clay-Chalkville coach Jerry Hood shared that information with AL.com on Friday afternoon and also posted it per the football program's official Twitter account.
The 175-pound Collins had a breakout sophomore season for the Class 6A state champions. He had 39 catches for 805 yards and 15 TDs. That's a healthy average of 20 yards per reception off a team that new a new Class 6A record with 731 points in a single season.
Collins was named to the 2014 Birmingham News All-Metro team after his first year of varsity football. He already had earned offers from Ole Miss and Mississippi State since the end of his sophomore season. That sort of recruiting attention already puts him as one of the frontrunners to be considered as the state's top prospect for the Class of 2017.
His height really sets him apart compared to Simmons.
Collins is a raw prospect, but he will have elite size for his position. Simmons sized up what Collins already brings to the table this week.
"Nico and I learn from each other," Simmons said. "I teach him things here and there and we still listen to and work with (Clay-Chalkville receivers coach) coach (Chris) Mills to get better at what we do. Coach Mills has really helped us both on different stuff. I'm trying to get Nico to work hard in the weight room to get bigger. He's really tall and lanky and I really want to work with him hard so he cad add more muscle and get bigger and become and even better player."
LINK
Posted on 2/22/15 at 9:51 pm to chattabama
quote:
Clay-Chalkville junior receiver T.J. Simmons committed to Alabama on Thursday afternoon. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder is the fifth commitment of the 2016 recruiting class. His best offer before this week was from Mississippi State. It was his only other SEC offer.
He's rated a three-star recruit by the services, but the usual upgrade for every Alabama commitment should follow. 247sports pegged him the No. 21 player in Alabama, the No. 85 receiver in America and nation's No. 559 player for 2016. Rivals rated him as the 18th-best in-state prospect and the No. 74 receiver overall.
He's far better than that. The life-long Auburn fan caught 43 passes for 965 yards and scored 20 all-purpose touchdowns last season. There was a point where he had six touchdowns after his first seven touches. That number grew to 11 scores after his first 21 touches.
Clay-Chalkville wide receiver T.J. Simmons scores three touchdowns in a win over Minor.
He operated in an offense with two other weapons that gained more than 1,000 yards on the ground. He also lined up with a 6-foot-5 sophomore receiver who also caught 15 touchdowns with an average of more than 20 yards per catch.
Simmons hauled in a game-changing 79-yard catch-and-run TD in the 6A title game that showcased his speed, hands, agility and tenacity. He averaged 22.4 yards per catch and added two touchdowns rushing and another on a return for a team which set the 6A state single-season scoring record with 731 points.
He has a variety of skills which makes him more than a split receiver. That's what Alabama liked the most in extending a committable offer outside of the camp setting six months before the start of his senior season. The player comparison the Alabama coaching staff brought up in his evaluation was Kevin Norwood.
He carries a 3.6 GPA and already has an 18 on his ACT. Terrell Simmons, Jr., hopes to graduate early and enroll in January.
What Alabama is getting
Watch Simmons when he's not in the spotlight. Study his work rate when his number is not called. His favorite highlight from last season ended with one of his teammates handing the ball to an official.
"My teammate T-West (running back Terelle West) was running downfield and I got like two or three pancakes on the play. We were running down the field together. That was my favorite play of the year."
If only one quote could be used to sum up Simmons, that would be it.
"Me blocking down the field is me giving up it for my team," Simmons said. "That's me protecting my family. When I block for him, I know he's going to recognize that and come back and block for me. That's being a team."
That's not the only one. There were several highlight clips on goal line carries where he blocks the linebacker through the end zone and out of the frame. The guy with 20 touchdowns in basically 13 games made them disappear.
"He's a talented kid," Hood said. "No question about it. He's a hard match-up because he can be physical and lean on you and get open. If he were the only guy to go to on his high school team there's no telling how many catches and yards he might have."
If this is high school chemistry, he's an element that bonds easily with other blue-chips. Yet that mindset goes for everyone on his team and not just the stars.
"That's who I am," Simmons said. "I really get the team concept. If we play together on the same team, then we are going to be close. That's why we will play so hard for one another. I really love my team and my teammates, man. That's the only way it should be. We got to be close like a family would be."
Simmons was dressed for church at National Signing Day earlier this month. Ralph Lauren would approve. He was gleefully snapping pictures and video of teammates signing with schools like Livingston College and West Alabama. It clearly meant something to him.
"That's silly T.J. all the time," Clay-Chalkville coach Jerry Hood. "He's real personable. He's real magnetic with young kids and is real pleasant to be around."
The biggest prospect in the room looked more like the President of the Clay-Chalkville football fan club. Those were the guys who showed him the ropes as a young player. He was honoring them. Future team captains act like that.
He's been timed as low as 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash. His best lift in the weight room is a 275-pound power clean. He's consistently one of the hardest-working Cougars in the weight room. Math is his favorite subject, but he's not thought much about his future college major.
"I'm committed to Alabama now but I still am going to be the same humble guy I always have been and just keeping working," he said. "It will really make me want to work harder now to show that I deserve it."
Bama bump. Better recognize.
LINK
Posted on 2/22/15 at 9:52 pm to chattabama
quote:
QUICK HITS ON TJ
Why Alabama? "It means that I have a chance to go play for one of the best teams in the country," Simmons said. "Alabama has one of the best programs in the country."
Will he visit other schools? Simmons said Thursday night he still planned a Junior Day visit to Georgia over the weekend with his receiver teammate Nico Collins.
"It is going to slow down a little bit for me real soon," Simmons said. "I want it to be 100 percent for me and Bama, but I still want to look around."
When did the offer come? Simmons got a heads-up that the offer was on the way a couple of days early. That gave him and his family time to study and pray about it. That's why he was able to accept the offer shortly after it was officially extended.
Where does he fit into Alabama's recruiting plan for this class? Hood said Alabama receivers coach Billy Napier said the staff was making an effort to get more in-state kids if they can. He wanted Simmons to be one of the first in-state commitments so he could pitch the program to other elite state recruits.
Simmons is a good communicator. He's the sort of brand ambassador with the charisma to excite other kids about playing with him.
What about this Auburn stuff? Simmons said he grew up an Auburn fan. He was asked what his football dream was five years ago and he said it would be playing at Auburn. Auburn has yet to offer, though.
He said he wouldn't know what would happen if Auburn now came through with an offer.
"Bama was closer," Simmons said. "It was easier for me to travel to Bama and I kind of fell in love with Bama."
What would happen if Auburn offered? "I would take them and their offer into consideration and have it in the back of my mind thinking about it but I would still be pretty sure that I would still go to Alabama," he said.
"I just look at it as a business with the recruiting process," Simmons said. "I look at every different school individually and didn't look at it like having a favorite team or a favorite team growing up going into the recruiting process. That helped me to look at every school individually and just how they could help my football career."
How did the commitment go? Simmons said he committed to coach Nick Saban.
"We were on the phone and he told me they were going to offer me and he liked the type of player I am," Simmons said. "Then he broke down their offer to me."
Saban kept talking a little bit more. Then there was a pause.
"Then I told him if he didn't mind then I would like to go ahead and commit," Simmons said. "He was like 'Okay, cool' and he was like talk to your family and make sure this is what you want to do, but if this is what you want to then then I will accept it. I said I wanted to play at Alabama."
Does he still plan to go to their elite camps and compete? "I still want to come out to their camps and compete but they say I am their top (receiver) prospect in the Class of 2016," Simmons said. "They say they want me to be the leader of their 2016 Class."
Would he like that role? Yes, I would," Simmons said. "Especially the kids that are in-state that Bama is recruiting. I am going to try to voice my opinion to get them to come."
What did Alabama say they liked about him? "My size, speed and aggressiveness," he said.
What NFL players does he emulate? His answers were Odell Beckham, Jr. and Mike Evans.
Is his recruiting process over? "I still want to keep it a little open but I want to really go to Alabama and be at Alabama," Simmons said. "It is getting up there to almost being over."
Same article.
Posted on 2/22/15 at 10:04 pm to chattabama
Coaches seem very high on him. I like the strategy of getting a charismatic player like Simmons helping to recruiting the elite instate talent. Hopefully Aubie doesn't offer and he sticks.
Posted on 2/22/15 at 10:06 pm to Patton
Yeah the whole "lifelong Auburn fan" is a little concerning, but that is the way it goes with in-state kids. Lifelong bama fans are playing for Auburn right now while we have an Auburn legacy playing for us.
Posted on 2/22/15 at 10:07 pm to chattabama
Truth. I wonder if he really was our top target for WR this cycle.
Posted on 2/22/15 at 10:08 pm to chattabama
Position by position of 2015 class Iron Bowl of sorts by al.com:
Not sure how soon Minkah and Sheff will see the field. Some say that Sheff is pretty raw.
quote:
Alabama
Class: Kendall Sheffield and Minkah Fitzpatrick
247Composite ratings: Two 5-stars
Glance: Alabama had four cornerbacks committed headed into the final month of recruiting, but saw Rico McGraw flip to Georgia and Montrell Custis head to Ole Miss. Despite their departures, this is still a terrific class. Alabama signed the No. 4 and No. 5 cornerbacks in the country, according to 247Composite, which should bolster an already-talented group. Sheffield is the gem of the group, and looked fantastic at the Under Armour All-America Game. The 6-foot-, 180-pound cornerback is very good in coverage and strong enough to jam receivers at the line. Alabama held off Florida State to reel in Fitzpatrick. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound star did everything for St. Peters Prep this year. He's athletic, and while his coverage skills still need a little work, he's going to be an early impact player.
quote:
Auburn
Class: Carlton Davis, Javarius Davis and Jeremiah Dinson
247Composite ratings: Two 4-stars, One 3-star
Glance: There were a lot of moving pieces for Auburn with this group headed into National Signing Day, but the Tigers finished with a well-rounded group. Carlton Davis, who was flipped from Auburn, is the star of the group. Some consider him to be the top cornerback in Florida this year and he has great size at 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Davis is a speedy corner who could help out in multiple spots, though he's only 5-foot-9. Dinson was a late flip from Kentucky, and has good size at 6-foot, 180-pounds.
quote:
Winner: Alabama. The Crimson Tide has the better quality in the battle of cornerbacks. Sheffield and Fitzpatrick are two elite high school cornerbacks --both are five-star prospects -- and have a chance to work their way onto the two-deep early. Auburn got a potentially special player in Carlton Davis, but Dinson could take some time to develop.
Not sure how soon Minkah and Sheff will see the field. Some say that Sheff is pretty raw.
Posted on 2/22/15 at 10:10 pm to Patton
quote:
Truth. I wonder if he really was our top target for WR this cycle.
Strange commitment when you look at the bevy of WRs in this class that we could possibly get in on. We have the iPhone creeper, still pursuing Nate Craig, outside chance at Mykel Jones.
Although Simmons could be connected to a lot of in-state guys. May just be that solid recruiter we need to take home e'eryone this year.
Posted on 2/22/15 at 10:11 pm to chattabama
quote:
Alabama
Class: Daron Payne and Jonathan Taylor
247Composite ratings: One 5-star, One 3-star
Glance: Alabama got the defensive gem of the state of Alabama this year in Payne, who was rated the No. 2 player on AL.com's A-List. Payne has shown an aversion to playing nose tackle, but he has the size and strength to occupy multiple offensive linemen in the middle. Simply put, Payne is big, fast and strong. Taylor comes to Alabama with serious baggage after getting kicked off the Georgia team following a domestic assault charge. His time in Tuscaloosa will be watched closely, but few deny he is a talented player. There's a logjam at the defensive tackle position, but Taylor should find a way into the rotation.
quote:
Auburn
Class: Maurice Swain and Jauntavius Johnson
247Composite ratings: Two 3-stars
Glance: Swain arrives from Mississippi Gulf Coast and should be in line for major playing time if he transitions quickly. At 6-foot-4, 290-pounds, Swain can afford to put on more weight and still be plenty effective in the middle. Johnson is more of a project, but there is plenty of talent there. His high school coach has compared him to Nick Fairley in the past. His conditioning hasn't always been great, but he's very strong and could get by with his bull rush alone in high school. With some refining and development, Johnson could be a steal for the Tigers.
quote:
Winner: Alabama. Payne has the highest ceiling out of any of the four players and was rightfully ranked a five-star prospect. Auburn badly wanted the Shades Valley star, but couldn't pull him away from the Crimson Tide. Johnson is a nice piece, but it's going to take him time to get ready for college football. Swain and Taylor are pretty equivalent, though I'd give the edge to Taylor. He's already shown he can make an impact at the SEC level.
Posted on 2/22/15 at 10:14 pm to chattabama
quote:
Alabama
Class: Mekhi Brown and Anfernee Jennings
247Composite ratings: Two 4-stars
Glance: Alabama added two defensive ends with good potential in Brown and Jennings, but both are likely years away from making a major impact. Brown has a good frame at 6-foot-4, 222-pounds, but he's going to need to put on weight and get stronger to earn playing time at Alabama. Jennings has shown flashes of brilliance, but played against weak competition in high school so there are still question marks about him. He has a quick first step, but relies mostly on athleticism on this point and will need time to become more refined. Both are good candidates to redshirt next season.
quote:
Auburn
Class: Byron Cowart and Prince Tega Wanogho Jr.
247Composite ratings: One 5-star, One 4-star
Glance: It doesn't get much better than signing the nation's top defensive end. To put it simply, Cowart is a beast. He's got a high motor, he's athletic and he's plenty strong enough. At the Under Armour All-America Game, he was unstoppable. Even with Auburn returning multiple defensive linemen, it's inconceivable to imagine Cowart not making an impact assuming he stays healthy. He has first-round NFL kind of talent. Wanogho Jr. is very talented too, though he's likely two years away from making a real impact. He's only played football for a single season since arriving from Nigeria, but he's ridiculously athletic and strong. He'll need to redshirt after suffering a serious injury during a basketball game, but he's the ideal low-risk/high-reward type player. He has no bad habits yet and can be molded into whatever defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and defensive line coach Rodney Garner want.
quote:
Winner: Auburn. This one is about as much of a slam dunk as it gets. Auburn did a terrific job with its defensive end group, headlined by Cowart, who some analysts consider to be the top player in the country. Wanogho Jr. is a mystery, but there isn't a player with a higher ceiling in Alabama this year. Jennings and Brown are two talented players and good gets for Alabama, but Auburn is the clear winner at this spot.
We had a meh pull in DEs last year. Too bad we couldn't keep Ledbetter in the fold. This year should be easier to recruit DEs since we should have some openings on the line in 2016.
Page 35 of 869
Latest Alabama News
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News