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

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DE Marlon Davidson
Greenville, Ala.

An Auburn commit, Davidson is still browsing. He's thought to be a very soft commit and intends to announce some semblance of final choice on Dec. 16. Davidson is an Auburn legacy but is still considering Alabama and a few other programs. At this juncture, the smart money is on the five-star defensive end signing with Auburn but he says he's very much open to considering other schools. Davidson plans to enroll early at the school of his choice.

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DL Jeffery Simmons
Macon (Miss.) Noxubee County

Simmons says he intends to visit Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Auburn and Alabama in January before settling on a decision. Tennessee, which Simmons recently visited, remains in the mix. According to Simmons, Southern Miss is still in play as well. The four-star defensive end plans to announce his decision on Signing Day but reserves the right to choose a school before that should he feel the need.

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DL Raekwon Davis
Meridian, Miss.

Davis remains committed to Alabama but is certainly surveying his options. The four-star prospect plans to visit Mississippi State on Jan. 15 and is also considering trips to a number of other schools. Davis, who characterizes himself as "committed to open to other options," says he will continue to look at options other than the Crimson Tide until National Signing Day.

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As always, much of the attention in a rankings release is focused on the No. 1 guy and the five-stars (or former five-stars), but let's not forget that this next-to-last ranking for the class of 2016 is about jockeying for position to move into those spots.
The latest release of the Rivals100 Presented by Under Armour for the class of 2016 has some big movers and a few of these guys could earn five-star status if they continue to impress. We examine prospects who made significant moves in this latest round of rankings, led by Clemson running back commit Tavien Feaster.

"While we lost three five stars, two of them -- FSU quarterback commitment Malik Henry and running back Kareem Walker - are still very much in range to earn it back and we've seen that done before," said Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell. "But there are also guys like Tavien Feaster, the Clemson running back commitment as well as his future Clemson teammate Tre Lamar, a linebacker, Tennessee Vols quarterback commitment Jarrett Guarantano and USC wideout commitment Michael Pittman that made big jumps into that discussion range as well."

With the final ranking for this class following some remaining playoff games and the all-star season, there is plenty of room for movement. Here's a look at prospects that jumped more than 30 spots either within or into the Rivals100 and those who dropped more than 20 spots within the Rivals100.

"Keep in mind that players falling less than 20 spots is simply some shifting in the rankings and not a 'considerable' drop," said Farrell. "Same with moving up less than 30 spots. At this stage that's not a huge move either."

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The new Rivals100 Presented by Under Armour for the class of 2016 has been released -- our second-to-last of the recruiting cycle -- and yet another new No. 1 prospect has emerged.

The prestigious list started off with wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers as No. 1 way back in June of 2014 and since then quarterback Jacob Eason, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and quarterback Shea Patterson have topped the charts. Now it's Paramus (N.J.) Paramus Catholic defensive tackle Rashan Gary who leads this elite group and hopes to hold onto the top spot as we head into all-star season.

"This has been a crazy year so far when it comes to finding that elite No. 1 guy," said Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell. "I am not sure there is a surefire prospect in this class that stands out as a confident No. 1, as you can see by all the changes. That happens some years and will happen more often as we start to rank players earlier and earlier. Last year, we had a change right before the all-star games with Josh Rosen taking over for Byron Cowart and then Cowart earned it right back, so we'll see what happens with Gary, Lawrence and Patterson as well as many others in striking range."

However, Gary, a 6-foot-5, 290-pounder from New Jersey, could easily end up being that No. 1 guy in the end.

"He's a big, well put-together kid who can move and those guys are always coveted," said Farrell. "He's been playing a lot on the outside at defensive end this season and I think that will help him as he transitions back inside in college. It has improved his get-off, his use of his hands and his footwork and he's a little less scheme specific than he was before. He's a special player no doubt."

Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst Adam Friedman, who has seen Gary develop for years, agrees.

"Gary's dominance throughout the camp season was well-publicized and there were times this season where he completely took over games. When used correctly, he is a game plan destroyer," said Friedman. "This year, we saw Gary's scheme versatility more than in previous seasons. He lined up as a defensive end for much of the season and locked down his side of the field."

Many feel Michigan has a big edge for Gary heading into the final stretch of recruiting with Auburn, Ole Miss, USC, Alabama and others all jockeying for position. He will announce his decision at the Under Armour All-America Game or on Signing Day.

In addition to a new No. 1, Rivals.com is unveiling three new five-star prospects and also has three prospects losing that coveted fifth star. Here's the breakdown of each:

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NEW FIVE-STARS

DE Terrell Hall
Washington (D.C.) St. John's College

"Hall has the potential to be a Myles Garrett type of defensive end. He has always had elite athleticism and was a top-notch pass rusher as a junior, but he added 30 pounds of muscle to his frame in the offseason and his game took that next step. Now Hall is very strong at the point of attack and his pass rushing moves are even more effective. He also has a knack for batting down passes at the line of scrimmage." -- Adam Friedman, Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst

"Hall is a guy with an extremely high ceiling based on his size, length and the work he has put in to improve in many aspects of the game. With his added strength and size, he's more effective as a guy who can set the edge but it has really helped him dominate and overpower linemen as he disrupts the passing game. He alters passing lanes and will be a guy who needs to be accounted for on every down. Hall favors Alabama with Florida and Florida State up there as well. Keep an eye on Georgia with the hiring of Kirby Smart, who was heavily involved in recruiting Hall for the Tide. Hall doesn't appear to be close to a decision and still has a top 10, so many things can change. "-- Mike Farrell, Rivals.com National Recruiting Director

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SEC official visits coming for Louisiana WR

Patterson, Louisiana, 4-star receiver Mykel Jones is looking to have a busy January. He has official visit dates set for Tennessee (week of Jan. 15) and Ole Miss (week of Jan. 29).

Before those, though, Jones said his first official visit will take place at one of the SEC schools' biggest competitors.

"My first one will be to Alabama," Jones said, "but I'm still trying to get the date set."

Jones, who has 16 reported offers per Rivals.com, said all three schools have recruited him since freshman year and have the talent to be championship-caliber each year. At 6'1" and 180 pounds, Jones also is a receiver who could play both the outside and slot, depending on the scheme of the offense.

Alabama will get the first crack at shutting down Jones' commitment, and it's a visit he's looking forward to.

"I'm looking to just get a feel with the team and the coaches and the campus," he said. "I just want everything to stay consistent with what they've been telling me. I want to know that I'll have a chance to come and play early."

Jones said he's looking to make his commitment announcement on national signing day. In-state school LSU is another program to keep an eye on as he finalizes his plans.

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#stuffRecruitniksSay

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