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

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On the bright side, tMegathread is really chugging here lately

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On the bright side, tMegathread is really chugging here lately

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Damn right it is. We've made up like 30 pages on the Auburn thread this week alone.

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It was the matchup everyone had been waiting for. Not the University of Alabama vs. Michigan State, but A'Shawn Robinson vs. Dalvin Tomlinson.

The two Crimson Tide defensive linemen faced off in a wrestling match a few weeks ago, Robinson said last week. The bout pitted Robinson, perhaps the best athlete on UA's defensive line, against Tomlinson, a state champion wrestler during his high school career in Georgia.

Tomlinson had defeated all comers in the UA locker room to this point. Jarran Reed, Daron Payne and D.J. Pettway had fallen to Tomlinson, but Robinson was a different beast. He's listed at 312 pounds to Tomlinson's 294, and he showcased his explosiveness earlier this year when he leapt over an offensive lineman to block an extra point against LSU.

It could appropriately be called a heavyweight match. So what happened?

"We were really going at it, then I got tired," Robinson said. "I was like: 'I'm done with this.' He got me."

Tomlinson kept his title as the locker room's undefeated champ.

He's also gotten plenty of respect for his play this season. Tomlinson hasn't started a game this year, but has played in every contest as a key piece in Alabama's deep defensive line rotation. He has 30 tackles and six pass breakups, the most of any player on the defensive line.

"Dalvin has been great," Robinson said. "Pretty much anybody on the team could start anywhere, at any university … He has the ability to do anything anybody else could do. It's been great to have Dalvin out there on the team and be able to do that."

Part of that can be attributed to his wrestling skills. The grappling techniques, hand placement and body control in wrestling all translate well to defensive line play.

"You have to use technique with your hands and everything," Robinson said. "As a defensive lineman, the offensive lineman is about getting his hands inside. He has the best hand technique."

That technique is what helped him get the best of Robinson. The match lasted about two rounds, Robinson said. Tomlinson had said earlier this season he thought he'd win a match between the two.

There may be another challenger yet for Tomlinson. Sophomore Da'Shawn Hand hasn't had his turn yet. "Da'Shawn took wrestling too, so we're waiting to see that, but they won't let that happen," Robinson said.

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RB Brian Robinson
Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Hillcrest

NEW RANK PREV. RANK DIFFERENCE
135 214 +79

"An Alabama commit, Robinson's calling card is his power. His speed is nothing to scoff at either." -- Cassidy

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WR Henry Ruggs
Montgomery (Ala.) Robert E. Lee

NEW RANK PREV. RANK DIFFERENCE
184 NA NR

"Ruggs' pure speed is elite and he runs decent routes for a player that is relatively new to football. His upside is humongous because of his incredible length and speed." -- Cassidy

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SDE Ryan Johnson
Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul's

NEW RANK PREV. RANK DIFFERENCE
196 NR NA

"Johnson's size and long arms are what have colleges interested in him. The fact that he has little bad weight and the frame to add even more size gives him the possibility of being special. Johnson lists a number of major offers and has named no favorites in the process. Auburn, Georgia, Louisville and Mississippi State are all heavily involved." -- Cassidy

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2. LB Ben Davis
Gordo, Ala.

Recruiting wrap: Davis has yet to settle on a school. He's open to a number of programs, but Georgia and Alabama are Davis' most likely landing spots.

Performance: Davis' game day effort was punctuated by a 79-yard interception return for a touchdown. The five-star linebacker also made a game-high 11 tackles. Davis's size-speed combination allows him to cut off passing lanes and run down ball carriers all over the field. No player was more consistently great in workouts and the game itself. Davis looks like a college-ready prospect and backs up his look on the field.

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5. DL Jeffery Simmons
Macon (Miss.) Noxubee County

Recruiting wrap: Simmons is considering Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Auburn, Alabama and Southern Miss.

Performance: Simmons is incredibly quick off the edge. He racked up seven tackles in the game and was in the backfield often during practices. Simmons' long arms allow him to cover ground faster and he wraps up well in run support. Simmons' quickness and length made him a handful for offensive linemen all week.

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