re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

quote:

---

There is a new player in the race to sign Mobile Christian defensive end Andres Fox. 

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound weakside defensive end has been trying to decide between SEC West powers Alabama, Auburn and LSU for most of the offseason. 

However, at Mobile County Media Days on Monday, Fox said Stanford also is now among his leading schools. 

He visited both Stanford and LSU this past weekend. He's been to Auburn and Alabama multiple times each. 

"It seems like a whole different culture out there at Stanford," Fox said. "I really enjoyed it. It's a different kind of people out there." 

If he committed and signed with the Cardinal, Fox wouldn't be the first Coastal Alabama star to join David Shaw's team. St. Paul's defensive lineman Ryan Johnson signed with Stanford this past February and Saraland quarterback Jack West has been committed to the Cardinal for more than a year. 

What makes the school so appealing to players from across the country? 

"I think the University itself and the location," West said. "It's in the middle of the Silicon Valley. You have the Golden State Warriors and all those football and baseball teams. But it's also a school that will prepare you for life. I've said a lot that Stanford not only will prepare me for the next four years but the next 40. I think those are some of the things that draw guys out there." 

Fox originally said he wanted to make a decision before the start of his senior year, but now it looks like that will be pushed back. 

Though he only played half of his team's games a year ago after transferring from Faith Academy, Fox recorded 18 sacks, including five in one game against Cottage Hill, and helped the Leopards to the Class 3A title game. 

"Andres is a superior pass rush guy," head coach Ronnie Cottrell said. "If teams get in long yardage situations, he is going to be a very dangerous weapon for us. He's very athletic. He's one of the top javelin throwers in the state, and he's got a great motor." 

Fox's other offers include Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Arizona, Troy UAB and South Alabama. He is currently ranked No. 11 on 247's composite rankings of 2018 prospects in the state. 

Cottrell, a former college assistant coach, said Fox reminds him of the defensive ends he was around during his time at Florida State and at Alabama. 

"He's just an animal," Mobile Christian senior safety Keith Gallmon said. "I watched him when he was on the scout team. Almost every play, he was in the backfield. When I've tried to block him, he just moves me out of the way." 

Fox said he has been working this summer on "trying to run down people, hustle and get stronger." 

The Leopards, the Class 3A runners-up, open the season at home against Lighthouse Christian on Aug. 24.

---

quote:

---

Sad. The kid looked to have a bright future.

---

quote:

---

Is Latu really an elite player?

---

quote:

---

1. Palaie Gaoteote, Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman, Committed to USC

Gaoteote is the No. 1 overall prospect in the West in the 2018 class and peerless when the pads are on.

2. Jack Lamb, Temecula (Calif.) Great Oak

Lamb had the best spring and summer of any linebacker in the West and shined at The Opening Finals.

3. Brandon Kaho, Reno (Nev.), Committed to BYU

Kaho was the LB MVP at The Opening Finals after earning the SPARQ MVP at The Opening Oakland regional.

4. Bo Calvert, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian, Committed to USC

Calvert gets overlooked at times but he's an excellent pass-rusher who did a lot of 7v7 to show his coverage ability.

5. Adrian Jackson, Denver (Colo.) Mullen, Committed to Oregon

Jackson starred at the Under Armour Camp in Southern California and earned an invitation to the Under Armour All-American Game.

6. Salua Masina, Salt Lake City (Utah) Brighton

Masina is a long and athletic linebacker who can get after the quarterback and move well in space.

7. Eli'jah Winston, Portland (Ore.) Central Catholic

Winston did any and every camp and 7v7 he possibly could to work on his pass coverage ability and is the top 'backer in the Northwest.

8. Reggie Hughes, Calabasas (Calif.), Committed to Arizona State

Hughes can play inside or outside and is one of the smartest football players in his class.

9. Kana'i Mauga, Waianae (Hawaii), Committed to USC

Mauga was one the standouts at All-Poly Camp in Utah this summer.

10. Omari Harris, Antioch (Calif.), Committed to California

Harris can play a myriad of positions and this fall, he'll replace Scout's No. 1 prospect in 2017, Najee Harris, as Antioch's primary running back.

---