re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

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Lester Cotton was named the preseason No. 1 player on the AL.com A-List and the Central-Tuscaloosa offensive lineman and Alabama commit has done everything to keep that lofty ranking.

Cotton has been dominant at his left tackle position and his play has helped the Falcons clinch a playoff berth out of Class 5A, Region 4. Central (5-3, 4-2 region) plays at Helena on Friday in its final region game and is at Parker next Thursday to finish the regular season.

According to stats provided by Central coaches, Cotton has 169 pancake blocks - mostly at left tackle, but some on kickoff return. He has played defense sparingly on short yardage situations and had two sacks in a game earlier this season.

"He listens very well," Central offensive line coach Joseph Taylor said.
"He executes very well. He's very dominant in what he does. He's very physical. That fits in very well with our scheme and I know it'll fit in well with Alabama's scheme. He has that 'don't quit' attitude and is a great leader for us."

Taylor has coached the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Cotton since he arrived in Tuscaloosa midway through his freshman year. He said Cotton's transformation has been "night and day" since he was younger and while the size and strength have always been there, once he got in the right mental frame, he dominated.

"When he came here, he was a big kid and we thought he was going to do something because he had to, he's just too big," Taylor said. "Him learning the plays, being very physical, his abilities, but him actually finally realizing that he could do this is what's been the biggest thing for him."

Cotton committed to Alabama on Feb. 1 of this year. He's been to every Alabama home game so far and won't take any visits to other schools. He mentioned how he recently talked with fellow offensive line commits Dallas Warmack and Brandon Kennedy and how they were ready to work hard at Alabama and earn a rotation spot early in their careers.

Cotton is listed as a guard by the national recruiting services, but may stay at tackle when he gets to Alabama.

"Coach (Nick) Saban and Coach (Mario) Cristobal told me to stay at tackle," Cotton said. "I think they're going to keep me out there, but I'll move in (to guard) if I need to."

Cotton said he anticipates getting a chance to play as a true freshman in 2015. He'll play in the Under Armour All-America game in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Jan. 2.

"It feels good being presented (the jersey)," Cotton said. "I can go there and show my talents off and come back home and get to 'Bama and put all that talent together."

Taylor feels that Cotton's only scratching the surface with his talent.

"I could see him getting better," Taylor said. "I played at Alabama (1999-03) and I would hate to line up against him if he gets any better than he does now and I know he's going to get better."

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