quote:
Owen Pappoe made The Opening history last summer when he became the first rising sophomore to earn an invitation to Nike's event in Beaverton, Ore.

As one of the top prospects in the 2019 class, Pappoe again was selected for the event. The 6-foot, 210-pound Pappoe earned several major offers before his freshman year at Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga., including Auburn.

Pappoe said Sunday that he visited Auburn about four weeks ago.

"It was cool," the five-star recruit said. "I spent a whole bunch of time with (linebackers) Coach (Travis) Williams watching film with him. He got to meet my family for the first time so it was real cool."

Pappoe said he's just "been chilling" this summer and has also visited Georgia, Florida, Florida State and Miami. After The Opening, he's likely done with visits for the summer.

Pappoe is ranked as the nation's No. 6 overall prospect in the class of 2019. Alabama, Georgia and Clemson have also offered.

But Auburn should feel good about its chances.

"They've always been one of my top schools though I don't talk about them much," Pappoe said.

"The relationships I have with the coaches over there, it's real tight. I know if I were to go there, they would take care of me and I would play a big part of their defense."

Not getting hopes up on this kid yet. Clemson and Florida State seem like the biggest early threats imo. Keyatta Watson is an ok DB but his dad is the founder of True 19 and True 20 which do GA vs TX all star games. He has a huge pull with a lot of the Grayson kids and his son is committed to FSU. Three other of his teammates are committed there as well. HIs recruitment will be very interesting to track

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Posted by TigerPaw1

Chattanooga, TN

Member since Apr 2011

16979 posts

Posted on 7/4/17 at 7:53 am to TigerPaw1

SEC football recruit gives up double quarter pounder with cheese (AL.com)

quote:
Sorry McDonald's. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa linebacker Jacquez Jones, an SEC recruit, has distanced himself from the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, his favorite fast-food snack, in favor of apples and oranges, broccoli and asparagus.

"It was right by the house," he said of McDonald's. "Late nights, when you don't have anything to eat... It was good, but I had to cut back on it. It really paid off."

Combined with lifting weights and running this summer, Jones' newfound eating habits have allowed the newest Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa football player to lose 22 pounds. He's down to 218 pounds.

"We've really been pushing it, getting my frame leaner and adding more muscle. I feel completely different," he said.

"Last year, (it appeared) I could barely move (when I watched myself play) on film. I could see I was slow. But now, I can move, run with the wide receivers. It's really changed my game."

Jones, the nephew of former Alabama defensive back Juwan Simpson, is ranked No. 25 on the 247Sports Composite list of the state of Alabama's top high school football players in the Class of 2018. His offers include LSU (he camped there last month), Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Maryland and West Virginia. His received his first offer the spring of his sophomore season: Michigan.

Jones said LSU has shown increased interest in recent weeks, while Ole Miss and Mississippi State have been the most consistent with recruiting him.

"Right now, my goal is to make it to the next level," Jones said of the NFL. "So whatever (college) provides that (opportunity), that's where I'm going to go."

Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa is coming off an 11-1 season which included a trip to the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.

This fall, Jones will play inside linebacker at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, the position he's being recruited at by several college football programs.