re: Class of 2019 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: That's a Wrap Edition

NON-VIP 247 Sports Article *** High School freshman edge rusher Jeremiah Alexander blowing up *** NON-VIP 247 Sports Article

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ALABASTER, Ala. -- The Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson Warriors are one of the top prep programs in the state of Alabama, playing in the state's highest classification, with college football prospects littered on the roster from All-American quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa through young prospects like sophomore wide receiver Tre Roberson already armed with Power 5 scholarship offers.

On Thursday, an even younger name needed to be added to the list in Jeremiah Alexander. Not only did the freshman edge rusher add his first Power 5 extension in the morning with the Florida Gators jumping in first, but he would add five total offers before the day was done, including three from the Southeastern Conference with LSU and Tennessee following Florida.

The class of 2022 standout, listed at 6-foot-2, 212 pounds, entered the day with a sole offer from in-state South Alabama to his name. Extensions from UAB and Jacksonville State rounded out the monster day.

"It feels great, it's a blessing," he told 247Sports. "All of the offers surprised me..."

Former NFL player and Arkansas Razorback Wes Murphy, who coaches the defensive line at Thompson High, has long been high on Alexander despite his youth.

"When you see the kid, you see his physique, his frame...he's got muscles on top of muscles," he said with a laugh. "You see him as a freshman and wonder how the kid is build like this. But then you get the kid in the weight room and he's a work horse who wants to out-work everybody. He wants to be stronger than anybody. He will stay after practice working on hands, working on pass-rush.

"His desire and hunger is just so much different than a lot of other kids I've been around."

On the field this year, Alexander has made big plays off the edge as a pass-rusher for the Warriors.

"It's explosiveness," Murphy said. "His contact speed doesn't change. A lot of times you see freshmen, especially freshmen playing varsity, they stop on contact. He explodes through contact, his first step is tremendous, it's amazing to watch. It's kind of freaky to me because he's still got tons of room to grow. He hasn't even scratched his potential.

"He's athletic enough to play outside 'backer...he's got long arms and big hands just like his dad and wears a size 14 shoe. He's pushing 6-foot-3 as a freshman so when you look at his back-side, shoulders and legs, you can tell he will get so much bigger."

Off of the field, per Murphy, Alexander checks even more boxes on the path to making it easy for blue-blood college football coaching staffs to offer so early on.

"Another thing that separates him is his character," he said. "He has an outstanding home life. Mom and dad at home, Christian family, high-moral, high-character people and great citizens in the community. He's got everything he needs to be successful at home and off the field, too."

Should he progress like many in the business feel he will, the class of 2022 emerger could be the next big thing from Alabama to college football and possibly beyond.

"With the athleticism and work ethic that he has, he's going to be one of those freaks where he'll stand up, he'll drop (into coverage), he'll put his hand down," Murphy said. "He reminds me of a Khalil Mack or Von Miller, seriously, but he's going to be the size of a Myles Garrett."

Thompson High is 6-1 with a showdown against undefeated Birmingham (Ala.) Mountain Brook High on Friday night.

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Again, this is a NON-VIP article from 247 Sports in case anyone feels the need to be a little bitch.