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re: Class of 2019 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: That's a Wrap Edition
Posted on 12/12/18 at 1:19 pm to TideSaint
Posted on 12/12/18 at 1:19 pm to TideSaint
Why Alabama OL commit Amari Kight won’t participate in Bama bowl practices
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Several of Alabama's early enrollees will report later this week -- before National Signing Day -- and participate in on-campus bowl practices.
Offensive lineman Amari Kight won't be one of them.
Kight will instead play in the in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic and Under Armour All-American Game before arriving on campus when classes begin in January.
"I made a commitment," Kight said when asked why he chose the all-star games over Alabama practices. "Plus, I always wanted to play in the Under Armour game since I was a little kid."
At least three members of Alabama's 2019 class -- receiver John Metchie, from Hightown, New Jersey, and Hewitt-Trussville teammates Paul Tyson and Pierce Quick -- plan to enroll later this week. That means they can't play in any postseason high school all-star games.
Kight said it was a tough decision not to go to bowl practices, acknowledging the practice sessions can be a valuable learning experience before spring practice starts, but he emphasized his desire to honor the commitments he had made to play in the all-star games. Under Armour officials come to each player's school to honor him as part of the game's recruitment process.
Top-ranked Alabama plays Oklahoma on Dec. 29 in a College Football Playoff semifinal, and the team could have more on-campus bowl practices before a possible national championship game on Jan. 7.
Kight said he's ready to get to Alabama in January.
"I'm excited," he said. "I wouldn't say I'm nervous. I’m more excited about competing."
Kight, fellow Alabama commit Taulia Tagovailoa and UAB commit Will Conner -- all early enrollees -- were honored in a ceremony Tuesday at Thompson High in Alabaster. It's likely the last time any will do media interviews for more than a year, as Alabama and most schools don't make freshmen available for interviews.
All three spoke briefly to the students, teammates and teachers gathered in the school's Performing Arts Center. How did each of the three end their remarks?
Kight: "Roll Tide."
Conner: "Go Blazers."
Tagovailoa: “I love you guys.”
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Posted on 12/12/18 at 1:21 pm to TideSaint
Alabama QB commit Taulia Tagoviloa updates his shoulder injury
quote:
Alabama quarterback commit Taulia Tagovailoa won’t play in next week’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic because of a shoulder injury, but it’s unclear if he can play in two other major all-star games next month.
Tagovailoa, talking to reporters after a ceremony to honor him, fellow Alabama commit Amari Kight and UAB linebacker commit Will Conner today at Thompson High in Alabaster, said he plans to enroll at Alabama in January. He answered questions about his shoulder but offered no specifics.
"My shoulder is getting better," he said. "We have great trainers up here and they're helping me get better. … I'm just focused on getting my shoulder better one day at a time."
Tagovailoa, who threw for 3,728 yards and 35 touchdowns, was selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, which is Monday; the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, set for Jan. 5; and the Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii on Jan. 19.
Tagovailoa suffered the shoulder injury during the Warriors' 31-28 victory over Hoover on Nov. 23 in the Class 7A semifinals, but it wasn't revealed until after the 52-7 loss to Central-Phenix City in last week's state title game. He threw for a career-low 44 yards while trying to play with the injury.
After the championship game, Tagovailoa described it as a strained labrum and rotator cuff. At today's ceremony in Alabaster, he was not wearing a sling and didn't seem to wince or have any range of motion issues while greeting teammates or posing for photos.
During the ceremony, Polynesian Bowl officials also announced he is one of the final finalists to for the all-star game's Player of the Year award. He had previously been tabbed as one of the 10 semifinalists.
Tagovailoa’s older brother -- Heisman Trophy runner-up Tua Tagovailoa -- also enrolled early at Alabama, and Taulia said he saw the chance to participate in spring practice helped Tua get “a step ahead.” Fellow 2019 quarterback commit Paul Tyson is also an early enrollee and plays to report Friday and participate in on-campus bowl practices.
"It's something my brother did," Taulia said, "and I see how good it work out for him. I’m just trying to get to college."
The Tagovailoa brothers played on separate high school teams in Hawaii, and Taulia said the chance to play on the same team with his brother influenced his decision to choose Alabama.
"We're family oriented," he said. "That's one of my family's dreams, to have me and my brother play on the same (college) team. It's beneficial for me. I get to learn from him and also the other quarterbacks and get to experience the same things he did."
What will do Taulia between now and his January enrollment? “Training and getting my shoulder better,” he said.
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