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

Inside Antonio Alfano's rise to No. 1 overall prospect (247Sports | embedded video)


Alabama Crimson Tide early enrollee Antonio Alfano emerges as the 247Sports No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2019.

Defensive lineman Antonio Alfano of Colonia (N.J.) was announced Tuesday as the new No. 1 prospect in the country ahead of Nolan Smith, Demarvin Leal and Derek Stingley.

Alfano is the fourth New Jersey recruit in six years to finish inside the 247Sports Top 10. He joins Rashan Gary in 2016 as No. 1 overall prospects. Alfano is the first Colonia defensive lineman to go to a power-five school since Eric LeGrand signed with Rutgers in 2008.

What gave Alfano the nod at No. 1?

“What this boiled down to for us was, what’s he missing? He had every box checked,” Simmons said during the 247Sports rankings reveal broadcast. “He’s 6-foot-4, 275 pounds. He’s got 11-inch hands, which is huge, 34-inch arms, a 4.8 40 (yard dash), which is freakish at that size, a 37-inch vertical jump. So all of the testing numbers are there. Okay, turn on the film. The film is phenomenal. His numbers, 10 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, dominates competition everywhere he’s been.

“Then he goes into the All-American Bowl. Truly, you couldn’t block him. He’s got versatility. He can play on the defensive end in any scheme. He can be a 4-3 D-end, a 3-4 D-end. He could blow up physically and become an interior guy, a true 3-technique. He could be, right now, probably effectively play a 3-4 outside linebacker as a stand up, edge rusher. I just think there’s so much to like.”