Category: Recruiting

Getting to know Alabama’s signees: WR Thaiu Jones-Bell

Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period on Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees. Next up on the list, …

Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period on Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees.

Next up on the list, four-star wide receiver Thaiu Jones-Bell.

Thaiu Jones-Bell, Wide Receiver

Hometown: Opa Locka (Fla.)

High school: Miami Carol City

Size: 5-11, 187

247Sports composite ranking: 4-star / No. 101 overall / No. 20 WR

Rivals ranking: 4-star / No. 177 overall / No. 34 WR

Commitment date: May 20, 2019

Signing date: Dec. 18, 2019

Where does he fit in? Jones-Bell probably won’t be afforded many opportunities to make a significant impact for Alabama in 2020. But that’s not a reflection of his talent, as he’s already shown a skill set that will fit in nicely with the offense.

Like with many of the Crimson Tide’s current receivers, Jones-Bell has the versatility to play the X, Z and H-receiver spots. He can attack opposing defenses downfield or be utilized in an RPO-styled offense with quick slants and other short-yardage routes.

We still don’t officially know the status of Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith, but it looks like the latter two could return in 2020. If that happens, Jones-Bell’s ceiling would probably be a rotational No. 5 or 6 receiver.

The 2021 season could be a different story, however.

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Georgia football offers four-star athlete CJ Washington

The Georgia Bulldogs have offered a scholarship to C.J. Washington, a class of 2022 four-star athlete, who plays at Cedartown High School.

The Georgia Bulldogs have offered a scholarship to C.J. Washington, a class of 2022 four-star athlete. Washington plays at Cedartown High School and is from Cedartown, Georgia.

He’s currently a sophomore in high school, but was excited to receive his offer from UGA:

Washington is expected to play defensive end or outside linebacker in college. At 6-2, 205 pounds, Washington is still adding to his frame. He additionally plays some tight end and fullback. Washington took a visit to Athens during the season.

Washington has additionally received an offer from Tennessee and visited them as well during the season. DawgNation‘s Jeff Sentell had some good highlights of Washington at a post-season all-star game:

UGA has one commitment is the class of 2023, but not 2022. Will Washington be the first member of 2022 to commit to Georgia?

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Wisconsin lands commitment from 2021 safety Hunter Wohler

Wisconsin landed a commitment in the 2021 recruiting class from in-state four-star safety Hunter Wohler on Monday evening.

Christmas came a couple of days early for Badger fans, as coveted four-star safety Hunter Wohler joined Wisconsin’s 2021 recruiting class with a surprise commitment on Monday evening.

The first in-state player the Badgers offered in this recruiting cycle, the four-star prospect from Muskego has long been arguably Wisconsin’s top priority in this class. Bucky had been considered the favorite ever since extending the offer, considering Wohler grew up a Badger fan and Wisconsin also rarely loses in-state recruits that it pursues so heavily.

That being said, most expected the nation’s No. 241 overall player and No. 7 safety according to the 247Sports composite to keep his recruitment open a little longer and make the Badgers work a bit harder than they usually would for an in-state prospect. Wohler boasts other offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan, Michigan State and Minnesota, with more almost certainly on the way. The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish, in particular, were thought to be pretty close to Wisconsin atop his list of suitors.

With the addition of Wohler, Wisconsin’s eight-man 2021 class ranks No. 5 nationally and No. 2 in the Big Ten, per 247Sports. The other seven members are three-star inside linebacker Bryan Sanborn (Lake Zurich, Ill.), three-star defensive end/outside linebacker Ayo Adebogun (Thiensville, Wis.), four-star offensive tackles JP Benzschawel (Grafton, Wis.) and Riley Mahlman (Lakeville, Minn.), three-star running backs Jackson Acker (Verona, Wis.) and Loyal Crawford (Eau Claire, Wis.) and three-star quarterback Deacon Hill (Santa Barbara, Calif.).

Ohio State Recruiting: Final Thoughts On The 2020 football Class … So Far

For all intents and purposes, the 2020 recruiting class for the Ohio State football team is in the books. Here’s some final thoughts.

The Ohio State football 2020 recruiting class is done … for now. It was a consensus top five class and there are some significant pieces to like across the board. There might be a change here or there when the traditional signing period finishes up in February, but for all intents and purposes, what you see is what you get for this recruiting cycle.

The Buckeyes may have turned their attention to the Fiesta Bowl, but now that the weekend is over, it feels like a good time to take stock in the haul that was the 2020 class Ryan Day and company brought in during the early signing period.

So off we go with some thoughts and observations.

Next … Thoughts and observations on the 2020 Ohio Sate football recruiting class

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Getting to know Alabama’s signees: RB Roydell Williams

Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period on Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees. Next up on the list, …

Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period on Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees.

Next up on the list, another four-star running back in Roydell Williams.

Roydell Williams, Running Back

Hometown: Hueytown (Ala.)

High school: Hueytown

Size: 5-10, 202

247Sports composite ranking: 4-star / No. 86 overall / No. 9 RB

Rivals ranking: 4-star / No. 92 overall / No. 9 RB

Commitment date: Nov. 24, 2018

Signing date: Dec. 18, 2019

Where does he fit in? Williams was the first running back to commit to Alabama back in Nov. of 2018. Kyle Edwards was later added, and most recently, Jace McClellan joined the stacked backfield.

With Brian Robinson Jr. and former five-star phenom Trey Sanders expected to man the top two spots on the depth chart (assuming Najee Harris leaves early for the NFL), it will be interesting to see who takes ahold of that No. 3 spot.

Keilan Robinson showed flashes, but Williams and McClellan are certainly capable of handling those duties.

Williams is only 202 pounds, but he carries the weight well and brings a physical style to his running. He also shows the ability to be utilized out of the backfield, which should help his chances of becoming a three-down player down the line.

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Getting to know Alabama’s signees: DT Tim Smith

Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period on Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees. Next up on the list, top …

Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period on Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees.

Next up on the list, top 100 prospect Tim Smith.

Tim Smith, Defensive Tackle

Hometown: Sebastian (Fla.)

High school: Sebastian River

Size: 6-4, 320

247Sports composite ranking: 4-star / No. 85 overall / No. 7 DT

Rivals ranking: 4-star / No. 70 overall / No. 5 DT

Commitment date: Aug. 7, 2019

Signing date: Dec. 18, 2019

Where does he fit in? Despite being a top 100 recruit in the 2020 class, Smith’s name doesn’t get mentioned enough when it comes to big-time additions to the Alabama roster.

At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, the Florida native is a force on the interior of the defensive line, but he’s also surprisingly athletic for a guy his size. In the Tide’s three-man front, Smith has the ability to play every position effectively, which should give him a chance to earn early playing time.

There will be significant competition, as Alabama’s 2019 defensive line class is both talented and now experienced, but Smith is the type of player who is capable of handling early reps.

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Getting to know Alabama’s signees: WDE Will Anderson

Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period on Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees. Next up on the list, …

Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period on Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees.

Next up on the list, four-star edge rusher Will Anderson.

Will Anderson, Defensive End

Hometown: Hampton (Ga.)

High school: Dutchtown

Size: 6-3, 233

247Sports composite ranking: 4-star / No. 78 overall / No. 5 WDE

Rivals ranking: 4-star / No. 159 overall / No. 8 WDE

Commitment date: June 17, 2019

Signing date: Dec. 18, 2019

Where does he fit in? Due to the talent Alabama added at edge rusher during the 2020 cycle, it will be interesting to see where Anderson fits in during his first season in Tuscaloosa.

Even though Anderson is the lowest rated of the four additions (Chris Braswell, Drew Sanders, Quandarrius Robinson and Anderson), he’s extremely talented and certainly capable of providing an early impact. In fact, I’d argue he’s the most “college ready” of the group for a rotational pass rushing role.

Anderson is a guy who rushes with a plan and seems ready to throw an array of moves at opposing SEC offensive linemen.

People also don’t need to forget that 2019 recruit DJ Dale was the lowest-rated Alabama defensive lineman in last year’s class, and yet, he contributed as much or more than any of them while being the first to earn a starting role.

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Getting to know Alabama’s signees: S Brian Branch

Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period on Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees. Next up on the list, …

Alabama signed 22 of its 26 commitments during the early signing period on Wednesday. To give fans a chance to get to know the newest Crimson Tide members, we are doing a series of overviews with each of the 2020 signees.

Next up on the list, four-star safety Brian Branch.

Brian Branch, Safety

Hometown: Tyrone (Ga.)

High school: Sandy Creek

Size: 6-0, 182

247Sports composite ranking: 4-star / No. 58 overall / No. 3 S

Rivals ranking: 4-star / No. 79 overall / No. 4 S

Commitment date: Apr. 20, 2019

Signing date: Dec. 18, 2019

Where does he fit in? Branch was a standout player on both the offensive and defensive side of the football for Sandy Creek high school. At Alabama, however, the 6-foot, 182-pounder will settle into the secondary — safety in particular.

Branch will bring the type of presence the Crimson Tide needs on the back half of the defense. He’s good enough against the run, but it’s his ability to create big plays and turnovers which should help him see the field early in his career.

With Alabama potentially losing Xavier McKinney and Jared Mayden at safety, a player such as Branch can really contribute as early as 2020.

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Alabama RB commit Jase McClellan excels in state championship

After being verbally committed to the University of Oklahoma for quite some time, highly sought-after running back, Jase McClellan flipped and signed with Alabama as a member of the 2020 recruiting class. The four-star back helped take his team, …

After being verbally committed to the University of Oklahoma for quite some time, highly sought-after running back, Jase McClellan flipped and signed with Alabama as a member of the 2020 recruiting class.

The four-star back helped take his team, Aledo High, to the 5A Texas High School State Championships where they would defeat Fort Bend Marshal with a final score of 45-42 in AT&T Stadium.

McClellan made sure his presence was felt and gave Crimson Tide fans a sneak peek of what they should expect when the No. 6 nationally ranked running back becomes a member of the Alabama family.

McClellan finishes his Senior season with some very impressive stats.

In only eight games played, he managed to take 168 carries for 1,268 yards and 27 touchdowns. It is also worth noting that he rushed for over 100 yards in six of his eight appearances.

His career numbers while in high school are: 645 carries, 5,072 yards, an average of 153.7 yards per game, 27 games with over 100 yards rushing and 102 rushing touchdowns.

Those are numbers just about every high school running back can only dream of.

The State Championship game was just a glimpse into what Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide football program are getting in McClellan, Alabama fans are rightfully excited to see him in crimson and white.

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Watch: Georgia football WR signee Arian Smith is insanely FAST

Look at how fast Georgia football wide receiver signee Arian Smith really is.

Arian Smith, a 4-star wide receiver out of Lakeland, Florida, committed and signed with Georgia on the first day of the early signing period last week.

Smith is one of four 4-star wide receivers that the Dawgs signed in this class and ranks as the nation’s No. 14 WR recruit and No. 72 overall prospect on the 247Sports Composite ratings.

Smith is the fastest player in this class and may be the fastest in all of college football next season. He plans on running track at Georgia as well.

Smith partnered with Matthew Boling, Georgia’s record breaking sprinter, in the USA’s U20 4×100 team over the summer. For their age group, Smith and Boling are world record holders in the 4×100.

Smith’s top time posted in the 100 meters is at 10.31 seconds. That’s blazing.

Even faster than Mecole Hardman, who Smith said the Georgia coaches used to convince him to come to Athens.

If you want a preview of just how fast Smith is, you have to watch this clip below posted by Georgia Heroes.

Look at him come from the other end of the field and chase down this player before he crossed the goal line.