Tag: athlete

Alabama Football lands commitment from 2025 4-star ATH Derick Smith

2025 four-star athlete Derick Smith announced his commitment to Alabama on Monday afternoon. Smith chose the Crimson Tide over Auburn.

Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class just got substantially better on Monday afternoon. Four-star athlete Derick Smith announced that he was committed to the Crimson Tide. Smith chose Alabama over in-state rival, Auburn.

Smith hails from Southside-Selma High School in Selma, Alabama. He is listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds. As a junior, he starred on both sides of the ball for the Panthers. Smith had 46 receptions for 1,487 yards and 14 touchdowns. In addition, he also had 65 carries for 1,036 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, he tallied 74 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks.

Clearly, Smith has what it takes to play either side of the ball at the college level. The expectation is that Alabama will allow Smith to choose which position he prefers to play once he enrolls.

Smith’s commitment gives Alabama their fifth commitment in the ’25 recruiting class. Smith joins the likes of fellow commits — running back Anthony Rodgers, defensive back Zymear Smith, linebacker Myles Johnson, and defensive lineman Antonio Coleman.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama football program and its efforts on the recruiting trail.

Alabama makes top 11 for 2024 ATH Terry Bussey

2024 athlete Terry Bussey released his top 11 schools on Wednesday. Alabama made the cut as a finalist.

Wide receiver Terry Bussey of the 2024 released his top schools on Tuesday. Alabama was one of the schools that made the cut.

Bussey plays for Timpson High School in Timpson, Texas. As a junior, Bussey played multiple positions. He passed for over 2,000 yards and managed to rush for over 2,000 yards as well. If that was not impressive enough, he also recorded 115 tackles and five interceptions (four were returned for touchdowns).

He was recognized as the Texas Sportswriters Association’s Class 2A Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.

When asked by On3’s Joe Tipton about why he included Alabama, Bussey said the following:

From the culture, to the fans and coaches, it was all great. I loved everything about Bama, and could see myself there one day.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Terry Bussey’s recruiting profile.

Lukas Van Ness continues Packers’ trend of elite athletes in first round

Lukas Van Ness continued Brian Gutekunst’s now six-year trend of drafting nothing but elite athletes in the first round.

The Green Bay Packers’ selection of Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness at No. 13 overall on Thursday night continued a now six-year run from general manager Brian Gutekunst of drafting nothing but elite athletes in the first round.

Van Ness is 6-5 and 271 pounds, and his Relative Athletic Score is 9.39 out of 10.0, the seventh-best score among edge rushers in the draft class. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds and aced the agility drills, completing the short shuttle in 4.32 seconds and the three-cone in 7.02 seconds.

Van Ness is in the 88th percentile for height, 98th percentile for straight-line speed and 90th percentile for short-area quickness among edge rushers in draft classes from 1987-2023. He also has long arms (34 1/2″) and huge hands (11″). Overall, Van Ness is the tallest edge rusher and third heaviest edge rusher among Dane Brugler’s top 15 edge rushers in the draft class. His speed score is in the 96th percentile at the position.

Player Profiler ranked Van Ness as the second-most athletic edge rusher and ninth-most athletic player in the draft class overall.

With height, bulk and incredible movement ability, Van Ness looks like a player custom made to play outside linebacker for the Packers.

Getting a disruptive player at edge rusher almost always requires acquiring an elite athlete. The position must consistently beat 300-pound offensive tackles with either power or speed. Van Ness has both, upping the chances of him being a hit. In fact, his athletic profile is usually a hit; among his best RAS comparables are Trey Hendrickson, Jared Allen, Tray Walker, Preston Smith and Ezekiel Ansah.

The Packers once rolled the dice on an elite athlete at edge rusher in the Big Ten, and it worked out beautifully with Rashan Gary, who had a couple of seasons to develop behind veterans before becoming a full-time player. The same pathway is ahead of Van Ness, who packs a big punch as a power player and has the size and athleticism to play all over the defensive front but probably needs time to develop a better pass-rushing and block-beating arsenal.

Including Van Ness, all eight of Gutekunst’s first-round picks since taking over in 2018 have a RAS of 8.0 or better, including six (and four in a row) over 9.0. The average RAS of Gutekunst’s eight first-rounders? 9.28.

Year Player School RAS
2018 Jaire Alexander Louisville 9.54
2019 Rashan Gary Michigan 9.95
2019 Darnell Savage Maryland 8.35
2020 Jordan Love Utah State 8.46
2021 Eric Stokes Georgia 9.38
2022 Quay Walker Georgia 9.63
2022 Devonte Wyatt Georgia 9.56
2023 Lukas Van Ness Iowa 9.39

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Alabama lands in top-seven for 2024 ATH Josiah Brown

2024 athlete Josiah Brown released his top schools on Monday evening. He listed Alabama as one of his finalists.

Alabama extended an offer to 2024 athlete Josiah Brown at the end of March. Several weeks later, Brown listed the Crimson Tide as a finalist in his recruitment.

Brown plays for Holy Trinity Diocesan High School in Hicksville, New York. As a junior, Brown hauled in 21 receptions for 425 yards and seven touchdowns. He also recorded 19 tackles on defense for the Titans.

Brown possesses a great blend of athleticism and speed. His ability to make plays at the line of scrimmage as well as contribute on special teams stands out in his highlight tape.

While Alabama made the cut, Brown is currently trending toward Rutgers. According to On3’s RPM. the Scarlet Knights have the highest likelihood to land Brown at 50.7% likelihood.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Josiah Brown’s recruiting profile.

Alabama offers top prospect in New York, 2024 ATH Josiah Brown

Josiah Brown is the highest-ranked recruit from the state of New York in the 2024 recruiting cycle and he received an offer from Alabama on Friday.

It is not every day that you see the Alabama coaching staff offer a prospect from New York. However, Alabama recently offered 2024 athlete Josiah Brown of Hicksville, New York.

Brown plays on both sides of the ball for Holy Trinity Diocesan High School. As a junior, he hauled in 21 receptions for 425 receiving yards and five touchdowns at wide receiver. While playing free safety, Brown recorded 19 tackles and two interceptions.

Altogether, Brown is a very dynamic athlete. His highlight tape showcases his ability to be a playmaker when the ball is in his hands. He displays a tendency to blow by defenders but also uses creativity to create separation.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Josiah Brown’s recruiting profile.

2024 ATH Kamron Mikell receives offer from Alabama coaching staff

2024 athlete Kamron Mikell received an offer from Alabama on Monday. The Georgia native took his lone visit to Tuscaloosa on Oct. 8 for the Texas A&M game last season.

2024 athlete Kamron Mikell received an offer from the Alabama coaching staff on Monday. On his Twitter, Mikell referred to Alabama as “My Dream/Favorite School”.

The Georgia native is an explosive athlete at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. He possesses raw speed and athleticism. At Statesboro High School, Mikell competes in track and field while also performing on the gridiron.

In the 100-meters, Mikell posted his fastest time at 10.50. He also ran a 21.69 in the 200-meters.

During his junior season, Mikell played multiple positions. He played quarterback and running back for the Blue Devils.

Mikell tallied 478 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He also threw for 268 yards and four passing touchdowns.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Kamron Mikell’s recruiting profile.

Alabama offers 2024 ATH Cai Bates from Florida

2024 athlete Cai Bates has been rising along the recruiting circuits. He recently added an offer from the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Alabama’s coaching staff extended an offer to 2024 athlete Cai Bates, who plays for Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida.

All recruiting circuits have Bates regarded as a three-star. However, he has received over 20 offers from prominent programs all across the nation.

During his junior season, Bates played both sides of the ball for the Eagles. At wide receiver, he hauled in 17 receptions for 241 receiving yards and one touchdown. He tallied three tackles and four interceptions at cornerback.

At this time, UCF is trending as the program to most likely land Bates, according to On3’s RPM.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Cai Bates’ recruiting profile.

Alabama offers 2024 versatile ATH Kahnen Daniels

Alabama’s coaching staff is recruiting the state of Mississippi heavily in the 2024 recruiting cycle. The Tide recently offered Mississippi athlete Kahnen Daniels.

Mississippi is one state that the Alabama coaching staff has been prioritizing in the 2024 recruiting cycle. One star prospect from the state is 2024 athlete Kahnen Daniels, who recently received an offer from the Crimson Tide.

Daniels plays for West Point High School in West Point, Mississippi and is a very important player on the Green Wave offense. He is used primarily as a runner but throws on occasion. Daniels will likely be used as a halfback or slot wide receiver at the next level.

He has a great burst in an open field and runs with a lot of power. His skillset would likely fit in well in Tommy Rees’ offense at Alabama.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Kahnen Daniels’ recruiting profile.

Alabama lands in top-10 for 2024 ATH Demello Jones

2024 athlete Demello Jones released his top-10 schools on Monday. He included the Tide in the mix.

The Crimson Tide is looking to add more high-profile commitments to the recruiting class of 2024. One prospect that the coaching staff is heavily pursuing is 2024 athlete Demello Jones.

Jones recently released his top-10 schools and listed Alabama as a finalist. He last visited Tuscaloosa in January for Junior Day.

He has played multiple positions for Swainsboro High School this past season, as he got snaps at wide receiver, quarterback, and cornerback. His impact helped lead his squad to a 13-1 record and a bid in the Class 1A state championship.

During his junior campaign, he had 122 carries for 1,279 yards and 20 touchdowns. Jones also hauled in 14 receptions for 382 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Jones told Rivals’ Ryan Wright that he was planning on visiting Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama soon.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Demello Jones’ recruiting profile.

2024 ATH Kylan Fox lists Alabama as a finalist in his recruitment

2024 prospect Kylan Fox listed Alabama in his top-15 on Sunday. He received an offer from the Tide in June.

One position that the Alabama coaching staff will likely place an emphasis on in the 2024 recruiting cycle is the tight end. With the recent hiring of Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator, it seems like the Tide might return to being a run-heavy offense. That was the case for Rees’ offenses at Notre Dame.

One prospect that could be implemented as both a run blocker and pass catcher is 2024 athlete Kylan Fox. He recently listed Alabama as a finalist in his recruitment on Sunday.

The product of Grayson High School has the frame to be a tight end in Alabama’s system at 6-foot-4, 208 pounds. Fox put his skillset on display during his junior year when he hauled in 25 receptions for 326 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

One of the more interesting things to note is the fact that Georgia did not make the top-15 for Fox, even though he took four trips to Athens. He has been to Tuscaloosa twice and will likely return at some point during his senior season.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down Kylan Fox’s recruiting profile.